While the US and Canada are the
main Topics, we have made extended visits to the Bahamas Out Islands, Country of Panama, Mazatlan, Mexico during retirement. Images, video clips and comments provide reviews prior to travel.
Showing posts with label aab - Just Beaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aab - Just Beaches. Show all posts
Dania, while not publicized like Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale, has a flavor of it`s own. The Beach and Pier are quite popular, and the town
has kept the water area available to the most part for it"s citizens. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Good Parking availability makes the a popular place for many. Much quieter area, yet great park system brings many to picnic and swim in the Atlantic Ocean waters.
With only a boardwalk between you and the beach, this has become one of my favorites. Bars, restaurants and shopping give one a total beach experience within steps of each other. For snowbirds this is a great area, as surrounding accommodation is quite reasonable and entertainment is available free of charge most nights during the winter months. Many of the smaller family owned restaurants have reasonable charges and the bars usually overlook the boardwalk and beach. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Hollywood Beach & The Boardwalk. Built in 1923, the Hollywood Broadwalk is over two-miles long, featuring a thirty-foot wide landmark pedestrian promenade that combines dramatic coastal views of Hollywood Beach with the nostalgic feel of a Main Street thoroughfare. Boardwalk became my friend, not just for the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. There were many days when bicycling became a very good pastime, or where walking helped to make up for so, so many delicious meals & drinks at the mostly French-Canadian restaurants along the Boardwalk. Prior to walking home, it was quite easy to watch the entertainment at the Bandshell.
Everything in it`s place. Much effort and time is spent to ensure that the beach and surrounding area is maintained to provide tourists with a great clean place to sun and relax. The beach is terrific and the wind is constant yet not overbearing. One can spend the afternoon here easily and then cross the street for a great evening dinner or lunch. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Year round, world class family resort destination that has helped draw in the tourists for decades.
Now this is a drive that provides you, as a visitor, an excellent recap of what is available in the Clearwater Beach area. It passes by many of Clearwater Beach landmark locations; accommodation sites, restaurants, and attractions like Clearwater Beach itself plus boating facilities that use the Intercoastal Waterway or the Gulf of Mexico. Click Picture for Video Clip The Story behind the pictures This drive, to me, is a very good example of why so many tourists or snowbirds visit the area. For those that do not go to the beach on a regular schedule, their plans change when they have visitors as this is always high on the list for others. Myself, I always feel comfortable here.
Harmony Beach is a relatively small Hamlet located on Lake Superior some 25 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. A camping Resort with bar & restaurant is the only business location. Click Pictures to enlarge
The Story behind the pictures Although the beach waters of Lake Superior may seem cool to many the waters reach 70-80F during many occasions during the summer months and it is quite well attended each weekend by the local population from Sault St. Marie.
John`s Comments
Beach is not really long in length, however it made for quick 20 minute jaunt, or a leisurely 40 walk with
a stop or two along the way to view various activities like watercraft, geese, & swimmers that braved the
cooler waters. Having road access for one leg of the trip where traffic was almost non-existant did help.
John`s Recollections
What I remember most is I actually do miss it. It provided on warm days a place to sit and view Superior`s
waters that always were different, it provided a remarkable spot to view the nightly sunsets and best of
all it met my own personal requirement "life is a beach, with
white sand and gentle waves". The bay`s smaller opening into the much larger
Superior helped to create warmer waters and mitigated the strength of wave action.
Not all activities are for the snowbirds. Here is one place that caters to the younger crowd or those that still think they are young. Numerous beach activities with a very welcome beach atmosphere make Caddy`s one of the favorites for younger locals and tourists. Also the food while made for the younger crowd, is also quite passable. Click Picture for Video Clip The Story behind the picture Mother always told me "Watch the kids". Now I really do know why! This little excursion was pleasurable to the eyes and a great lesson in what our youngsters enjoy. Much more active than ourselves and all with the thoughts of enjoying themselves to the fullest.
John`s Comments
Just had to go as it is well advertised to the local crowd. Was not disappointed as
the food was adequate, liquor quite reasonable and the views were always pleasing to
the eye.
