Swimming in January!

**Jdarg** · 01-23-2010, 06:19 AM

After the longest stretch of miserable weather that we have had since we moved here in 2006, the kids and I went to the beach yesterday- I feel like we had been let out of a cage! Western Lake busted open again this week, and the was flowing out, but not too crazy, since I don't think the lake was that full.

The water was heartstopping cold, but that didn't stop Kate and her buddies from swimming- of course my instructions "don't get wet" were interpreted as "Get in the water and splash each other".

Other families had the same idea- about 10 cars down at the beach (Hi Geo!

) It was a nice reminder that warmer weather is not far off!

DD · 01-23-2010, 07:20 AM

This makes me happy.

**30A Skunkape** · 01-23-2010, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

After the longest stretch of miserable weather that we have had since we moved here in 2006, the kids and I went to the beach yesterday- I feel like we had been let out of a cage! Western Lake busted open again this week, and the was flowing out, but not too crazy, since I don't think the lake was that full.

The water was heartstopping cold, but that didn't stop Kate and her buddies from swimming- of course my instructions "don't get wet" were interpreted as "Get in the water and splash each other".

Other families had the same idea- about 10 cars down at the beach (Hi Geo!

) It was a nice reminder that warmer weather is not far off!

Time to try to lose some weight

**kurt** · 01-23-2010, 07:49 AM

It was a nice day - sunny and 72 with a bit of fog on the beach here and there.

**Jdarg** · 01-23-2010, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by 30A Skunkape

Time to try to lose some weight

D-Day is tomorrow.

**Franny** · 01-23-2010, 09:00 AM

We were down for awhile yesterday too, sorry we missed you. I was wrapped up in a beach towel and can't imagine getting wet, brrrr. Hope PK had a blast.

**Beach Runner** · 01-23-2010, 02:17 PM

Sounds divine, jdarg. Glad you, Kate, and all had such a happy day at the beach!

It's been so cloudy and gloomy back in GA that all we want to do is be couch potatoes. The other day it was sunny for the first time in ages, and even though it was cool outside, we felt like we had been let out of jail!

**Teresa** · 01-23-2010, 03:00 PM

its a bit cloudy and cool today, but we have enjoyed the beach for over a week now - starting in Carrabelle Beach. had the entire beach to ourselves. such a wild, untouched, crawling with sealife, wooded, beach. last time we were there it was taken OVER by horseshoe crabs (mating). this time it was very quiet. when you can walk on the beach in January, in mid-60 weather, sunny and very warm in the sun, then you are having a perfect winter.

**Beauty hunter** · 01-23-2010, 03:46 PM

Sounds like a happy time- good to hear

We are still trying to hibernate-eat and sleep
I love the heat

**Carol G** · 01-23-2010, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by jdarg

After the longest stretch of miserable weather that we have had since we moved here in 2006, the kids and I went to the beach yesterday- I feel like we had been let out of a cage! Western Lake busted open again this week, and the was flowing out, but not too crazy, since I don't think the lake was that full.

The water was heartstopping cold, but that didn't stop Kate and her buddies from swimming- of course my instructions "don't get wet" were interpreted as "Get in the water and splash each other".

Other families had the same idea- about 10 cars down at the beach (Hi Geo!

) It was a nice reminder that warmer weather is not far off!

I read this post and started searching for the "like" button, ha!
It was a really pretty day, glad y'all enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by Tootsie

its a bit cloudy and cool today, but we have enjoyed the beach for over a week now - starting in Carrabelle Beach. had the entire beach to ourselves. such a wild, untouched, crawling with sealife, wooded, beach. last time we were there it was taken OVER by horseshoe crabs (mating). this time it was very quiet. when you can walk on the beach in January, in mid-60 weather, sunny and very warm in the sun, then you are having a perfect winter.

Ooooh, sounds beautiful! I've never seen a live horseshoe crab...

**Over time** · 01-23-2010, 04:53 PM

It's freezing here and I envy y'all so much. It sure sounds like paradise to me.

**Teresa** · 01-23-2010, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by WaterCourseWay

I read this post and started searching for the "like" button, ha!
It was a really pretty day, glad y'all enjoyed it.

