On the Waterfront

Our adventure continued as we drove north of Jacksonville to Amelia Island for a day's tour of the first resort community on the northeast coast of Florida-think Long Grove on the water. We started the day by driving to Jacksonville to Jackie's and John's hotel. We transferred to John's car and started north on A1A.

While we traveled north, we all experienced an optical illusion as a barge with triple stacks of railroad box cars passed across our path about a half mile ahead of us. We weren't sure what John should do. Pull over? Proceed? What are travellers to do? We proceeded only to find that the road was gently curving away from the shoreline and we, indeed, had seen those boxcars crossing the road. I only relate this because we all had the same reaction to what was going on.

I did my best to follow the map that the hotel provided. As we neared what I thought to be a bridge crossing the St. John's River, we found ourselves in line to take a ferry across the river. So much for my navigation. But it was a fun, if unexpected, experience and a short crossing.

What we enjoyed about the drive on the island was that for the most part it is still in its natural state and relatively undeveloped, unlike South Florida. Our destination was the city of Fernandina that had been developed as a resort town on the island. Its claim to fame is 50 streets of Victorian houses scattered through the community.

We stopped for lunch at Brett's Waterway Cafe, an adorable restaurant right on the waterfront of the Amelia River. The photo is a view from the marina back to the city. I liked the cheerful multi-colored apartment building in the background. Then, dear John indulged me and slowly drove up and down the streets of the town so I could view the Painted Ladies.

On our way back, I was determined to find that elusive bridge to cross the St. John's River. Once again, we missed it and ended up on St. George Island, then crossing over what was named on the map, the Dames Point Bridge, but as we approached the bridge, the sign said the Napoleaon Bonaparte Bridge. We had no idea where we were and we were supposed to be picking up Jackie from her training center. But suddenly, we found ourselves on the highway, where the hotel was. None of us had a clue as to how we got back. By the way, I tossed the hotel map out as I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Once we picked up Jackie, we got some drinks and sat by the hotel pool and chatted about our day. Then, we decided to call Dennis and Marilyn to see if they had been able to move back into their house after it had been infested with a skunk family in the middle of the night last week. At 2 a.m. in the morning, they had to evacuate their house with their dog in tow and move into their local Holiday Inn. How's that for an experience? After our chat, we walked to the Gallery Bistro for our light last supper. Then, we gave our last hugs and kisses and headed back to St. Augustine, where we were able to watch some of the Olympics.