2014/125: Galveston’s Pleasure Pier
Pleasure Pier is a new addition to Galveston. It was built where the Flagship Hotel used to be (the hotel was torn down after it was damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008) and opened in 2012.
Pleasure Pier by day
…and by night
2014/124: Sisters
If I didn’t know better, I’d say they’re getting along…..but I know better! 😉
Although they are getting along better than they used to!
2014/123: Happy Place
Almost any beach will do…this was Texas City Dike
Getting my feet wet was a must, although the water was still pretty chilly!
Of course the kids looked for seashells to take home as souvenirs. These little guys however were NOT allowed to come home with us!
View of  Point Bolivar Lighthouse from the end of Texas City Dike
2014/024: Birds On The Beach (2)
These little guys were so cute, and so much fun to watch as they ran toward the water, had a little snack, and then ran away as the waves came in….and then did it all over again. Not sure what kind of birds they are, sandpipers??
2014/023: Birds On The Beach (1)
Sara wanted to chase this one…probably not a good idea!
(Taken with my iPhone)
2014/019: Christmas Sunrise
A beautiful sunrise at the beach is the next best thing to a white Christmas (to me anyway 😉 )
2014/018: Sand Art
Both by Sara, although she had a little help from me finding seashells for the heart. Had to work quickly so it wouldn’t get washed away before it was finished.
2014/017: Christmas Eve Sunset
Pensacola Beach is ideal for sunrise AND sunset shots!Â
View from our room…time to head down to the beach…
Margaritaville Beach Hotel at sunset
2014/015: Christmas Eve Sunrise
I always wake up really, really early, and if you’re at a hotel right on the beach, what better to do than bundle up and head out into the cold to photograph the sunrise? It was just me, myself and I that morning.
And the view from our room….a bit after the sunrise, and after breakfast and a hot cup of coffee or two to warm up
2014/014: Christmas In Florida
During our summer vacation in Florida, we decided that we would come back when the kids were off for winter break. One was excited, the other one….not so much (but she had to come with us anyway 😉 )
We decided on Pensacola Beach, even though it wouldn’t be warm enough to swim. It was COLD and WINDY, with temperatures in the low 30’s in the morning, and probably around 50 in the afternoon, but it was still beautiful, and the cold certainly didn’t stop us from venturing out for walks on the beach. Sara often came with me very early in the morning, to take pictures of the sunrise, and look for seashells. Melissa on the other hand didn’t go out unless we didn’t leave her any other choice (that’s teenagers for ya 😉 )
These photos were all from our first day (Dec.23)
Holiday Inn Express, Pensacola Beach. As you can see, the hotel is right on the beach, and best of all, ALL their rooms have a Gulf front view!
The view from our room
Of course we didn’t waste any time to get down to the beach!
Just a hint of sunset colors
2014/010: Walking In A Winter Wonderland
Well…..not exactly.
We spent Christmas in Pensacola Beach Florida and it was really cold, with temperatures in the 30’s in the morning, and in the 40’s (possibly in the low 50’s) and really windy. But this isn’t snow, it’s a snowy-white beach.
The Sweetest Thing
One of my favorite Florida pictures…..my girls, walking along the beach, and it almost looks like they’re holding hands. Which they are most certainly NOT! 😉
(Taken with my iPhone)
Cape Florida Lighthouse
What a lucky day it was when we visited Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne. They were just about to lock up the lighthouse for the day, but said that if we made it quick, we could climb to the top. I don’t think we ever climbed a lighthouse faster than this one and practically ran the 119 steps to the top. Melissa doesn’t like the tight spiraling lighthouse steps and chose to wait for us at the bottom.
First glimpse of the lighthouse above the trees
Ocean view from the top
Beach view
Walking away from the lighthouse, in search of the beach
Lighthouse view from the beach access
Pensacola Lighthouse
Our first stop after crossing into Florida was Pensacola Lighthouse. We had to drive through the Naval Air Station to get to it, and once at the top of the lighthouse, could watch airplanes taking off and landing. If you’re really lucky you can see the Blue Angels practicing (no such luck for us)
Getting our feet wet in the warm Gulf waters
View from the beach
No flip-flops allowed! The girls and I had to climb the lighthouse barefoot. There was even someone at the bottom of the stairs, making sure everyone deposited their flip-flops in a little cubby before climbing to the top. (I thought that was kind of fun and didn’t mind at all…although the kids didn’t agree with me)
Painted pelican
Beautiful white sandy beaches. What really surprised me that the sand was cool to the touch and not burning hot like sandy beaches normally are.
iFlorida Memories – Part 2
Beaches, beaches, and more beaches….. oh, and seashells, water, and palm trees. Pure heaven!
Sanibel Island (my favorite place in Florida! Yup, I’d take Sanibel over Disney!)
Seashells on Vilano Beach, St. Augustine
Boardwalk to the beach, Pepsicola Pensacola
Vilano Beach, St. Augustine
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys
Watching Sara brave the waves on the boogie board, Destin
My shadow in the sand, Destin
Beach bum Guardian of the beach chairs, Melissa. She refused to even put on her swim suit with the cover-up
Lone palm tree, Pensacola Beach
** All pictures taken with my iPhone
The Daily Click 