Canopy on the beach

Yesterday, I searched a stretch of beach in Seagrove. Out of ten tents, one had people under it, two had not canvas tops, and the remainder were empty, except for crap stored under them. I know of at least three which were removed before dark.

Seems like a contradiction.

We always pull our sailboat to the dune line away from the water....even this is no longer allowed!

As for the few vocal Gulf front owners against it, I guess they would rather have tourists leave all their crap on the beach in front of their house, complete with all of the plastic wrappers and empty cans to be recycled. I don't think they really know how much this ordinance will help keep the beach in front of them free of hazards, for which they, as land owners, are legally liable.

I don't think anyone should be allowed to leave "crap" on the beach....people litter the beach and will continue to do so no matter what ordinances are passed...until you ban the use of the beach altogether!

Lets be realistic here. There are basically two opinions on how the beach is to be used. You have the canopy users (families trying to enjoy the beach by relaxing in the shade, listening to music, reading books, playing in the water, building sand castles, watching kids play and making memories) and the anti-canopy crowd (those that want the beach to be uncluttered at all times with hopes of making a pristine environment for themelves and to save the sea turtle). This anti-canopy crowd may say that daytime canopies are OK, however the reality is that they don't want any large canopies or clutter on the beach. Unfortunately we beach vacationers like to have fun, we like for our children to have fun, we like to take lots of photos of the fun, we like to have fun under our large canopies that can fit several people engaging in all sorts of conversations and drinking all sorts of fun beach drinks. Yes, I said large canopy. Our canopy is large and has sand anchors...it does not blow away! Not even during pre-hurricane winds. My family has been enjoying Florida this way since 1965 when we built a house on the beach. We respect the environment. We respect the locals and other vacationers. We also have always left our canopy, our sailboat, and other items on the beach without ever having a problem. So now what is the problem? The anti-canopy crowd is trying to create their version of Shangri La by putting an end to our large canopy use. They live near a very popular beach and now want to change it. Our canopy is simply too big to bring in every day and set up again each morning. My family will not fit under beach umbrellas or wimpy four pole canopies! This anti-canopy crowd may say that we are disturbing the environment??but as I said before, I respect the environment and never leave trash or other loose items on the beach (actually we take keeping the environment clean very seriously and I often find myself collecting other?s trash, usually from the beach umbrella users that grab up the umbrella and leave cans and bottles behind). We stay away from the turtle eggs and teach our children to do the same. The save-the-turtle crowd needs to put its priorities straight and spend their precious time on a real issue such as the homeless, the hungry children of Africa, slave trade, drug abuse, wife abuse, child abuse or making sure that Obama does not get elected president?.there are many to choose from that make saving the turtle seem as insignificant as it really is!

I say America is the great nation that it is today because of our social interactions and creative thinking, a lot of which takes place on vacation?on the beach (under canopies). This is one of the freedoms that make America great, but now there is a law that aids in the obstruction of this freedom. In closing, my family depends on our beach vacation for a time of relationship growth and bonding and I cannot sit back and be threatened by this anti-family(canopy) law without speaking up!

I read every post in this thread and despite many distractions from the original issue- I *thought* I was following along until now...

Someone pls help me to understrand-

Wasn't the heart of the discussion (at least initially) about leaving all or part of tents/canopies on the beach overnight?

Geo-don't try to make sense out of a thread started by a troll, it is bad for the mental hygiene.

Geo, you are exactly right! However, by not allowing canopies over night we are effectivly banned from using our canopy because it is simply too large to set up every day. Many canopy owners feel the same way.

30A Skunkape: I don't litter the beach and I did not start calling anyone names!....this is not personal (at least I don't think it is).

Hmmmm: Bravo! Well put. You are a fine American! Standing up for what you believe in.

By not allowing canopies over night we are effectivly banned from using our canopy because it is simply too large to set up every day.

That's a good one...

But seriously,
On select days I carry 2 kayaks by myself across 30A down Spooky Lane and over the beach access. It is no easy task and depending on how I feel I might even make two trips or involve the car...

