About Anastasia Island:
Juan Ponce de Leon landed near Anastasia Island 500 years ago and claimed Florida for Spain, beginning Anastasia Island’s colonial history. Located off the northeast Atlantic coast of Florida and east of St. Augustine city, Anastasia is a barrier island which is a coastal landform and a type of dune system formed by waves and tides parallel to the mainland coastline. It is common for barrier islands to appear in chains, ranging from a few islands to over a dozen. This barrier island is 14 miles long and about a mile wide. Many cultural and recreational attractions can be found on Anastasia Island, including my personal favorite – Anastasia Beach.
So powerful, yet so peaceful. My soul longs for the next time I can escape the midlands and spend time on her shores. The two-hour drive to the beach is not only filled with excitement and anticipation, but also serves as a form of therapy. My mind is like water with thoughts crashing in like waves. The drum of the car wheels on the winding country road allows me time to calm my thoughts and achieve tranquility by arrival. I have come to love going to the beach alone. This particular beach has a special place in my heart because my dogs are allowed to join. As we near the ocean, over the bridge to Anastasia Island, the dogs wake from their slumber. Ears perked and tails wagging, they know we are near. Nothing quite beats the explosion of excitement that occurs when the gear shift finds park – I get it, we are here!
Stepping out of the cold air-conditioned car, the warm salty air engulfs my body. I stand up tall, eyes closed, and relish the feeling as though it were an embrace from a loved one. Repetitive snorts and sniffs bring me back to reality. They are ready. It’s time to find the perfect spot to set up camp for the day. Loaded up with my bag, chair, umbrella, and snacks, the three of us step onto the boardwalk that leads over the precious dunes to the soft white sand. As we cross over sand dunes, I can’t help but think of what makes up this area. To the naked eye, it appears to be a mass of green shrubbery. However, if I pause on the walkway, suspended above the ecosystem, I start to see flowers, insects, animals, and the beauty of the green wilderness that borders the beach.
With our camp set up and sunscreen applied, we head for the water. Submerging myself in the warm yet cool ocean is a reward I can't wait to enjoy. The first full body dunk almost feels ceremonial —my favorite ritual. I surface from the salty water, eyes stinging, but feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Saoirse (left in photo), my dog, mirrors my feelings as she bounds over the waves and dives in with me. She emerges appearing skinnier than before, with her fluffy red and black coat slicked to her sides. Pablo (right in photo), a chihuahua-beagle mix, stands on the wave’s edge, puzzled by our actions. He isn’t a water dog by any means, but he enjoys letting the waves chase him up the beach as he rejoices in his freedom. Once dipped and cooled off, I enjoy going for a stroll down the shoreline. The feeling of the warm wet sand underfoot, the ocean breeze caressing my bare damp skin, and the loud natural sounds, gives me peace. The dogs run and play before eventually falling into step. We walk and observe not only the beauty of this space, but also the different elements that encompass our experience in its entirety.
Sitting at last, I can’t help but reflect on what I have observed. So much beauty in the nature around me, and also within the people who enjoy it. The intense concentration of a child building a sandcastle, parents playing with their children in the water, people relaxing and eating, games on the beach, a person power walking/running, yoga, cyclists, surfing; the list is endless. In every direction I look, there is a person experiencing the space in their own unique way. However, we humans aren't on our own. Sure, there are other people, but we are also surrounded by numerous animals both visible and not, which complete the beach environment. Although we see birds, such as like seagulls, stealing our snacks, or pelicans swooping down for fish, there are many animals we don't see.
Anastasia Island is home to a variety of creatures. The most common animal we don't frequently see, but there are many signs for, is the leatherback sea turtle. Sea turtles play an important role in the ocean's ecosystem and come ashore to lay eggs in the precious white sand. Many people are familiar with turtles and are often fond of the peaceful reptile. However, the federally endangered beach mouse is not as popular. Small and fluffy with a light brown back and completely white underbelly, the adorable creature lives in the dwindling dunes surrounding our favorite beach. You may not view a mouse as cute or important in the bigger scale of things. Yet, each animal, insect and plant play a vital role in the creation of the beach environment we each enjoy so much. Without these elements co-existing and fueling each other, the beach, as we know it, would degrade.
As I sit in the shade, umbrella flapping in the ocean breeze, I feel content. My eyes are drawn to the vastness of the horizon and with it, my mind wanders. How can I help ensure that my children get to experience the true beauty of my favorite place? My goal is always to leave no trace of me or my dogs when I leave her shores. If my dog digs a hole, I cover it so that the baby turtles can make their journey without facing more obstructions. I take all my trash with me and pick up any I may come across on my walks. Most importantly, I admire and observe nature, but don't approach or interact with the beauties I encounter. I want to see her thrive, so I leave only footprints in her sand.
As the sun lowers in the sky, my escape from reality draws to a close. A day of rest, swimming, eating, and freedom is exactly what my soul needed. I never leave the beach’s shores feeling anything but recharged and appreciative for her existence. I watch as people around me pack up and head for their vehicles. Each camp gone like it never existed, but its people are filled with memories of the day. As I walk the boardwalk to my car, I am reminded of the life inside the green stretch connecting the beach to the parking lot. The bushes are alive with the sound of bugs as the sun sets, painting the sky a deep blend of pink and orange. So much life I can't see, so much life to keep in mind. I am but one person enjoying nature’s home.
Sea Turtles:
Three species of sea turtle call the coastline of north Florida home: the Green sea turtle, the Loggerhead, and the Leatherback. Sea turtles are a fundamental link in marine ecosystems. The seagrass beds and coral reefs they support are beneficial to species such as shrimp, lobster, and tuna that are commercially valuable. The sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and ends Oct. 31. Late at night, females crawl up the beach to the dunes to lay their eggs. In a cycle of 2-3 years, they usually lay 2 to 3 nests per season, each containing approximately 100 eggs. After 2 months of incubation, the hatchlings emerge as a group and instinctually head for the ocean. Approximately one out of a thousand hatchlings will survive to adulthood, according to estimates. It is important as a beach goer to not disturb or negatively impact the turtles by our actions.
Anastasia Island Beach Mouse:
Anastasia Island's beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma) is a federally endangered animal which can be found among the dunes and foliage. This mouse is endangered due to habitat loss and can only be found on Anastasia Island. Although very elusive, one can see what role the mouse plays through its work. As the park's "engineer of the dunes," it is responsible for the biodiversity and natural resources which is promoted by its burrowing and eating of insects and vegetation. In the past, Anastasia Island beach mice occupied about 50 linear miles of beach habitat; today, they are restricted to about four linear miles of beach habitat.
"In still moments by the sea, life seems large, drawn and simple. It is there we can see into ourselves". – Rolf Edberg
Author Bio:
My name is Alice Akers, and I am pursuing a master’s degree in Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida. Growing up in Ireland, I was never far from the ocean, given the country is a small island. I have many fond childhood memories of going to the beach, even when the Irish weather wasn't cooperating - nothing a wetsuit couldn't fix! Now as an adult, I love frequenting the beautiful beaches around Florida and exploring a variety of natural habitats. I chose to write this nature narrative about Anastasia Beach as it has become my home beach and a space that brings me comfort and joy.
Photo Credits: Costal Things and Florida State Parks