Let's Play Jax!

December 11 – 23, 2022

Plaza de la Constitución

Kathryn Abby Hanna Park Campground was home during this stay.  This is a gem of a city park!  The campground itself offers full hook-ups, level sites (at least ours was!) and lots of shade.  We really didn’t need the shade while we were there, as temperatures usually ranged from 50°–65°, but it still made for an interesting environment!  While the Midwest was being hit with winter blizzards, below zero temperatures, snow and wind, we were surrounded by a rather jungle-like environment!  A dense forest of palm trees, palmetto trees, and live oak trees filled with Spanish moss separated each of the campsites, giving us a sense of privacy.  

It was a quarter mile walk from our campsite to reach the Atlantic Ocean!  We’ve fallen a bit in love with the roar of the surf and the occasional clap of the waves crashing onto the sandy shoreline!  Strolling the shoreline, we enjoyed watching the surfers catch waves!

Another short hike led us to a small lake, which is a bit of a birder’s paradise!  We saw anhingas, brown pelicans, grey heron, egrets, and so many more I’m not familiar with!  Trails abound in the park, with many of them being for trail bikes.  These trails are widely used, especially on the weekends.  It’s wonderful to see so many people of all ages taking advantage of the outdoor activities this park offers!  Whether it was having a picnic, playing on the playground, fishing, surfing, hiking, or biking, the park was alive with activity.  At the same time, it’s such a large park that it never seemed crowded.

We were fortunate to be able to reconnect with Bonnie and Rufus for a few days of this stay!  We met Bonnie and Rufus two years ago when we were camped at St. James Island State Park outside of Charleston, SC.  Bonnie and Rufus have such a heartwarming love story!  They had been high school sweethearts before college took them in separate directions where they found their relationship faded away.  Eight years ago, they reconnected and have been happily married ever since!  It was fun enjoying meals together, followed by evenings of playing Mexican Train.  

We did take a day-trip into St. Augustine with them.  Taking in the sights and sounds of the oldest, continuously-occupied European settlement in North America was amazing!  At the heart of St. Augustine’s artist district, you find Aviles Street, which is the settlement’s oldest street.  When Paul Revere was out on his midnight ride, this street was already over 200 years old!  We enjoyed walking down the brick road, imagining the clip-clop of horses' hooves from years gone by!

We were fortunate to be visiting St. Augustine on one of the days the Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church was open for touring!  Henry Flagler had this church built as a memorial to his daughter and grandchild, having lost them when his daughter was giving birth.  I found the stain glass windows particularly beautiful!  Included in each of the windows is a small portion of the Apostles’ Creed.  

What is a trip to St. Augustine without stopping by St. Augustine Basilica?  The small chapel within the Basilica was especially peaceful and intimate-feeling.  It was a perfect opportunity to pause for a few moments and give thanks for all of our blessings. 

Dick and I made a second trip into St. Augustine for a sunset cruise on the schooner Freedom!  St. Augustine was in the midst of their "Nights of Lights", making this especially beautiful!  Just as the sun was setting the skyline ablaze, the shoreline of St. Augustine began to glow with all of their festive lights!  We were greeted aboard Freedom with glasses of champaign followed by additional options to enjoy as we sailed along the intracoastal waters.  The mulled wine kept me nice and warm on the chilly evening!  Sailing under the Bridge of Lions was cool!  This draw bridge, built in 1927, is protected by the marble lions Fiel (Faithful) and Firme (Firm) on the west end of the bridge.  In 2015, Pax (Peace) and Peli (Happiness) were added to the east end.  I’d say, under the protection of these four lions, we were in a pretty safe place!

From the water, we had a great view of the location where Ponce de Leon landed in 1513, looking for the Fountain of Youth. I sure do wish he had found that darn fountain!  The longer I live, the longer my bucket list grows!  I’m going to need some of that water to get all of my dreams accomplished!

This was also the location where the first Mass was ever said in North America!  In 1965, the Vatican had a cross erected there, commemorating the 400th anniversary of this historic event!

This schoolhouse was built in 1716!  Rumor has it, this was my first teaching assignment!

Old Town St. Augustine!

We celebrated the fourth Sunday of Advent at St. John the Baptist with Fr. Rafael.  This priest has the most charm and charisma of anyone that I have ever met!  It’s no wonder this parish is so very alive and vibrant!  His homily was very serious and intense; yet, at the same time, he had us all laughing several times.  

Fr. Rafael photo bombing our picture!

Exploring Jacksonville was also a delight!  We couldn’t pass up taking a walk past a few of the historic sites, including the Treaty Tree.  This 250-year-old live oak tree was going to be cut down in the 1930’s in the name of progress when a journalist decided to do something about it.  Hating to see this tree destroyed, he concocted a story of how an important treaty between had been signed under its branches between the indigenous Floridians and the European settlers and gave this tree its name.  I’m not a fan of fake news, but I’ll take an exception in this case!  It would have been a shame to lose this octopus-like tree!

A stroll into the San Marcos neighborhood of Jacksonville took us to the Lion Fountain.  This was a fun little neighborhood with a small, upbeat shopping center.  The park’s gazebo was festively decorated for the holidays.  We were continuously shaking our heads at the warm temperatures mixed in Christmas trees, lights, and live poinsettias (planted in the ground).  This is our third southern Christmas, so it should be looking a bit more normal by now, but the “White Christmas” vision is firmly engrained in my brain!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining!  My bones appreciate this warm Christmas thing!

A good section of this stay was spent with some details of real life.  Dental cleanings, eye exams, haircuts and the such.  It was fun discovering Neptune Beach, in Atlantic Beach, following one of our appointments.  It’s surprising to me to see surfers, as I’m sure the water is pretty chilly!  I guess those wetsuits do their job!

As we close this portion of our travels, we want to wish each of you all of the blessings this Christmas brings to us along with a joyous and healthy 2023!

Up next:  Orlando – and beyond!