John`s Recollections
Location is quite the hot spot for the beach party goers, and many
of the visitors are local. Tourists are more in the younger variety, however there
are those that visit of all ages, and the food is reasonable.
A most excellent winter vacation spot along Indian Shores Beach. Sunsets were just fabulous and the daily beach walks were always different as the wave action always provided a new texture. Quite possible to travel 4-5 miles in either direction on the beach without having a barricade or opening to the intercoastal waterway. In this particular area there is also a wild life refuge for the many pelicans and water birds. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Beaches along Florida`s Gulf of Mexico coastline are rather good with white sand and gentle waves.
John`s Comments
Beach at Indian Shores area has a much reduced population as area is mostly condominiums
or private homes with few business venues. Generally space is quite available for family
gatherings at a much quieter pace.
John`s Recollections
Life is a beach with white sand and gentle waves. Here that is true with only one exception
for rough waters during our winter stay. Even the sandy shores changed daily with the wave
action, and that made the daily walk all the more interesting. The Gulf waters at many times
also were full of water life including porpoises, rays and many types of fish and water birds.
On the Atlantic coastline in northern Florida, this beach is a bit more laid back and retains some historic charm. We really are beach people and love to see the waters and waves as they come in. Here there is not a multitude of people, yet the beach is one of the area`s finest. As we await to see where the next hurricane will land, it is still quite possible to see an area where population has not taken over the scenery. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Could not resist taking a break while driving to St. Augustine from wintering in Clearwater, Florida. The beach
(happens to be our favorite item) beckoned us in to have a look see.
John`s Comments
The drive towards St. Augustine along the Atlantic coastline is quite scenic. Stopping at Flagler beach, to walk in the sand by the ocean is one of the
reasons why there are so many tourists visiting Florida. The waves and the sand here are above average and the hour walk made for a very enjoyable pit
stop along the way
John`s Recollections
The coast road (Hwy 1) on our way to Saint Augustine is alongside the Atlantac in this area. The beach and the waves beckoned us to the point
where dipping our toes in the water and taking a walk on the beach were more important than another hour in a favorite location (Savannah).
John`s Personal Views
Just had to stop as the highway goes right along the beach. The sand is deep and the water was warm. Made for a very enjoyable two hours and if we had
of had the time, likely would of spent an hour or two having lunch at one of the roadside restaraunts that overlooked the beach.
Actually we have returned several times and have had that lunch.
Terrific beach to lay back, wander into the surf, listen to the wandering marachi bands or buy the many products tendered by beach vendors. We love the beach as mentioned previously but this one seemed to have more activity than most. Beach vendors trying to sell their wares every 10-15 minutes provided interesting moments to get out of the sun, plus the waves were very consistent and you were able to go out 50 feet, sit down, and let them wash over you. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Vendors did ply their trade, but unless requested, did not bother most anyone. Actually they did add to the beach activities.
A tourist haven along the Gulf coast. Great dockside facilities include many restaurants, shopping, gambling cruise departures and an intercoastal linkage to the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately as a snowbird we have been able to visit many times and our experiences have always been positive. For those that wish to sunbathe or walk the beach, then that is great also. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Spend most of one day watching the building of this sand castle. Impressed by the efforts of what is entailed to create it, and disappointed that several days later it was no longer there.
Just a fabulous park to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Excellent beach and facilities together with an area for camping overnight. Well used by locals and regarded as one of the best beaches in Florida. Plan on visiting Fort Desota to see an awesome display of cannon power in earlier times. Our visits here are usually a full day trip. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Left the beach crowd and searched for a barbecue pit. Picture was from that location and we were not disappointed. Peaceful and quiet time with
the many birds in the area.
John`s Comments
Pack up your beach bag, put on your swimming gear, and visit this favorite beach along the gulf coast.
Activities in the historic park include camping, kayaking, fishing, barbequeing, and of course swimming
& walking along many of the beaches
John`s Recollections
A terrific park that is visited by many. Great for a day trip, as one can visit the fort, then partake
in beach activies. Places to get away by yourself for barbeques and there is even an area for camping overnight.
