Fernandina Beach to St Augustine

 

Fernandina Florida was a “hop” from the Georgia line and the Cumberland Island National Seashore (In Georgia!) was right across the river from the tip of Amelia Island, the home of Ft Clinch and the state park that bears it’s name. Fort Clinch was our home for one night before our “skip” down the island and across the mighty St Johns River.  Jacksonville straddles both sides of this extremely busy international import/export terminal lined river!  Ocean freighters of all nationalities and places of origin, carrying all types of cargo were either going up river or exiting out onto the ocean.  We watched as the Jumbo Shipping Freighter “Fairlift” cruised steadily by us carrying 2 mammoth funnel-like looking contraptions on her deck.  The Blount Island Terminal has a crane that will lift a 65-TON container and last year 683,000 vehicles were moved thru just that terminal.  That’s only one of 3 terminals!

Kathryn Abbey Hanna City Park is next to the Mayport Naval Station that presently was home to at least 5 huge gray naval vessels.  The ferry that shuttles cars and trucks across the expanse of the St Johns River, docks in Mayport, near the naval station and right next to all the fishing boat docks where the big ugly fishing vessels with folded up arms of netting, perch to unload their

Lunch at the Docks

valuable cargo.  On previous stays in Hanna Park, our choice of seafood restaurants was always Singletons. Not anymore!  They were closed for remodeling when we stopped so we ventured into Safe Harbor Seafood Market & Restaurant.   We entered the “market” and placed our order with the lady just past all the display cases that held the various types of cleaned, pink or white, neatly arranged fish.  We were given a number and we found an empty table in the eating area – out on the back deck – right NEXT to the docks where the catches were being unloaded.  Up north – grits are usually made with water and resemble old gray wallpaper paste.  I make my grits with milk, cheese, butter and a little garlic!  I had Shrimp and Grits for the 1^st time last year in Myrtle Beach and they were good!  The Shrimp and Grits at Safe Harbor were out of this world!  HUGE Crusty Grilled Shrimp were nestled in a bed of cheesy, garlicky grits that were smothered in finely chopped red tomatoes, purple onions and bright green chives.  Dee-lish!

And then there was the rain.  The massive storm that reeked havoc on North Carolina and Tennessee was a deluge of water that threatened to delay our trip farther down A1A.  Once the rain had subsided we hooked up the “train” and climbed in the truck to complete our “hop-skip and jump” down the coast to St Augustine and the Anastasia State Park.

Okay – here it is: SPFB!  St Augustine and her Old Towne decorate for Christmas to the nines!  In past winters it’s been raining or cold but this year as we parked in the parking lot for the San Marcos Fort (free after 5pm!) we had on our winter coats so we were toasty warm!  The narrow streets were busy with other folks also out to enjoy the sites.  Horses bedecked with jingle bells, slowly clomped by, pulling buggies outlined in colorful lights. After our circle thru and around the restored old town we strolled along the river walk on our way back to the fort and our awaiting blue chariot.  A lighted sailboat was under motor power and was heading for the

also bright, glowing bridge.  Reflections rippled outward from the base of the bridge – multiplying the lights.  Too bad – the boat parade was the night BEFORE we arrived!

Yes, H has driven the local beaches!  On Amelia Island he drove out on squishy white sand on the state park beach.  He even got a 20-minute pass to check out the campground at Huguenot Memorial Park and for old times sake he HAD to drive on that beach also!  Of course, if he’s out on St Augustine Beach – he’s gonna have to drive on that beach too!  Other times we used our feet to check out a couple of the beaches.  One day the sky was being torn apart with angry clouds and the equally angry waves were crashing against the staunch sturdy legs of the fishing pier on their way to the beach.  Out past the pier, surfers were bouncing around on their boards, struggling to ride the rolling waves.   The next day the sky was blue and the waves were now happily racing to reach the shore!

 And the drone has been flown!   Finally - no wind and NO rain!!  We hurried out to the kayak launching area on the small lake on the inland side of the dunes here in Anastasia.  In one direction, the drone’s camera did capture the tall black & white spiraled St Augustine lighthouse in the distance and in the opposite, the kayakers floating along on the lake. You can see the camp road to the beach parking area and the slit of blue ocean. Too bad the drone didn’t get high enough to see on the other side of the white dunes and the sparkling white waves that were lining those shores.

 Our “To Do” list for our time in Anastasia is complete.   The day’s forecast is for more rain so we are packed and ready to go.  We’re heading for the Forest!