It's amazing what a difference the direction of the wind makes. Yesterday afternoon on the beach at Indian Shores the air temperature was mid 70s, but the breeze was straight out of the north. It didn't keep people from wearing their beach attire, but I did see some long pants and t-shirts go on around sunset. I put on a light fleece jacket and poked around in the beach wrack (seaweed, etc.) just to see what may have washed up.

Overheard: What does a Minnesotan call a windy 50 degree day on a Florida beach?... SPRINGTIME!!!

This morning the breeze was out of the southeast and was MUCH warmer. The white puffy cumulus clouds were drifting across the sky from the east and it was looking and feeling like an early October morning.

The Gulf water temperature is a little above 60 degrees, which is too cold for me, but there were a few people going in.

Speaking of cold water, did you know that every year on New Year's Day on Jacksonville Beach, FL a bunch of adventurous people take the Polar Plunge? The event takes place at the SeaWalk Pavilion on Jacksonville Beach and is sponsored by the Wave Masters Surf Club. If you want to watch, or to try it, just show up at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day.

I think I'll pass on the Plunge. But let me know how much fun you have!

If you find yourself on a Florida beach during one of our sunny days that just happens to be a little cooler than you prefer because of the wind, the best option for you is to find a windbreak, like a jetty, a low wall, a sand dune, or move to the side of the island (if possible) that is sheltered from the wind. Sometimes you can turn your umbrella on its side and use that for a mini wind break.