OFF TO THE PANHANDLE

The Penguins getting ready to depart Jacksonville for Appalachicola....

 

 

 

 

 



We have been in Jacksonville, FL for 5 days.  While the city campground we are in is okay, once you leave the campground you are consumed by the traffic of sprawling Jacksonville.   This very spread out city and its 1 Million folks are not our cup of tea....so  we are moving on a day earlier than planned.   We will split up our 5 hour drive to Appalachicola by stopping for one night at "Ellie Mae's RV Park and Lounge"  (figure that one out....we can't just yet) en route to Appalachicola.



We took one day and headed the hour plus south to St Augustine, as we both wanted to see it.   We had a good time but the city did not meet our expectations.   As the oldest city in Florida, we expected to see a bit more history than we did....instead, the center of the town was more of a tourist haven.   We put Ali on the leash, parked the car and walked the area for several hours.....stopping to enjoy lunch at Sara's Crepes.....yup, more crepes for Pam!

Ali and Pam sitting at Sara's Crepes....Pam enjoying a 'cuppa' (tea) and Ali has just finished a chewy bone (it doesn't take her long to eat one up).   Margarita Abramova, the owner of Sara's, is a Russian Emigre to the St Augustine area who began her business in 2011....and opening after just 8 weeks after signing the lease.   The Crepe Shop / Restaurant has been her lifelong dream.  She fell in love with Ali and wanted to take her home, so we kept a good hold on the leash!!

 

Pam & Ali talking to fellow tourists in St Augustine.

 

As you can see, Sara's ambience changes a bit as the sun sets on St Augustine....more folks coming in for the Hookah Menu than for the Crepes. (No, we did not try the hookah....although a few of the offerings were tempting).........!!

 



Pam and Ali "posing" by the gate of a fabulous local garden.
Ali is very good while waiting for us to amble on....after stopping to look into a shop window or to talk with a passerby.   A few of the shops even invited her in....and one provided a treat!   In several hours of walking around St Augustine, the  only time she faltered a bit was when she spotted the horse and carriage going by....she barked loudly and yanked the leash to its full 16 feet.....it took a few minutes to get her to calm down!

 

Time for me to get off the computer and grill the andouille stuffed chicken breasts while Pam prepares the squash and asparagus.  Of course, we have a fresh loaf of boule to go with dinner!!  Tomorrow we bring in the slideouts, bring up the levelers, hookup the mini and program the GPS for Appalachicola......stay tuned!