Boating to Ponce Inlet

Even though the weather was chilly for a Florida day, we took the Redfisher north to Ponce Inlet.

Even though the water was cold and the weather was windy, we took a boat ride to Ponce Inlet.

My younger son wants to get his boating license and so big brother gave him some pointers and let him drive our boat.

A yacht passed us going the other way at the bridge, then it turned around and came back under the bridge behind us. We think he was trying to find a place to anchor.

  • Ponce Inlet sand
  • boat at island
  • sign in sand
  • dolphin
  • yacht by bridge on ICW
  • boat passing under the bridge
  • Menard May park

The wind made for quite a chill, so no one went in the water. We anchored the boat with the anchor pin just beyond the Inlet and walked a bit on the flat island created by the low tide. There are few shells here, and only rippled sand with some pools of water that were somewhat warm this time of year.

After exploring here, we cruised to another area and I found some shelter behind the shrubs where the wind was blocked. Loads of fiddler crabs make their home among the brush and sea purslane.

  • boat beached at island
  • Fiddler crab
  • boat ocean

The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse could be seen far off in the distance. I took this photo from behind the shrubs. Do you see the lighthouse in the center of the horizon?

Island shrubs and grasses
Lighthouse

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Little Beach Spider

I took this video of a little beach spider back in October during a walk along the beach. At least it looks like a spider. It could be a tiny crab, but it has eight legs that look more like spider than crab.

As I slowly combed the sand for seashells, I noticed this tiny thing crawling toward me. I only got a couple of photos and this short video.

I don’t know what this little guy is, or if he is a baby or adult.

It was a beautiful day for walking, collecting shells, and beach scene photography.

See more of my pictures at the beach in October on this post.

It is now January 2022, and we haven’t been boating in a while. We haven’t visited the beach either and it is mainly because the weather is cooler. My son is now my driver, so I only go if he decides to go. The northerners are back and that makes the roads, and everywhere, very packed with people, which for me is a good reason to stay away.

More travels along the Indian River

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Florida’s Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Because of all the bodies of water in Florida, viewing and enjoying that water has it’s own money-making opportunities. One unique way tourists can enjoy rivers and oceans is the “glass bottom” concept. With so many springs in Florida’s rivers, many of the state parks contain “Springs” in their name.  Those springs bubble crystal clear water up from underground to create the clear water needed for a great underwater view from a boat. (They also make a great place to swim as the water stays a cool 72 degrees in the heat of summer.)
Ocala Silver River attraction boat01
(Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Way back in the 1980’s, shortly after I had moved to Florida, there was a creepy glass-bottom boat story. One day, as visitors were taking a tour at one of the springs that offered such rides, suddenly the partial torso of a man glided beneath the glass! He had been diving and an alligator had eaten half of him.  I think it was a news story enhanced a bit for interest, but those alligators are dangerous. Continue reading “Florida’s Glass Bottom Boat Tours”