I have to apologize to all of you that have continued to faithfully read my blog. It has been pretty darn boring for at least six months. We haven't been traveling very much due to my knee surgery and family activities. Please hang on and I guarantee that things will get more interesting once we are moving towards the islands in November. Until then I will continue posting occasionally, with the mundane things that are happening in our lives. I guess this a good life lesson for me -- you can be in a place that you love, living the life that you have dreamt of and still every day is not filled with exciting new experiences. Occasionally we have to slow down and recharge. As we spend time here in Jacksonville, I'm recharging by taking time to swim and read books again. Just a couple of things I have neglected. Oh, I almost forgot. I got a MAC computer and iPhone so my brain cells are being stimulated as I try to learn this new communication system. Weekly classes are helping, but it is a challenge.
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| Thank goodness we have a car with us. We love driving to some of the other cities and towns that surround Jacksonville. There are lots of interesting places that can be seen in a day. Of course, my location in the car is always the passenger's seat. Brian thinks that his role of 'captain' extends to all things motorized. |
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| Jacksonville has the largest population of any of the cities in Florida and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. But, like many large cities, it is struggling to bring the population downtown in the evening. The first Wednesday of each month is Artwalk. Many of the downtown restaurants, galleries and street performers co-operate for the event and it is working. The night that we attended was packed. In case you are having a difficult time deciphering my photo --- it is a woman twirling and balancing a big stick that is burning on both ends. |
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| Amelia Island is about a half hour north of Jacksonville. It has a history of living under eight different flags. They like to say "the French visited, the Spanish developed, the English named and the Americans tamed." At the north end of the island is the town of Fernandina. A 50 block area of the downtown is on the National Historic Places registry. Because the town fell into obscurity when Flagler's railroad bypassed the island, the Victorian homes were repaired rather than replaced. Their heritage was preserved. In our travels we are always looking for seafood shacks or dives that are local favorites. During a downpour we ran into Timoti's, and had a great lunch. As we left we saw the sign proclaiming it one of Coastal Living's top picks for this year. |
Daytona Beach is famous for the hard packed sand
that allows cars to drive on it. Brian is meticulous
in the care of his cars. So you understand that it
was only out of true love that he agreed to take the
car on the beach subjecting it to sand and salt spray.
For me it was a walk down memory lane. In 1966 I
came here with three sorority sisters for Spring Break.
Nothing more to say on that topic.
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| We discovered San Marco, a cute neighborhood, within Jacksonville. Maple Street Biscuit Company is a new restaurant located on the main street. The owner, Gus, is one of those super nice guys that you just pray will be successful. Their specialty is delicious meals and sandwiches on the flakiest biscuits. The last time we stopped Brian had just about licked his plate clean when the chef came out with a new dessert and asked him to critique it...... A cinnamon apple biscuit, topped with whipped cream and carmel sauce. I don't think they could have created something more perfect for Brian. Of course, he loves this picture with his mouth full. |
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| St Augustine remains one of our favorite neighboring cities. It is about 45 minutes south of Jacksonville with a huge outlet mall on the way. St Augustine offers abundant history, a beautiful coastline, lots of shopping and restaurants. Most of it is within a reasonable walk -- especially if the summer temperatures dip below 90 degrees. |
Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!
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