Johnson Beach

 

Earlier this summer we visited a wonderful beach in Pensacola.  The sand is white, waves aren’t too high, and the long beach isn’t very crowded even on a Saturday.  Matter of fact, there are portions of the beach with VERY few people.  Can’t get better than this.

 

There is a sign explaining that the beach was named for Rosamond Johnson, Jr.  He joined the military at age 15 and died in the Korean War at the age of 17.  During a skirmish, he carried two wounded soldiers to safety and was returning with a third when he was killed.  He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart. 

Even the locals don't seem to know this, but at the time (1950), Pensacola beaches were racially segregated.  This beach was designated for the sole use of “colored citizens” and named to honor Johnson.  I’m glad to hear it honors someone like this but it’s always unsettling to hear about the segregation of that time.

The picture shows sea oats.  The grain is edible and the plant can be used in dried flower arrangements.  However, the main use is to stabilize sand dunes and thus protect the coast from storms. So the grass is protected.  Disturbing sea oats is punishable by a fine in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.  In Florida, that can be up to $1,000 and/or one year in jail.  I’m not coming close to them!

 

Funny story I read…a newly married couple visited the outer banks of North Carolina one day.  On it was a sign that quite disturbed the young wife.  “Stay off the Sea Cats”, it said.  The husband explained the sign was just a bit worn out and it actually meant sea oats.