Fernandina Beach

Biking around Amelia Island is a great way to spend some time.  Walking around Fernandina can be just as fun.  The Coast Guard stopped by the marina as we were walking by to tell us they were keeping us safe.

The crew of Purely Pleasure were busy getting her fueled and cleaned for a ride. On the advice of the Peg Leg Pirage,  our first stop --Corner Copia--one stop shopping for all your pirate gear.

There are more than enough restaurants to satisfy any craving.   Love the name of the pizza place.  We heard that Le Clos is a wonderful place for a Romantic French dining experience.  We chose Peppers Mexican Cantina and Grill for lunch.  Food and service were excellent.

There are several art galleries and antique shops worth a visit in Fernandina.  Of course there are also several clothing boutiques, gift shops, ice cream shops and t shirt shops worth a visit.  The Fernandina Beach Historic District includes about 2400 acres and 300 buildings.  Included in those are the Florida House Inn and the Fernandina Beach Post Office .  The inn is the oldest surviving hotel in Florida.  

The Palace Saloon below is housed in the Prescott building built in 1878 as a haberdashery.  It was purchased in 1903 by Louis Hirth who with the help of his friend Adolphus Bush designed the bar.  The saloon still has all the features that made it beautiful at it onset--mosaic floors, embossed ceilings, wall murals and a 40 foot bar.  The Palace Saloon claims to the Florida's oldest continuously operating drinking establishment.  It is said that it was the last saloon to close during Prohibition and survived by selling gas, ice cream and cigars.  Another claim to its fame is that it was the first bar selling hard liquor to add Coca-Cola to its menu.  

Joy

Biking around Amelia Island

The Fernandina Harbor Marina is located at mile 716 on the ICW in the center of Amelia Island in the town of Fernandina Beach.  Amelia Island about 13 miles long and 4 miles wide.  The two mile bike ride to the beach was pretty easy so after that we set out to find historic Old Town Fernandina which is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  (This bike ride was a little more challenging but not really dangerous as there were very few cars heading to Old Town Fernandina) 

This lovely Victorian home can be seen from the Amelia River (ICW).  It overlooks the site of Fort San Carlos.  Fernandina has been called the Isle of 8 Flags because it has been under possession of 8 different countries throughout its history.  It is the only place in the United States to claim this distinction.  

What were the 8 flags flown over Amelia Island?  The French in 1562, Spanish in 1573, English in 1710 were the first three flags flown over Amelia.   In 1783 the Spanish returned until 1812 when the Patriot flag flew over Amelia.  The Green Cross Flag of Florida flew from 1816 until 1861 when the Confederate flag flew for a year.  In 1862 Union forces took Federal control of the island and raised the American Flag.




Joy

Foggy Departure from St. Simons

We shared a departure dinner in St. Simons with fellow boaters Ray & Susan on Copeing at Sal's Neighborhood Pizzeria and Italian Ristorante. Check out the menu here.  I had the Eggplant Parmagiana.  Delicious.  Steve had the pizza.  Excellent.  Sal writes that the restaurant is "Where new faces become old friends and our family tradition is to serve you the very best."  

His motto could very well apply to the new faces we have met in SSI who become old friends just like Ray and Susan.  Last summer in SSI we met Rick and LeAnne on Toucanne.  We crossed wakes with them in the Exumas and again this summer at Morningstar.  We have shared many adventures and meals.  They brought over champagne to toast our departure. 
(I am sure they were toasting our great memories rather than celebrating our leaving)

I began to think that we wouldn't be able to leave on Wednesday as planned because of the many goodbyes but we finally cast off at slack tide and headed out to sea.  We were in fog for most of the trip until it finally burned of well after noon.  By the time we arrived at Fernandina Harbor Marina the sun was burning brightly.  Glad we have AIS so that we could see this coming  on the chart plotter long before we could see it with our eyes.  

Joy

Tree Spirits on the Island

On our last full day on St. Simons we went on a Tree Spirit hunt.  An artist named Keith Jennings in an effort to pay homage to sailors whose lives were lost at sea while on ships made from the oak trees on the island, carved faces into the large moss draped trees.  Jennings began carvings in the 1980's.  His most recent carvings can be located in a neighborhood called Village Oaks.  We found several around town.  

 (Steve wanted in the picture above to show off the women's sunglasses he retrieved from the parking lot.)

 The tree at this home in Village Oaks must have fallen.  Creative family had it set into the outdoor fireplace.  The next Tree Spirit we discovered is between Murphy's Tavern and Dairy Queen on Mallery.

The Tree Spirit above is in Redfern Village near the Thai & Sushi restaurant. It is above eye level and looks like the tree is growing up around the carving.  

It appears to us that the carving at Magnolia Manor on Frederica is newer that the others.    

Joy

It's A Dog Party

Piper got invited to a birthday part for Roger Rabbit on Sunday.  Pizza was served for everyone including the dogs.  We brought Piper some peanut butter crackers since she isn't allowed to eat pizza.  We gave Roger a tennis ball for his birthday.  Can't ever have enough of those.

The Birthday Dog--Roger Rabbit

Honored Guest--Piper

I need a break

  Joy

Masks for Halloween

Patti brought several masks for me to try on Halloween.

If you need a mask for the holidays--these can be purchased at Rinse Bath and Body in Monroe, GA or online here.   Thank you Patti!


Joy

Time to Head South

Hurricane season is over and it is time to head south, although I don't really want to go because St. Simons has become a place I have grown to love.  On Wednesday, if all goes well we will leave and head to Fernandina Beach.  We have reservations at the city marina and may stay a few days there before heading on to our final destination of Lamb's Yacht Center in Jacksonville.  We plan to keep Meandering Joy at Lamb's for a couple of months for some repair work.  This location is a great place from which to begin another tour of the St. John's River.  We visited the St. John's two years ago for 5 days.  It is such a beautiful river that we plan to devote two weeks to our next trip up the St. John's.


Our internet services has been spotty at best--most of the shorter posts have been with my phone.  Many of you know how I have gotten into trouble in the past trying to use my cell to post pictures.  I have learned my lesson and now try to find free internet (I am at the library writing this post).  

Pictures for today's post are from the flower bed at home.  Steve is experimenting with growing sunflowers.  

Joy