I did get to see the old homestead of my Aunt Em and Aunt Esabella. Both lived together in Mandarin, Florida. When Aunt Em came to visit us she would search literally hours looking for the secret drawer that was supposedly hidden in the Chinese chest that my dad’s dad brought back to the US when he was in the Merchant Marines. (Pictures: Aunt Em's house and my sister, Strawn in front of Chinese chest & Chest itself .)
She also introduced me to Canasta, Bridge and my love for board games. 
Unk and Gertrude, another aunt and uncle, lived there as well. When I was a kid we use to get 
bushel baskets of home grown oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and kumquats from Unk’s home by the St. John’s River. Our family was never without fresh fruit from Mandarin. I would sneak into the living room behind Unk’s chair to listen to adult conversation and eat the yummy fruit from the Old Fashion drinks he made and secretly passed to me while I hid. I would give almost anything to have the recipe for those Old Fashions. I still believe he loaded those drinks with extra fruit so I could share the fruit while he enjoyed his drink. I still have the old shaker he used to make those drinks.
bushel baskets of home grown oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and kumquats from Unk’s home by the St. John’s River. Our family was never without fresh fruit from Mandarin. I would sneak into the living room behind Unk’s chair to listen to adult conversation and eat the yummy fruit from the Old Fashion drinks he made and secretly passed to me while I hid. I would give almost anything to have the recipe for those Old Fashions. I still believe he loaded those drinks with extra fruit so I could share the fruit while he enjoyed his drink. I still have the old shaker he used to make those drinks.
In those days visiting the Alligator Farm, the old fort (The Castillo de San Marcos took twenty-three years to build and was never conquered), the oldest wooden school house and the oldest jailhouse were among a few big things to do. I did not get to revisit these old memories, but I did get to see the newly renovated lighthouse. It was so cool to see the difference of St. Augustine lighthouse versus the Tybee Island and Hunting Island lighthouses. After living on Hunting Island State Park and helping with the research information on this lighthouse, I have visited quite a few 
lighthouses. Ray, who was the manager of Hunting Island State Park at one time, was devoted to preserving the historical aspect of the lighthouse and the park. He has done an unbelievably fantastic job. At night you can see a light rotating at the top of the lighthouse. (It is not the true Fresnel light used back in 1875, nor is it an active light today) it does reflect the era when the lighthouse served as a guide to those out at sea. He was also responsible in forming “The Friends of Hunting Island” an organization that helped him in this endeavor. Those of you who like camping, especially on the beach, need to make sure you add this park to your list of camping must, along with Edisto State Park.
Hunting Island Lighthouse St. Augustine Lighthouse Tybee Island Lighthouse
St. Augustine at Easter is a great place to visit. They had an Easter Parade befitting the historical aspect of the area with people dressed in historical attire marching or riding buggies representing its history between 1513 and 1900. They had many different shops in the old Historical area of the city along with an unreal selection of restaurants. You are able to enjoy the historical architecture, dinning, and shopping all in one walking area. It was a very unique experience. My favorite purchase was Minorcan Datil Peppers. My dad when I was growing up us
e to keep a supply of these hot peppers in his cupboard at all times. The secret ingredient of many of his recipes was Datil Pepper. Between his St. Augustine and Mandarin relatives, he kept his supply up to date. These peppers are only grown in St. Augustine. Back then these peppers were hotter than they are now. I think the uniqueness of the pepper is the unexplainable/memorable flavor along with the heat of the pepper. Although the peppers you buy today are really good, for some reason they do not seem quite the same. Dad said that many areas of Florida and the US have tried growing these peppers but they never tasted as good or as hot as those grown in St. Augustine. (In my cupboard I have Datil relish, sauce, mustard, peppers and pepper vinegar...time never changes only the variety of the product.)
e to keep a supply of these hot peppers in his cupboard at all times. The secret ingredient of many of his recipes was Datil Pepper. Between his St. Augustine and Mandarin relatives, he kept his supply up to date. These peppers are only grown in St. Augustine. Back then these peppers were hotter than they are now. I think the uniqueness of the pepper is the unexplainable/memorable flavor along with the heat of the pepper. Although the peppers you buy today are really good, for some reason they do not seem quite the same. Dad said that many areas of Florida and the US have tried growing these peppers but they never tasted as good or as hot as those grown in St. Augustine. (In my cupboard I have Datil relish, sauce, mustard, peppers and pepper vinegar...time never changes only the variety of the product.)
My sister, Strawn, and I decided to take the long way home to South Carolina. We left Crescent Beach, Florida and took highway A1A to Jacksonville Beach. This was the only way to go in the old days. I can remember when my Husband and I took this road on several occasions on the way to/from Daytona Beach. It is sometimes called the ocean highway for it follows the Atlantic Ocean. If you are not in a hurry it is fun to stop at some of the beach accesses. Each area seems to be a little different and have its own unique beauty or ambience. The highway scenery is definitely a photographer’s paradise and I wish we could have had more time, but we both were tired and rain was beginning to take over our weekend of sunshine. I must go back in the next few years and have a photographing holiday and capture more memories.
