St Augustine (One Month)

Daisy Sitting Pretty

Hotel Flagler purchased.

Nice view 

We have heard so much about St Augustine (SA) in planning the trip, we decided to spend a month.  St Augustine prides itself in being the 'Oldest City in the U.S.", and in 2015 they will celebrate their 450th anniversary.  St Augustine did not disappoint!

For those that know Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island in the summertime, , St Augustine is very similar.  I used the phrase ' Machinaw on Steroids' in describing SA.

We arrived at the municipal marina in (what else)  21 MPH winds, and a 2 Knt following tidal current.  The Harbor Master reassigned us a slip to make docking easier.  (glad he did as it was tough enough going into the wind).

SA is where we planned to have some visitors come for a while.  First were Rick and Barb Eldridge (Friendly Cove arrived at the same time too) , then Cousin Col. Bill Brown, then The Grand kids, then Daughter Kourtney.

Many like this in SA
This is a personal Fav.

Before we had visitors we has some time to explore the city.  Right off the docks, there are many historical, narrow streets with really awesome older homes, many with balconies.  Very charming.
With minimal traffic, walking these streets (actual street)  was fun, and you found yourself looking at the gardens, landscaping, architecture, street, and the usually quiet surroundings.  There are many restaurants with bistro seating located in what seems to be a residential areas, and Bed and Breakfasts.  Very peaceful surroundings for an enjoyable meal.  In the more busy sections, King Street, and pedestrian  only St George, there are all kinds of shops, restaurants, and treat stores.

Day at the beach in S. Vilano.

Daisy resting after a nice run/walk

We took the dingy to south Vilano beach and had a sushi picnic.  Daisy had a great time running off leash.  I rode my bike to Annistasia Island and checked out the beach, Lighthouse, and some shops.

Fence

Fence.  Serious!

Zoom in, Best Chimney If seen.

Caroline and Vicki having a coffee

Bill MUCHO coffee

Geometry

Inside Church 

Entrance to Flagler College
The whole campus was awesome.

Shells and cement
(forgot the name)

Youth at its best.

Barb at School

Rick and Barb arrived and we had dinner together at  O.C. Whites.  The next  day, Rick, Barb, Vicki, and Friendly Cove (Bill and Caroline) took the Red Trolly to see the town during a narrated somewhat historical tour.  We hopped on and off.  One stop was St George Street, so we walked it for a while, then got back on.

The following day we walked the downtown areas, and took in a Pipe Organ Concert at a fantastic church, that evening Caroline invited all of us over for dinner on Friendly Cove.  While there was much Loop talk, Rick and Barb said it was okay, and felt they were part of the trip.

Always wanted to see St Andrews

Rick and I at PHA HOF
Putting around
(I think I beat him)

Rick Barb and I went to the PGA Hall of Fame and Museum.  We all enjoyed the experience of the very well organized displays, and recommend it if you have any interest in golf at all.

Cuz Bill and Wife Caroline.

We invited my cousin Colonel Bill Brown over, and he showed up right after the Eldridges departed.  Bill and his heavily southern accented wife Caroline were awesome to chat with.  Bill brought some old pictures of my dad in his early years over, it was a treat to see my dad in the (new to me) pics.  We ate at the popular (and large) Harry's restaurant, what a fine place.

A man and his boat!

Crew member of
Blue Willow
Janelle

Janelle had to EARN her tee shirt

Fun times

Janelle M Hill 

Jason M Hill Jr.

KOURTNEY IS HERE!!!!

Lunch at A1A
Very good place

Both are real!

Some of many!

Cool bird

Funny how they lay around

KB with the kids

The Grandkids Jason Jr. and Janelle arrived late in the evening wednesday for their weeks stay with Grandma and Grandpa Hill.  We have been looking forward to this for quite a while.  We sat up a bit and talked some, then they crashed.  The first day was raining slightly, so we simply walked the town a bit, and Jr and I took the Dinghy out for a spin.  Friday our daughter Kourtney was to arrive so we waited for her.  She did arrive in style, a black on black mustang convertible with the top down. We had lunch at A1A on the balcony and then did the shopping thing St George street.   We finished off the night with a friendly game of Rummikub.

Saturday, we took the highly anticipated (Janelle)  trolly around SA in the morning, the kids loved the ride and the different sights.  After the trolly, we made the trip to the Alligator Farm.  Wow were we surprised at the quality and quantity of all things alligator.  We spent about 3-4 hours there, very nice attraction. After a rest we walked the sights, and had dinner at an Italian  restaurant.

This was a riot!!!!

Who is peeking? 

Brunch

Sunday we had brunch at O.C. Whites (including a mimosa).  We then rented the highly anticipated 'Jellybean Cars' for two hours .  What a fun time this was.  We were smiling and giggling all the time. We went to the Anastasia State Park, and the lighthouse there, and toured the streets.  What a hoot.
Alas, our time with Kourtney came to a close too soon.  Kourtney had to depart, however, we all had a great time together.

Monday we took the grandkids to the Anastasia  State Park.  The 2-3 ft waves were crashing in a bit, so we had a blast.  Jr, and Janelle had a total blast.  Gpa joined on for awhile, man that is tiring.  The sun was out 100% and the UV must have been high as the grand kids got burnt, even with 50 SPF.

After the beach time we went back to the boat rested ate dinner and then played Rummykub with both grandkids winning.

Tuesday was a down day, but we still got in some activities.  I took Janelle to the fort San Marcos, she had a wonderful time exploring, and she was into the experience.  Later Jr and I took Daisy to the sandbar beach and threw the frisbee.  Later after dinner, Vicki took Janelle on a Pirate ship cruise, that was a total blast for both of them.  The cruise is highly scripted, with paid actors, and musicians.
The expressions on the faces of all that departed indicated it was a great time.

Wednesday the grandkids were scheduled to leave around 3 pm.  However, Christine (our daughter in-law) got tickets to  a Detroit Tigers Grapefruit League game.  The Grandkids departed around 9 AM.  What a treat to have them for an entire week.

Glass Engine.

With all the visitors now departed, we simply worked on some overdue projects, rested, and visited  any sites that we delayed going to.  One of which is the Lightner Museum.  What a great museum.  This guy, (from NewYork) during the depression purchased a vast amount of 'collections' from now bankrupt millionaires.  One piece of note was a steam powered engine made from (almost) 100% glass.  It was to demonstrate the accuracies and various shapes capable via this material.  When I heard about this item, I imagined it to be about the size of a  very small car, imagine my surprise when it actually was about the size of an oven.

Cleaning the bottom
that is Ablative bottom coat

We have not had our bottom inspected since Mobile, so I had the bottom cleaned and inspected, including the running gear, and zincs.  Everything was fine!

We departed St Augustine a coupe of days early, as we were ready to get 'Looping' again.

Thanks for peeking in on our blog.  If you are at work, please exit before you get caught.

Daisy on the wall at St Augustine.

Bag Pipe Parade.  Nice