Father's Day Kayak Trip

On Father's Day a Kayak trip on the Broad River in Danielsville was on the calendar.  Dad's kayak free--keep this in mind for your Dad next year. 

Joy

Taxidermy at Clark's Fish House

Back track to a few post ago about our dinner at Clark's Fish House.  Today I am finally posting a few of the pictures of the taxidermy inside the restaurant. Clark's has the largest private collection of taxidermy in North America.  You might find it useful at your next trivia night to know that taxidermy as an art form used in interior design and decor became popular in the Victorian era.  John Hancock, an English ornithologist is thought to be the father of taxidermy.  

Joy

Visit to Brunswick--test post

Brunswick is just a few miles from St. Simons.  There is not much to see in Brunswick.  Many of the stores are vacant but there are some antique markets that are enjoyable. Riding around town we found Lovers Oak.  Its limbs which measure anywhere from 12 to 30 inches  extending in all directions  creating a nice shady area on a hot July afternoon.  Local legend has it that Native American braves and their maidens met under this majestic tree.  It is estimated to be about 900 years old.  The tree can be found at the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets.   

Testing out my new MacBook Pro--so very different from my PC.  Hoping to learn how to operate in the coming weeks.  



Joy

A Quick Visit to Jacksonville

June brought a quick trip to Jacksonville to check on the boat at Lamb's Yacht Center.  The boat was fine and we spent our time exploring by car.  We went to two well known restaurants in the area.  Breakfast at Metro Diner was so large we couldn't eat it.  I got the stuffed french toast.  It wasn't cooked all the way through and the filling was not warm.  Steve enjoyed his meal and it looked yummy.  I should have stuck with an omelet as I don't usually like sweets for breakfast anyway.  

The locals at the marina told us we had to go to Clark's Fish Camp "The People's Place" for dinner.  We took their advice and were impressed with the food and with the numerous examples of exotic taxidermy on display.  Items on the menu are not items of which we  normally partake or that we typically see. 

Frog Legs--Yum Yum!

Joy

May Days

The month of May was filled with reuniting with family and friends and getting the yard back into shape.  At our Mother's Day Celebration we also wished Steve, Katy and Eve the happiest of birthdays and enjoyed a most delicious meal.   Steve and I were excited to visit Katy's new home for the first time since she moved to Decatur in March while we were in the Bahamas.  She has a large (if slightly overgrown by ivy) yard which Steve sprayed with weed killer, a large two level deck which is perfect for outdoor entertaining in a great location..  We agreed to help her with some house projects--pictures coming soon!

Celebrating Memorial Day in Blairsville on Lake Nottely has been a long standing tradition for us.  This year was no different.  Katy & Lainey and several of their friends joined us for the weekend.  (Caroline was stuck in Utah) Steve enjoyed skiing barefoot and is dang proud of himself.   he taught many of our  guests how to wake board and was proud of Katy & Lainey who still wake board with the best of them.

It seems as if May slipped right through our fingers as quickly as trying to hold water in our hands.  

Joy

April 25, 2015

After our long trip to Jacksonville on Friday, we had to clean the boat and pack on Saturday. Friends from home, Greg and Patti, were going to pick us up and take us home.  They were in the area purchasing a new ski boat and were able to swing by on their way back.  We cleaned and packed all day.  Loading everything up early Sunday morning, we took off for Lake Sinclair in Georgia to try out Greg's boat.   Greg treated us to lunch at Dairy Queen
 ($5 including an ice cream sundae) before we got to the lake.  The boat ran perfectly. After some fun it was time once again to pack everything up and head home. 



There's no place like home.

Joy

Palm Coast to Jacksonville

April 24, 2014

Palm Coast to Jacksonville

We walked around a little before leaving Palm Coast and had an enjoyable conversation with the dock master who encouraged us to return in the fall.  No problems getting out of this marina with no current and no significant tides.  We waved at Marineland, Fort Matanzas and St. Augustine on our way north toward Jacksonville.  We stopped just after the the St. Augustine Inlet to get fuel at the Inlet Marina which hails the lowest price on fuel int he area.  Refueling takes a while on our boat that holds approximately 1020 gallons.

The marina is right on the ICW and right next to a fishing pier.  We had no trouble getting in but we were a little wary as we had never been before.  The dock hands were terrific!  
The marina owner came out to meet and greet us.   After telling him I wanted to order some lunch to take along with us, he walked me inside to a waitress who took my order.  Our food was ready long before we had finished filing the boat with about 700 gallons of fuel.  

The day was beautiful as we traveled along the Tolamato River, the Pablo Creek &  into the St. John's River Inlet.  Mayport is a town on the south bank of St. Johns River, 3 miles inside the entrance jetties.   There is a US Naval Station in Mayport and there are large ships bringing containers in to Jacksonville traversing these waters.  Caution is advised in the area for a number of reasons including current.

We followed this boat above into Jacksonville. 

 Whew--the big ship made it under the bridge headed to the loading dock.

Great view of the loading or unloading of a container ship.

One more big boat we had to pass on our way  into Jacksonville and up the St. John's River.  After requesting and receiving an opening of the Ortega River Bridge, passing under the 45ft  Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge and CSX Railroad Bridge--it was time to tie off at our destination--Lamb's Yacht Center.  

Joy