Another day. Another sunset. The ritual begins. We drift onto the beach, each headed to a personal place. There are no signs saying “Park here” or “Reserved for Lucy” but we know where we belong.
I go for a flat rock and sit facing west. Another person walks to the end of the fishing pier and stands military straight facing west. Dressed in yoga workout clothes, another soul brushes a place in the sand and folds their body into the lotus position facing west.
Florida Sunsets are a nightly ritural
Sunset on the Florida Keys
The worship service begins. Silence and rapt attention is required on our part. Mother Nature provides glorious visuals on the horizon. The sun goes down slowly over the Gulf of Mexico filling the sky and streaking the water with changing colors. Shore birds wing their way to nests. A few linger along the shoreline hoping for a last meal of the day.
If we are really blessed as we watch the sunset on Bradenton Beach, we might see a flash of green just before the sun says goodnight and slips beneath the water. Yes, you’ve heard the rumor about a flash of green and this phenomenon is not just a rumor. It does happen. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. But it takes dedication – showing up for sunset – every one is different – and perhaps one evening – the green flash will happen.
Afterwards we drift towards each other, nod, break our silence, compare this sunset to last night, and talk about our day.
Florida sunsets are a dividend of a state with long coastlines providing an unimpeded view of the nightly ritual. Watching is free. Being on the beach is a plus. The only preparation will be to check the time of sunset. Be there at least a half hour ahead of time to watch the changing light show.
Florida sunsets are a cause to party in Key West
Key West, a place never known for being normal, goes ahead and kicks up sunset watching to another level. Every night they start two hours before sunset with a nightly arts festival at Mallory Square – arts and crafts, street performers, food carts, psychics (do they predict a flash of green in your future?) – and of course they have a web site for the sunset celebration.
On any night you might see jugglers, trained animals (even cats jumping through hoops of fire) escape artists – performers work for tips from the audience. Check the website for a list of current performers.
In fact there is so much going on at Mallory Square you might miss the actual sunset.
On the other side of the state Pier 60 in Clearwater has a nightly sunset celebration with artisans, crafters, street performers and music.
Both Key West and Pier 60 are free family events.
Lido Beach sunset
Two nights ago in a much more laid back sunset watching event on Lido Beach in Sarasota it was obvious the sun was going to go down behind a bank of clouds and not make a last blaze of glory over the water. But instead there were clouds spotlighted with brilliant color. It looked like a cathedral in the sky, ever changing as the sun went down.
Three skimmers worked the water – they flew with their jaws open – the lower jaw is in the water ready to scoop up baitfish. Pretty daring precise flying and their skimming was a joy to watch. Plovers darted in and out with the small waves, hunting a last meal of the day.
Walkers worked the wrack line, line of debris, seaweed and shells left by the last high tide. Who knows, a sharks tooth might be discovered or a perfect shell unbroken by tumbling in the surf.
Wrack line
Camera buffs and the ever-present cell phones are posed to take pictures as the sun sets.
Sometimes living or visiting here in our Florida paradise it is easy to forget the wonders available to us every day. One of the most rewarding wonders is as close as the nearest beach – Florida sunsets. And they are free.
Now it is your turn.
Show up and salute the sunset. I promise you the celebration will make your day.
UPCOMING
Did you know it is 46 days until the First Day of Spring on Thursday, 20 March 2014
The time to be inspired is now! And have I got a discounted book for you Florida Gardens Gone Wild
My gardening book is a down and dirty love affair with gardening, loaded with places to go for inspiration and true stories from gardeners. Dig in and enjoy.
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