Let's Go to the Beach

It will be fun, she said. We can enjoy a cool ocean breeze and watch the sun rise over the horizon, she said. We can ride the bike trails along the ocean, she said. So, with a bit of free time between graduation festivities, we headed to the ocean.

We did not get an ocean front RV site as everything was booked for Memorial Day weekend. However, we did find a spot  in a jungle Faver-Dykes State Park, about 20 miles south of St. Augustine. The campground is located about 1 1/2 miles off the main road.

It’s okay, she said; we can drive to the beach. Not at sunrise, he said.

Arriving at the campground we were immediately advised of rampant tick infestation.

So much for strolling along the nature trail.

Exploring St. Augustine we were reminded of Savannah, GA; lot’s of historical landmarks.

Castillo de San Marcos built in 1672 is the largest and oldest masonry fort in the US, It served as a refuge for the citizens of St. Augustine during frequent pirate raids. 

St. Augustine is very humid and hosts lots of tourists.

ABN found a Natural Life store and Captain discovered A1A Ale House, so we were happy.

 

St. George's street before the other tourists arrived. Trust us, they did arrive!

Located not too far from our campground we learned there was a Blue Crab Festival in the town of Palatka which is conveniently located on the Palatka-to-St. Augustine bike trail. Saturday we loaded the tandem and headed to Palatka. We rode a bit of the trail and did a bit of Florida hill climbing.

This is said 'hill;" the bike path goes along the bridge.

After a hot and humid bike ride, we headed to the festival.

It would probably be a very nice festival except it was just too warm and humid to stay very long (the heat was so stifling, ABN didn’t even want to look at the arts and crafts.Yep it was that warm!)

On Sunday we finally made it to the beach where we enjoyed a nice 20 mile ride along the ocean. And, yes, it was a tiny bit cooler with the ocean breeze.

Well, the path actually went along the side of the highway, but we did see the beach.

Best part of the ride was the 35 cent popsicles at a convenient store!

With the heat and humidity, and the mosquitoes, and the ants, we confirmed what we already knew; we are not beach people.  Will we ever get all the sand out of our shoes, the truck and the RV?

A note from ABN,

Today our nation is observing Memorial Day....for Gold Star Families, every day is Memorial Day (we never forget.)  It used to bother me a great deal to be wished a happy Memorial Day. This year I decided to change my attitude; when I hear or see “Happy Memorial Day,” I will say a silent prayer that those expressing the sentiment will never experience the circumstance that brings true meaning to the holiday.

We are now headed back to the Florida panhandle where we will join other family members as we celebrate Camille. In spite of our loss, we have so very much for which to be joyful and grateful.

Wishing all of you a “Happy Summer!”

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