PART II: ST. AUGUSTINE TRIP

I did not want to leave my post on St. Augustine without sharing a few pictures of the area. I had a short visit therefore; I did not get to see the old Burroughs homestead I visited when I was a kid.

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.

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 use 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.

St. Augustine Part I—Memories Past and Present

I have always felt and still think that St. Augustine is one of the most unique cities in the United States. I was excited just to go back to the past and see bits and pieces of it again. When I was quite small we use to go to Vilano Beach for two to three weeks. Back then, unfortunately, the Loggerhead Turtles were not protected and it was a treat to have cake made with the eggs the turtles laid. The cake was a rich moist succulent treasure to eat. Dad would search for the eggs in the early morning or very late at night. He gave them to Cousin Rebecca who made a one-layered rich cake from scratch. (Remember this is a child’s memory, so my facts may be a little off.) Sadly, when I look back, I think about those eggs and the fact that if people back then had been more environmentally conscious we would not have endangered or extinct animal/plants like we do today. I can remember people picking the sea oats and using them in dry flower arrangements. Sometimes I wish we could turn back time and undue all the havoc we unknowingly caused. (Oh, speaking of Cousin Rebecca…..she gave me Fannie Farmer Cookbook when I got married. I still use this book today along with Duncan Hines Cookbook that my dad gave me. Both are the two most precious treasures I possess.)
As I mentioned before, we were in St. Augustine/Mandarin, Fla. for a solemn celebration of Gay, but we were also there to re-acquaint ourselves with Alec and Sharon. Alec is just like his dad and a very gracious host. You could tell he was raised with manners and love. (I can see Gay now in his low-toned, calm, yet serious, no nonsense voice saying, “Now, Alec, I really think we need to rethink this…”) Anyway, three of the four sisters were in Florida on Friday of last week. Alec was not only entertaining but he made an effort to make sure all of us got equal attention. He brought along with him the best treasures of all, pictures to share of Uncle (Cousin) Gay. My youngest sister Gay (named after Big Uncle Gay) was only there for the day, whereas Strawn and I stayed for 4 nights. Bless him for he devoted the whole day to making her feel welcome. We had a great New Orleans meal on the banks of the St. John’s River. Beautiful weather followed us the whole trip and that day was especially gorgeous. Time passed too quickly. It seems as if (sister) Gay and her husband Cecil had just arrived and “bang” they were off again back to South Carolina. Pictures: (1) Alec with Sue, Gay, Strawn, Sharon (2) Sharon, Sue, Gay, Strawn
The condo was located on the front beach. Only a dune with a wide trough separated us from the ocean. Between the dunes was a walkway that carried us to the beach and upon looking down you saw turtles sunning themselves. Rabbits and other wildlife have homes in this trough as well. I actually walked two miles one morning. Of course my walking was looking for shells in a leisurely manner while Alec, Strawn, and Sharon briskly took off. I knew the odds of keeping up were slim so I let them do their “thing” while I had a good excuse “old and decrepit” (I am definitely not either, but it annoys my kids when I say it.) I really enjoy shelling. Again the temperature was perfect and with a little wind. I got sun/wind burned from lack of awareness on how long we sat and how sunny it actually was against the reflection of the ocean. I live in a beach community and know better so I really have no excuse. Alec had some success at fishing. He caught enough for Sharon’s and his supper next week. We ate at this neat restaurant on the marsh called Cowboys. Let me tell you folks, that food was to die for, especially the Key Lime pie. I want a tart mouth sequencing attack on my palette when I eat a key lime or lemon pie. Rarely do I find it prepared this way at a restaurant. I always have to make my own. All of us nearly died in ecstasy.
Pictures: (1) Cypress knob/knees and dock (2) One of many Turtles living in trough
Geese! This is too long. I need to stop and figure out how to shorten what I say. I keep reminiscing. Park II of this saga will come later.
Picture: (1,2) Restaurant out in the Marsh (3) Inside: A little humor!

Part I—Memories Past and Present of Florida

I have always felt and still think that St. Augustine is one of the most unique cities in the United States. I was excited just to go back to the past and see bits and pieces of it again. When I was quite small we use to go to Vilano Beach for two to three weeks. Back then, unfortunately, the Loggerhead Turtles were not protected and it was a treat to have cake made with the eggs the turtles laid. The cake was a rick moist succulent treasure to eat. Dad would search for the eggs in the early morning or very late at night. He gave them to Cousin Rebecca who made an one-layered cake from scratch. (Remember this is a child’s memory, so my facts may be a little off.) Sadly, when I look back, I think about those eggs and the fact that if people back then had been more environmentally conscious we would not have endangered or extinct animal/plants like we do today. I can remember people picking the sea oaks and using them in dry flower arrangements. Sometimes I wish we could turn back time and undue all the havoc we unknowingly caused. (Oh, speaking of Cousin Rebecca…..she gave me a Fannie Farmer Cookbook when I got married. I still use this book today along with a Duncan Hines Cookbook that my dad gave me. Both are the two most precious treasures I possess.)

As I mentioned before, we were in St. Augustine/Mandarin, Fla. for a solemn celebration of Gay, but we were also there to re-acquaint ourselves with Alec and Sharon. Alec is just like his dad and a very gracious host. You could tell he was raised with manners and love. (I can see Gay now in his low-toned, calm, yet serious, no nonsense voice saying, “Now, Alec, I really think we need to rethink this…”) Anyway, three of the four sisters were in Florida on Friday of last week. Alec was not only entertaining but he made an effort to make sure all of us got equal attention. He brought along with him the best treasures of all, pictures to share of Uncle (Cousin) Gay. My youngest sister Gay (named after Big Uncle Gay) was only there for the day, whereas Strawn and I stayed for 4 nights. Bless him for he devoted the whole day to making her feel welcome. We had a great New Orleans meal on the banks of the St. John’s River. Beautiful weather followed us the whole trip and that day was especially gorgeous. Time past too quickly. It seems as if (sister) Gay and her husband Cecil had just arrived and “bang” they were off again back to South Carolina.

The condo was located on the front beach. Only a dune with a wide trough separated us from the ocean. Between the dunes was a walkway that carried us to the beach and upon looking down you saw turtles sunning themselves. Rabbits and other wildlife have homes in this troth as well. I actually walked two miles one morning. Of course my walking was looking for shells in a leisurely manner while Alec, Strawn, and Sharon briskly took off. I knew the odds of keeping up were slim to I let them do their “thing” while I had a good excuse “old and decrepit” (I am definitely not either, but it annoys my kids when I say it.) I really enjoy shelling. Again the temperature was perfect and with a little wind. I got sun/wind burned from lack of awareness on how long we sat and how sunny it actually was against the reflection of the ocean. I live in a beach community and know better so I really have no excuse. Alec had some success at fishing. He caught enough for Sharon’s and his supper next week. We ate at this neat restaurant on the marsh. Let me tell you folks that food was to die for, especially the Key Lime pie. I want a tart mouth sequencing attack on my palette when I eat a key lime or lemon pie. Rarely do I find it prepared this way at a restaurant. I always have to make my own. All of us nearly died in ecstasy.

Geese! This is too long. I need to stop and figure out how to shorten what I say. I keep reminiscing. Park II of this saga will come later.