Trip to Jacksonville and the Beach

Saturday morning I headed off towards Jacksonville to visit with a friend and experienced English Cocker breeder. The fact that the dogs and I could get to visit the beach one more time before we needed to travel back north to report to work was definitely also a plus..   My RVing friend Liz traveled out with me with her rig so that she could cheer on her daughter as Jennifer competed in her first marathon to be held on Sunday in Jacksonville near the campground where we stayed.

Saturday afternoon I drove over to Ruth's and got to meet all of her dogs......These pictures are just a sample.....  Yes, they are English Cockers just like Stuart and Audrey and Izzy and Josef...only in different colors.  With English Cockers there are no bad colors, though some folks will admit to certain preferences. 

(No, Lyn, I couldn't bring you home a Black and Tan....)

Then Sunday morning while Liz headed off to cheer on her daughter.  Remi, Audrey and I headed off early for a foggy beach walk.  

There were a few others up that early, each with their own ideas of fun.

And after awhile the sun did try to burn through the fog but was not successful during our walk. 

"You do remember that we started off without breakfast this morning don't you?" questions Remington after walking several miles up and down the beach.....

"Yes, I might be feeling faint from lack of food!"  adds Audrey dramatically.

The longer I looked the more I could see the galloping beach creature....with eye lashes.

And then  it was time to take the starving puppers back for their well deserved breakfast.   Then they napped until their mid day walk around some of the campground loops.

Found five of these circular canvas tents strung with lights.  They were appeared deserted...

Until I noticed the young couple and the trailer.  They provided a "camping service" called Fancy Camping.  They provide the tents and all the fixings.  They do all the set up and tear down.  Seemed like it might fill a special niche for some folks.

Later in the afternoon, after Liz returned from watching and cheering at the race, we took the dogs back to the beach to see what it looked like in sunlight.

Thistle reminded both of us that he really isn't into warm sunny walks without available shade.

Though may people are.

Liz's granddaughter and a friend take advantage of being near a beach before they all had to head back to Georgia. It worked out well until they started getting bit by some kind of bug or insect.

Later after everyone had headed home and some of us may have briefly napped......we took a final stroll down the beach at sunset.   Bye sandy deserted beach. Bye sounds of the ocean. Bye smell of salt and sea water. Bye big sky over ocean. Bye rolling waves.   Till I make it back again.