At the end of a grayt day of friends and family paddling them I carry them right back home...

I am not allowed to store them on the beach at night but have never felt like this means I am effectively banned from using kayaks...

Thx for the laugh. I'm going back to lurking now...

Its raining here on me. It's not always sunshine and fuzzy warm feelings in Sowal or Sowal.com nor should it be.

Is "it's" possessive or a contraction? which "its" doesn't require an apostrophe?

Contraction - - thus it's. But I could be wrong. We need Peapod to help us out with this one.

That's a good one...

But seriously,
On select days I carry 2 kayaks by myself across 30A down Spooky Lane and over the beach access. It is no easy task and depending on how I feel I might even make two trips or involve the car...

At the end of a grayt day of friends and family paddling them I carry them right back home...

I am not allowed to store them on the beach at night but have never felt like this means I am effectively banned from using kayaks...

Thx for the laugh. I'm going back to lurking now...

And that, in a nutshell, is the difference between someone who believes in the principle that the greater good of the community trumps individual interests and someone with a "me first" attitude. Thank you, Geo. Like you, I'll continue to help keep the SoWal beaches clear so everyone can enjoy them.

And in the end, the opinions of the trolls and me-firsters won't really matter. The BCC has passed the ordinance, the Sheriff's Dept. is empowered to enforce it, and it's now THE LAW.

Its raining here on me. It's not always sunshine and fuzzy warm feelings in Sowal or Sowal.com nor should it be.

Is "it's" possessive or a contraction? which "its" doesn't require an apostrophe?

It's is the contraction of "it is". Quoting Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood".

Its is possessive. The sea turtle had a difficult passage across the SoWal beach to lay its eggs.

IMHO, it's about time we quit wasting our time responding to trolls.


Me, I've got a coupla new CDs (not CD's) from Sundog that I've gotta hear. See ya.

It's is the contraction of "it is". Quoting Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood".

Its is possessive. The sea turtle had a difficult passage across the SoWal beach to lay its eggs.

IMHO, it's about time we quit wasting our time responding to trolls.

I agree!

On a positive note, Bdarg, Kate, and I went to Grayton Beach State Park to walk the little dune trail. When we arrived, there was a sign informing us that a Sea Turtle event was going to happen at 10:30!

We finished our walk and went to the picnic shelter, and the park ranger had lots of cool turtle stuff to look at- shells, preserved hatchlings, a cool video, and lots of pictures and info handouts. We were pleased to see about 20-25 visitors turn out for this, and hope they learned a lot about our turtles! It was fun to saee Organicmama and the 3 cuties there as well!

And can you believe the park ranger asked people to remove their tents and chairs from the beach every night?

If this forum had a delete feature that allowed one to go back and delete a comment at any time I would gladly go back and remove my angst comment.

Obviously in the process of trying to see good in all humans, my kind spirit was taken advantage of by trolls. I was also momentarily distracted in my thinking due to personal problems at home with my child.

I will not be that gullable in the future and to Jdarg and any others that thought I was supporting such ridiculous and juvenille behavior, I offer my sincerest apologies.

You have my blessings to tell all of them to "bite me".

And the next time I am in the area I will gladly join any one doing beach duty to clean up after such irresponsible behavior.

For I completely and totally support the efforts of those that love the area and wish to keep it as clean and pristine as possible.

It's is the contraction of "it is". Quoting Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood".

Its is possessive. The sea turtle had a difficult passage across the SoWal beach to lay its eggs.

IMHO, it's about time we quit wasting our time responding to trolls.


Me, I've got a coupla new CDs (not CD's) from Sundog that I've gotta hear. See ya.

Well thank you TreeFrog. I'm sure you pull more weight than me. But this is basically what I was saying earlier today. I understand things can't always be happy-go-lucky in the Lounge. But hey, I haven't visited the area in 7 or 8 years! What the hell do I know?

Carry on...

Geo-don't try to make sense out of a thread started by a troll, it is bad for the mental hygiene.

