Feb. 16 - 21: Melbourne, Mayport, St. Augustine

Feb:  16 – 21:  Melbourne/Mayport/St. Augustine

After saying “Good-bye” to Lisa at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, we drove to Patrick AFB in Melbourne, where we had reserved a room at the lodging.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, we drove to Kissimmee, to check out some more houses, then drove on to Mayport, where we had reserved a room at the Gateway Inn ($50/night, right on the beach).  On Monday, Feb. 18, I walked along the beach in the morning – very refreshing!  Read and rested.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, I rode my bike around the base.  We started checking out Space-A flights, and found 2 next week to Hawaii from Jacksonville!!

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, we checked Space-A flights again, and found a new one, tomorrow, from Jacksonville to Hawaii!! 

We drove to St. Augustine, where Bob rode his bike, and I took a tram tour around this beautiful, historic old city.  Rode to the lighthouse, toured the old jail, and visited the shopping district.  Very impressive!

On Thursday, Feb. 21, we got up at 4 a.m., left 4:45 a.m., arrived at Jacksonville terminal at 5:45 a.m.  It did not open until 7 a.m., check-in time!  There were only about a dozen people for the 69 available seats on the C-40.  We lifted off about 9 a.m., after the Navy pilot came out and greeted all of us.  The flight stopped in New Orleans and picked up about a half- dozen people, then stopped overnight in North Island, CA, where we got a room in the Navy Gateway Inn.  Next stop:  Hawaii!!

Below are some photos from St. Augustine:

THE FAMOUS LIGHTHOUSE

VIEW FROM BRIDGE OF LIONS

SHOPPING STREET



JUST A T-SHIRT THAT I LIKED :)



THE HISTORIC OLD FORT.  IT HAS THE SAME OUTLINE AS FORT STANWIX IN ROME.

A GIANT CROSS MARKS THE SITE OF FIRST MASS IN U.S.

OAK TREE-COVERED STREET.  A SCENE FROM "FORREST GUMP" WAS SHOT HERE.

STATUE OF PONCE DE LEON STANDS OUTSIDE "FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH" ATTRACTION.

AN EAGLE GUARDS ITS YOUNG, IN A NEST IN KISSIMMEE.