Since Steve and I aren’t going to be able to do a “just the two of us” vacation this year, we decided to add a couple of days to our trip to Florida for a quasi-mini-vaca.
We have driven to Florida on I-95 so many times, and every single time we’ve passed a certain spot in Pooler, GA, Steve has said, “Oh, there’s the Mighty Eighth Museum. I would sure love to go someday.”
This is the plane out front that always catches his eye.
So this time around, we decided that on Tuesday we would drive as far as Pooler, GA , and get a hotel room. On Wednesday morning, Steve went off to several hours at the museum and I went off for a couple of hours of shopping. A win-win from both the male/female viewpoint.
After lunch, we hit the road for St. Augustine, FL. We stayed at an Airbnb about five minutes from the historic downtown area. The owner of the home said that he had bought the place two years ago and it was the worst house on the block. With some paint, some shutters, and some landscaping, he has truly transformed it.
Our little apartment was this area on the left side of the house.
It was small but beautifully appointed.
Obviously Steve and I are not in the know when it comes to current house decor because we were not quite able to figure out the whole rocks in the sink thing. If anyone has a clue as to why they were there, do tell!
The first night, we went out to dinner at this restaurant.
We found the history of the building on the back of the menu and thought the second paragraph was especially intriguing. Basically it said that the place was for “men of small income” to get away from their wives and families in the evenings and on weekends. But then they felt compelled to add, “Oh yeah. If you are thinking of forcibly overthrowing the government, you probably shouldn’t come in.”
People who say that history is boring forget that behind all the dates, and events, and countries mentioned, history is mostly about people–and people can never be boring!
During the years of our marriage, Steve and I have climbed the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (right before my mastectomy eight years ago), and a lighthouse in the Bahamas (on our 20th wedding anniversary), so we decided we would give the St. Augustine lighthouse a go.
It was hot and the air was replete with that famous Floridian humidity. Since it had been eight years since we had climbed our last lighthouse, I wasn’t at all confident that I would be able to get to the top of this one because, in addition to the heat, my R.A. and COPD have not exactly been getting better in the intervening years.
About three-quarters of the way up I just about quit but then I heard someone say, “There are just a few more flights of steps to the top” and so I shifted into Granny Gear and puffed my way to the top.
Success!
Of course, we had to get someone to take a few pictures of us so we asked a nearby guy to do the honors. He seemed delighted and after he got a shot or two we were about to thank him and move on when he said, “Wait just a minute. Let me get you from this angle. And this angle. And this angle.”
When he was finally finished angling his way around us I said, “I get the feeling you might be a professional photographer.” He said, “Well, yes, I am. And I also used to be a camera man at the Home Shopping Network so when I hear, ‘Will you take a picture?’ I just can’t help myself.”
So here are a few of his many poses, plus a couple of selfies I took to entertain myself while Steve and our new photographer friend engaged in further conversation.
Sadly, after the genial gentleman, the fresh air at the top, and the fabulous view had all run their course, the hard truth remained.
We still had to walk back down all those stairs.
Fortunately there were windows proffering their cool breezes to us every few levels and I took full advantage of that wondrous gift.
I was relieved and proud when my feet finally hit the ground floor. What little make up I had on had become less than pristine and my hair was plastered to my forehead but, who cares? I had made it!
I would have felt even more pride in my accomplishment except for remembering this picture that we saw on the way up. The gist of it was that the keepers of the lighthouse were required to carry a 20-pound bucket filled with oil to the top of the lighthouse a couple of times a night.
My wobbly legs informed in rather clear terms that I should NEVER think about seeking employment in that particular field.
The sign also imported the rather disheartening news that the climb down only burned up 11 calories? Really? Just 11? Is there no justice in this world?
Steve the Mechanic was fascinated by the size of the tools used to work on all things lighthouse related. This wrench looks just a little different than the ones he has at home.
We spent a few more minutes enjoying the chance to just wander around and do whatever struck our fancy. Isn’t that what a good vacation is all about?
On our second (and last evening), we took ourselves out for a nice dinner out. Due to some storms in the area, we had to eat our meal inside but when it was time for dessert, our server said the storms had cleared away for the moment and we could take our desserts outside if we wanted to.
Did we ever?
I felt like a woman set free, stepping out of the stultifying dimness of the dining area into the beautiful balminess of the outdoors.
