Travel tales

St. Augustine Beach, Florida: Greetings, Dear Readers. I have not posted for two days... both of which were spent driving from Gulf Shores, Alabama to the Atlantic Ocean.

Our route Saturday was nearly entirely on Highway 98 which follows the Gulf Coast, traveling from air base to naval base to Air Force training facility to naval air station. Dang, but the US Military has some nice real estate. Today we saw a lot of base housing - hundreds of identical small ranch houses - but on powder-white palm-lined beaches. Nice.

Other interesting sights from the first day: a new Margaritaville Cafe in Panama City Beach, a "Bear Crossing" sign, sand blowing over the highway in very (and I mean, very) high winds, way too many "Private Beach" signs, not even one alligator, managed pine forests, adorable beach houses, lots of people fishing and many happy kite boarders.

We stopped for the night at the aptly named Ho-Hum RV Park, and hit the road early this morning, continuing on Highway 98 until we reached the end of the panhandle - then cut across to the Atlantic. We saw brilliant green trees leafing-out, pink and white flowering trees, shiny madrona and mile after mile of pine and palm-filled swamp. The only diversion from our course today was a drive through the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. GO GATORS.

Our situation in St. Augustine Beach, Florida

We are in a KOA for a few days in St. Augustine Beach (just south of St. Augustine). Our site is curved and we are not, so it was an interesting exercise positioning the Magna Peregrinus into her temporary home. We are parked under huge Live Oak, so did not think our dishes could find their satellites through all the branches. Wow, were we surprised that both dishes locked-on. Good thing too, because the Beavers are planning to show up to Mac Court tonight and we don't want to miss that party. GO DUCKS!

After settling in, DT went for a run on the beach and we went to dinner at the conveniently-located (across the street) Amici Italian Restaurant. Blending the best of Italy with American-style Italian favorites, Amici has something for everyone. To welcome us, our waitress brought a basket of hard rolls and a head of roasted garlic. Yummy, hot and delicious. Our salads were just salads, but I ordered Veal Milanese and it was very authentic. Crispy on the outside, tender on the outside. It was, however, covered with a bunch of sautéed mushrooms. Not sure what that was about.

Veal Milanese (with mushrooms)


Sautéed shrimp with cannellini beans

So I will close my post for the evening and cuddle up in front of our 42" HD television to watch Our Ducks beat the stinking Beavers in Mac Court. My, what a confident girl!

Until my next update, which will include photos of the Atlantic Ocean, I remain, your East Coast correspondent.

RV Park:  St. Augustine Beach KOA. We have a pull-through 50 amp site and are paying an unbelievable $77 per night.