Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Jerry spent time working on generator carburetor.  Cousin John took me grocery shopping at his favorite stores and to the bank.  Ruth is a great cook and had a wonderful crockpot roast and veggies for supper.

Thursday, November 29

After getting great tips from John and Ruth, Jerry and I took off in the truck to go north on A1A.  Stopped several times to park and walk over the dunes to look for whales which are in the area now, but none in sight today.  Very breezy wind from the East today so the had the red flag out for warning if going out into the Atlantic.  Nice condos and mansions along the ocean - and beautiful landscaping. 

 

Flagler Beach Pier



Fishing Boat out in Ocean

Stopped about half way for lunch at JT's Seafood Shack.  I had the most awesome Seafood Reuben with tilapia.  It was to die for!  Jerry had the burger, fries and chili which were also very good!

After lunch proceeded to St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental US., being established by the Spaniard Don Pedro  de Aviles in 1565.  The highway crosses a river to get to St. A and it is a drawbridge - had to wait about 5 minutes for the yachts to go through.

Drawbridge

Took a tour at the Fort.   In 1672 they began construction for the Castillo de San Marcos.  The fort was completed in 1695 (and renamed Ft. Marion in 1825.  We toured the fort after paying to park.  Great talk by a park employee about the history of the fort.  Imagine some of the cannons and mortars were made in 1642!  Just hard to get your head around so long ago. 

Harbor view from top of the Fort

Some of the cannon

History lesson at the Fprt

Some of the cannon - made in the 1600's

After an hour there, we walked to the carriage rides and engaged Carl and Chocolate Mousse to give us a history tour of the city.






Saw wonderful architecture of the homes and hotels. Many of the gorgeous churches here were built with funds from Henry Flagler (the entrepreneur who brought the railroad from New York to Florida). Some of the stained glass windows in the church were done by Tiffany. Also, Flagler College was established and is still educating young adults. Many of the homes were decorated for Christmas which added to their charm. (A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine had an article on St. A Christmas decor and named them one of the 10th best decorated cities.

Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church

After walking around the city a bit, we stopped at the AlA Ale Works. 

A1A Ale Works in corner of this building

Jerry tried the A. Strange Stout (named for the grandfather of the pub's founder, Alexander Strange.)  I had the Bridge of Lion's Brown Ale.  The Bridge is right across the street.  We had a wonderful table in front of the corner window and it was a great people-watching spot.   Jerry had an appetizer of Coconut shrimp with honey-mustard sauce that he oohed about and I tried the lobster bisque which was also to die for!  That was all we needed after the big lunch.



 Walked about 6 blocks to our parking place while viewing the Christmas lights which went on at 5 PM. 

Friday, Nov. 30

Jerry turned in the nasty tire from Tuesday's debacle at Discount Tire (yea) and bought a new one.  In the afternoon, Jerry and I ran some errands - Groceries at Publix (really like this supermarket - wish we had one in Iowa!  Reminds me somewhat of Safeway, except here you don't have to remember your card - everyone gets the sale items...yippee.)  Also a trip to the liquor store next door. 

Saturday, December 1

Oh no, I've got some kind of crud.  (Turned out to be a sinus infection.)  Spent the whole weekend thinking I was dying - in bed, hacking.  Thank you John and Ruth for feeding Jerry pizza Saturday night  - keeps him happy!

Sunday, December 2

In the afternoon, Jerry took a BMW ride down A1A to the south all the way to the end tip.  He treated himself to supper there with a great view.  (Wish I had been there, too)  He enjoyed the sight-seeing trip.

Monday, December 2

Happy birthday, Abbie (13 yrs old!)  Found a walk-in clinic a couple of blocks from John's home.  Open at 8:30 so Jerry took me and I got in right away.  Yup - the dust I got in my lungs and sinuses at the Indian Pow Wow compromised my immune system as it was trying to get rid of it.  Then I apparently caught a virus which turned into a sinus infection.  Had to pay as for some reason my medicare card wasn't going to (But I can submit the bill for reimbursement...what the ?  Will call today to see what that's about.)  But I would have paid more than the $95 they charged just to get help.  Saw a great PA, very sweet gal.  She gave me sample of Dymista - a wonderful nasal spray (get it if you can/need it).  And we took the scripts to Publix to be filled, stocked up on chicken noodle soup and kleenex.  Spent the rest of the day in bed.

Jerry and John were able to round up a float valve for the carburetor!  Several stops, but that was OK.  Jerry installed it and changed the generator oil and Abba Cadabra - it now works!  So glad he is mechanically inclined - saves our tushes a lot of time and money!)
By suppertime I was feeling well enough to eat real food besides tea, toast and soup, so Jerry brought me a Ruth's special - Baked pork chops with fresh basil, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and salad.  I ate half!  Hope she will share her pork chop recipe!  What a different the fresh herbs make!