HEART OF SAND: More than two decades later, sand sculpting vacationer still wowing crowds (PHOTOS)

Butch Hawks is nearing the age of retirement but has a hobby most 8–year–olds could relate to — building sand castles.

On Thursday he and his wife, Donna, ventured out to the beach around 8 a.m. The pair, from Jackson, Tenn., brought all the things they need to enjoy a long day at the beach behind Edgewater Condominiums. He carried all of his sand-carving tools, and Donna brought nothing more than a book.

His piece Thursday began as a large heart, he said, inspired by his wife. He added seashells and for a moment considered it done. A little while later, he added the red bucket pouring seashells out on top of it, as if to show the ocean literally pouring its heart out. It only took him three to four hours, and he plans to keep adding more.

There is nothing technical about it; it’s art that morphs into something beautiful and without warning will melt to the sea — or as it so often happens, will be stepped on.

Hawks has been vacationing in Destin for the past 23 years and for him building sandcastles isn’t work, it’s the best way to enjoy the beach.

“It’s complete relaxation,” he said.

Though his designs are pretty complex, he never has an exact plan and he never knows how it will turn out.

“I have a lot of ideas, and usually when I start it doesn’t work. Then it just becomes something else.”

He realized his love and talent for building sand castles when he and his wife had young kids and he got right there in the sand with them. It’s been something he just kind of developed over time, adding tools and technique.

While he has built sand castles at different beaches all over the States, Destin is his favorite because of the pure whiteness of the sand.

“But it’s also the most challenging; this sand is pure powder.”