Beach walk!

Hello from Bradenton;

We went out to explore a beach this afternoon. The temps are in the high 70's...with very warm sunshine. As we set out I found myself very uncomfortable with the humidity.
We stopped at the post office to mail the last of our cards.
Then drove through Bradenton...I was seeing palm trees and flowering plants I usually see in green houses. Bright coloured buildings...the pastel colours...many many rv/resort parks with medical buildings across the street. We passed some very classy residential groups that ran beside the river or the  Gulf...one sign clearly said 'stay out'...'not wanted' but in different words.
We were looking for public parking or a public beach and stopped and asked a gentleman who was walking toward a beach area but  it was private...he directed us north to the public beach on Anna Maria Island where there are washrooms and food courts and glorious beaches.
We walked and listened to the waves...felt the warm wind blowing down the beach...soaked up the sun...I felt fine on the beach. It was fun to people watch ...seeing the deeply tanned regulars and the sunburned northern visitors....the old and the young playing in the water or on the beach.
Dolphins!!! I saw Dolphins!!! Also saw some water birds and sandpipers and a brown pelican. It felt so good to walk along a beach again. My husband walked into the water and just had fun.This does make up for all the vacations that we didn't take.
On drive back I saw a hawk in a tree....hah...we had passed many fishermen parked at the side of the road...using nets...so I thought the hawk had picked out a good spot as well.
Back at the rv...we rinsed off shoes and socks to get the salt out of them.
A wonderful afternoon jaunt.
I am still pinching myself and trying to remember that Christmas is close.
Sunshine & Laughter
Anne