Skunky, I'm too lazy to go back and reread the first thread, but I think it was started by someone who actually cared to know, so that he or she could do the right thing.

It's is the contraction of "it is". Quoting Mr. Rogers, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood".

Its is possessive. The sea turtle had a difficult passage across the SoWal beach to lay its eggs.

IMHO, it's about time we quit wasting our time responding to trolls.

The English language is a beast to understand. Most possessive words end with, 's or s', yet, its (possessive) does not, and it's (contraction) does. It's easy enough for me to remember but , it really has too many exceptions to the rules.

Skunky, I'm too lazy to go back and reread the first thread, but I think it was started by someone who actually cared to know, so that he or she could do the right thing.

Yep, it was started by a caring person. It all went downhill when we crossed the troll bridge.

A troll blocks access to a bridge.......you people are blocking access to the beach......who is the troll?

And this was on a Green Flag day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixX...12/NEWS01/80712038&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

A troll blocks access to a bridge.......you people are blocking access to the beach......who is the troll?

I think that the ones that are blocking access are the ones with the large canopies. My towel can easily be stepped over or on for that matter. Not so with a canopy. And I want one of you folks with the canopies to tell me how you would feel to know that someone had taken shelter under YOUR property during a storm, then got hit by lightning? How about any of you that leave coolers of beer under that canopy only to find in the morning that someone under age had gotten into it then crashed a vehicle or drowned? How about a freak storm that launched your canopy through someones $10k window? Would you step up and take responsibility or just walk away (like so many do) from that $50 temporary convenience?

EDIT: after watching that video..... How about knowing that your convenience cost someone their life when stabbed by a 6' long umbrella stake?

And 10 minutes later, I'm glad to report that jodiFl's near cardiac arrest has been contained.

And 10 minutes later, I'm glad to report that jodiFl's near cardiac arrest has been contained.

Its all good ...just popped a few Bayer aspirins....

And this was on a Green Flag day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ixX...12/NEWS01/80712038&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Hey Shel, Help me here.

Are you suggesting that your youtube video possibly supports the idea of banning of umbrellas on the beach as they can be considered lethal weapons during high winds?

I suggest that the "government" step in yet again and mandate that only umbrellas (and of course canopies) that meet certain OSHA requirements be allowed on the beach.:roll:

That's what really turns me on...more government in our lives!

Remember a thread where I jumped on bsmart about the government dictating everything down to the color of individual buildings on the beach?

I believe we are headed in that direction.

Lets be realistic here. There are basically two opinions on how the beach is to be used. You have the canopy users (families trying to enjoy the beach by relaxing in the shade, listening to music, reading books, playing in the water, building sand castles, watching kids play and making memories) and the anti-canopy crowd (those that want the beach to be uncluttered at all times with hopes of making a pristine environment for themelves and to save the sea turtle). This anti-canopy crowd may say that daytime canopies are OK, however the reality is that they don't want any large canopies or clutter on the beach. Unfortunately we beach vacationers like to have fun, we like for our children to have fun, we like to take lots of photos of the fun, we like to have fun under our large canopies that can fit several people engaging in all sorts of conversations and drinking all sorts of fun beach drinks. Yes, I said large canopy. Our canopy is large and has sand anchors...it does not blow away! Not even during pre-hurricane winds. My family has been enjoying Florida this way since 1965 when we built a house on the beach. We respect the environment. We respect the locals and other vacationers. We also have always left our canopy, our sailboat, and other items on the beach without ever having a problem. So now what is the problem? The anti-canopy crowd is trying to create their version of Shangri La by putting an end to our large canopy use. They live near a very popular beach and now want to change it. Our canopy is simply too big to bring in every day and set up again each morning. My family will not fit under beach umbrellas or wimpy four pole canopies! This anti-canopy crowd may say that we are disturbing the environment??but as I said before, I respect the environment and never leave trash or other loose items on the beach (actually we take keeping the environment clean very seriously and I often find myself collecting other?s trash, usually from the beach umbrella users that grab up the umbrella and leave cans and bottles behind). We stay away from the turtle eggs and teach our children to do the same. The save-the-turtle crowd needs to put its priorities straight and spend their precious time on a real issue such as the homeless, the hungry children of Africa, slave trade, drug abuse, wife abuse, child abuse or making sure that Obama does not get elected president?.there are many to choose from that make saving the turtle seem as insignificant as it really is!

