East Coast

This month, courtesy of Hurricane Michael, took us away from the coast of the gulf and back to the East Coast shores of Jacksonville Beach and nether regions between JAX and St. Augustine. We know all the best spots, but this trip found a new one that tops everything so far. On a shell per square foot basis, it's never been better. It might have been the wavy oceans, maybe all the way back to when the hurricane in October hit this coast.

Either way, Eva cam ready to play. She first surveys the ocean, ala Spicoli, hey bud, let's party.

Despite having no bathing suit, barely warm enough weather outside to be playing in the ocean, and no change of clothes or towel, off she goes. She played with more abandon than she normally does, seeming to really need to just be a happy kid. Taking a break to do another news update from the beach (long time readers may recall a previous trip, just south of St. Augustine, from which Eva delivers the news.

But mostly just running around like a wild girl on the beach. I just kept taking pictures and below got what might be the best picture I've ever taken. Everything in it combined with the memory of the day, the wind and sounds of the ocean, the expression on her face of being completely happy and finding joy in everything she saw.

 

Including the perfect paw print of a dog walking earlier on the beach. The heart is Eva's, sent out with love to Alexis back home.

After lunch our first oysters of the trip over at Cap's Overpriced Waterfront Cafe. But a great spot to play with new nails. There is a theme emerging in recent trends that involve this pose with those nails.

The day was only half over and already one of the best in a long time. Spent the afternoon back at the hotel celebrating the day with some champagne. Really long time readers will recall a previous celebratory scene involving champagne with Eva.

This one was far less formal. Downright low brow, in fact, as the glass in the picture below shows. Still, the reason for celebrating just keeps getting better.

Such a good afternoon, in fact, that early evening brought a dip in the pool and hot tub. More Eva craziness jumping in and out of the two.

Sunday brought one last oyster fest up at Amelia Island, in what has become a traditional Sunday stop before heading home. This one is like a Where's Eva game, all she needs is the red-striped hat. Salty Pelican, baby, best oysters in town.

Meanwhile, back in Kentucky, all that was going on was another level of black belt achieved (picture is dated from a few days earlier, but Levi was still on a high from the accomplishment) and a fall day with a couple of pups. Three days after this picture was taken it snowed in Lexington.