{PHOTOS} A Local Icon: Ron Jon Surf Shop

I don't think I've had a family/friend yet visit Brevard and not also want to go to Ron Jon's for a souvenir, including a shirt (the usual), a surfboard (for the bold), or a sticker (for the person who doesn't want to pay the Ron Jon prices). It started as this little shack where you could rent surfboards, body boards, etc. as well as buy some shirts, shoes, and bathing suits but later became the neon behemoth you see today. The colors are beautiful and it is definitely best seen at night when the lights are bright and appealing.

I visited it on a whim, after getting lost trying to find the Cocoa Beach Pier, and it was definitely well worth it. I even meandered next door to the Cocoa Beach Surf Company, which I had never visited before, to see their indoor aquarium, hotel, restaurant, and Starbucks.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

Volleyball "Sand" Sculpture

Skateboarding "Sand" Sculpture and Entrance

Surfer "Sand" Sculpture

Ron Jon Surf Shop Entrance

Ron Jon Surf Shop Entrance with Permanent Wood-Side Station Wagon

Looking a little like South Beach

The view of Ron Jon's from A1A

Cocoa Beach Surf Company - Aquarium

Eating dinner in front of the fishies

View of the restaurant

{PHOTOS} Cocoa Village: A Photo-Journey Around Town

My wonderful husband bought me a five year anniversary gift, a Nikon D3100, and I was just itching to get out and take some pictures. I'll admit, I was nervous because as I was driving home the sun was fading fast and I have never had a camera that was good at taking shots at night. I shouldn't have been nervous, because taking pictures with this camera was like upgrading from a Pinto to a Cadillac. Every command, every manual change I made, it listened and didn't try to "automate" me to death like my past cameras. Here's the results of my first walkabout with the camera. I wandered "Cocoa Village" in Cocoa, FL, a wonderful neighborhood of restaurants, stores, bars, and even apartments all right along the riverfront.

I would love to hear which ones are your favorites!