St. Andrews State Park ( www.floridastateparks.org ) is located in Bay County, in Panama City Beach, Florida. The park has 1,200 acres, and gets its name because it is located on St. Andrews Bay, a 69,000 acre estuary located in northwest Florida.The park has many amenities, including concessions such as the one shown here, that rent watersport equipment.
This photo shows the kayaks that can be rented for paddling around the adjacent Grand Lagoon, shown in background.
Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving is allowed in the park, but participants in those sports are cautioned about the presence of RIP CURRENTS in this type of water environment.
Bicycle rentals are also available, and there are many areas throughout the (mostly flat) state park, that provide pleasant locations for pedaling.
The sign at the top of this dock indicates this is the boarding location for the park's shuttle to Shell Island. Shell Island is a seven-mile long barrier island that is part of the park, but has no bridges leading to it, so boating is the way people choose to access it. In addition to docks being used for Shell Island shuttle arrivals/departures, docks also have telescopes that will allow you to peer across the bay. I was able to see the Sheraton Hotel where I was staying that was a mile away! And since I always end my blog with the phrase "Miles of Smiles", I was amused at the poem on the side of the telescope---"See a mile, with a smile"!
There is an interesting page on Facebook called "Look at the front of my kayak". This photo would qualify for their criteria, as it looks out over St. Andrews Bay.
This area is famous for its birding opportunities, and the park has erected signs and viewing platforms that enable a bird watcher to see the maximum birds possible.
Because the park has five distinct ecological landscapes within its boundaries, birders have opportunities to see a larger variety of species. The five habitats are undisturbed pine hammocks, sugar sand beaches, native coastal scrub and wetlands, a lake, and inland shallow water tidal habitat on the lower Grand Lagoon. 
Thankfully, boardwalks have been built to provide visitors access to the "inner reaches" of the wetlands.
At the end of the board walk is a viewing platform, with benches, and interpretive panels to tell visitors what wildlife they might see in this particular habitat.The park also has an area near one of the popular beaches on the Gulf of Mexico side of the park, where visitors can rent surfboards and inflatables.
And, of course, there is a gift shop where you will have hundreds of choices of souvenirs to take back home as a reminder of your fun time at the beach!
It was interesting to see that the large wall signs for sale in the gift shop, have the same advise as given in the Bible!
History buffs will probably enjoy reading about the heavy equipment that was used for industrial purposes in the distant past of St. Andrews Bay:
In the Southeast part of the United States, lumber production was a booming business in the past, as a growing nation needed wood to build homes and businesses. Unlike today's lumber mills run by computer technology, in the olden days is was gears and pulleys and blades and "elbow grease" that got the job done.
History buffs will probably enjoy reading about the heavy equipment that was used for industrial purposes in the distant past of St. Andrews Bay:
Even though this Eagle Scout completed his project over 15 years, it is still providing a service, through education of guests, as well as students who come to the parks on school field trips.
It is easy to see why there were many accidents in saw mill of the past, as there was no protection for the workers from the spinning saw blade.
It is easy to see why there were many accidents in saw mill of the past, as there was no protection for the workers from the spinning saw blade. St. Andrews State Park has a lovely walking trail that is near Gator Lake, and its short length means one does not need hiking gear to enjoy it.
Although no special gear is required for a hike, a good set of eyes that are alert to walking through alligator habitat, IS a requirement! I have read enough stories about people who were killed in Florida from an alligator attack, that I take these warning signs very seriously!
I always take a photo of the sign that shows the trail map, before I start out on a hike. That way I can refer to it, if I get confused as to which path to take. Also, signs like this will usually tell you the total length of the trail and how long it generally takes to walk through it.
Although no special gear is required for a hike, a good set of eyes that are alert to walking through alligator habitat, IS a requirement! I have read enough stories about people who were killed in Florida from an alligator attack, that I take these warning signs very seriously!I always take a photo of the sign that shows the trail map, before I start out on a hike. That way I can refer to it, if I get confused as to which path to take. Also, signs like this will usually tell you the total length of the trail and how long it generally takes to walk through it. 
I was intrigued by this scene of the scrub brush and trees, forming a complete arch and canopy, for the bench along the trail. Since there are two and one-half miles of beach within St. Andrews State Park, it is easy to spread out and "social distance" from other guests. I am using this photo of me giving the "V for VICTORY" uplifted arms gesture on the beach, as the visual aid for my First Place for Health ( www.FirstPlaceforHealth.com ) memory verse that says, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
St. Andrews State Park has a pier that reaches out into the Gulf of Mexico. This section of beach was able to escape the development of resort hotels and condominiums that border it, because it used to be a military reservation.
I enjoy doing photography around ocean piers, because they provide so many "framing" opportunities for the sun, sky, and people!