I say America is the great nation that it is today because of our social interactions and creative thinking, a lot of which takes place on vacation?on the beach (under canopies). This is one of the freedoms that make America great, but now there is a law that aids in the obstruction of this freedom. In closing, my family depends on our beach vacation for a time of relationship growth and bonding and I cannot sit back and be threatened by this anti-family(canopy) law without speaking up!

There are many things that were fine in years past, that are deemed inappropriate these days. As our population grows (I'm not talking locally, but globally) we are learning to adapt our behaviours in various manners to handle this change. This happens to be a local instance of human adaptation, and it's an issue of whether our personal needs are more important that the greater good, whether for humans or for the environment.

I'm not going to argue the point except to say that during the time your family has been coming to SoWal, there has also been a huge explosion of growth, both in tourism & in new residents. In years past, it didn't make as much impact to the beach at all because there weren't tents/canopies lined up from one end to the other. They were very sparse. Now, the amount of canopies lined up makes it really hard to even understand why some people don't see why what wasn't an issue is now regarding leaving canopies and/or gear out overnight.

I am blessed to live near Topsail Preserve & only see 1 tent that actually stays up all summer. It's right by the dunes under someone's stairs. I wonder about its necessity because I have only seen someone use it 3 times last summer & once this summer. But everyone else at that access just comes with the bare necessities & takes most everything with them. And, yes, it's more beautiful to look down the stretch of sand between there & Sandestin & see just beach with people walking on it & enjoying the view.

Even then, I'm not "anti-canopy" at all. I'm "anti-canopy left up overnight." And from the posts from those speaking up about the issue, pretty much everyone you're debating with falls somewhere within that category.

Being the fact that we are discussing an area of land that resides between land and sea, the dynamics of human behaviour affect the local environment around us even more than in other locations inland. Not to say that human behaviour everywhere doesn't affect an environment, but our actions here DIRECTLY and IMMEDIATELY affect not only the land environment (sea walls, etc.) but the marine environment (turtles, etc.) as well.

Humanity accepting responsibility in even small ways such as this to be stewards of the earth we live on is only a win-win situation for us. I'm not saying everyone should be a "left wing environmentalist" as someone put it earlier, but just take notice of the choices that each one of us can make that truly can make a difference. This is one of those choices.

BTW, the "save the turtle crowd" you're talking about are some of the most involved people in this community in all areas that you can imagine.

I agree!

On a positive note, Bdarg, Kate, and I went to Grayton Beach State Park to walk the little dune trail. When we arrived, there was a sign informing us that a Sea Turtle event was going to happen at 10:30!

We finished our walk and went to the picnic shelter, and the park ranger had lots of cool turtle stuff to look at- shells, preserved hatchlings, a cool video, and lots of pictures and info handouts. We were pleased to see about 20-25 visitors turn out for this, and hope they learned a lot about our turtles! It was fun to saee Organicmama and the 3 cuties there as well!

And can you believe the park ranger asked people to remove their tents and chairs from the beach every night?

And that was the beautiful CityMouse with the precocious, adorable little boy. SoWallers were in attendance! BTW Mimi counted 57 people total. Usually they get 25-30.

To misquote a famous beach movie, "We're going to need a bigger truck"

The sense of entitlement is quite strong in some; "it's too big...blather, blather." "It will fully protect one from the sun". That one was classic.

It got there somehow, that same person(s) can take it back. Take only what you need for the day. It's a pretty simple concept that the entitled refuse to acknowledge, along with the law.

And the beach ownership thing, that's another story altogether.