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31 Oct 18, 01:14 AM |
#1
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VIP Dibber
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A Mi11ion Dreams = 2018 - Day 3 St Augustine an American historical gem.
Welcome back -it is so good to try to reply to your replies to previous days , I also know I have a dibber who is keen to read my words today - I appreciate your PM conversations and I only hope I can help in your St Augustine planning
That means I get a bit better in ensuring all of what lies ahead is posted much more quickly. Our previous day -Day 2 is here The full index of the whole trip is here Today - Welcome to.. SATURDAY 28th JULY 2018 Our Day 3 - Well my prediction last night was correct, again. Although I was the one who paid the price, it was me who was awake first and it was still dark. Ouch! For the life of me I could not get back to sleep. My mind was working overtime, by 6.30 Alison was wide awake and in the far end of the house Joe woke around 7. Josh ploughed on and slept until 7.45. Time to enjoy a place we have really all had a buzz about exploring after just a couple of hours yesterday. We enjoyed a quick Publix doughnut breakfast - That quick trip yesterday brought dividends! ) and were soon heading to the Fountain of Youth. As I stated yesterday, this is a place that until this day (and possibly until the day I die) I would never have heard of it, had I not watched Dale Winton’s Florida road trip. Once watched, we cancelled our proposed trip to Clearwater and the rest they say is history. Well, I think that became more… a part of us soaking up some real history. We were staying in a house that dates back to the 1880’s we were looking at a town that was destroyed by the British / Sir Francis Drake in 1586 and you could just feel history all around. It is so difficult to put it all into words, yet staying in a building that saw the whole town develop and to see everything around just highlighted a certain thing that you never expect on a Florida holiday. Truly historic and evidential things that show you that this place was here way beyond theme parks, tourism and everything, possibly more than anyone would expect on a trip to the USA. The house we were staying had so much character, the age of the place and the atmosphere was something special, there was a picture in the front room that appeared to hold a story of its very own, a character within the picture whose eyes seemed to follow you around the room and a certain feeling that there was a special history to this place. We never discussed it with the boys, but we both had a certain feeling about the old part of the house. We felt it and that picture added to that feeling too. I made a conscious decision not to photograph the picture too , such was the feeling of a presence within that particular room in the house. It added to the whole experience and even trying to describe now, it was a such a fantastic place to stay. Back to - This Morning… We drove to The Fountain of Youth, just 5 minutes away. The actual Fountain of Youth, tasted horrible, I only hope it wasn’t the cause of Dale’s death as it tasted suspiciously like drinking the water from Splash Mountain, it had the same smell and was a drink that you could do without! As a stop off point it was good , yet the whole place had so much more to offer. There was more to do here than we thought and after 2 ˝ hours we saw the cannons set off and we decided to do the same, we wanted to explore the town , we parked the car on the driveway and then headed into town. We walked and walked and walked just soaking it up – stopping for lunch at the Pizza place voted number 2 as America’s best Pizza in 2015 – it was a Trip advisor poll so it must be right. We each had a slice, except Alison (as she does not eat cheese and there was no alternative option) so she had the opportunity to watch us eating lunch which at just $5 a slice was divine. As we left, we had to find somewhere for Alison to get something, we could not find much in the way of a sandwich, so she ended up with a hot dog. Possibly against her best wishes but it was cheap and was quick.( We missed the picture of that too!) We then explored the Old School House and were just taken aback with the sheer historical significance of this place. We also questioned as to how or indeed why this place has been preserved. There must be so many local people who have had that little bee in their bonnet to ensure all that is wooden here was not changed. I wish I could actually thank them. To see it is their legacy. We then explored further, whilst sizzling in the afternoon sun. We were at melting point, it was that hot! The fort area was particularly impressive , yet we avoided the entrance money and walked the outer walls, they were impressive enough! That sizzling feeling possibly needed a swimming pool or sustained air con. We made that opt out call of the day. We headed back to the house just to take in a bit of aircon, it is so different here there is no huge shop to go and lose yourself in and cool down a bit, you simply sizzle in the sun and begin to understand why air conditioning was invented! We had been outside for too long and water intake with aircon was valued. Alison then stumbled on a good plan – we could go to the St Augustine Premium Outlets. Well it was just 3.30 and we were fading fast –this allowed car aircon time and saved a probable stop off in the morning! This place was huge, simply as it was all in one line. Imagine