Lovely Labor Day Week-end

To many, Labor Day signals the end of the summer. The end of relaxing week-ends in the sun, spent in pools or on lakes. It means back to school and the start of the season heading toward the cold weather. Hewre in Florida, it means all that as well - but we relish Labor day. It signals the nearing end of the scorching heat and the humidity so thick it makes you sweat just looking out the window.

Matt, the dogs and I headed to Melbourne Shores for the Labor Day week-end, to the Surfcaster - a little motel right on the beach that accepts dogs. Nothing fancy, but just enough... and an Italian restaurant on site as well. We decided to save 10 dollars a night and stay in one of the older rooms as opposed to the newer "suite" we stayed in last year. Needless to say, we will be in the suit next year.

Our first night there, we headed to the beach. Now. Brevard county does not allow dogs on the beach; however, this is a deserted, not used much section of the beach and dogs go to the beach all the time. As we walked down the shore, an amazing, once in a lifetime sight awaited us.

Loggerhead hatchlings leaving the nest and heading to the Atlantic Ocean. Too cool. I RAN back to the room to get my camera - sore heel and all. this was an opportunity I could not let pass without some memory of it. Of course the dogs did not realize these were protected sea creatures. All they saw were little toys scurrying over the sand. Needless to say, we kept them on a short leash.




After taking several photos, we walked a bit more and then headed back. I am glad to report that the nest was empty and there was not a baby turtle to be seen. I sure hope they all made it to the water.

Of course the sunrises were spectacular every day. And I would know. I saw every single one of them since Finn insists on beating the sun up every morning. He does not care that he and we are on vacation. But wait. Beau, my lazy 18 month old, got up every day and ate breakfast and went outside with us.

Luck was with us in the weather department. No rain, but we did have some clouds in the afternoon. The surf was pounding as Gustav, a Gulf storm, affected even the Atlantic. On Sunday moring, to the south, we could see the very outer bands of that terrible storm as it made its way toward New Orleans.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the week-end.




Finn's flying ears











The boys relaxing

















And all good things come to an end. Matt and the dogs taking a last look at the ocean.

The dogs loved the beach. They chased crabs, sea foam and shore birds. We loved the beach because we could sit and relax and listen to the sound of the waves and just enjoy being away.

Til next year...