Tonight we're settled in a pretty back in, full hook up site at Crooked River State Park, St. Marys, Georgia. We'll just be here for the weekend. The Airstream across from us has two beautiful Golden Retrievers, we've already met silly and very needy Sadie and beautiful, regal, 14 year old Sam. He walks himself around, leash held lightly in his mouth......big smile on his face.
It was a short and easy drive north (yes, we've officially made the turn north!) from Vilano Beach just north of St. Augustine. Most of the places we've stayed at (and will stay at) have been familiar favorites. I've been calling this summer's trip the Food, Friends, and Family tour but perhaps it should more correctly be called "Food, Friends, Family and Familiar Favorites"! Yes, that's what I'll call it.
Vilano Beach is one of our favorite places on the east coast. We've stayed at North Beach Camp Resort many many times. It's a private rv park but feels more like a State Park, without the State Park prices......The sites are large and very private, nestled into intensely dense greenery and a canopy of trees overhead. At one end of the park is the ocean beach (dog friendly) and at the other is the Tolomato River beach with good restaurants both places. A large, familiar Publix grocery store is right down the street Who needs more?
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| Tolomato River |
So, we just beached it and ate......since it wasn't the first, or second or third time we'd been there we didn't feel the need to explore quaint but commercial St. Augustine. It's enjoyable, but we've been there, done that. Tour buses, school buses, brightly colored trolleys weaving in and out, cars jockeying for a $20 parking spot, etc. Walking the beach, reading on the beach, eating delicious meals on the beach sounded best to us.
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| low country boil for Dave |
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| burp |
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| Aunt Kates on the River |
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| Beluga's view |
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| taking a token drive into St. Augustine |
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| Menorcan stew |
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| oh my |
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| taking a little beach walk after a big meal |
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Yummy Venetians.
We may have gone back to the bakery for more, a number of times..... |
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| King Fish Grill at the Marina |
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| outside the window at dinner....it blotted out the sun! |
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| he made eye contact as he strolled slowly by me...... |
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| she sat and waited for him to return..... |
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| so beautiful but so noisy |
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| beautiful, until he turned around and showed his his chicken legs..... |
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| close up of the tabby wall |
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| beautiful flowers in our site |
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| Hmmmmm, I guess it's time to leave the beach....... |
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| footprints |
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Those are impressive cloud buildups. We were in St. Augustine in the early 90s, after doing a bare boat charter in Florida. Then on to Savannah, which we enjoyed immensely. Your trip looks like fun, and the eating looks good, too!
ReplyDeleteI think one of the things we love about being near the ocean is that the sky seems so big and beautiful.....like over the desert! Bare boat charter sounds a little risque'....tee hee We enjoyed Savannah also but it's not on this year's schedule - never enough time!
DeleteYour '5 F' tour, fun name, but you're having enough FUN to make it a '6 F' tour. And certainly Food has earned its spot. Such great meals you have shared with us.
ReplyDeleteI like the heron's gold feet that match their golden eyes.
I always think that they look like they're wearing footless black tights.....and what do you think about the Wood Stork's pink feet!
DeleteI love that you turned NORTH!!!!! Coffee's on now. And how lovely that you have the Golden Retrievers nearby ...so sweet. I can just imagine them now. Cute footprints photo. And the FOOD!!! Oh my. I'm so delighted you have made this trip. So delighted and excited!!!!!!! CindyP
ReplyDeleteYou'd love these goldens, especially old Sam! See you soon.....
DeleteSounds perfect to me--avoiding the crowds and enjoying what you love best. That is one ugly bird! I too would have gone back to the bakery for more of those Venetians!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to explore areas, but once done it's nice to just relax and enjoy the best parts. Years ago a friend would make Venetians for Christmas every year. We became addicted and always buy when we see them (not a common item in bakeries these days) Besides, they're just tiny little squares, aren't they? Can't have many calories......
DeleteHi Sue…it’s always great to see a familiar favorite thru someone else’s eyes. Wonderful captures. We have never had a Venetian, the purple flower at your site is gorgeous, footprints in the sand is my idea of a wonderful morning, and the wood stork is quite handsome in his own way!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gay! We're glad we picked this route and these stops....familiar is nice!
DeleteWe always enjoy "Familiar Favorites," and I think it's a great addition to your tour! Walking the beach, sitting by the water, and lingering over delicious meals is a lovely way to spend time. We can guarantee you friends plus food (and a bonus kitty), coming up soon! 😻 I agree with Gay, I think the wood stork is quite handsome, and I always get a kick out of seeing them sitting on their knees with their feet sticking out in front!
ReplyDeleteso.....Food, Friends, Family, Familiar Favorites AND a Feline? Be still my heart......
DeleteWe've only been to St Augustine once and although the history is wonderful, I'd follow your itinerary if we ever go back. Unless of course we arrive in a "boat" like that one :-) Good to see Dave making the best of the abundant shellfish. Water foul have such fun shoes - but the chicken legs really cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the fowl feet.....we both laughed right out loud when the stunning Mr. Peacock turned around to face us.....he should keep his back turned to those he's trying to impress.
ReplyDeleteThat food looks amazing! Peacocks and guinea hens are two of the most annoying animals around!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful but annoying! The peacocks were making so much noise we had to laugh with them!
DeleteSo many effs! I think I'm rubbing off on you with the alliterative adventures. You did this stop just right, in my opinion, by just kicking back and staying beachy. Those storks are great -- we only saw one our whole time in the southeast corner. I think I'm going to have to find a recipe for Venetians, yum!!
ReplyDeleteWe see the Wood Storks often on our travels. On one of our walks we encountered several of them (we thought they were a vacationing family) sitting on a home's patio furniture and peering into the garage windows! We found another bakery in lovely Fernandina Beach that had Venetians. We, of course, brought some home in order to A/B them. I liked the Vilano Beach version best. Four Quign Amanns snuck into our sack also....ahem.
DeleteWe're eating well, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing a dog walking itself "on the leash!" Haha! There is something very comforting about returning to places familiar. I loved our second year full-timing when we did the east coast again and I knew exactly where we were going. Good for my anxiety. Thanks for sharing all the beach and wonderful seafood photos. Beautiful and yummy! That wood stork has seen better days. I remember how pretty white and fluffy the bodies of the ones we saw in the Everglades were. It made the ugly head even stranger looking. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved sweet Sam! We're really enjoying revisiting places and discovering a little new in each spot. We're in Hilton Head Island now, for the week, and it will be our last beach opportunity for this trip....finger's crossed the forecast rain doesn't materialize!
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