This time, on my visit to Smyrna Dunes Park, I walked up to the second story of the tall pavilion located along the boardwalk on the ocean side. It seems there are always people up there, but I went up anyway and got some photos once they left.

It was a coolish day in January, and I had to renew my yearly pass ($20 for county residents). I began walking counter-clockwise on the walkway. Once I got up top, I saw a row of cars which seemed to have supplied the beach with wetsuit-wearing surfers (ocean water is in the 60’s this time of year). They were catching some nice waves.

The tall pavilion is the only one with a second story along the boardwalk. I think Pavilion #1 allows barbecuing (this is not #1), and the others have picnic tables and trash cans. There is a tower along the other side of the boardwalk, which is also tall, but no tables (I think). I have not visited it since the boardwalk was re-done.

Top: looking out to the sea, and Below: looking south to the condos along the beach. I would continue walking north, until the access to the Ponce Inlet beach area.

The grass is brown this time of year and the temperatures are cool for walking. Once I came down from the pavilion, I saw a yacht coming out of the inlet into the ocean. It’s probably the largest yacht I’ve seen in the area. It came out of Ponce Inlet and turned south traveling along the shoreline.

I continued to walk to the Inlet access and made my way onto the beach where I found jellyfish, out-of-town visitors, and very few seashells (bummer). I ended up walking further than I had planned, but got some good exercise and fresh air. More on that part of the walk to come.