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| The Chronicles of Moby Who? |
© 2008 Gail Hunter
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| May 2008 Page 4 |
Discovery: The best campground sites are reserved for
1. Permanent residents, many of whom have "park models." A park model is basically a
motor home layout mounted on a foundation with steps to the front door. Most of these
have very attractive siding, shutters, windows, roof lines, terraces, and landscaping. In
some parks, these can be single, double, or even triple wide. Many parks have been
condominiumized with resident ownership.
2. Seasonal residents: Many visitors reserve sites for three or six month periods. They
are usually given first chance at reserving for the following year. Right now, we are hoping
to spend Jan/Feb/March at our old place, Country Club Estates in Venice FL, but won't
know if there will be a space until they've heard from all of this year's people.
3. Then in order, monthly, weekly, and lastly - us. We were very lucky at Camp Venice
as the seasonal tenants left mid-April and we could use their spot. We've signed up for the
one next to it for next December and April 2009.
I only mention this because we went to a very nice campground on Anastasia Island off
St. Augustine. We got a poopy site. Cor nearly went into the swamp trying to back in.
There was no view out this bedroom window - at least that we'd want to show you.
In fairness to the park, they had a very nice swimming pool, and an especially attractive
pagoda down by the water - overlooking marshland and creek leading to the ICW. This
park is selling sites. You can put a park model on it and the management will rent it out for
you. If you put a motorhome on it, but want to travel, they will let your site out to RVers,
retaining a portion of the rents as commission.
Of course, as far as we're concerned, that would not be good for us who like tp move
around. Some day we may settle down, but not yet. We understand there's an RVer Club
that runs campsites with assisted living provisions. That may be in our future!
1. Permanent residents, many of whom have "park models." A park model is basically a
motor home layout mounted on a foundation with steps to the front door. Most of these
have very attractive siding, shutters, windows, roof lines, terraces, and landscaping. In
some parks, these can be single, double, or even triple wide. Many parks have been
condominiumized with resident ownership.
2. Seasonal residents: Many visitors reserve sites for three or six month periods. They
are usually given first chance at reserving for the following year. Right now, we are hoping
to spend Jan/Feb/March at our old place, Country Club Estates in Venice FL, but won't
know if there will be a space until they've heard from all of this year's people.
3. Then in order, monthly, weekly, and lastly - us. We were very lucky at Camp Venice
as the seasonal tenants left mid-April and we could use their spot. We've signed up for the
one next to it for next December and April 2009.
I only mention this because we went to a very nice campground on Anastasia Island off
St. Augustine. We got a poopy site. Cor nearly went into the swamp trying to back in.
There was no view out this bedroom window - at least that we'd want to show you.
In fairness to the park, they had a very nice swimming pool, and an especially attractive
pagoda down by the water - overlooking marshland and creek leading to the ICW. This
park is selling sites. You can put a park model on it and the management will rent it out for
you. If you put a motorhome on it, but want to travel, they will let your site out to RVers,
retaining a portion of the rents as commission.
Of course, as far as we're concerned, that would not be good for us who like tp move
around. Some day we may settle down, but not yet. We understand there's an RVer Club
that runs campsites with assisted living provisions. That may be in our future!
Visiting by land what we had seen by sea: Satisfying our longstanding curiosity.
Fort Matanzas - at the Matanzas Inlet, the back door entrance
to St. Augustine. From the ICW, it is nothing more than an
outline of masonry standing in the middle of a low marsh. In the
picture at left, the ICW runs behind the island. The shallow
shifting channel leads to within feet of the sand dunes and the
markers are temporary to keep up with the changing situation.
to St. Augustine. From the ICW, it is nothing more than an
outline of masonry standing in the middle of a low marsh. In the
picture at left, the ICW runs behind the island. The shallow
shifting channel leads to within feet of the sand dunes and the
markers are temporary to keep up with the changing situation.
We wanted a better look at this isolated monument and this is what we learned: Begun as
a watch tower, the fort became extremely important in thwarting not only enemy ships but
also pirates as they attempted to sneak in the back door to St. Augustine.
a watch tower, the fort became extremely important in thwarting not only enemy ships but
also pirates as they attempted to sneak in the back door to St. Augustine.
Admission is free. The park is maintained by the
U.S. National Park Service. Visitors and school
groups take a small ferry to the Island for a
detailed view and history of the fort. One down...
