Smathers Beach

A few sunny pictures from the south side of Key West. 

 The Bridle Path

Seafront

We have had lots of stormy weather this summer, lots of puddles and sudden showers so no surprise during a dry spell to see people out with bicycles at Smathers Beach.

A half sunk sailboat was in the news and the owner confessed he had no money to get it out of the shallows so there it was as I walked the seawall: 

 Overcast skies and the brick walls of the East Martello Tower:

Looking west round the curve in the road caused by the 19th century fortification:

I was playing with a new app I got for my iPhone called color splurge, make only what you want in color with everything else in monochrome:

 And back home Rusty wasn't invited to come to work with me. Good dog:

Smathers Beach

A hot  day at the beach and at last it seems like there may be a few hints that the summer tourism drive is letting up a little bit. 

I paused on my way to work so these pictures were taken a little before six in the evening, and I took the time to play a little with my iPhone camera. 

Check out the smoothness of the sand in the next two pictures. I took photos of the tracks in the sand left by the tractor that tows a seaweed harvesting machine to clear the beach each morning around dawn. 

There were so few people on the beach that large areas of sand were left undisturbed all day by human feet.

Smathers is named for a Florida US Senator who was a contemporary of President Kennedy and who shared it is said a similar taste as the president in amorous adventures. Somehow he got the largest beach in Key West named for himself. Playboy Beach doesn't have quite the same ring to it, I think.

 The best time of year to enjoy this mile of silky imported Bahamian sand in relative solitude.

The Bridle Path

It was hot and sticky and I was pretty sure Rusty would be too tired from walking downtown to spend too much time here. I was wrong.

An hour later...we half finished exploring the Bridle Path and i could see he was ready to keep going despite his tongue hanging down to his knees.

 A Busy Dog.

 The Bridle Path used to be where horses were exercised, though these days you are much more likely to see humans and dogs here traveling parallel to South Roosevelt Boulevard.

The ocean view across the street attracts lots of walkers and riders to the wide sidewalk on the other side of the street.

 It's the route I use when I have to spare coming into town.

 Bicycle anyone?

 This area is known as  the "swale" as we shall  see.

 The salt ponds were supposed  to produce salt but now they are just swamp.

 Very pretty but swamp nonetheless, occasionally kayaked.

 No camping on the swale... defined as a marshy depression.

 Rusty wasn't camping technically, he was just resting.

I like the Bridle Path and now I can trust Rusty not to run out into the four lane street we might come back here more often.

 A successful morning. He ignored me, ignored food and passed out.