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Published: November 7th 2022
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Sunrise
St. John's Point at the Mayport base beach boardwalk. About a 1/4 mile walk from my campsite. For the past few years as my traveling experiences were compiling, I purposely avoided Florida. Why? I knew years ago that we were going to be here for a long period of time (1 month). So far I have only experienced the Jacksonville area near my camp and I am so impressed. This is how winters should be spent! I am camped out at Pelican Roost Campground on the Jacksonville Navy Base. My tent door is facing the ocean, I am surrounded by palm trees with brown pelicans flying overhead, a nice gentle breeze keeps me comfortable in these mid 80 temperatures. Awwwwww.
There is so much to see locally, within walking distance. It wasn't until my second day I finally took a ferry from Mayport over the St. John's River. On my list to visit was; Huguenot Memorial Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Driftwood Beach, and my favorite Amelia Island State Park. The drive along the A1A highway was beautiful with many pullouts, wildlife, expensive housing developments, and long bridges connecting the islands with vast views. Each park requires a $5 parking fee which really sucks. Some I just jumped out, took a look around and judged whether
Cigar crafters
4 cigars lined up in a wooden mold waiting to have their final layer wrapped around them. Check out that cutting knife. is was worthy of visiting or not. Drift wood park is admired by most of the locals here, but my favorite was Amelia Island. I got to splash is the warm ocean waters, admire a large sandy beach full of tiny seashells and I even saw a Gopher Tortoise. I have been educated on various water turtles along my journey but this is the first time I have met this particular tortoise. The Gopher Tortoise lives in the sandy dunes near the beach and does not swim, will even drown! They are a bit larger round and more bulbous, not as flat as the water turtle varieties. I ended my day trip with a pedicure and a shopping trip for salad and apple pie to contribute to the nights group dinner.
At camp I have been enjoying the company of many ladies. I met a few at a soap making class. We all made colored, scented, molded, glycerin soap bars. I make a cold process lye soap at home for years, glycerin soap process was totally new to me. After the soap making class, I found two of the husbands in the next room rolling cigars. It is apparently
Sunrise
I did a video call with Don, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise. a personal hobby that they both have been doing for years to support their habits. I had never seen this craft up close and personal so I was loaded with questions. I think they welcomed sharing the details to an inquiring mind. They didn't seem bothered by me. In the end, they gave me two cigars, one for me and one for Don. The smell of the room was amazing, now I want to pick up this hobby.
Another two ladies I met were Stacy and Lori. They are fellow tent campers. The first night at camp, they extended an invitation to me for a pot roast dinner. I graciously accepted and enjoyed the evening. Since then, every night we combine forces and make a group dinner. Afterwards we play dominos, play cards, and/or walk their dogs on the beach as the sunsets. It sure beats sitting in my dark tent reading my kindle every night. A great perk to this campground is they have an equipped community kitchen that we can use. That has improved the quality of meals I have eaten for the past few days. Soon I will be back to oatmeal, soup, salad and sandwiches.
Sunset
Beachfront at my campsite. Fill your life with adventures, not things. Have stories to tell not stuff to show.
Michelle
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