Day 14
Da Fog, Mount Pleasant, SC
Mount Pleasant, SC: I wake up to thick fog. Sue tells me that there is a travel advisory out until 10am, so I chill until then. At 10:30 the fog starts to lift and I say good bye to my Airbnb Super host. As I travel down Route 95 I am debating whether to check out Savannah Georgia. It’s cloudy and feels like rain so at the last minute I decide against it. Once I hit Florida, the sun breaks through and the fog dissipates. I suppose that’s why they call it the sunshine state. My destination for the night is St. Augustine Beach. I checked out hotels on Trip Advisor and find a small motel style Inn on the beach; La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites. It has a Mexican feel and I like the vibe.
As soon as I get off the highway heading towards the beach, I see this bizarre cloud. At first I think its fire, but then I realize it’s the fog rolling in. The beach is engulfed in whiteness.
I arrive at the Inn and check in. My room is facing the parking lot on the first floor. I don’t mind because it’s cheap and it’s easily accessible to my car which is parked right in front of it. The temperature is in the 50’s but the dense fog makes it feel colder.
Another foggy scene-St. Augustine Beach
Thank goodness I brought all types of clothing. I put on my heavy windbreaker which has a fleece lining, my gloves and my hat and walk to the beach. It feels more like New England than Florida. The ocean breeze has picked up and the sand is pelting my face. The visibility is nil. There are a few people who have ventured out-brave souls. I walk about a half mile south then turn around and head back. I was looking forward to sunshine and bathing suit weather. Oh well.
Day 15:
I wake up to sunshine. Of course the day that I leave the sun is breaking through and the temperature is rising into the 60’s. I pack my car and I head to the beach for a 2 mile round trip walk/run, this time heading north to the Pier.
Morning sun the day after
The breeze has subsided. It’s beautiful. I take off my shoes hide them under driftwood, and take a picture so I remember where I put them and continue walking barefoot. The soft grey powdery sand feels good between my toes. Now this is what it’s all about. I walk to the Pier where people are fishing and stand for a few minutes feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
I don’t want to leave, I wish I could stay for another day, but I have obligations and a flight to catch in a few days. I head back grabbing my shoes which are still there and walk back to the Inn. After checking out I take one good look around and say goodbye.
Del Ray Beach Florida:
It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve left Massachusetts. I’m enjoying my solo road trip. Today I’m visiting my Aunt June and Uncle Mel who are in their late 80’s. They live in a retirement community. It’s been ages since I saw them together. I think the last time was 1991 at Nana’s funeral in Jamaica Plain NY.
After getting lost, I finally arrive close to 3:30 pm. It’s a maze down there with all the retirement communities. All the buildings look the same. I end up at the wrong building and I call Mel. He’s a little agitated and meets me outside in the parking lot. Aunt June is nowhere to be found. He’s concerned because her eye sight and balance isn’t very good and she doesn’t like to use the cane. We find her sitting on a bench talking to another woman. She sees us only because Mel yells her name and she gets up. I rush over thinking she’s going to fall but she is okay. We hug and chat for a few minutes. It’s close to 4pm and you know what that means? The early bird special. Apparently older people like to have dinner early before the crowds come. It’s decided that it’s time for dinner.
They remind be of a cross between George Costanza’s and Jerry’s parents on Seinfeld. They are quite the characters. I guess that’s what happens when you are married forever.
That night the club is having a Christmas Special so June and I go while lucky Mel stays at home. The singer/pianist/comedian belts out show tunes. Talking about characters. He tops the cake. He’s actually so loud that the hard of hearing are telling him to turn down the volume. At intermission we sneak out. My ears are still ringing.
Day 16: Fort Lauderdale Beach Strip, FL
The next day we have breakfast and then I say my goodbyes. Next stop Fort Lauderdale. In 1984-1985 I lived there working at Julie’s Gourmet Ice-cream. It was a wild and crazy time especially during Spring Break. It was a blast living there right out of high school. Now fast forward 30 years later I’m going back.
I arrive in the early afternoon and check into a small hotel a block from the beach. The room is decent nothing fancy, but clean and it has a kitchenette. I’m up on the 4th floor. After dropping off my things I head around the corner to an open bar and have lunch and a drink. Across the street is the beach. Memories start to flood my mind. After lunch I walk along the beach. The beach is shaded from the tall hotels across the street.
Where’s the sun?
What was the Planning Board/Building Department of Fort Lauderdale thinking when they allowed developers to build monstrous high rises? Didn’t they have any inclination that the beach would be swallowed into darkness? The afternoon sun is now hidden behind the buildings. Idiots.
The whole strip has changed, I barely recognize it. Penrod’s is gone, so is the Candy Store replaced by malls and other hotels. Out with the old in with the new. You know the saying: You can’t go back again? Well they are correct. I liked it much better in 1984…
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