Camping on the Beach at Long Pine

Trying out beach camping again, this time at Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys.

When I arrived yesterday it was amazingly hot and humid out. I've been here for a few days and I'm getting used to it, but I yearn for a good patch of shade provided by some nice greenery. I've got a little bit here but not enough to really cool things off.

My campsite was a cute little sliver of land right on the beach only about ten feet from the ocean. I had running water and power, a picnic table and a fire ring. When I arrived I dragged the picnic table in the sand around every hour or so in order to maximize the amount of shade I might be able to use. It didn't help much.

I'm supposed to be reading books and writing constantly but I find this Florida heat to be exhausting.

Later that night a storm rolls in and catches my neighboring campers by surprise. They've got pretty big, tall tents and I watch them from the corner of my eye as we all rush to stake down our tents and attach rain covers over them to keep the storm out. Tonight it's just me and for only one night so I've setup my Marmot Twilight 2P. For over an hour the heavy rains and wind beat down but the tent holds up great and I just fall asleep..