And the dessert? It was a sea salt caramel cheesecake; one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.
Fifteen minutes of perfect bliss.
Here it is after dark. If you are ever in St. Augustine, definitely give Caps on the Water a visit.
No photo attribution found.
The next morning it was time to head out to Nathan and Meagan’s house but Steve had just one more stop to make. One of his happiest places on the planet is a hobby store and Orlando just happens to have a humdinger of one called Graves RC/Hobbies.
It’s been open since 1991 and has 7,500 square feet of space with 27,000 different items, including 350 planes hanging from the ceiling. Steve just about passed out from the sheer joy of it all.
And then?
Then it was time to turn the car to Auburndale, FL and the welcome that awaited.
August in St. Augustine. August in Florida. August with family.
An Aug Blog, indeed!
What about you? What is your favorite trip you took this summer?
Sounds like a plan to return to the lighthouse. Oh, I didn’t comment on that cheesecake because I was drooling so much, made a mess of my keys!! :-).
First off, Happy Birthday to Sarah. Hope her trip to see the grandparents was fun.
I haven’t been on any trips this summer other than to go see my parents a couple times and today I just got back from Springfield, MO where my cousin had surgery on Tuesday. Now that I am retired, I can take off and go help by taking she and my aunt to the hospital and sitting with my aunt during the surgery. My vacation is scheduled for November – assuming that the hurricane doesn’t blow Kauai away.
I climbed that lighthouse several years ago. Even though I’m not fond of heights, that didn’t bother me nor did the Space Needle in Seattle three years ago. Not sure why some things do and some don’t.
Phyllis,
How exciting you get to go to Hawaii! We went there on Sarah’s Make A Wish Trip and loved it.
And it’s nice to know you are a fellow lighthouse-climber!
Now that’s my kind of vacation. To say one time, “we’ll have to stop there sometime” and then get to do it. A couple years ago we were in Oregon with son and family and stopped at a lighthouse off the coast. It was about 52 degrees outside with much wind. We stood outside shivering while the gentleman talked about the lighthouse. It was like he had a script and he didn’t want to waiver from it even tho’ we were cold ( others were there too). After about 25 min. He said we would go in. Ah! But after all that we couldn’tgo Up to the top because they were cleaning. What a disappointment! So glad you were able to stop at that restaurant – great history.
Sharyn,
I think your lighthouse guide needed to be a bit more tuned in to the surroundings and the (dis)comfort of his listeners and cut his lecture short! And then to stand there freezing for 25 minutes and not be allowed to go up. You need to return there in balmier weather and do the whole deal!
fifteen minutes to eat that cheesecake?
you must have savored each bite.
Mrs. Pam,
Oh, I did, believe me! 🙂
I’m wondering if the rocks in the sink were purely decorative or a way to conserve water? Thoughts??
Well the Lighthouse Manager called me on Monday (they received your resume/letters of recommendation but were just checking with a few last people since they looked through your BLOG (companies now look for personal journals, FB, etc.) and asked if you’d be a good candidate for running the 20 gallon buckets up to the top. I told them you’d be perfect (wink, wink). Glad you had a great trip but I bet you couldn’t wait for the possibility of Sarah maybe at home with dinner waiting (though she does live her own life-LOL), or something you could whip together (something you excell in) quickly and sit and eat it in your own home. Vacations are always great but on that last day I feel like I can’t get to the airport quick enough or “What’s taking the plane so long to take off? Or, I don’t remember the drive ever taking this long?”
All and all it sounds like a great trip to the land of Grands.
Jodi,
It had to be a decorative thing. I just did a Google search for images and there are a bunch of them!
I appreciate you giving me a good recommendation for that Lighthouse job! 🙂
Sarah WOULD have had a meal waiting for us but she was already in bed when we got home. She’s turning into a really good cook!
What pretty lighthouse pictures. Even though I’m scared of heights, I’d like to climb one sometime, but I’d probably be winded too. Climbing 4 flights of steps at school (20 steps each flight) leaves me breathing heavy, but I refuse to get an elevator key (but if I had to do it everyday, I’d probably have too). Your stop in St. Augustine looks lovely! So glad you had a good trip.
Sue Ellen,
Wow–four flights of stairs is a lot. A good (but tiring) workout!
Yes, St. Augustine is such a lovely town. Would like to return someday.
