We arrived last night, I should say this morning about 2am after a 6 hour drive from Atlanta. We were tired but excited to see the full moon when we arrived on Cape San Blas. It had been overcast or raining most of our trip but when we got to A Tropical Breeze the moon was out in it's full glory shining. We walked out onto the beach and there were tons of shells. I picked up a few and added shell collecting at 2am to my completed bucket list. (OK, that was never on my bucket list, but it was still really cool.)
The beach is in great shape after Isaac, which thankfully did not cause much sand loss. The turtle nest markings are missing, however I found out this morning that the turtle patrol removed them prior to the storm and the turtle eggs are still safely tucked under the sand.
We are looking forward to a weekend of fun activities which will include fishing on the beach, scalloping in St. Joe Bay, a bonfire on the beach, making s'mores, beach bocce ball, looking for dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, collecting sea shells, flying kites, a trip to St. Joseph State Park, dinner in Apalachicola or Indian Pass Raw Bar and bike riding on the new bike path. We look forward to welcoming our good friends, who will join us tomorrow on their first trip to Cape San Blas.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
A Tropical Breeze - Ten Year Anniversary!
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| A Tropical Breeze 2012 |
I just realized today is August 24th. I told my husband that today's August 24th and he gave me a look like "So what does that mean?" I remind him that this is the day we bought A Tropical Breeze 10 years ago and that its the 10th anniversary. I emailed our partner, Myron Newman and he couldn't believe 10 years had gone so fast.
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| A Tropical Breeze 2002 |
It all started in the summer of 2002 when a neighbor told me about Cape San Blas and that it had just been named the #1 beach in the USA including Hawaii. A trip was immediately scheduled to see the area. A Tropical Breeze was way out of our price range, but we loved it so much we videotaped it and went back to talk to friends and neighbors about a partnership. Fortunately, the Newman Family was in the market for investment property and our partnership was formed. The home was first seen on July 3rd, 2002 and we were owners by August 24, 2002. It's been a magical ten years and we have been fortunate to have many happy repeat guests, including wedding proposals, beach weddings, 50th anniversary parties, 80th birthdays and many more significant events in the lives of our guests.
A Tropical Breeze still looks outstanding for a 10 year old and the beach is better than ever. Treat yourself to a visit to Cape San Blas.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Cape San Blas Park Named to Top 10 in USA
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| St. Joseph Peninsula State Park - Bay View at Sunrise. |
State Parks - Top Ten in the USA
Alaska
Chugach State Park - Beyond the foothills at Anchorage's edge lies the third largest state park in USA. A 500,000 acres of some of the most accessible hiking, skiing, camping, wildlife viewing, snowmachining, rafting, and climbing in Alaska. Those of us lucky enough to live here feel the influence of Chugach State Park almost daily. The mountainous backdrop to Anchorage reminds us that, although we live in an urban setting, we really reside in the middle of a vast wilderness. The Chugach foothills are a beacon for changing weather and resident wildlife have been known to wander into town.
Florida
St Joseph Peninsula State Park - has striking dune formations, miles of white sand beaches, and a heavily forested interior. Dr. Beach once rated this beach as best beach in America. This 2,516-acre park is bounded by the waters of St. Joe Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
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| St. Joseph Peninsula State Park - Sand Dunes and Beach |
California
Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Established in 1902, Big Basin is California's oldest State Park. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of over 18,000 acres of Old Growth and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The climate ranges from foggy and damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Established in 1902, Big Basin is California's oldest State Park. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of over 18,000 acres of Old Growth and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The climate ranges from foggy and damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops.
Oregon
Sunset Bay State Park - Situated in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast, Sunset Bay State Park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. Only a short walk from the beach, the campground has sites for tent camping and RV's, as well as cozy and comfortable yurts. Day-use and picnic facilities are located along the bay to allow easy access for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and boating.
Sunset Bay State Park - Situated in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast, Sunset Bay State Park features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. Only a short walk from the beach, the campground has sites for tent camping and RV's, as well as cozy and comfortable yurts. Day-use and picnic facilities are located along the bay to allow easy access for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and boating.
