I went to Jacksonville over MLK weekend to visit Bethany! I’d been to the area twice before – once with my sister when she was considering a job there, and one other time to see Bethany. So it’s becoming one of my frequented cities. Jacksonville is on my very short list of places I would consider moving to. It’s far enough north to have seasons, but it’s still Florida! We had a very busy schedule this trip, which included:
Jacksonville Zoo. Bethany’s son turned four on Saturday, so this was his birthday outing! It’s a good zoo and I saw several animals I’d never seen before.
St. Augustine. We spent Sunday afternoon eating gelato (I had tiramisu and blueberry cheesecake) and exploring the historic Castillo San Marcos, which I didn’t get to see when I was there before. It was a beautiful day, perfect for hanging out on the grounds. We saw a girl taking quinceanera photos – at first I thought she worked there and was in period costume! Her dress was a work of art.
The beach, of course. It was freezing, but communing with the ocean is a necessity for me. We saw several stranded starfish and rescued them (with dramatic cries of “It matters to this one!”).
After the beach, we had dinner at The Conch House. I went there with Debra years ago and am still thinking about their roasted pepper calamari. It was just as good as I remembered. I don’t have pictures because I was too busy eating, but I highly recommend the place if you’re in St. Augustine.
Used bookstore and Bethany’s magical thrift store. I didn’t buy any books for myself (gasp!), but I found enough great clothes at thrift that I had to borrow cash. Woo!
It was a great trip! I’m blessed to have several close friends who are very relaxing and easy to be around, and Bethany is one of them. I wish we lived closer.
It’s hard to explain, but I feel a sense of rightness when I’m in Florida that I don’t feel anywhere else. I really hate to quote Twilight (and from memory, ugh), but it’s “like I’d been in pain and that pain had suddenly ceased.” I start asking myself, why exactly do I not live here? Why do I choose not to be near the ocean and eat seafood and see palm trees every day? Of course, I love my life the way it is. But what I really want is to pick up all the people and things I love and transport them to the Atlantic coast. The end.
Great pictures! I’m glad you got to go. :D And one day, I’ll get down there. When I do, you need to come, too!
I love that you quoted, “It mattered to this one.” As you tossed them back to the ocean. That may just be a new life goal. To matter to a starfish ;)
Also, the picture of the “Vampires moved to next room” sign is great!
How fun to be able to see her perspective on the zoo outing as well as yours. I don’t think I knew you were close friends. I follow both blogs! :) Thanks.
I can also relate to your feeling of longing to be near the ocean. I love many things about New Mexico … but the distance from a coast is the most heartbreaking thing about living here. I’ve lived on both Pacific and Atlantic coasts and so whenever we visit either of them, I suddenly feel “right” again. But that doesn’t mean I want to pick up and move … I just try to make an effort to visit the beach as often as I can.
you ARE taking me to Miami with you one of these days :)
Was that Chamblin Bookmine? I’ve been in there a few times and I think it may be the only bookstore I’ve almost gotten lost in. Literally and not because I got lost in looking for books.
Reca, that was it! :) I’m sure you weren’t the first person to get lost in there… they have “To Register” arrows painted on the floor now!