Category: Fun

Our time in Jacksonville began with cold, windy weather, and we only ventured out a little. Helen finished one puzzle and started another. I watched football and basketball. On Sunday, I dressed up and watched our church service streaming on YouTube. We enjoyed watching the huge freighters float by in front of our campsite.

Thankfully, the weather improved, and we had a checklist of items on our “do list.” My bloggy friend Suzanne (Picture Retirement) suggested visiting Huguenot Memorial Beach as something we would enjoy. We planned to go there as soon as the wind died down.

As it turned out, Huguenot Memorial Beach was a short distance from Mayport Naval Station. We could see the beach across the shipping lane in front of our campsite, but didn’t realize it was the Park. We drove there early with Mortimer in tow.

Other than a few fishermen and a gaggle of gulls (above), we had the beach to ourselves. Across the inlet, I spotted our trailer sitting on the front row of Pelican Roost Campground. I took some pictures, but unfortunately, I had the wrong light setting on my camera, and the images had a blue cast. Editing improved them a bit, but only a bit. Nevertheless, we enjoyed being outdoors in fresh air and sunshine. Thanks, Suzanne!

The next thing on our checklist was a visit to St. Augustine, about 40 miles to the south. My sister, LeAnn, and brother-in-law, Marty,  live on the east coast of Florida and drove over to meet us for lunch. Helen and I visited St. Augustine on a previous trip to Mayport and loved walking through the historic district, browsing the small alleys and the shops found there. Helen and I walked to Faux Paws, a shop for all things “dog,” and found a few gifts for Mortimer–his boxers were in a bunch because we left him in the campground.

LeAnn chose Columbia Restaurant for lunch, famous for the 1905 Salad, a trademark dish prepared there. Helen and I were treated to this salad by our dear friend and neighbor, Dottie, who served it at a dinner party in her home, complete with the dressing sold by the restaurant. The salad is delightful and includes lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, and olives. This salad is a meal by itself, and the delicious vinegar blend dressing is lovely.

LeAnn, Marty, and Helen ordered a half-salad and a Cuban sandwich. I ordered the larger serving of the 1905. A waitress prepared the salads at our table with very practiced hands. It was delicious! Helen and I said our goodbyes and hustled back to Mayport to appease Mortimer and shower him with his gifts.

We wanted to do something special on our last night in Jacksonville. A fellow camper said that the “Seafood Shack,” near Mayport was the place for excellent seafood meals. We decided to check it out. If we had not had a recommendation, I would not have eaten even canned food in this place from the outside appearance. Singleton’s Seafood Shack was aptly named and featured creaky board floors, faded wooden walls, and bar stools with uneven legs. Nevertheless, our shrimp and oyster platters were divine.

We enjoyed calm winds and warm temperatures when we left Jacksonville the next day. Our next stop was Coastline RV Resort in Eastpoint, FL, on the Gulf, near Apalachicola, Florida, the Oyster Capitol of the World. We arrived at temperatures above 70 degrees. The campground is excellent, and the staff is friendly and accommodating. The grounds are well-maintained, and the showers are immaculate. Our site is pointed directly toward the Gulf and offers an excellent view of the rising sun.

The next day, we decided to do what everyone else does–drive to Apalachicola and order fresh oysters for lunch. I finished off a dozen…raw. We went to St. George Island beach and walked Mortimer for exercise the following day. We’re here for a week and look forward to every day. Residents refer to this area as “The Forgotten Coast.” So far, I have found it filled with memories to treasure. Come back next week, and I’ll share a few more.

Our plan was to leave Knoxville for Florida on January 13. We made those plans before we learned that our granddaughter, Bennett, was scheduled to play in a soccer tournament beginning on the 13th in Cumming, Georgia, near Atlanta. I researched and found a campground about 12 miles from the soccer complex with space available. I made a reservation and moved up our departure by two days. It’s a good thing I did.

As Helen, Mortimer, and I drove away, the residents of Knoxville learned that they were the target of a sizable snowstorm followed by some bitterly cold temperatures. The forecast called for up to five inches of snow…they got nine. An ice storm arrived later in the week, and the temperature plunged to two degrees below zero. Knoxvillians were shut in, and schools closed for the week. The picture above was sent to me by our neighbor. Knoxville has not received that much snow in decades.

We arrived in Cumming as temperatures hovered in the low 30s. Bennett’s tournament began on Saturday morning. They lost the first game, but we arrived too late to see them play. We made it to Sunday’s game with Mortimer in tow. Bennett’s team played hard and well, but their opponent was better that day and won the match.

The next game started at 9 am on Monday in 34-degree weather. It’s hard to imagine playing in shorts and t-shirts in cold temperatures, but these girls are tough and didn’t seem to mind. Our youngest granddaughter came prepared and wrapped herself in a blanket on the sideline. Bennett played a great game, as did her teammates, and won 3-2.

