February 10th through 14th, 2009

We were staying in Saint Andrews State Park. $27 a night for paved interior roads, 30-amps, water and central dump stations. Camp sites are on compacted sand. Location & price are the attraction in this park. Campsites outside the State Park start at $50 a night and quickly escalate from there.

Kiteboarding or kitesurfing at St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

A strong front moved through the Gulf Coast yesterday leaving rough surf, high winds and overcast skies. Kitesurfers were out in force at St Andrews State Park today enjoying the incredible surf and strong wind. This kite surfer is still on land though heading to the waters edge where his board is.

Note the orange & white "kite" on the beach. Even when conditions are great they have to come in to eat and rest.

Kiteboarding in St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

This one is heading out while jumping waves at St Andrews State Park.

St Andrews State Park kitesurfer: Panama City Beach, Florida

Kites propel kite surfers at incredible speeds. We watched as they got up enough speed to propel themselves 20' or more into the air. Try as we might we did not get a good "airborne" picture. St Andrews State Park is a good place to watch kitesurfers when the wind is blowing.

Kitesurfers at St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

Three of the brightly colored kites in action with an equal number on the beach at St Andrews State Park.

Large buck with good rack in St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

How about this handsome buck roaming in St Andrews state park near our camp site.

Pine pollinators bursting with pollen in St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

Spring is upon us. Pine trees and pollen are rites of passage in the deep south. Allergies will be reacting to the pollen these things will produce. Meanwhile, everything in the vicinity is being dusted with a fine yellow coat of pollen. This caused major sinus problems for me.

Brown Pelicans in St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

Pelicans at the fish cleaning table near the campground in St. Andrews State Park make good subjects for those with a camera. These are in breeding plumage. They are not normally this colorful.

Brown Pelican in breeding plumage: St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

While this one looks cute they do not normally have this much color.

Sand dunes St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. On this trek to the beach for yet another sunset Joyce turned and started shooting this sand dune. The rapidly sinking sun was in the opposite direction, what gives?

Sand dunes St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

Here she goes again totally ignoring the brilliantly colored sinking sun in the opposite direction.

We ran from the RV to the beach just in time to participate in this sunset. Twenty minutes later we were back in the RV preparing to head to Tootsies. Ahhhh, life is good. Who do you think Joyce might get to rub elbows with at Tootsies tonight? Aaron Tippin, Jamie Johnson, Billy Pierson, Clay Underwood or Anthony Orio are all possibilities. Who knows Allen Jackson has a place about a mile down the beach.

St. Andrews State Park fishing pier: Panama City Beach, Florida

Finally, Joyce turns her attention to the setting sun. This is the St. Andrews State Park fishing pier.

Sunset with St Andrews State Park fishing pier: Panama City Beach, Florida

Within a few short minutes it is all over.

Nice buck in St Andrews State Park: Panama City Beach, Florida

How many points does this buck have? Several of these nice bucks roam through the park. Doe are a dime a dozen. Bucks like this are not nearly as common.