Georgia, South Carolina and St Augustine, FL

GEORGIA

Watkinsville GA

We stayed two nights in Watkinsville, Georgia, which is just south of Athens.

J & J Flea Market, Athens, Georgia

While in Watkinsville, GA, visiting my friend, Linary, we visited the J & J Flea Market, north of Athens, which claimed to be Georgia’s biggest flea market. It was very large, even in the winter. There were maybe 4 big buildings with vendors but there were also spots for outside vendors.

We each had a cheap taco, which was actually pretty good. We also tried horchata, which was a spicy drink made from rice.

Taco stand at flea market. Making the taco shells.

Our friend, Linary, was starting a Georgia Multicultural Youth choir and had the first choir practice while we were there.

Linary’s Youth Choir

We left Watkinsville, at 10:40 am on December 30th and headed south east, through the Oconee National Forest, mostly pine trees. The park was not very large and soon we came to the highway.

We crossed the Savannah River into South Carolina and saw three vultures by the road, and more later, which gave us a new animal to add to our list for the trip. We stopped by a small lake to have lunch. Khevron had PB & J; Lareena had PB&B (peanut butter and Biscoff). There we took photos of a heron.

Thought this might be a Heron

Our goal was St. Helena Island, but, as often we do on these trips, we ran short on time. We wanted to go to the end of the island, but settled for seeing Beaufort.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Then we drove  around Port Royal, which has several spectacularly large bridges. But being so near to the water, we didn’t see much because the trees and houses were so thick around there.  It’s very near Parris Island (Marines Boot Camp)

Beaufort, South Carolina

The Bridges near Port Royal

We stopped on our way to Brunswick at Darien and had dinner at Ruby Tuesday.

Then we stayed with some friends of Linary’s, the Greene’s, who were wonderful hosts.

NEW YEARS EVE

After a big breakfast and some grits, we hit the road again around 11:00 am.

We drove down into Florida and took the Nocatee Parkway to A1A past the Guana River Wildlife Management Area.

Point Vedra Beach, Northern Florida

We stopped at Point Vedra Beach for a half hour, collecting sea shells and walking on the beach. The temperature was 61 degrees (F) outside, so it felt very comfortable to us.

Lareena at Point Vedra Beach

Visiting Khevron’s seashell collection

Khevron on Point Vedra Beach

We drove down to St. Augustine to go to the Fountain of Youth, but ended up just shopping in their gift shop, where we bought a bottle of water for $3 (immortality not guaranteed). We got a picture with Ponce de Leon. We wanted to go to the Castillo of San Marco, but didn’t have time.

Fountain of Youth Gift Shop
(no guarantees for immortality)

We could have spent a lot more time in St. Augustine, as there was a lot to see: a Pirates and Treasures museum, the San Sebastian Winery, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, and a flea market (only open Sat & Sun).

Seashell wall at the Fountain of Youth

The City of St. Augustine, Florida

The City of St. Augustine, Florida

From there we drove to Tampa, Florida, to stay with a D & D friend of Khevron’s from many years ago, Mike Earner. If we get time… we might play some Dungeons and Dragons!

Florida is warm! Highs in the 70′s and possibly 80′s. Next, we revisit Harry Potter World at Universal Orlando! Then we motorcycle to the Florida Keys.