St. Augustine Florida

Rich with history, a long history by North American standards, St. Augustine is what I had imagined it would be. Old world charm, splendid architecture in the old part of town, and many interesting sites and museum abound. Too many to see during one visit, so we have been selective with price in mind.

We visited the pedestrian-only St. George Avenue and using a written guide I purchased at the city's visitors center I led our party of three on a walking tour replete with vignettes of history as we walked by more than 20 historical structures.

Flagler College, a beautiful campus

Dad enjoyed his tour of the Castillo de San Marcos fort, pretending to be a gunners mate and then someone in trouble and thrown into prison.

Did I say he was a ham???

Here are a couple more pictures from the town

Low tide, watch the mud!

The oldest wood school house in the United States

Saint Photios Shrine - A Greek Shrine with a strong history in St. Augustine

The claim here is that the oldest Orthodox Christian church is located here. The man who hosted the shrine was eager to research whether this is in fact, since on our trip this past summer we heard the same claim from a Russian Orthodox church in Kenai, Alaska.

I have enjoyed taking pictures of the various birds that make the beach their home. I was surprised to find the Lesser Tern, an endangered specie of bird,
huddled here between some gulls.

The sunsets around here are just wonderful!!! This photo was taken today just as dad and I were leaving the beach. He went shell hunting and I took a seven mile bike ride.

Once again, I hope you enjoy the blog. Good night.

Nightlife in Jacksonville

Quick entry, mostly pictures. The three of us decided to head to downtown Jacksonville and stop by the St. John's River, find a spot to picnic at (homemade potato salad -yum) and watch the sunset and lights go bright. We were not disappointed! We found a delightful area, parked for free and walked the riverfront.

Two of my favorite shots of the evening. I love the colors.

A street trumpeter was playing some lively music and he had his son occasionally assisting. It was a nice father/son way to spend an evening.

We enjoyed seeing people strolling along the walk, sitting on the back of their cabin cruiser, dining out on the patio or just hanging out with their friends, amidst the fountain and the music.
The Jacksonville Landing

Well its time to run! Off to St. Augustine next.

Jacksonville Florida

Picture taken near Neptune Beach, one of my favorite shots since starting this venture in early November....

Immediately, upon entering the State of Florida we noticed a change, a change that spoke of money. Interstate 95 widened and smoothed out. Using mostly concrete for the thoroughfare, signage was more pronounced, particularly the signs leading to the visitor's center. Spread over at least 20 acres, maybe more, was the best facility welcoming visitor I have ever experienced. Through the center of the main building,brochure racks were organized by state region. On one end behind the counter stood senior adults eager to assist with any questions and to hand out Florida State maps. On the other end of the building a lady stood to help anyone with free samples of Florida orange juice or grapefruit juice. The grapefruit juice was the best since close to 30 years ago when I squeezed my own grapefruit when we lived in southern California, specifically, Pauma Valley.

Dad busied himself collecting fallen leaves and pine cones and various other forest products while Louise fixed some lunch. I delved into the literature gained and poured over it with keen eye where to go to next. We decided to stay in Jacksonville for three nights just to get a feel of the area before moving south.
The selection of the RV park was, at best, okay, not so much because of the facilities but because it is loud because of road,air and rail traffic. Why there are only three such private parks in the whole of the city area is a mystery, perhaps shear economics, i.e. land prices, cost of building, maintaining what is built, staffing and, oh yes, taxes and fees vs. what people are willing and able to afford. When we arrived and checked in to the Fleetwood RV the lady did her best to encourage us to stay a month. Yes, in three days we are paying the equivalent rate of one week under the monthly rate, but I declared to her I know the cost and that we were really only passing through heading south to the Keys. The rate is $400 per month but $35 per night. As we head further south into more prime winter-staying territory the rates may seem cheap. Florida is known for its expansive state park system with RV accommodations. Its our plan to take full advantage of the opportunities and it should save us a lot of money on the long haul. Next stop for Sunday evening is along the shore at St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the States. It was 200 years old at the time of the Revolutionary War.

Well, I will soon end the narrative, likely much more interesting to me than it is for you. I have been told that some who have bookmarked my blog generally only look at the pictures! Taking no offense, here are a few to share with you as I sit barefoot wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt enjoying the winter day to reach over 80F. As my dad likes to proclaim, something he likes to quote citing my older brother when he was a little one, "Life sure is tough!"