Ooooh, sounds beautiful! I've never seen a live horseshoe crab...

they are creepy when upside down!!!!

they get as big as a garbage can lid, and often you see them turned over, and their underside is like lots of giant roach legs. as it turns out, they are not crabs. they are related to spiders and scorpions. and have been around for over 200 million years.

you can find tons of "dead" ones on the beach. but they aren't dead - they have molted and left their entire intact shell/tail on the shore. they have long lifespans - 10 to 20 years.

they are good guys though. they provide eggs for migrating birds. and they are important for scientific research and for their use in medicine. plus a substance from the shell contains healing and other properties used to treat many conditions.. and is used to make many products such as contact lenses. who knew.

DD · 01-23-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

they are creepy when upside down!!!!

they get as big as a garbage can lid, and often you see them turned over, and their underside is like lots of giant roach legs. as it turns out, they are not crabs. they are they are related to spiders and scorpions. and have been around for over 200 million years.

you can find tons of "dead" ones on the beach. but they aren't dead - they have molted and left their entire intact shell/tail on the shore. they have long lifespans - 10 to 20 years.

they are good guys though. they provide eggs for migrating birds. and they are important for scientific research and for their use in medicine. plus a substance from the shell contains healing and other properties used to treat many conditions.. and is used to make many products such as contact lenses. who knew.

Wow, Toots. You are up on your crabs/spiders/scorpions.

I have a shell that a very special SoWaller gave me.

**Teresa** · 01-23-2010, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by DD

Wow, Toots. You are up on your crabs/spiders/scorpions.

I have a shell that a very special SoWaller gave me.

well, we were so fascinated by the huge numbers of horseshoe crabs on Carrabelle last fall, I had to read up. There is a lot of really interesting information on them. They are a protected species because they are so prehistoric and because they have such a contribution to science, etc. their numbers were dwindling due to being used as bait - but I think they are stable.

which shell??

DD · 01-23-2010, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

well, we were so fascinated by the huge numbers of horseshoe crabs on Carrabelle last fall, I had to read up. There is a lot of really interesting information on them. They are a protected species because they are so prehistoric and because they have such a contribution to science, etc. their numbers were dwindling due to being used as bait - but I think they are stable.

which shell??

A horseshoe crab shell.

**Jdarg** · 01-23-2010, 09:02 PM

We saw lots of horseshoe crabs in Cedar Key, and they were very plentiful at Belleair Beach, where we used to go 'cause my grandparents had a place there. But all I remember was LOTS of horseshoe crabs and red tide every other year., so spring break was spent burying dead fish.

It was a perfect night- just cool enough to have a fire on the porch!

**Hop** · 01-24-2010, 08:55 AM

The surf was funn on Friday...wetsuit is a must...

**Beach Runner** · 01-24-2010, 06:03 PM

It was really eerie, yet beautiful, at the beach today. Visibility was low. Just wanted to nap and relax.

**Gidget** · 01-25-2010, 06:20 AM

Watercourseway lol on like button!!

What a great thread. Thanks for sharing. I HOPE to get to BMB today - I was out at the lot at 430 this morning and oh my, I hadn't seen stars like that since back home on my dirt road out in the middle of nowhere. That's a huge plus having less light pollution.

But back to beach. It is a sign of things to come. Flip flops and tank tops and no more hunching over cold. Salads and smoothies and cool drinks.

Enjoy the day all! Should be a nice one!

G

**Franny** · 01-25-2010, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Hop

The surf was funn on Friday...wetsuit is a must...

There were great waves on Friday, wondered where you were surfing!!!

**middlesister** · 01-25-2010, 06:43 PM

We're y'all surfing in a wetsuit? I am jealous as usual of your closeness to that beautiful water down there. Enjoy!

**Teresa** · 01-26-2010, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gidget

Watercourseway lol on like button!!

What a great thread. Thanks for sharing. I HOPE to get to BMB today - I was out at the lot at 430 this morning and oh my, I hadn't seen stars like that since back home on my dirt road out in the middle of nowhere. That's a huge plus having less light pollution.

But back to beach. It is a sign of things to come. Flip flops and tank tops and no more hunching over cold. Salads and smoothies and cool drinks.

Enjoy the day all! Should be a nice one!

G

yes, lol!!!

I guess our like button is the thanks button.