Premium in Orlando with shops all in one row, it went on for so long we avoided the shops we were in the wrong part of the car park from. We struggled to find much and then a trip into the cosmetics company shop, I found some moisturiser at just $6 – normally there is not that degree of accuracy in a cosmetics purchase as was seen last year, but this was for me as in my packing haste I had missed the detail of the grey Clinique tubes and packed face scrub - that was not going to help my sun drenched / mildly red face from the Florida sun was it? OUCH! We struggled in the Nike Store – the prices were cheaper at our local golf shop for golf shirts that were exactly the same. …and then we went to adidas… Now if you read avidly last year, you will remember we got many bargains last year. Now the Orlando City shirts we got for less than $50 in Tampa last year , are now $85 ( now last season’s shirt too !) We did so much more than that today! The boys got a showerproof golf jacket each for $20, Josh got a sleeveless golf top for $10 and I found a golf top for $15, we then went for serious bargaining as they had school bags on sale for $20 reduced from $69. Added hand luggage already and that endless search for school bags for the boys was sorted. Alison got a pair of shorts and the emergency sock purchase to get us across the $125 threshold then knocked another $20 off the bill thanks to the Premium passport coupon that was handily screenshot before we had no wifi! This is really a big thing for us, in some of these malls and in JC Penney too there seems to be an issue connecting to the wifi, we know now to have a screen shot and it is easily sorted. As we headed to the car we discussed plans for tonight, the town had been busy today and rather than spend time waiting on a table we decided to stop off at Publix and do what we did last night, it meant for late eating but allowed us to max out on the town. So, as we returned to the house we stopped everything for a bit and chilled out, we were actually waiting for a washing machine load to finish but that sounds barely exciting does it? Once done, we headed into town again, it was a 5 minute walk and testament to such a brilliant place to stay. I will readily admit that there is possibly more to St Augustine than the historic part but as it was literally on the doorstep it really did need exploring! Tonight was our farewell, it was with a bit of sadness too, we leave after far too short a time to absorb everything this place has to offer. We wandered along the main historic street , the pizza shop visited earlier had a queue out of the door and into the street, yes it really was that good. We stopped off at Kilwins Ice Creams, just for the boys! This shop was a hive of activity and once again proved just how great a shop this can be. The ice creams were devoured and the thought of a mini golf event was high on the cards for the boys. As Joe holed in one at the first, so Alison and I took shelter in a local hostelry, just to catch up on the plans for the next few days. We watched the boys, as they were held up, hole after hole after hole, they took to playing backwards until after we had finished in The Chatsworth - more real ale and brewhouse beer and cider than I think I have ever seen in The USA. Worth asking fir a try as it really is worth tasting something new. I went across to catch up with the boys and they were only on the 11th I told them to skip a few holes. The rest of the course was totally empty! 7 holes down on the group in front on a crazy golf course and no intention of letting anyone behind play through is so bad! The boys drew again and the competition will continue into Orlando! We then had our final stroll through the town and made our way back to eat in the house. As with Miami, we all yearned for more time to explore, St Augustine still has loads more that we did not even see – including the World golf museum just a 20 minute drive away. An evening meal was readied in double quick time, The boys had ribs whilst Alison and I had a burger with salad, but by this time I think we were both past it and yet the boys were in need of food. We tidied the place and as we did both boys made mention of the service on the Lufthansa flight coming out -I did suggest they could add their own words to this trip report but I’m still waiting! Will let you all know if they ever offer anything more on that one! It was nearly midnight, as I typed this, I woke at 5 this morning. We are off to Disney World tomorrow and given all we have done so far and the enjoyment of Miami and St Augustine in particular, has left us with a lack of real Disney recognition I can only add the words of our friend Karen ‘Twas the night Before Disney… Tomorrow it will be a reality and I can warn you now it is a day not to be missed as our Disney welcome was anything but magical! you can read that whole shambles here
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I'm a Great British Mickey Waffle Podcast presenter. Hope you are a Listener Going out in a Blaze of Glory- Our Summer of Sorcery 2019 - COMPLETE! 4 Weeks, from The Yacht Club for 10 nights onto much more Florida fun too All of our previous Trip reports and escapades can be read here. Edited at 01:46 AM. |
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31 Oct 18, 09:38 AM |
#2
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Imagineer
Join Date: Aug 05
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Thank you so much for a brilliant overview of one of my favourite places.
