ormond-by-the-sea

i waved goodbye to my cousin jaime early in the morning as she left with all of her family and belongings to move to louisiana.   since everyone had left the house and took the fun with them, it was time for me to start moving again.

on my way out of town i stopped at the lazy bean for a hot chai tea latte.  my aunt who recommended i get it was so right - it was delicious!

sipping chai tea, i got on the highway and began my south-to-north part of this journey with the anticipation of getting to maine before the summer solstice.  i decided to pass through daytona.  i don't follow racing, but i'm still fascinated by the sport.  i'd love to watch a race someday.

the sign claims "worlds most famous beach"?? hmh, didn't know that.  not sure if that's just self proclaimed.

i wanted to drive on the beach, but their was a fee for that.   ummm, i'll pass.  instead i just drove north along the a1a coastal route.

some of the way, i was within a stone's throw from the ocean.

it was a very pleasant drive!  i pulled of periodically and kept seeing the same flock of birds moving in a line within inches of the waves.

i decided to pull over and sit on the beach.  i found myself on an orange beach at ormond-by-the-sea.  it was the most orange beach i'd ever seen.   as i sat and meditated and watched some other people who were there fishing.  i also looked closely at the sand and discovered that the color was from millions of crushed shell pieces.  my theory was supported by a big piece of a delicate orange shell that i found, seen in the foreground of this photo.

while i sat, i was reflecting on and thankful for the time i had with my relatives for a week.  i also pondered the lent season which was about to end.  then my mind turned toward the excitement of the people and places and beaches i was planning to see in the journey north.  the hot sun on me was signal that it was indeed time to head toward maine.