Surfing Lessons on January 20th starting with paddling on the sand!

Yes, surfing in 62 degree water with a wetsuit

Wind surfing

Fishing for Stripers. I plan to soon get my saltwater non-resident license; I can hardly wait!!! Friendliness abounds here. The fisherman offered to bring an extra pole for me tomorrow and he will supply the bait. Unfortunately, we were not planning to return to this beach, but I thanked him.

Unique, one of a kind gull unlike any others

Finishing up this entry with a couple more pictures of our time on Neptune Beach

Continuing to look for the perfect shell. I hear the best is yet to come!

Getting Caught Up to Florida

I wanted to first share with you one of the prettiest sunsets I have seen. I took this picture on the 18th outside of Jekyll Island, South Carolina. This scene rivals the spectacular sunset I witnessed this past summer around mid-night in Homer, Alaska. I do not know if I have ever seen the sky so blood red before. My dad declared that he thought it was the best sunset he had ever seen!

I was hoping to capture the sense and feel as we drove over the great suspension bridge that same even. What do you think?

I am not the only one that enjoys bicyling...

A feisty little crab no more than two or three inches a across was set for a fight

We know we are getting south when we run across Spanish Moss

Downtown Beauford, South Carolina

The town developed a real nice park that locals enjoy including swings looking out east across the inlet. We stayed at a campground on one of islands to the east, perhaps 15 miles to the east.

I have to slip in pictures like this every once in a while. Floyd, "Pops" enjoys another time at the beach. Shells are his favorites now.
I didn't doctor this picture, really. I just caught the reflection of the sun off of the window above. This is a working lighthouse and open to the public.

Evening strolls on the beach including strolling through old forest soon to be claimed by the ocean. It is estimated that the whole of Hunting Island may be taken over by the ocean within 60 years, with the Fripp Island to its south expanding by similar size.

This gentleman with the metal detector has been vacationing and scouring these beaches for the past seven years. He gave to me directly from his metal basket a 50 mm shell from WWII when the marines strafe the beaches practicing their shoot. To conserve metal, only the tip was solid brass; the rest of the bullet was sheathed over wood.

A Palmetto Palm's last stand and another reminder of the changes afoot on these barrier islands

Next entry, Florida!!! Today's temp, 74F. Just think, if we were back in Fairbanks, their present temperature is -26F. No wonder we headed to the opposite corner of the US.

Oh, Charleston!

From Myrtle Beach we ventured to Charleston, a gentle southern city, first visited by me less than two years ago. Ever since that first short work-related visit I wanted to return and spend some time learning of the area, its history and culture. We decided to stay at James Island, just a few miles to the south. The county owns and operates a large park which includes a nice RV park complete with a lake, miles of bike trails, and a seasonal water park.

Although miles from open sea, the park has a fishing dock and water access to the ocean.

Fishing is not the only recreation experienced by the lake; here the local model sailing club is holding races.

Charleston boast an aircraft carrier museum, the USS Yorktown. A WWII vintage submarine, commissioned too late for action in the war also is part of the museum. Dad and I spent close to four hours touring and reading up on the two crafts and the various types of airplanes on display. Guess who got to sit in the captain's chair?

Fort Moultrie, less known than Ft. Sumter. had protected the bay from the British during the Revolutionary War, well before Ft. Sumter and its man made island existed.

Since we are now hooked on the ocean, we had to venture out Folly Beach, a few miles to the east of our campground. This picture was taken from the pier as Louise and Floyd combed the beach for sea shells; a wave of greeting accompanied the happy travelers.

Imagine hosting a gathering at the end of the pier on a summer's eve...

The local grocery boasts that "we may snooze, but we never close," repleet with it own art on the side of the building by a local artist. Do I run or try to shake the man's hand?

Splurging a bit, we took a carriage ride through old downtown Charleston, soaking up its history and sites, more than one can absorb or retain. We choose Classic Carriage Works. The horse named Bill wasn't phased by the roar of Harleys, but would freak out if he saw an extension ladder.

You should know me by this time, I must show a couple of beach pictures!

Next entry will speak about the islands of Edisto and Hunting, including the southern-charmed town of Beauford, South Carolina, bringing you up to the present time at Savannah, Georgia. The gentleman in the next picture learned how to make the sawgrass baskets when he was a child and he returned to making these local crafts after he retired. As you can see, he is full of smiles doing what he loves doing.