Daybreak at Squid Lips
It's amazing some of things you get to see when you make an effort to wake up early and venture out to experience nature.
On our first full day in Sebastian, Florida this past weekend, we did just that. We quietly slipped down the back stairs of our hotel at about 6:20AM, got in our little Hyundai Accent rental car, and drove over to the Indian River to watch the day break.
I think Florida must be the condensation capital of the US, because it was almost impossible to see out of the car windows which were enveloped in it. And, of course, we didn't even have so much as a napkin or paper towel to remedy the situation. Oh well, it was roll down the windows, put on the defroster and the wipers, drive slowly, and just deal with it. Luckily for us, it was in the low 60s and quite pleasant!
We parked at a restaurant called Sebastian Squid Lips Overwater Grill. We've eaten dinner at Squid Lips before so we knew that the surrounding docks and fishing marina would make for a good vantage point to watch the sun rise. We also knew that the sun rises over the Indian River this time of year.
We arrived at Squid Lips just before 6:30AM and we had checked the night before to see that the sun rises at about 7:12AM. The restaurant didn't open until 11AM, so we pretty much had the place all to ourselves. Well, there was an occasional person out for a pre-dawn walk and there was also one man that also had a plan to take some nice sunrise photos.
And there were also a few small groups of fisherman that flitted by, carrying fishing tackle as they made their way along one of the docks that lead to Fins Marina. It was still pretty dark, but we could make out their silhouettes as they passed by. Fisherman know all about the value in getting an early start.
To provide some orientation, here's a Google Map link that shows both Squid Lips and the Fins Marina.
In writing this post, I've come to learn that Fins Marina owns the Squid Lips restaurant. Here's a little about Squid Lips and the Fins Marina from the Fins Marina website:
Conveniently located along the beautiful Sebastian Riverfront area and directly across from the Sebastian Inlet on the Intracoastal Waterway at ICW Marker 66. Fins Marina is a deep water marina with protected harbor, 30/50 AMP shorepower, security gates, boat lifts, restroom facilities, over-the-water restaurant, and much more.
We opened our first Squid Lips Overwater Grill in January 2004 right here by Fins Marina. Our grilled foods are prepared over an open oak wood fire. The high heat locks in the natural juices while imparting a subtle oak flavor. Visit us at Squid Lips Overwater Grill when you are docked at Fins Marina.
Under the ramp leading up to Squid Lips was a lone heron standing in the shallow water in search of an early morning meal. It didn't seem at all concerned that we were there. I guess it knew there was no way I was going to jump over the railing and harass it.
I have quite a few images that I captured that morning between the hours of 6:30 and 7:30AM. It was very serene that early in the morning. But the 16th Annual Sebastian Riverfront Fine Arts and Music Festival was going on this past weekend and by mid-morning that whole area along the Indian River becomes jammed with people. The restaurants in the area have to physically guard their parking spots or put cones and chairs in them to stop visitors from parking there all day.
Below is the first series of images I'd like to share with you from that peaceful morning. I hope you like them!
A view of Squid Lips from the parking lot.
A ramp along the right side of Squid Lips that leads around back and also to the entrance gate to Fins Marina.
There was even a little moonglow that morning.
Fins Marina has a very substantial wrought-iron entrance gate.
A sun-protected fish cleaning station.
Looking out to the East and across the Indian River.
The ramp leading up to Squid Lips.
See my previous Steemit post about our trip to Sebastian, Florida:
All images @cognoscere and taken on the morning of Saturday January 21, 2017 on the Indian River at/near the Sebastian Squid Lips Overwater Grill (Sony RX100 V)
Nice pics! Amazing how those docks hold up: they look rickety, and yet they still stand.
Funny you should mention that, because on one side of Squid Lips there was a big stack of dilapidated deck boards that were just recently replaced. And one of the docks directly out of the back of the restaurant was unusable and undergoing repair.
Okay, that fills in a different kind of picture. Thanks.
Congratulations for the excellent images, dear friend @cognoscere, there is nothing better than spending a day together with nature
It's a lot easier to get up early when it's warm and the sky is nice and clear. You captured the peacefulness of an early morning, for sure. Such a contrast from the hustle and bustle you know is headed your way later in the day!
I have quite a few more images that I'll try and post later in the week. It is a beautiful area!
Very nice - I'll look forward to those posts. You've been making good use of your new camera since you got it!