…sunrise, a lovely solitude.

By Mary Charlebois

White sand dunes, sea oats, sea turtle nest, gentle surf, and clouds swelling on the horizon. The deserted beach is quiet as the sun rises. It’s a standard early morning on St Augustine Beach Florida.

Morning beach walk

My morning began before sunrise. Neighbors told me turtles had been digging nests and laying eggs for a few days. I had my tea and toast, grabbed my camera, and headed for the sand.

Searching for turtles

I was the only one walking the shoreline at first. I found nests that had been fenced off for protection from human feet. I also saw evidence of mother turtle’s work the night before. Most of their tracks were washed away by the tide, but I managed to get a flipper print or two.

Love those lifeguards

Lifeguards began to arrive at one of the bright red lifeguard stands. They huddled together as their leader announced the day’s weather and tide conditions. Morning calisthenics started with push-ups.

I wandered on, catching the morning sunrise over the Atlantic. Once above the horizon, people began to emerge from the dunes to claim a spot or take an early morning swim. It was time to head back to my beach house, check my email, and head into St Augustine Old Town and meet my host for breakfast.

Secret beach house

In June 2017 I stayed in a St Francis Inn beach house on St Augustine Beach and a beach trailhead. In a small oceanfront neighborhood, I immersed myself in the beach life of NE Florida.

St. Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island. You can enjoy white sand beaches, the St. Johns County Pier, a playground, pavilion, fishing pier, volleyball courts, bait shops, fine restaurants, shopping, and more. Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, RV, and camping are available. Vehicles are permitted on the beach within designated areas.

St Augustine is America’s oldest city and one of the most beautiful.
I plan a return trip when travel opens again.

Read my story about a previous trip, Northeast Florida: 100-Miles of US Route A1A, published by GoNOMAD in September of 2017.

To learn more about St Augustine and St Augustine Beach, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by, MaryGo