Seashells by Millhill

The Rocky Beaches of Florida

Posted on 03/16/2013 by Dustytoes

An outcropping of the Anastasia limestone formation seen along the shoreline of Blowing Rocks Preserve at low tide (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I never expected to see a rocky beach in Florida. It’s known for it’s lack of rocks. When digging a hole, you won’t hit a boulder or even smaller rocks. That is because the state is made mostly of sand. In Florida the beach sand can be compromised of quartz (white sand), limestone, bits of shells and animal parts, among other things. Chunks of limestone made up of these things can be found in the sea and in some areas, along the coast.

At Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island, on the southeastern Atlantic side, part of the coast does not have the typical flat, sandy beaches we get accustomed to in Florida. As you can see in this picture from Wikipedia and in the video below, the rocky formations can be seen along the shore and out in the water. Snorkeling would be a wonderful pastime to enjoy here!

More places in Florida to see these unusual outcroppings of limestone deposits include Washington Oaks State Park and in the Florida Keys.

Five Things I Want to Do on My Florida Vacation

Posted on 02/27/2013 by Dustytoes

English: Aerial view of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, from the observation deck, top of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse from across Ponce Inlet. (maximum zoom) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don’t have a date set yet. The plane tickets are not purchased, but I do plan to get back to my old stomping grounds in central Florida one day soon. When I have the beach house or condo rented, I will begin to plan my excursions around the area where I used to live. Some of them I will get to do, and others I might not, but there are five things I will do once I’m back down south.

Now, honestly, these may not be at the top of your Florida vacation list and some are personal to me, but I decided to share the list with you just in case.

Number 1: Swim, and boogie board, in the ocean. I will do this only if I visit when the weather is warm enough. Some hardy northerners Continue reading →

Posted in Beach vacations | Tagged Florida, New Smyrna Beach, restaurants, things to do, vacations | 2 Comments

How To Survive a Beach Vacation

Posted on 02/04/2013 by Dustytoes

Severe sunburn and blisters on a shoulder, three days after a significant exposure to sun without sunscreen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You’ve waited all year, and in some cases, many years, for your dream vacation on a tropical beach. Now the time has come. You’re packed and read to spend some awesome time in the warm sunshine, lounging on the beach and playing in the ocean. But the worst enemy to a happy vacation is something you may be looking forward to the most – the sun.

If you’ve never been to the tropics (and that includes Florida), you may not realize how very sunny and incredibly hot the Sunshine State can be. You can not stick your pale and pasty white body out on the Florida sand for hours on your first day at the beach. And if you have a “base tan” that won’t matter much either. Even with a high number sunscreen, this would be a mistake that you will pay for the rest of the vacation. Once you burn, you will not enjoy sitting in the sun and there is no way to avoid the sun in Florida. And if it’s bad enough you could end up in the hospital. Not a fun way to spend a trip you’ve planned for a long time.

Old sunscreen can lose it’s effectiveness. Begin by using a NEWLY purchased, and high SPF, sunscreen (15 or more) and go out on the beach in the early morning and late after noon. Avoid the mid-day hours when that sun is killer. Believe me, it will be hot enough and you will get a tan even then. Watch the kids very closely – the burn will not show up while you are sunbathing or boogie-boarding, but later you will feel it and see it.

Hats are a must and make sure they cover your ears, and beach shoes or water shoes are highly suggested. The last thing you want to do is step on a sharp shell out in the water or trash hidden in the sand on the beach. If you can’t walk, you won’t enjoy vacation, will you? Shoes that cover the tops of your feet keep that area from burning as well. And do I really have to suggest sunglasses? Get them for the kids too.

Some condos and resorts rent out beach umbrellas and cabanas and it’s a good idea to have one as a place to sit and eat lunch or a snack beach-side.

Basically, bide your time in the sun. You have the entire vacation to get that tan you seek and I guarantee you will have one if you spend any time outside. Just don’t ruin the vacation trying to look like you took one.

Posted in Beach vacations | Tagged avoiding sunburn, Florida beaches, planning a vacation, sunburn, tropics, vacation | 2 Comments

Take it From The Pro – The Sanibel Six (Seashells That Is)

Posted on 02/03/2013 by Dustytoes

Olive Shells

I recently came across a picture on Pinterest and thought it looked familiar. I clicked on a picture of six tropical seashells with the title “The Sanibel Six” hoping it would lead me to the blog I thought it was associated with, and it did.

Blogger Pam writes the “i love shelling” blog and she has a great post about the six top shells she has discovered that people collect while visiting Sanibel Island in Florida. She would know, because her blog is all about shelling (as you may have guessed), but not only the shelling she does, but the shelling vacationers to “her” island do. She lives there (don’t let your jealousy show), and has decided to share with the world what she sees going on at the beaches. Mainly what the tourists are collecting.

She has a wonderful blog and it’s the perfect idea since she spends lots of time on the beaches too. Why not get to know the people who are sharing island space with you? It’s such a great idea and I always learn something when I read her blog. She includes awesome videos too.

She is my hero, and when I retire to live on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway), I plan to be spending my time shelling too. It’s not the same as Sanibel, but the little islands up and down the ICW in Florida contain some great stuff too. I may not blog about it since I won’t be running into many tourists out in the boonies of the Indian River, but I know I will discover and maybe collect some great stuff too.

Back to the story at hand. Of the six seashells she chose, I only have two of them. So what are the six shells that are most widely collected on Sanibel? I’ll give you a hint, one of them is pictured here. As for the others, well according to Pam, they are these.

Posted in Beach vacations, Florida | Tagged pictures of shells, Sanibel, seashell collecting, Seashells, shelling | 3 Comments

Santa is Making His List – on a Sand Dollar

Posted on 12/15/2012 by Dustytoes

Santa Sand Dollar

Christmas in Florida meant decorating with some cute, tropical type ornaments. Craft fairs in Fall always had sand dollar ornaments, like the one pictured, with all sorts of images added. This one has a little button on the back that used to play music. I must have purchased this one about 20 years ago and I am a bit surprised that it’s still looking good.

I think this image was decoupaged onto the front and then covered in glitter (which has mostly worn off). It would have been fairly simple to make.

Starfish are perfect for creating tree toppers or for making a little tree centerpiece by piling starfish on top of each other. All you need is the sea stars! Scallop shell ornaments are popular too and crafters make them look like angels with the shell as the skirt or dress. Any flat shells are great for painting too or just add some ribbon and a hook. I have found lots of decorating ideas for a coastal Christmas at Pinterest, so if you still need inspiration, visit the site.