The dawn of May 4 brings the end of the St. Augustine Beach lockdown, and like spring itself, a slow reawakening from our catatonic state.  Celebrated since the days of the Roman Republic, perhaps the best known of May Day traditions is dancing around the maypole.  And that my friends qualifies as a “physical activity and motion” meeting the qualifications for using St. John County beaches!

St. Augustine beaches are now open seven days a week, with visitors requested to comply with CDC guidelines. For now, and like the weather subject to change, that means limiting gatherings to no more than ten persons and distancing yourself from others by a minimum of six feet.

Yes, I’ll keep a safe distance, but I refuse to call it social distancing.  We’re social.  We socialize.  So let’s think of our safety as less a measurement and more an awareness that danger lurks.     Veterans call it situational awareness.  I call it “gator dancing”!

In addition to dancing around the maypole, walking, running, exercise, surfing, biking, fishing, swimming, surfing, and now sunbathing are all on the approved list.  Beach driving remains prohibited, but all public parking lots are open, as is the St. John’s Fish Pier with no access fee.

Better yet, across all of St. Johns County, restaurants, shops and attractions are taking their tentative steps towards Memorial Day and the start of summer.  And it will be a summer to remember.   Not for named storms that might roll in off the ocean, quaint reminders of summers past, but for our newfound appreciation that the salt air breeze, the slap of waves on our boats and boards and sand in our sandals make life meaningful, and our sacrifices worthwhile.

So best you pack up the SUV or truck, get out there and start making memories.  Time for my summer road trip to the beach. My playlist has all the classic rock summer anthems – Schools Out, Dancing in the Street, California Girls, Hot Fun in the Summertime and more.  Let this truly be an Endless Summer.  Oh, the stories we will tell!

For detail updates on St Augustine Beach restrictions please visit the City of St Augustine’s Beach Facebook page.

Guy Harvey Resort St Augustine Beach

Guy Harvey Resort St Augustine Beach is open.  For those traveling to St Augustine Beach we want to make sure you Book with Confidence during this time.  Please visit the updated flexible travel policies and safety procedures  at the hotel for our commitment during Covid-19.   View Guy Harvey Resort St Augustine Beach Covid-19 update.