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Happy 4th of July from the Beach
Happy Independence Day everyone! I’m at THPSP in Santa Rosa Beach right now. The Gulf is rough but the wind feels nice. I think the flags will be red today but the official word isn’t out yet. Anyway if it does stay yellow I would say keep kiddos out of the water and adults be very cautious. I’m not going in. The weird red blob of seaweed is still here but otherwise pretty clear 1-2 on the Grossness Index.
I really need beach pics from all over the Panhandle and AL today, so I can give the best beach updates possible. Please send pics to junegrasspics AT g mail DOT com Thanks and have a wonderful holiday!
THPSP Evening July 3, 2015
I’m giving the water at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park a 1 on the Grossness Index. Just a few random blobs, nice otherwise, cooler than it has been.
Here’s another shot, very clear. However, I kept walking down the beach because it was more crowded than I like (read: there were actually other people present) and I saw this dark blob.
“Ugh, I hope this isn’t June Grass” was my first thought. It was restricted to a random blob maybe 20’x20′ out in the surf so I waded in to see what it was exactly (you guys better appreciate what I do for you). It turned out to be some weird red seaweed I have never seen in the Gulf before. It wasn’t gross but I would prefer it went away. I did not find any of the sea slugs people have been reporting on Okaloosa Island.
Just a reminder: day use entry into the park is free this summer, as is parking and tram service to the beach. If you can live without your alcohol (it’s prohibited on state beaches) and you’re tired of the sea slugs and June grass on the other beaches come over here. I suggest arriving early. The tram runs every 30 minutes from 8am to 5pm, then it runs once an hour until it gets dark (last time I checked).
The Calm After the Storm
I had a swim at THPSP. The water was nice, although a bit stirred up from the storm last night. There were a few random pieces of June grass that I’d rate a 1 or less. Sorry: no pics I was too busy swimming! There is presently a cool current running right along the beach but I waded out up to my neck and the water warmed up. I hope it stays nice for the weekend! The yellow flies and mosquitoes are biting but they’re not on the beach.
Quick Update
I went to the beach at THPSP last night. Flags were yellow and purple, but I didn’t see any jellies and I haven’t heard anything about more sharks than usual in the area. I have no idea what the purple flag was for. I tried boogie boarding but it was a bit too rough for me. If the waves are still coming in I recommend that adults use good judgment in the water but keep the kiddos at less than knee deep. I saw absolutely no June grass so let’s hope it stays that way for the weekend! There’s a bit of sargassum but nothing gross or annoying. Have a fun beach weekend!
THPSP
I had a quick look around the beach at sunset and soaked my feet for a bit. There are no dead fish here. The Gulf is very warm. The wind has shifted to the south and kicked up the waves a bit but there actually seems to be less June grass than yesterday midday. I’m rating it a 2-3 on the Grossness Index, down from up to a 4 yesterday. There are TONS of mole crabs in the surf, so don’t bother buying bait if you come to fish. I heard a man say he caught a couple of whiting Saturday.
THPSP Friday Afternoon
0 on the Grossness Index! It’s a beautiful day at the beach. The flags are yellow and wind is from the southwest. There are small waves coming in but it’s nice for swimming. I’ve been swimming with the baby pompano for a long time! I had more than 50 around me at one point! I don’t remember ever seeing this many before, so hopefully in a few years there will be a nice population built up. The water is warm and pretty clear even with the wind and waves. Remember that day use entry, parking and tram are free this summer.
The June Grass Report 