Storm the Beach!

Fort Matanzas offers a free Federally-run ferry across the river into history. Reconnaissance view.

What are you waiting for?!? The time is now, sweet friend! It might be 'Two if by land, one if by sea', but it's more fair if by air!



The surrounding beaches are magnificent. Surfing and kite-surfing are popular activities. So is air sailing. This glider was kind enough to fly overhead for his glamor shot.



We Fly High in the Sky!

Every Dog Has His Day!

Looking for dog-friendly parks and beaches? Search no further! Here is a listing of happy spots to pass the time with man's best friend:

New Smyrna Beach is always lovely. Smyrna Dunes lies just south of Ponce Inlet, where the tides ebb and dogs swim. One of the sites for man to enjoy is Disappearing Island, visible during low tide only. Many boaters dock there and disembark with unleashed dogs who run freely on this exposed patch of sand. Bring your dogs to the dunes!

Ponce Inlet - I haven't been to this Dog Park, but is does look like a fun time with Fighto. The north side of the Inlet proper allows dogs in Lighthouse Park as well.

South Daytona is a quiet community on the mainland. Reed Canal Park offers disc golf, both paved and dirt paths beneath the trees, a playground for the kiddies, and a lake walk complete with doggie dootie bags to pick up after your precious pooch.

St. Augustine allows dogs on leashes, with owners, along the length of the beach. Although, dog walking is easier on Anastasia Island/St. Augustine beach than it is to the north of the inlet on steeper and more eroded Vilano Beach. If in the Flagler area, check out this dog park: Wadsworth Park

Watch out for rogue neighbor dog-haters like the one who took the time to paint this sign!

Where do you walk your dog?

On The Beach We All Fly Our Own Kite

My best friend, who is wonderful in every way, defines love with a belly-fluttering kite simile. Well, he made my insides reel and whirl when I read his words. This man says, that love "is like [flying] a kite at the beach... It may take a few times to launch but once it is up flies higher and higher and is hard to hold down".

My heaven is time spent with him. Florida is a picture of a place to find your love. Welcome to this place in the sun. We hope you'll stay!

Describing The Air Around Here

Now comes that time change again where we SPRING Forward! Year-after-year, I awaken bleary-eyed and grouchy for work on Monday. Yet, the added daylight is worthy of all praise.

There's a new book on the shelves right now called "Eat Pray Love", by Elizabeth Gilbert. She writes like I think, so I of course find reading this to be a pure and hidden pleasure. In the section about Italy, the author retells learning of the WORD describing the air of the people in different cities. In Rome, that word is "SEX". In New York City, that word is "ACHIEVE". In Stockholm, Sweden, that word is "CONFORM". But in Daytona Beach proper, my best friend and I think that word is SURVIVE. It's a rat race of events, occupation, traffic and concrete.

The beach, however, lends itself well to kite flying and chillin'. The WORD here is RELAX, my child. Just relax and let it all happen like you're on an infinite, mind-purifying vacation.

In my thirty-third year, I've decided to embrace this beach philosophy and learn to surf. Nichols Surf Shop on Flagler Ave in New Smyrna Beach has rental boards, wet suits and surf lessons at $75 for two hours. Please, fellow students of the ocean... take the lesson if the urge so over-takes you! Love the beginners and respect the long-time shredders who carve sweet rides out of nature's waves. Above all, relax.

Bike Week 2008!

What do you get when you mix late-February/early-March with Daytona Beach, Fl? Give up? It can only mean one thing... Bike Week is back! Let's let the photos speak for themselves, shall we?

Tattoos and alcohol at Froggy's Saloon. Women dance on elevated, roped-off platforms there too! Check out the blonde who dances while wearing only hot pants and a hat plucked off of some lucky dude's head. She flirts while covering her, ahem, lovely lady lumps with any hat around. Bring dollar bills!

Full Moon Saloon has live entertainment and tasty beer-soaking 1/2 pound hamburgers cookin' up and smellin' good!
If you need to take a restroom break, the port-o-lets to the back left corner are just as good as any. There are friendly attendants and a water trough to wash up in after the deed is done.

Good friends, good times!

Don't miss the inimitable Boothill Saloon. Go inside and have a seat. You're better off there than across the street! (This bar is famously across from the Main Street cemetary)

Dirty Harry's/Bank and Blues is always a sure destination for any Bike Week enthusiast. Lone bikers, couples and groups can all find lots to look at and drink on lovely Main Street USA!