I love going for drives in Queensland, for I never know what gorgeous places we’re going to stumble upon.
This past weekend Bear and I were out and about running errands. It was a beautifully clear and crisp Spring morning and as we stepped out of the car in Cleveland, Queensland I turned to Bear and said, “Can you smell the ocean??!!” He started chuckling knowing that the very next words out of my mouth would be a plea to make a detour and follow our noses to the sea.
He is an accommodating fellow with my oft startling whims and after wrapping up our business, we headed straight for the source of the salty breezes.
We were so glad we did when this sight met our eyes.
I had never seen a red beach before and my jaw dropped in wonder as I gazed out at the vivid expanse of brick red earth that stretched out to meet the sea.
I stood on a little spit of grass-topped red outcropping and spun slowly around in unabashed delight as the cool sea breezes danced and fluttered about me.
Have you ever seen such colors at the beach before?
Bear and I spent a most happy time clambering down onto the still damp beach, stepping round sky blue puddles as we explored the red rocks finding all sorts of treasures: a motorboat hidden in the marsh, brightly colored leaves, and strands of vivid green seaweed.
This seashell masquerading as a butterfly made me smile.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such delicate seaweed – or are they grasses washed up on the beach?
With all that brilliant sunshine and briny wind, I was deliriously happy, especially since we didn’t have to share the beach with another soul. We had it completely to ourselves.
A secluded beach is pure happiness to me. I felt like Sarah Plain and Tall, Anne of Green Gables, and all those beloved ocean-loving heroines rolled into one.
One day I will return, journal and pen in hand, and sit at this idyllically placed picnic table.
I can’t wait.
Do you like following your nose and finding new places? What is a favorite discovery you’ve made in your travels?
Look at you…you are radiant with happiness x
Oh thank you, @494006859c92b38028518780817296b1:disqus , I am indeed. 🙂 It was such a beautiful day with my love. 🙂
My favorite way to travel. . .where the nose goes. . . Love that smile!
“where the nose goes” – that makes me grin, @disqus_WseMqaTPwi:disqus 🙂
I’ve only seen such red against a blue blue sky before, and that is past Roma QLD and into the “outback” of QLD. Sensational
Ohh, I didn’t know they had red earth out there too, @bc700f7a2dff994b6fd7a151d97f18ce:disqus 🙂 Sounds like Bear and I will need to go for a drive one of these days. 🙂
You look marvelous! Some of the best places I’ve been to have been because we got “lost”. I always call it taking the scenic route.
Thank you so much, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 It was a happy, happy day. 🙂 I love scenic routes. 🙂
The smile on your face has put a permanent one on mine for the day Krista. Enjoy the sea breezes. I am far from the sea but it is never far from my heart.
Oh, that makes me happy, @disqus_2LQ5qLN5aY:disqus 🙂 The sea is so dear to my heart too. 🙂 XO
I don’t think there are more beautiful beaches in this world than in Oz! LOVE those shots of you gorgeous!!!
I agree with you completely, @60c20c30108ed504d853b6fa252c8613:disqus !! What amazes is me is how vastly different they are just a few miles apart. I love it. 🙂 (so glad you like my happy, windy pics. :-))
Around Bay of Fires, Tassie, the red is on the rocks, not the sand. Did you discover why this sand is red?
Oh I’d love to see the Bay of Fires, @ken_powell:disqus 🙂 I haven’t yet found out about the cause of the red sand, but I will keep looking! 🙂
Gosh those colours are so vibrant. Was the beach muddy or sandy?!
It was a mixture of rock, sand, and dirt, @disqus_xRgkTDNCQJ:disqus 🙂 All in vibrant brick red.
How very interesting! And how lovely to see you glowing! : )
Thank you so much, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂 We’ve got to take these good days when we get them, don’t we? 🙂
Krista you look just beautiful, so alive and happy. Great pictures. I love discovering new places, thank you for sharing this one. I hope you get to return soon to sit and the picnic table and write 🙂
Oh @wanderingsheila:disqus , thank you. 🙂 It was such a lovely, unexpected discovery. 🙂
I have never seen a red beach either! How amazing 🙂
I just loved it, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂 It was like something out of a story book. 🙂
Oh what a wonderfully small world, we lived near Cleveland and Carina went to school there for a while. It’s such a gorgeous spot and I love that photo of you with the big smile, totally sums it up xxx
Really??!! Oh that makes this place even more special, @9ccdd92ba0f85fdb96c0b104bfa57f1e:disqus 🙂 I shall think of you and smile when we return there. 🙂
Just like PEI! I’ll never forget seeing that sand for the first time! You look happy, healthy and so at ease … XX
Is it, @Jacqueline_at_Bliss:disqus ? I’ve never been there but I imagined this is what it looks like. 🙂 That makes me even happier. 🙂 XO
Gorgeous, happy pic of you! Intriguing beach – I’m always amazed at the parallels between Australia ad S Africa, where we also have red soil (high iron content, apparently!)
Ahhh, good to know how the dirt gets that color, @2eb70b12c39ce30341355bd259e7914d:disqus 🙂 Maybe the similarities are why so many South Africans immigrated here? It feels close to home?