U.S. National Park Service. Visitors and school
groups take a small ferry to the Island for a
detailed view and history of the fort. One down...
We watched a short movie telling why this is considered by some to be the first lighthouse
in the United States. The St. Augustine inlet was beset with sandbars, so to guide ships a
tower was constructed a bit south of the present light. It was illuminated by an actual
fire...long before the days of Fresnel lenses and the like. This constitutes St. Augustine's
claim to the title. I won't argue.
To read more and see what they are doing in the way of marine studies for local school
children, go to: http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/
in the United States. The St. Augustine inlet was beset with sandbars, so to guide ships a
tower was constructed a bit south of the present light. It was illuminated by an actual
fire...long before the days of Fresnel lenses and the like. This constitutes St. Augustine's
claim to the title. I won't argue.
To read more and see what they are doing in the way of marine studies for local school
children, go to: http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/
It's not that we're "into" forts, but in St. Augustine we did visit two - for two different reasons.
One, Fort Matanzas always intrigued us since we spotted it on our way up the ICW in 1998.
One, Fort Matanzas always intrigued us since we spotted it on our way up the ICW in 1998.
Now for Fort number 2...The Castillo de San Marcos, and why we went there (since we'd
both been there before.)
At Matazas, a National Park, we had hoped to get our National Parks passes, but they
don't charge a fee - ergo and to wit - no passes. We had brought our proof of citizenship
with us though, so we decided to go to Castillo de San Marcos and complete the
mission. The long uphill path looked daunting, but eager to walk off a few pounds, I
grabbed my canes and took off. Success! I was given a free lifetime pass because of age
and handicap. Cor didn't get one because I can take three people with me, for free.
Anyone want to come to a National Park? for Free? Whisper in my ear, and I'll take you.
both been there before.)
At Matazas, a National Park, we had hoped to get our National Parks passes, but they
don't charge a fee - ergo and to wit - no passes. We had brought our proof of citizenship
with us though, so we decided to go to Castillo de San Marcos and complete the
mission. The long uphill path looked daunting, but eager to walk off a few pounds, I
grabbed my canes and took off. Success! I was given a free lifetime pass because of age
and handicap. Cor didn't get one because I can take three people with me, for free.
Anyone want to come to a National Park? for Free? Whisper in my ear, and I'll take you.
For an online visit, go to: http://www.nps.gov/foma/
It was a typical May day in Florida - HHH - Hazy, Hot, and Humid!
Boy! Was I pooped, so we headed for the nearest cubicle in the fort
and sat down to watch a very informative presentation showing how
effective the Spanish discipline was in training their defenders. It
was slightly funny - they had writing in English and Spanish for the
hearing-impaired. I liked it when the movie showed a cannon going
off - both boards read, "BANG!" (small things amuse me)
Boy! Was I pooped, so we headed for the nearest cubicle in the fort
and sat down to watch a very informative presentation showing how
effective the Spanish discipline was in training their defenders. It
was slightly funny - they had writing in English and Spanish for the
hearing-impaired. I liked it when the movie showed a cannon going
off - both boards read, "BANG!" (small things amuse me)
In addition to the highly trained militia, another reason the fort held was
because of its material - soft coquina blocks made of the tiny shells
compacted over the years by nature; better than concrete for absorbing
the shelling by enemy fire.
because of its material - soft coquina blocks made of the tiny shells
compacted over the years by nature; better than concrete for absorbing
the shelling by enemy fire.
Park Rangers are responsible for the fort. One, here in costume, gives
a lively, entertaining and informative talk. He had been a history major,
then worked as a blacksmith in the historic village across the road. He
loves his job and it shows! Again, for more information on the fort, go to
a lively, entertaining and informative talk. He had been a history major,
then worked as a blacksmith in the historic village across the road. He
loves his job and it shows! Again, for more information on the fort, go to
From there, we visited the St. Augustine Lighthouse at the
northern end of Anastasia Island. It's banding is very similar
to its famous neighbor, Hatteras with the exception of the red
lantern. Hatteras's lantern is black. This light and the
adjoining museum is maintained by a preservation trust.
northern end of Anastasia Island. It's banding is very similar
to its famous neighbor, Hatteras with the exception of the red
lantern. Hatteras's lantern is black. This light and the
adjoining museum is maintained by a preservation trust.
