Courtyard

This apartment entrance is located just a couple blocks from Jax Beach Pier. I loved it because it has more of a European flavor, the entrances to the apartments quietly tucked away in the corners of the courtyard. Very different from the run-down beach houses that often line those first few streets along the ocean. There's also an hibiscus bush on the left side of the courtyard...more on that tomorrow.

This is, Unbelievably...

...someone's backyard. Located in the heart of Jax Beach, this person has mastered the fine art of no maintenance, a sort of wild-state park look. The plant and animal life around here is one of the reasons I love my home so much. Yes, it's a little swampy, and, yes, it's a fairly buggy, but it's also incredibly beautiful.

Interesting Lines

I found this palm tree in a neighbor's yard, and I thought the fronds looked interesting against the cloudy sky.

Ft. Lauderdale

I've returned from my weekend in Ft. Lauderdale, and, as promised, have a few pictures to share. This is what I've been up to the last few days, away from home:

This shot was taken at Dania Beach. I love south Florida because surrounding all the plant life are sea grapes. My husband, who is a native of Ft. Lauderdale, says that sea grapes are south Florida's answer to the palmetto bush, but I think they're lovely.

A cool building located in historic Hollywood, just south of Ft. Lauderdale.

For some reason, I loved this phone booth. Still standing, though it's usefulness is obviously long passed. Now it's just a piece of art, a statement of times gone by.

I can't end this post without a photo of my home town, Jax Beach. So, here you go:

This is a Chinese Fan Palm. I liked the way it created a border between me and the birdbath behind.

Lee's Ice Cream

Lee's Ice Cream is a very cool, vintage ice cream parlor in the entertainment district of Atlantic Beach. Located just a few blocks from the ocean, this is a great place to go get a cool treat and enjoy the amazing weather we've been getting!

For those who have been dropping by, I am going to be down in Ft. Lauderdale the next few days. Unfortunately, I won't be able to post while down there, but I will take some awesome pictures which I will share with you when I return. See you next week!

Shadow of a Palm

This photo, again, was taken in old Atlantic Beach. This is the beach access, and these palms line the brick road up to the sand.

Our rainy days have passed and we've been getting some amazing weather. This is the season when it's not uncommon to see pedestrians and cyclists out in board shorts and bathing suits. It's a very lazy and slow time of year.

Brick Leaf

This is part of the same road in yesterday's post of old Atlantic Beach. I don't know what it is about brick roads that I love so much. It certainly isn't the practicality. But they do have a certain charm that asphalt just can't rival.

I'm posting this in honor of Monochrome Monday. Go check out some other great shots!

Walk of Palms

This is the entertainment district in Atlantic Beach. I love this part of town, the brick sidewalks and roads, the palm trees, and the stores and restaurants. Just beyond this walk is a beach access. It's a great place to ride your bike, and there are plenty of stores and coffee shops to hang out in.

Local Artist

A local artist paints at a coffee shop.

Palm

Unfortunately, I'm not terribly sure what kind of palm we're looking at. My best guess is Dwarf Umbrella Palm. Can anyone confirm this?

Happy weekend everyone!

Amusing

Jax Beach is definitely located in America's Bible Belt. I'm not sure that you could find a park sign exactly like this one anywhere else (correct me if I'm wrong). As they say in Jacksonville, my beloved metropolis, "Big city, small town feel".

Lawn Chairs

These lawn chairs are always sitting outside a painted furniture store. I love how colorful they are, even if I, personally, would never buy a lawn chair with a pink flamingo in a bathing suit on it.

A Curious Additon to a Veterinary Practice

I've always found this statue a bit odd. As far as I can see, it has nothing to do with the veterinary practice inside. If it was a horse, then I could perhaps see the connection. But it's a Pegasus. Nevertheless, the owner must be quite attached to it. Several years ago, the statue was demolished in a car accident, and the practice spent a good deal of time and effort to have it replaced. I suppose they had a good reason -- this Pegasus practically shouts, "Beaches Animal Clinic" to those that live here.

Beach Cruiser Against Fence

In honor of Monochrome Monday, I'm posting this shot.

Beach Cruisers are the most common bike you see around here, and you see them everywhere. First Street, which runs along the ocean, belongs to pedestrians and those on bikes. If you're riding in a car it's sort of an unspoken rule that you defer to those who are not (even if they're in the middle of the street). This particular bike is covered with rust, another fairly common sight here at the beach.

For Sale

A fairly typical beach house, though a little run down. You run into plenty that look like this, but a lot of the older houses have been or are being renovated, especially those that are just a few blocks from the ocean.

Another Cloudy Day

We've been getting a lot of rain here in Jax Beach this week...in fact, it's been a really wet summer.

This is part of the boardwalk that runs along the beach. Jax Beach is fortunate in that there aren't a lot of oceanfront high rise condos, as in other parts of the state, but we do have some.

Check Point

A surfer walks up Jax Beach pier, probably to check the waves.

Seeing Double

This is the Casa Marina Hotel, one of those landmarks that people are always throwing out there, as in, "I'll meet you at the beach at the Casa Marina". It's a popular place for outdoor weddings with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Inaugural Photo

I love my home. It is the quintessential beach town in Florida. Quiet, lazy, not too fast, small. There is a way of thinking here that bands the people of Jax Beach together...there are those who live at the beach, AKA "us," and there are those who live in town, AKA "them". Townies.

I have, at times, been one of "them," living in the greater Jacksonville area. And, admittedly, I like it okay. But I'm really glad to be back at the beach. I suppose I've become spoiled again. Really, there's no need to cross the bridge into town when everything I could possibly need is right here.

I want to share this place with you. So I'm beginning a daily photo blog. The thing about the beach is that it's really three beaches in one: Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beach -- in that order, from north to south. So these photos will be documenting the lives of all three beaches.

This photo was taken yesterday, during the calm before the storm. Right after I got this shot, I passed a man on a bike who yelled over, "It's comin' fast, it's comin' fast! Hope you get home ok!" Then he pedaled away, towing all his worldly goods behind him. He was right. About 5 minutes later, the sky opened up in one of those late afternoon downpours that are a staple of Florida summer weather.