Bonfires return to Lake Worth beach

Bonfires on the Beach are back! As a Lake Worth resident, I love this freebie presented by my city. 

The bonfires bring the crowds to the Lake Worth Beach every other Friday evening, once turtle-nesting season is over. The city's lifeguards build and staff the bonfires, which begin about 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. or so. The shops and restaurants stay open late to serve the onrush of customers.

Friday was the first one of the season. By 7 p.m., several hundred had gathered to toast marshmallows and enjoy the bonfires listening to the waves lapping on the shore. And it wasn't even the peak time -- between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. In past years, as many as 1,500 would gather for the bonfires. 

Happy New Year from Lake Worth beach

Sunrise at Lake Worth beach on New Year's Day 2014

Early on New Year's Day, I headed to the Lake Worth beach for my morning walk. The skies were cloudy and the brisk 15-mph made me think the temperature was more like 65 degrees.

I saw families walking along the beach, with dads toting little ones on their shoulders. Other people were sitting in lounge chairs, watching the waves roll in and some party-goers looked like they never went home from their New Year's Eve festivities.

Exploring renovations at Lake Worth's beach

Adirondack chairs line up to face the ocean.

Finally after nearly 30 years of talk, Lake Worth is busy renovating buildings along its beachfront.

Sunday, I loaded my dog in my car to check out the renovations to Lake Worth's storied casino building and other restoration work underway in the multimillion-dollar project. I wanted to see how my tax dollars are being spent. But I also needed to get in a morning walk with my dog. So the trip to the beach filled two purposes, my new definition of multi-tasking. Here's what I saw:

1. Lower parking lot still a construction zone. I parked here in order to get the most steps on that Sunday morning. We drove onto an unpaved road into the parking lot and had to dodge cars and pickups on our walk up to the beach.