If you do return in the future (and I believe you might, such is the draw of the place), you should visit the Old Jail and take the tour - we have done it twice and it's really very interesting and entertaining (the boys would love it). The trolley tour (Old Town Trolley Tours) is a lot of fun too, and will give you a really good overview of the town and you can make a note of places you would like to return to. It's hop on hop off too, so easy to just jump on and off wherever you'd like. Looking forward to reading more of your adventures, and thanks again for making me more excited about my impending return to St Augustine in January
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Sep 05 - Fred & Wilma - Second Time Around ; Oct 06 - Fred & Wilma & the Girls Came Too ; Feb 07 - Fred, Wilma & Friends February Fun & Frolics ; Apr '08 - Fred, Wilma & Family do Disney ; Aug '18 - A Graduation is Cause for Celebration ; Nov '18 - #girlstrip - PTR |
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31 Oct 18, 10:03 AM |
#3
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VIP Dibber
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What a brilliant day you fitted lots in
Joan
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31 Oct 18, 05:05 PM |
#4
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VIP Dibber
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The highlight of the day was hearing about you waiting for the washing to be finished!
A day where you had the 2nd best pizza in USA has got be good. The shopping haul sounds great, I'm sure the socks came in handy and the boys seemed to enjoy themselves playing golf. I'm worrying about a less than magical start to WDW. I hope it wasn't a complete disaster.
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Abby New pre trip report - Summer 2024 Link to all my completed trip reports 2017: NYC and Orlando. Salzburg. Boston. 2018: Orlando. Berlin. 2019: DLP. Orlando. Washington DC. 2020: DLP. 2021: Jamaica. Rome. 2022: Orlando. 2023: Orlando. Niagara and Toronto. |
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31 Oct 18, 10:43 PM |
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 14
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Thank you so much for this it’s been amazing to read... I am the long waiting dibber for this next bit of St Augustine! It all just looks amazing. I am going to make notes of where you went and noticed another dibber mentioned the jail so that’s on the list too. I was also thinking about the trolley tour (it’s just a tad expensive) but perhaps worth it I will have a look... your pictures are fabulous. I’m actually looking forward to your Disney but now
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Going back to the happy place |
1 Nov 18, 12:28 AM |
#6
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Imagineer
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When you visit again be sure to take in the tour of the St Augustine Distillery and chocolate factory..
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Elaine |
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1 Nov 18, 08:18 AM |
#7
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VIP Dibber
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Looks like such a beautiful place!
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Angela Movieland Hotel IDrive - 2002 / POR - 2012 / 3 Weeks at OKW - 2014 / Villa at Highlands Reserve - 2016 / New York and Orlando - 2018 / Caribbean Cruise MSC Seaside - June 2019 / Orlando Covid cancelled 2020 and 2021 / Planning for Orlando 2024 |
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1 Nov 18, 08:38 AM |
#8
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Imagineer
Join Date: Aug 05
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The trolley tour is well worth it, as is the lighthouse - and the alligator farm if you have kids. You can often buy combo tickets from Old Town Trolley Tours website, which includes entrance to other places so check out what they have.
if you want some more tips on St Augustine, I have some info (albeit from a few years ago now) in my trip report - Keys to the World - which is linked in my signature. Feel free to ask if you have any questions too, it's one of my favourite places.
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Sep 05 - Fred & Wilma - Second Time Around ; Oct 06 - Fred & Wilma & the Girls Came Too ; Feb 07 - Fred, Wilma & Friends February Fun & Frolics ; Apr '08 - Fred, Wilma & Family do Disney ; Aug '18 - A Graduation is Cause for Celebration ; Nov '18 - #girlstrip - PTR Edited at 08:39 AM. |
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2 Nov 18, 06:00 PM |
#9
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Imagineer
Join Date: Oct 11
Location: Dundee
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That pizza looks lovely, I do love pizza by the slice.
Such a shame that your time in St. Augustine was all too short, but at least you now know it will be somewhere you can look forward to returning to. |
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2 Nov 18, 09:14 PM |
#10
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Thread Starter
VIP Dibber
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We had such a difficult time fitting in the parts we wanted to see, that we have a long list of things to do when we return to this beautiful place It was so difficult in planning on a first visit Delighted that our very limited time there has sparked that excitement in your own countdown Hope you enjoy the rest of the trip with us and that countdown is looking rather good
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I'm a Great British Mickey Waffle Podcast presenter. Hope you are a Listener Going out in a Blaze of Glory- Our Summer of Sorcery 2019 - COMPLETE! 4 Weeks, from The Yacht Club for 10 nights onto much more Florida fun too All of our previous Trip reports and escapades can be read here. |
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