Florida
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - John Pennekamp is the nation's first underwater park. Formed in the 1960's, Pennekamp Park represents over hundred square miles of mangrove shoreline, grass flats, and of course our famous coral reef. Adjacent to Pennekamp is the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.
Utah
Wasatch Mountain State Park - Wasatch Mountain State Park is in beautiful Heber Valley and is Utah's most developed state park. Tucked away in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, the park is both a summer and winter destination. One of Utah's finest and affordable 36-hole golf courses is found here. Soldier Hollow at Wasatch Mountain State Park was the 2002 Olympic Winter venue biathlon and cross-country events. Soldier Hollow is open year-round to the public for cross-country skiing, tubing, biathlon, snowshoeing, and many more events.
Wasatch Mountain State Park - Wasatch Mountain State Park is in beautiful Heber Valley and is Utah's most developed state park. Tucked away in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, the park is both a summer and winter destination. One of Utah's finest and affordable 36-hole golf courses is found here. Soldier Hollow at Wasatch Mountain State Park was the 2002 Olympic Winter venue biathlon and cross-country events. Soldier Hollow is open year-round to the public for cross-country skiing, tubing, biathlon, snowshoeing, and many more events.
New Hampshire
Franconia Notch State Park - Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the popular White Mountain National Forest. Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway which extends from the Flume Gorge at the south to Echo Lake at the north. Franconia Notch was once the home of the famous Old Man of the Mountain, the same "Great Stone Face" immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster. While you are here, visit the Flume Gorge Visitor Center and walk through Flume Gorge, ride the aerial tramway at Cannon Mountain, and explore the New England Ski Museum. Also, you can swim at Echo Lake, net a trout while fly fishing at Profile Lake, ride your bike on the Recreational Trail, watch for rock climbers, hawks, and falcons on Cannon Cliffs, or hike on the Appalachian Trail.
Tennessee
Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park - Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular recreation areas in America. Its waterfalls, cascades, sparkling streams, timberland, gorges and an unmatched variety of recreation facilities. Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, plunging 256 feet into a shaded pool at the base of its gorge.
Texas
Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Located about an hour's drive from Amarillo lies the grandeur of Palo Duro Canyon, a sixty mile-long and eight hundred foot-deep canyon carved out of the Texas High Plains. Visitors to 16,402-acre Palo Duro Canyon State Park are treated to towering cliffs layered with bands of red, yellow, purple and white. Patches of juniper, mesquite, sunflower and prickly pear cacti adorn the canyon slopes, while red clay and veins of white gypsum blanket the ground.
Michigan
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is over 60,000 acres and is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams make a visit to the "Porkies" a trip to remember. This park Park was established in 1945. Since then, many changes have taken place in the way we live; however, the Porcupine Mountains are almost unchanged. The remote interior with its towering pine and hemlock seems to defy time, and the solitude of the park is mysterious and exciting.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is over 60,000 acres and is one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams make a visit to the "Porkies" a trip to remember. This park Park was established in 1945. Since then, many changes have taken place in the way we live; however, the Porcupine Mountains are almost unchanged. The remote interior with its towering pine and hemlock seems to defy time, and the solitude of the park is mysterious and exciting.
Monday, August 20, 2012
42" Redfish - St. Joseph Bay, Cape San Blas
A Tropical Breeze has been booked with our wonderful guests all summer. This past Wednesday was our first gap since mid May, so we took a quick trip down to enjoy the beach and do some fishing. This picture was taken on Thursday in the St. Joseph Bay. My son, Cody and his buddy caught the fish about 1:30 in the afternoon using a pin fish as bait. They netted the pin fish just outside of Eagle Harbor and hooked the red fish about 1/4 mile out of Eagle Harbor. The fish was too big to keep but after a two hour fight to land it, they managed to get this great picture to share, before releasing it back into the bay.
While they were fishing, I spent several relaxing hours sitting on the beach in front of A Tropical Breeze. The weather was perfect!
One of the highlights of the trip for me was seeing the three sea turtle nests on the beach in front of A Tropical Breeze. Last year we didn't have any nests near our home so this was a wonderful surprise. Maybe I will be there to see them hatch.
www.atropicalbreeze-capesanblas.com
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