May 6, 2008

Thomas' RV Park, Hardeeville, South Carolina

Next we headed up toward Savannah, Georgia.

Marlon was a little concerned about all the eighteen-wheelers passing on the highway. They often pass within inches, making for a nail-biting ride for everybody.

See Sammy bite her nails.

South Carolina welcomes us to the The Palmetto State.

Just a few miles over the South Carolina border, we find Thomas' RV Park in Hardeeville, South Carolina. They had plenty of wide open sites, good for satellite access.

They also had sites with trees for those so inclined.

We've seen a few of these in the last several months...the new Smart Cars. Great concept...where do you put the groceries?

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/thomas-rv-parks-and/ .

To be continued...

May 4, 2008

Amelia Island, Florida Finale

We finished our day on Amelia Island by first driving through Fort Clinch State Park to see the camping area of the park.

Then we went to see Amelia Island's Historic American Beach.

American Beach was founded in the early 1930s by Abraham Lincoln Lewis as a weekend getaway and vacation spot for the African-American community of Jacksonville, Florida. During this period, beaches were still racially segregated.

Following the passage of The Civil Rights Act in 1964 beaches were open to all races and American Beach saw its popularity diminish in favor of beaches closer to home.

This was the sight of Evans' Rendezvous. This nightclub, which operated at American Beach from about 1948 to 1980, welcomed artists such as Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong. Fund-raising efforts are ongoing to raise the money to restore the building.

These sand dunes are actually located a few blocks from the water in a residential neighborhood.
Driving on American Beach looks like fun...but don't attempt it unless you have four-wheel drive!

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/amelia-island/ pictures 166-184.

To be continued...

Pt. 3-Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, Amelia Island

Back at the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, it was time for the Blessing of the Fleet and Best Decorated Shrimp Boat Contest.

1st place for Best Decorated Shrimp Boat went to the Miss Cheryl Ann.

2nd place went to the Island Girl.

One of the festival participants offered to pose with Marlon for a quick picture.

We wonder how much wet water would cost...

Oh, the nostalgia of the Volkswagen Bus. It is always neat to see one again. In Australia and Brazil, this vehicle is referred to as a "kombi".


Thus, the opening line of the 1980's #1 song "Down Under" by Men at Work, makes a little more sense to me now-"Traveling in a fried-out Kombi, On a hippie trail, head full of zombie."

At least now I know what a Kombi is, even if I don't understand the rest...
The Tabby House, built in 1885, is located at 27 S. 7th in the Fernandina Beach Historic District and is one of many buildings in the area on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
As you can see below, the exterior consists of crushed oyster shell and poured Portland cement.
Greetings from a pirate long dead.

This house, built in 1856, was a small cottage until Dr. W.T. Waas decided to make it into a not-so-small cottage at the end of the 19th century.
There were two stages for live entertainment at the festival featuring many different music styles.

The Fernandina Beach Post Office was built in 1912.
Florida House is Florida's oldest hotel, currently operating as a bed and breakfast inn.
Before we left the Shrimp Festival for the day, we picked up some Scooby snacks.
For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/amelia-island/ pictures 135-165.

To be continued...

The Bodyguard at Theatre Winter Haven, Winter Haven, Florida

Tonight, we attended the next to final performance of The Bodyguard: The Musical at Theatre Winter Haven. The curtain call for the four main...