An Outer Shell of Shells

Today is Day 1 in Florida.  It is also Owen's 10th birthday.  We started the day with a little birthday celebration at the resort then headed to Cape Canaveral which is Florida's longest stretch of undeveloped beach.  The plan was that Owen and Jim would camp on the beach and we would pick them up in the morning and go to Kennedy Space Center. 

After lunch at Denny's in Titusville, we drove along the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.  There were countless species of birds.  The favorite bird by far was the Roseate Spoonbill.  Also, among the birds, we saw several pairs of alligator eyes peeping just above the surface of the marshy waters.  Once we were surprised when what seemed to be a muddy patch of brush, suddenly scurried into the water.

After exiting the nature reserve, we drove a little ways to Cape Canaveral National Seashore.  Near the entrance, we saw the cutest little armadillo.  He was so busy foraging for grubs, that he let me get about 5 feet from him before he looked up and scurried away.  The park staff informed us that our 2011 Florida guide was a little out of date and people are no longer allowed to camp on the south end of the beach so close to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Slightly disappointed, we headed for the beach.  It was not barren, but it was as secluded as you may find in Florida.  Jim and the boys waded in to jump waves.  Mia and Ya-ya collected seashells.  Bumpa walked and waded in the cold water, enjoying the kids' energy.  I did what I love best -- taking pictures of nature and my family.  Mia found a little place where the water pooled and broken seashells gathered.  She covered her skin with the pieces and looked somewhat monstrous in her new "skin."  We spent a couple hours jumping the waves and collecting seashells before the park staff came zooming down the beach on her four-wheeler to let us know that beach was closing.