David and Betsy's Wedding Castle August 1st, 2001 Sun 'N Sea Cottages and Apartments Longboat Key, Florida

On July 29th, the crew of Sandcastling.com descended on Longboat Key, FL. Our mission: Build a "six" foot castle for a Rehearsal Dinner on the beach. Date of this Castle build: August 1st.  

Having never been to Longboat Key, the crew, Wally and I, arrived a couple of days early to experiment with the sand we'd find. When our first 8' experimental castle came crashing down, we built a 7' one.... which also came crashing down. Not to be daunted, we did a 6' castle. Once again, when the base mold was removed, the structure cracked and within moments was laying in piles at our feet. 

It would seem that we were dealing with "rounded" sand grains. (Think of it as akin to building with a stack of marbles.) Further interrogation.... err... investigation from the locals revealed that much of the sand we were dealing with had been "re-nourished" in a beach restoration project. Dredged from the depths of the Gulf. Ah ha! This would explain a bit of the crashes -- but this sure didn't help build our confidence in being able to achieve a nice height for the wedding castle. 

On the rainy afternoon before the event, Wally and I headed to the exact spot at the "Sun 'N Sea" Cottages and Apartments where the Wedding Castle would be built. Stepping from my vehicle we were immediately welcomed with a huge clap of thunder and a flash of light as lightning began striking from the skies. Not being too keen on holding onto a shovel while lightning impacted around us, we jumped back into my van and headed back to the nearby Holiday Inn. What a way to start a project... and those friendly West Coast weather forecasters were predicting a 70% chance of rain for the next day. Wonderful.

At around 7pm, the lightning moved offshore leaving only a light to moderate rain falling. Wally and I saw our chance. Go!!! We hit the beach and started building our forms. Our prayers were answered when we discovered that the sand behind the sea wall was in much better condition for building. Would it hold? Would it stack up? Soon, we had an umbrella-holding crowd standing near us wondering what these two crazy guys were doing out in the rain. Why, it's obvious, isn't it? We're building a "test" lighthouse.

With the light fading fast around 8:30, we pulled the last form away.... and the almost 6' structure... held. We put the finishing touches on the lighthouse and began packing our gear up. (Special thanks to the cottage closest to us for offering us a flashlight. Not only did it allow us a glimpse of the finished structure, but we also were able to find all our gear in the sand.) We left completely soaked at 9:00pm feeling confident that the following day would be achievable... come rain, or shine.

The next morning, August 1st, imagine how good it felt to walk up to our build site and see our "D&B Lighthouse" still standing. Yeah!

(For a  larger image of this picture, visit the The Wallpaper Zone)

We started in on the Wedding Castle and it was a pure joy from start to finish. Many of the friends and family of David and Betsy brought their chairs nearby and talked to us while we shaped the sand. We'd listen to the click-click-click of the wedding's photographer, Frank, as his camera snapped close-up photos of Wally and I building. (I hear that he later got a shot of a seagull perched atop the finished castle. Boy, I'd love to see that photo!)

The friendly beach crowd also stopped by to chat and talk, some walking considerable distances to see that "huge castle" down at the Sun 'N Sea.  Of course, who could forget the Shaw family with their endless enthusiasm for being our volunteer "bucket-washers" and "cheerleaders"... and even later, our "postmasters" when they sent extra copies of "The Longboat Observer" my way. Much thanks, Amanda and family!)  Speaking of the "Longboat Observer", Shay Sullivan stopped by and snapped several photos and took down names. (You can see Shay's published shot over on my  In the News page.)

All in all, the sand held and carved nicely. Midway through the day, the gracious wedding party provided us with a covered canopy. Not only did this keep us out of the sun (and potential rain), but it kept the castle from drying out too quickly.

Wally and Ron doing the "pose" thing.

Although rain threatened from the North, South, East and, well everywhere... it never came close to our construction site. What an answer to prayer! Not only would the castle be spared, but David and Betsy's rehearsal dinner could still be held outdoors.

After finishing and cleaning up around 5 pm, Wally and family headed home for Melbourne, and I headed back to the Holiday Inn to clean up (and visit the hot tub!).

When the Rehearsal Dinner was finished around 8:15 pm, I returned to the Sun 'N Sea and took some shots as the sun dipped below the horizon. 

(For a  larger image of this picture, visit the The Wallpaper Zone)

The cheerful wedding party milled around having their photos taken near the castle, with the beautiful West Coast sky framed in the background. 

Not only did the castle turn out to be one of my best ever, but the friendly folks of the Gell and Bourne families made this event one that I'll not soon forget.

Congratulations again on the marriage of David and Betsy of San Diego California. It was a distinct pleasure building this "Wedding Castle" for you.

Postscript (8/18/01)
I learned last night that both the Lighthouse and Wedding Castle lasted until 8/8... a whole 6 days! That earns an award in the longevity department. It's even more amazing to know that during this time Tropical Storm Barry swung up the coast bringing plenty of rain to the area. Thanks to the Shaws for the post-build update.

More Info
Latest Page Revisions	2 New photos added 10/15/01 Added this "More Info" area 8/18 Added Sun 'n Sea Link 8/18 Added The Longboat Observer link 8/18 Added more text to the story, and a Postscript area. 8/18
In the News	See the photo of the castle as featured in The Longboat Observer 8/18/01
The Wallpaper Zone	See this castle in larger, higher resolution pictures.
E-mail Postcards	Send an e-mail postcard to someone with David and Betsy's Wedding Castle on it!
Sun 'N Sea	Visit the web site where this castle was built.

since August 4th

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