The park at the end of the road - looks
out over marshland to the ICW leading up
to St. Augustine. Very nice.
out over marshland to the ICW leading up
to St. Augustine. Very nice.
| On May 22nd. we left Anastasia Island for Charleston |
Memorial Day Weekend at Lake Aire Campground in Hollywood, SC - near Charleston
A real feel for the woods - as we drove in I expected the counselor to step out of the cabin
and blow the bugle heralding our arrival. No such thing, but they were extremely welcoming
and directed us through the woods to our campsite.
1, Cor has this setting-up down to a routine now...including getting the old, broken down
beach chair out of the car...much easier for ducking under the bay door to perform his duties.
2. Fully parked and leveled with slides out, it's time to fly the flag - this one a boating holdover.
3. More muscovy ducks, but these are a bit more refined looking than the ones we saw at
John Prince Park in Lake Worth (see April Page 2 if you're into ducks.) Where there are
ducks, there is water - a lovely meandering pond for kids (and dads) to catch and release.
4. This just struck me as an idyllic family holiday scene: parents, two kids, a pop-up camper
and the picnic table set for a feast - A joy to behold.
A real feel for the woods - as we drove in I expected the counselor to step out of the cabin
and blow the bugle heralding our arrival. No such thing, but they were extremely welcoming
and directed us through the woods to our campsite.
1, Cor has this setting-up down to a routine now...including getting the old, broken down
beach chair out of the car...much easier for ducking under the bay door to perform his duties.
2. Fully parked and leveled with slides out, it's time to fly the flag - this one a boating holdover.
3. More muscovy ducks, but these are a bit more refined looking than the ones we saw at
John Prince Park in Lake Worth (see April Page 2 if you're into ducks.) Where there are
ducks, there is water - a lovely meandering pond for kids (and dads) to catch and release.
4. This just struck me as an idyllic family holiday scene: parents, two kids, a pop-up camper
and the picnic table set for a feast - A joy to behold.
| Nostalgia Time Again - Restaurants, ICW, & The Floating Bridge |
Poogan's Porch on the left, and Poogan's
Memorial on right. The story goes thus: old historic
house sold; new owners had to go through permitting process
to open it as a restaurant; Poogan stuck around as renovating
was being done; prior owners moved away; Poogan stayed,
and stayed, and stayed, becoming a pet of the staff. He never
left his post on the front porch, greeting all comers...and so,
this is forever called Poogan's Porch. Great charm, great food!
Memorial on right. The story goes thus: old historic
house sold; new owners had to go through permitting process
to open it as a restaurant; Poogan stuck around as renovating
was being done; prior owners moved away; Poogan stayed,
and stayed, and stayed, becoming a pet of the staff. He never
left his post on the front porch, greeting all comers...and so,
this is forever called Poogan's Porch. Great charm, great food!
Our nemesis: Eliot Cut
between the Stono River
and the Ashley - put the
wind against the current
and you have a boater's
nightmare. We were barely able to make
headway on Andiamo - 40' Irwin. We
wanted to see it from the safety of asphalt.
between the Stono River
and the Ashley - put the
wind against the current
and you have a boater's
nightmare. We were barely able to make
headway on Andiamo - 40' Irwin. We
wanted to see it from the safety of asphalt.
When we left the water for
for VT, I blamed part of
that decision on never
wanting to go through
those miles of marshes again. You know
what I miss? Marshes, so I took this
photo, hoping to paint this scene when I
get time. If ever?
for VT, I blamed part of
that decision on never
wanting to go through
those miles of marshes again. You know
what I miss? Marshes, so I took this
photo, hoping to paint this scene when I
get time. If ever?
Reputedly the last floating swinging bridge in the U.S. the Sunset Beach
Bridge just north of Calabash, NC is being replaced by a fixed 65'
structure. Note: left - bridge house on a barge appears north of the
highway when open. With chains, the tender swings the barge around to
position the roadway for crossing traffic. Boats must wait for the chain to
sink to the bottom before the tender blows the horn to pass.
Bridge just north of Calabash, NC is being replaced by a fixed 65'
structure. Note: left - bridge house on a barge appears north of the
highway when open. With chains, the tender swings the barge around to
position the roadway for crossing traffic. Boats must wait for the chain to
sink to the bottom before the tender blows the horn to pass.
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