Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Bike Rides and Sugar Sand Dune Hikes


We needed a break from the beach so decided to go on an epic bike ride down historic 30a one day. We rented bikes at Yolo Board and Bikes and headed east to Watercolor. It was a perfect, cloudy, but sunny day and not too hot. 


We must have burned a trail to the coffee shop in Seaside with our rental car, but to take in the scenic route by bike was a whole new experience.


These water lilies. These water lilies made me just jump for joy that they were in bloom.





E. has such great memories of visiting Grayton Beach when he lived in Atlanta. This was pre-me so we wonder if we were ever swimming in the same ocean at the same time. 


He encouraged us to pull over for a visit at the Grayton State Park. Growing up we never went to another beach because we had the beach in front of us. It was fun seeing it from a different perspective.


The guard even gave us a deal and charged us for a vehicle, vs. four bikes. Pretty awesome.


E. and I hiked the Pine Trail, while our pals went to the beach for a quick swim.





I'm so glad my camera has a self timer. This little spot had fairy dust and sparkles everywhere it was so mystical.


Can you see the fairy's? I know my little buddy James from NC would be able to see them.


#ewalking The clouds grew darker and darker on our walk. The sugar sand dunes burned your eyes it was so bright, even on a cloudy day.



We hiked fast but I tried to pay attention to the tiniest details in the sand. 


I heard E calling from ahead and I was like, "hold your horses" thinking he was rushing me. My precious husband was rushing me so I could see our friend, The Great Blue Heron. He kind of felt like our welcome greeter to the pines.


Sexy devil.


I love all of the evergreens at the beach. Pine trees, pine straw everywhere.


Keep off dunes. (Dude, such a bummer.)


Bossing Uncle Charlie around, on where he needed to take a picture. Poor guy. Puts up with my bull.


Standing under my favorite pines of all time.




I wanted him to get a shot of the kayaker.


It was a scorcher. It rained about 20 seconds after this photo. We ran for cover and met up with the Haygoods to wait it out a bit at the rest station in the park.



We rode back out, in the rain, and these are my favorite pines of all time. I love how they gather at the top. We had just walked that whole route and this perspective is back on the road.


#Ebiking


We landed at the Wine World and had the most hilarious, drenched wet lunch with a fantastic meal, great service and nice folks in the restaurant who we ran into another day at George's in Alys Beach. 


After drinking and eating we had another 6 miles to go back! Whew. It was so much fun and the absolute highlight of our trip. I want to remember how happy I was at this very moment for the rest of my life. It was just such a perfect day, great friends and fun adventure. 

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