Other than that fifth creature (masquerading as human), the summary of this post would be - the rest four of us had a brilliant time in Pensacola beach. Asish da, Vijay, Pradeep and me. And this is the trip I realized that I am really good in the seat beside the driver (the "shotgun seat" as they call it here).
Not even a month in the US and I am already in the Sunshine State of Florida. When people say "Florida" its either Miami or Orlando that comes to mind. But given the kind I am (a misfit in party beaches and an unamused being in amusement parks), I had to go for a place more filled with openness. Thankfully, the rest of the group thought so too. So, we headed for Pensacola - a 10 hour drive from Lexington.
Not realizing that the Jack D distillery remains closed on Thanksgiving, an extra 100 mile on the road cost us more than an hour and half more than what we had expected to reach our hotel in the beach town. With the excitement barely in containment, we headed for the beach in when it was already dark and I was glad we did. It was an innocently secluded it was - shining in its own white sand under the feeble moonlight. The best part was - no one else was seen around. We could see the water, we dipped our feet in it and re-realized that it was a night time at the fag end of November. It was a little thrilling.Next morning, the party sat out to see the sunrise. I was still in disbelief that I was actually in Florida. But after I stepped out of the car at the beach parking, I breathed the cold air, breathed it out with an unnecessary extra effort and told myself - "Okay, but get to business. Use the "awe" feeling in you photos."
The long thin white beach was still not crowded and had plenty of mindless runs. It was morning and the sun was only a giant "i" on the water and sky. The excitement in all of us took a formal shape when Pradip decided to just run... and decided to do it into the flock of gulls.
A drive on the road by the beach and you seem to be reaching the edge of the last land on this earth. There is the road you are driving and there is sand on both of your sides and then there is water, the blue which could inspire emeralds.
As the sun traveled lower and towards the horizon turning red, some crazy idea came to me to ignore any kind of jacket on purpose and try to photograph the setting sun from the pier. Mr. Das had no idea how mischievously pricking the wind can be at the end of that pier which runs more than quarter of a mile into the gulf. To add to my annoyance, the sun looked only prettier after I had just taken a shot of it. I kept of clicking, strictly hiding my heat (cold) sensitive body clad only in a t-shirt and bermuda shorts, behind those neck high and a feet wide concrete pillars. Just like the way I could not let go off the setting sun, the wind would not let go off me.
Finally, it sat.
The night was not very eventful... some food... and sleep.
Next day was our visit to the distillery of the famous Jack Daniel's whiskey in Tennessee on our way back home. And a Thanksgiving feast was waiting for us along with many of our friends and their families at our apartment.
And by the time I had gone to sleep that night, I already had some ideas where my next trip was going to be.
See you in the next post,
Cheers!
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