A very unique reststop, rarely travelled by tourists, has excellent beach & restaurant facilities and provides a great location to view Panamanians harvesting an early morning fish catch. This one night stop, followed by a quick visit to the Royal Decamaron Resort was just great. The beach area was very special, hardly a soul, yet just beautiful to walk by some of the homes along the beach. Hard to believe that there were so few business entities, as back home it would have been wall to wall business & resorts. Video clips provide a good review.
The Story behind the picture Most people are in search of that dream location, where you can settle down, enjoy the environment and have that closeness to your desires. Well I think that this is mine! The people are friendly yet do not exhibit the traits of needing what you may have, the beach and ocean waters are more than what is necessary, food is plentiful and the weather is terrific. Sounds good doesn`t it, perhaps we need to return.
Walking thru the sandy beaches in Abaco will not remind you of our harder packed sand. Here on the beach you actually leave imprints 2-3 inches deep in most areas and it becomes the standard for your island visits. For the most part, there are not the crowds one would expect back home and it feels quite peaceful and serene. Click Picture for Video Clip The Story behind the picture
The pink sand beach on Harbour Island is one of the best and is consistently rated in the Worlds Top 10. Fabulous beach, with pink sands & gentle waves where one can wade into the Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of feet. This had to be the greatest beach that I have set foot on (at least from my perspective). The most beautiful color of sand, the gentleness of the slope, and the colors of waters that seemed go out for ever. Seeing others on horseback only added to the mystique. Click Picture for Video Clip The Story behind the picture
Here is a place where you could imagine that your dreams had been realized. Leaving footprints in the sand and having individuals infrequently riding by on horseback just made you think you were in another world. Gentle waves brought in the Atlantic waters as if it was a giant bubble bath, and the pink sand beach with blue skies made this a postcard event. It was not until much later that I noticed the breakers some thousand yards from the shoreline, where they had approached the reefs and smoothed the waters closer to the beach to create this appearance.
Excellent white sand beach on the Gulf of mexico. Well used by vacationers and area residents as well. Many new resorts & condominiums, either on the beach or across the street. Close to all beach activities. This is the place where vacationers abound and enjoy the sun, sand, and Gulf of Mexico waters. Many favorite restaurants on the beach however I still recommend the Palm Pavilion if you are in the area, or maybe Frenchy`s, or maybe even Jimmy Iguana's. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture A picture is worth a thousand words, and what makes this one even better is to be able to sit in an
open bar/restaurant and take the picture. Thanks to the Palm Pavilion Restaurant for making life easy.
John`s Comments
Clearwater Beach, one of the finest white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
John`s Recollections
One of Florida`s great beaches. White soft sand with a recently installed beach walkway separating the beach from the hotels and
business areas that is quite comparable to the Fort Lauderdale beachfront. I actually like this area more as it seems more in tune
with the general public with still many business establishments on the beach and not requiring one to cross a road.
A favorite of many snowbirds during the winter months, and during the summer months many come from Northern Texas to partake in the beach activities. Close to the Mexican border for frequent shopping excursions. South Padre Island is just a narrow slit of land off the Texas coastline where development has blossomed into a flourishing vacation destination. Click Picture for Video Clip
The Story behind the picture Party atmosphere for a few days with even a visit to Mexico thrown in.
John`s Comments
South Padre Island is busy during the winter snowbird season as seniors travel to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. Having Mexico as a next door neighbor
also provides an interesting diversion. This is also a well attended summer location for summer breaks for those that are looking for ocean beaches.
John`s Recollections
South Padre Island has many beaches and the hospitality of the local population is noted for their friendly atmosphere. There are
also some very large Texas size steaks and shrimps from the Gulf of Mexico. Both were sampled several times. South Padre accommodation was at that
time a place to rest several days, prior to completing our baseball visits to the original 26 major league baseball teams, at the Houston Astros ballpark.
Surfing in the Pacific is a favorite pastime for many in California. The coastline near San Francisco provides many the opportunity to enjoy the waves, scenery etc. Click Picture for Video Clip
Not a large beach but adequate for those that wish to take a dip or sunbathe. One of the more interesting items is swimming out to the anchored barge that has onboard restaurant facilities.
Click Picture for Video Clip
------Click for Atlantic Ocean Waves - 1.4 min
