On our way into St. Augustine a few days ago, we exited I-95 at an interchange that contains what I like to call “Floridiana.” It’s the oversize signs advertising all kinds of goodies to take back home and rot in the cupboard – Tropical Fruit Wine? Probably not. Gator Jerky? Don’t think so. Boiled peanuts? Tried ’em – pass. Also lots of things to tempt the kids and make them sick 20 miles up the road. I thought I would like to know what “Honey Toasted Chocolate Covered Praline Pecans” taste like until Kathy assured me that it is three different kinds and not just one. Oh, well.
The story is that we didn’t stop there on the way in to town, and as often happens I kicked myself for not taking the time (it was late, we were tired and thirsty, etc.). So today we went into town to the fort to get a stamp on Kathy’s National Park Passport, and on the way back took the scenic route by way of this exit. Pretty interesting signage, although it didn’t tempt us enough to go inside.
Oh, and in case you wondered about all those oranges and grapefruits out roasting in the sun? They’re little concrete spheres. Wouldn’t make very good juice. 😉
Yuck! Nothing set my taste buds off. Lunch in town would be more to taste bus. Yet, it looks like it’s busy. Colorful for sure so for a photographer a great place. Like you, I doubt if I’d go in.
This was just along the highway, but in town was quite busy. Not something we would have ordinarily done but we wanted to get to the fort for the stamp. We spent as little time among crowds as we could get by with then got back out! St. Augustine is a very nice town, but weekends aren’t the best time to go if you are people-averse. 😉
Great saturated colors and kitschy crude signage. We have never stopped here but you have pointed out that there are a few good picturing possibilities. We do like St. Augustine but I agree the King Street walk is tourist traps and ice cream stores… but if you go off to some of the side streets there is more sophistication to be found. Maybe sophistication is too strong a word but there are good places to eat fresh local seafood, and touring the college is a treat if you are interested in architecture (a former hotel for the well to do crowd that wanted to escape the north in winter). We have spent some time on Anastasia Island too (the beach) and a favorite ice cream shop is there along with a few restaurants as I am sure you discovered. We are in Ponte Vedra, up the coast. It is the home to The Players Contest (TPC Sawgrass) and the beach is more for the locals. We love the area and glad you had what I hope was a good stay. Sorry to ramble on and sound like the Chamber of Commerce! Always enjoy your travel photography.
Thank you, John. We did get out and walk around the college this time. We had driven past it before on one of the ubiquitous trolley tours but hadn’t actually taken the time to walk there. I have some photos from the campus and from the nearby Presbyterian church that I will post at another time. We actually had a very nice lunch at a spot on St. George Street but I agree that it is way too touristy for my taste, especially on the weekend.
We stayed at the Embassy Suites hotel which is right next to Anastasia State Park, so we were able to enjoy that section of relatively unpopulated beach.
Ponte Vedra looks like a great place. We don’t get to Florida beaches that often, and Fernandina is about the only other one we’re familiar with. Next time we head that direction I’ll look you up and perhaps get a little “local knowledge.” 😉