Hired a car
and enjoyed a nice 2 hour drive up the coast to Saint Augustine to stay with our
friend Jack. Evidence of the recent Hurricane destruction still visable and the
rebuild and clean up of roads and damaged properties and businesses continues.
Saint Augustines is the oldest continuously occupied European-established
settlement within the borders of the continental United States. Population of
the ‘greater area’ is about 70,000. So just a bit smaller than Ballarat of
approx. 110,000.
A town of
many a historic buildings, paved streets and an old fort. Henry Flagler, a
co-founder with John D. Rockefeller of the Standard Oil Company, spent the
winter of 1883 in St. Augustine and found the city charming, but considered its
hotels and transportation systems inadequate. He had the idea to make St.
Augustine a winter resort for wealthy Americans in the Northern States, and to
bring them south he bought several short railroads and combined these in 1885
to form the Florida East Coast Railway, which opened up the Atlantic coast of
Florida to development down to Miami and the Florida Keys.
We took in a
local ‘trolley tour’ learning more about the quaint, old historic beauty of
this lovely town. Joined by Charlie and Victoria again, who travelled up from
Orlando to visit, we took in the “Nights of Lights” tour or the very busy w/end
of Martin Luther King Day. A rollover from Christmas time really with all the
tree’s and beach paths lit up with ‘White lights’. The kids and I also did a
chocolate factory tour of Whetstone Chocolate – makers of fine boutique style
chocolates. Highly recommended to do, it was very well run, with comedic tour
guides and samples along the way. Jack and David did a tour of the neighbouring
Distellery.
Otherwise a couple
of relaxing days by the pool at Jack’s home and really enjoying being in
suburbia, rather than a hotel room again. We can walk his dog, go into town and
take a stroll around the old streets, find some good cafés and restaurants and
just plain relaxing.
One of the
days Jack took us up to Jacksonville to a place called “Top Golf”. This was a
place you had to see to believe. Concept is of a normal ‘golf’ driving range
(but on steroids)!! A multi – million dollar setup - three levels, approx. 30
bays on each level, 2 TV screens and a dining table for 6 people at each station. Food and
beverages delivered to your table. Your golf ball is chipped and monitored to
see where it goes near the targets once you tee off. A golfers dream. Well
worth the experience!
We caught up
with Jack’s Aunt and Uncle whilst in Saint Augustine too – Bill and Millie
(more people we’ve known for years from the Driftwood). We ate out at the Salt
Life Restaurant – very nice meals.
Shark
Fishing – another of Jack’s adventures for us is in store tomorrow! Fishing from off the beach (yes
David you DO have to walk across the SAND to throw your line in)!!
