[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by patticaryl

Love those teasers........keep them coming! I have one of your pics that you've posted before as my screensaver now!

Ok, here are a few more to wet your whistle

[Sunny-Days90]

Originally Posted by 2bohemians

Ok, here are a few more to wet your whistle

Awww wow!

Beautiful pics.

Why are you not posting your awesome pictures in the preserving the beauty thread?

[On-da-Beach]

One of my favorites:

[linc]

Originally Posted by On-da-Beach

One of my favorites:

Where is this picture taken (exactly)? I would love to see this.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by linc

Where is this picture taken (exactly)? I would love to see this.

We will let the poster confirm, but we are pretty sure it's a little community called Watersound -- it's just one of the many beach communities along our Scenic Highway 30A. We have several rare coastal dune lakes that meet the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They are only found a couple of places in the world.

Here is a link to a video about the Dune Lakes
http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/...Nature-Hi.html

[On-da-Beach]

Yep! That's Watersound...there's a spot down in Watercolor that looks very similar, but then they change all the time.

Coastal dune lakes are truly an underappreciated wonder.

[patticaryl]

What a wonderful surprise coming home from work and seeing all of your wonderful posts..........and thanks to OnDaBeach, a new wallpaper. I have seen that one and used it before.....Time to change again.
All I have read here makes me so excited to visit next week. We were trying to decide if financially, it is the smartest time to go. But, my husband and I have the opportunity for some "alone" time, and really could use the break. We have had our grandson, 18 months old, living with us for this year because his mom and dad are both stationed in Iraq. They are coming home on leave for a couple weeks next week. We have been really busy chasing the toddler and a trip to the beach is definately in order!
I have lived in Tennessee and Alabama for a few years, collectively in my life and love southern living. A combo of southern/beach seems just right!
Thanks for everyone's comments. I will respond more later with more questions, I am sure!

[patticaryl]

I think I need to figure out how to set up a screen saver to move from one pic to another, you have all sent such beautiful scenes for me to ponder!

[On-da-Beach]

We've saved you some front row seats!


Would you like a "Spring Break" to go with that?
(in a glass of ice, add 2 oz. coconut rum, equal parts of cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda, stir and enjoy!)

[On-da-Beach]

Here's an article I wrote:

Only 5 areas in the world are known to have Coastal Dune Lakes. That list includes: the American Northern Pacific Coast, New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar and Florida's Panhandle Gulf Coast. That alone qualifies them as a very rare phenomenon and worthy of anyone's time to seek out and explore.
I'll refer to the Florida lakes specifically due to my familiarity with them, but I believe the same facts hold true to all. "Aeolian" Lakes are formed by wind that erodes rock and redistributes the sand to create lakes. These aeolian lakes are between 2,000 and 10,000 years old. They are also fairly shallow with an average depth of 5 feet.
The unique feature of Coastal Dune Lakes is their fresh water content being within feet of the salty ocean water. When the lake water rises due to rain or any other inflow, a critical water height is reached causing some point in the dunes to react like a bursting dam. The sand gives way to water pressure allowing the lake to briefly connect with the sea. When the water level stabilizes, salty seawater will wash back into the lake. The resulting salinity level creates a rare biological ecosystem for marine species.
Fortunately, Walton County, Florida has had the foresight to create the Coastal Dune Lakes Task Force. This group maintains a vigil over the integrity of the lakes so that local development doesn't have a negative impact on them. A policy is now in effect that states: "no construction or disturbance will be allowed in the natural outlet from a coastal dune lake. A buffer area of not less than fifty feet of vegetated area will be left undisturbed along either side of the natural outlet from the lake".
How can anyone place a value on such a natural resource? With their moderate levels of algae and plant growth they provide a source of fresh water for beach organisms and migrating birds. Their unique existence is a marvel like no other. The indescribable vista of these beautiful blue lakes closely separated from the emerald green Gulf of Mexico by white sand dunes that reach 30 feet high at some points is a breathtaking value unto itself. To be present and witness the 'bursting of the dam' is a moving experience only a few have shared. Ironically, locals and tourists alike will travel up and down Scenic Highway 30A passing along and sometimes over these lakes without any understanding or appreciation of their rare value.