Helen and I hurried back to the campground after the game, hooked up Dora, and placed Mortimer in the back seat for a five-hour drive to Charleston to spend three more days with the family. It is always difficult to say goodbye to our granddaughters, but after a breakfast of pancakes and bacon, we exchanged long hugs and headed south. Next stop—Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville weather was lousy when we pulled into Pelican Roost Campground inside the Mayport Naval Air Station gates. We were assigned a waterfront campground with a fabulous view from our front window, but there was little to see. Nevertheless, better weather was on the way, and we were blessed with clear skies and 70-degree temperatures the next day. Our view improved considerably.

We took advantage of the delightful conditions with a walk on the beach, a bike ride for Helen, and a trip to Safe Harbor Seafood, where we bought fresh shrimp and a large Grouper filet for dinner.

Mortimer took a nap.

We’ll spend a week in Jacksonville, then drive to Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle, where fresh oysters abound. Altogether, we will spend about six weeks on this trip, which includes six campgrounds. We’re excited about our winter break and sincerely hope you’ll Ease Along with us. Enjoy the rest of the month, and we hope you stay in touch.

December isn’t usually my favorite month. Don’t misunderstand—I love the Christmas season and the blending of faith, family, friends, food, and fun, but when everything is all piled together, there is little time left to sit back and absorb each element. Nevertheless, Helen, Mortimer, and I had a delightful month, and I want to share as much of it as possible within my usual target of 800 words (or less).

The Christmas season kicks off for us with the annual Christmas Concert performed by our church’s gifted and dedicated choir.  The brilliant Andrew Skoog, Professor of Voice at the University of Tennessee, directs our choir. Andrew loves leading our choir and fills a few of the seats each year with several of his prize scholarship students, and they add a layer of rich voices unequaled by few church choirs anywhere in our city. Andrew also includes members of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in the Concert, and the music produced is seasonably supreme.

Another tradition our church honors is the annual trip to the Rose’s Creek Community in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, carrying gifts for families living there.  Individual congregation members volunteer to support a family that otherwise might not have a Christmas without our help.  For the past few years, I have led the convoy of ten or more vehicles over the mountain filled with wrapped gifts for Rose’s Creek. It is always a joy for me to take part.

The next event in our holiday lineup is the Meatloaf dinner Helen and I prepare for a group of former neighbors.  We think this year’s gathering is the thirteenth time we have hosted the party; it is always a highlight for us.  Helen goes all out to decorate the house and the dinner table while I have the honor of preparing my gourmet meatloaf recipe. Before we sit down for the meal, we have a White Elephant drawing for gifts, which is always a hilarious occasion.

We live in a neighborhood of about 80 homes. Our neighbors are delightful and creative people working hard to keep us all connected. Every year, we have a neighborhood Christmas party in our clubhouse. Neighbors bring potluck dishes and appetizers to accompany BYOB drinks. I don’t have a headcount, but I think this year’s attendance was the largest I can remember.

For the past two years, a generous person has also hosted a party for the fourteen residents on our street. Bill Williams, a top-rated former news anchor for one of the local television stations and a close friend of our hostess, played the piano for us this year.  Bill played a selection of Christmas songs while everyone joined in the singing.  All had a good time.

Helen and I are blessed to have extended family living in Knoxville, and it was our turn to host family get-togethers. One gathering included my mother, brother, Jim, and his family for an afternoon of family fun and food.  Jim’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer, prepared turkey and ham sliders that were perfect for the occasion.  Helen and I served White Bean, Chicken Chili, and Chicken Noodle Soup.  It was so good to see my Mom celebrate with all of us.  Mom turned 95 this year and is doing exceptionally well.

We also enjoyed the company of Helen’s extended family for our traditional meal of Seafood Gumbo. Helen’s sister, Cammy, her husband, kids, and grandkids joined in the event along with the family of Helen’s late brother. Cammy prepared the Gumbo, and there was no bite left at the end of the evening. Yum!

On a slightly sad note, our children and grandchildren couldn’t be with us this year. It’s understandable—I wouldn’t ask anyone to fly over Christmas, including our California kids.  We saw our Charleston family recently, so all is fine. We opened gifts on FaceTime and will be with everyone again on our upcoming road trip.

It was Mortimer’s first Christmas with his new family (us), and he took it all in with his usual laid-back demeanor.  I was surprised he did not attack the Christmas tree or any of the few gifts underneath, but he gave them little notice. He got a few toys to chew on and a new squeeze bottle of Easy Cheese in his stocking.  He turned two in October, and we’ve decided to keep him.

I’m nearing my word quota, and I’ve shared most of the month by now.  Our Christmas Season ended as it began—in church for the Candlelight Service, which is always inspirational and beautiful.

Helen and I wish every one of our readers a prosperous, safe, and healthy 2024.  We ask you to remember the families of our fallen heroes, our elderly, and the needs of those less fortunate.  We’ll be on the road by mid-January, and we hope you’ll be with us.  We remain blessed, grateful…and Easin’ Along.