Loved your blog, as always, especially the photos. Lucy’s dad was in the 8th AF (US Army Air Corps) in WWII. We didn’t know about the museum – might be a fun trip some day! Congratulations to both of you for climbing the lighthouse!
Fred,
You would definitely enjoy the museum especially with Lucy’s dad’s history.
So many interesting things out there to see!
Thanks for not mentioning that I’m uncomfortable with heights and was just a tad queezy standing by the rail of the lighthouse.
Steve,
Yes, I did notice that you were swaying just slightly as you were traversing the top. 🙂
I have never been in a lighthouse but after seeing your pictures, I will make a point of climbing one if we ever get near one. Way to go on getting to the top!! It’s really great that you and Steve were able to spend some time doing things you both enjoy. 🙂
We took a week in June and went to Breckenridge, Colorado with our brother and sister-in-law. Summertime in the Rockies is spectacular! Breck is about 9600 feet in elevation, so the air is a bit thin but the cool, fresh air and NO humidity make up for it. We golfed, hiked and went on an ATV excursion that took us up above timberline. It was amazing being up that high and it was SOOOO gorgeous!!!
LeeAnne,
Yes, you definitely need to climb at least one lighthouse in your life; it’s a cool experience.
There are few places more gorgeous than the mountains of Colorado. I’ve been to Estes Park several times and was just in awe. So nice that you got a chance to enjoy it and ESPECIALLY enjoy the humidity-free air. (Although a little more oxygen WOULD be nice, wouldn’t it?) 🙂
Love St. Augustine; we vacation there every year!
Rebecca,
I can see why you would go back. There was so much there to see and we were sad we had to leave so soon. I wanted to get more of a chance to see the historical buildings. We did walk around Flagler College and were amazed by the architecture and all the interesting things that were tucked into the designI everywhere we looked. Such a feast for the eyes! Would have loved to have seen inside.
The inside of Flagler is beautiful; especially all of the Tiffany glass in the dining hall, which used to be the ballroom when it was a hotel.
Rebecca,
I LOVE seeing old ballrooms–well, old buildings/rooms, in general. Some day I would love to take a Flagler tour!
So enjoyed your blog. I am a lighthouse fan and would love to climb another one at a slow pace. Pictures were just awesome. So glad you two got to do some things you wanted to not on the agenda!?. We enjoyed our trip to Nashville, TN, seeing God’s beautiful mountains along the way.
Ann,
That’s the key: at a SLOW pace! 🙂
I love driving those those NC/TN mountains. The trip is almost as enjoyable as the destination!
Well that was a fun read! ? I am so happy that you got a few days to just be and do things you enjoy. You both look great! Love, Deb
Deb,
Thanks for the cheery words. Glad it was fun to read because it was sure fun to write.
Wow! Great views from the lighthouse. And good for you for sticking it out and making it to the top!
I just love your blog. I feel as though I get a few minutes out of the week to be with you and when you show vacation photos, I feel that I am there, too.
We don’t go on vacations. I’m a single Mom to a busy 3 year old and I’m not getting child support, so I have a hard time making ends meet. However, my sister did watch him for a night so I could go to Fargo, ND (an hour away) for a night away in July. I basically stayed in the hotel and watched TV and took a nap, but I did go shopping at my favorite thrift store and had lunch at Panda Express, which is a fave!
Your airbnb looked so home-y. I could spend a few days there =)
And that dessert? One word…OhMyGoodness!
Krista,
That makes me happy to read that my blog gives you a bit of an escape every week and lets you do some armchair traveling, even as you stay busy raising your 3-year old. There are few people I admire more than single moms.
I thought it was absolutely great that you found a way to take a mini vacation for yourself. And what a perfect vacation–time away to get to do whatever you felt like. There’s nothing quite as luxurious as a hotel room–even if it’s not a fancy room. Just knowing that you don’t have to clean it or worry about any of the details is such a great feeling.
Bless your sister for babysitting and bless you as you continue to find small getaways in the course of your day/week to spoil yourself a little. I talked to a woman last night who has 6 children between the ages of 5 and 12. Every once in a while, someone will watch the kids and she will retreat to her bedroom and just take an hour to watch a favorite show on Netflix. It’s not a lot but it’s just enough to give her a boost of energy to keep going. I hope you can continue to find those kinds of opportunities.