January 31, 2017 - St. Augustine Beach, Vilano Beach, Jacksonville Beach & St. Augustine, FL

When we opened the shade it was nice to see the towering pine trees that surrounded the campground.  It was a beautiful morning. 

We had been talking about getting me a new IPhone 7+ with Verizon. We wanted to check it out at a store on US 1 in St. Augustine, but when we got there the store was no longer there!  We looked it up and found the nearest one was in Jacksonville Beach, more than 30 minute drive.  

Before heading to Jacksonville Beach we ventured out in St. Augustine Beach to see if there were any visible damages from the recent hurricane.  We did not park and walk on the beach, just drove along the route.  Not much damages, but if there were any they really cleaned up/repaired them fast.  We went by St. Augustine Lighthouse because I wanted to get pictures of it.  This is one of my favorite lighthouses! Next stop was to get pictures of the lion statues on the east side of the Bridges of Lion.

When we visit St. Augustine we usually go for a leisurely drive on Magnolia Road where there is a beautiful tree canopy.  Fountain of Youth attraction is right there.  Then we went to Vilano Beach, checked around, then continued driving on A1A to Jacksonville Beach, FL. 

We stopped at St. Johns Public Library where there is a bird rookery.  I was disappointed to see that there were not as many shorebirds there as there used to be.  

We stopped at ATT first to find out about Erwin’s current phone/data plan and change of address. Erwin received an email from ATT suggesting that he switches his current plan to a new plan.  However, the salesperson advised Erwin not to switch to new plans, suggested that he keeps his current plan. If Erwin decided to go with a new plan it would have cost him $30 dollars more per month. ATT is trying to flush subscribers out of the old unlimited data plan.  :-(

Next stop was talk to Verizon salespeople about its leased plan for IPhone 7+.  It does not offer Apple Care, but carried Edge plan, pretty much similar to Apple Care.  After a lengthy discussion I decided not to go ahead and order it, wanted to check with my friends first to be sure the plan is reasonable.

We stopped at PMC Arts & Crafts because Erwin wanted to pick up more watercolor papers, but the store did not have any on hand.  The saleslady said she can order it, but Erwin decided to check another store first. When you walk in from the entrance you will see a large wall of coloring pens, pencils, markers, etc. Heaven for colorists!  

It was close to 4:15 pm when we went to Home Depot parking lot to meet with Erwin’s oldest daughter,Teena, Isaac (Teena’s husband), and our grandkids, Annabelle and Jonah. It was great to see them again.  We talked a while at the parking lot before we went out to have supper at Longhorn Steakhouse (one of our favorite dining places in Jacksonville area)

While we were having first course meals the waitress came with a note that was passed to her by one of diners with $20 gift. The note said that we were one beautiful family and it was signed with XOXO.  How thoughtful of them!  We later found out who the people were. They were seated in the upper level that is next to us (lower level).  

We agreed to get together again this Friday evening or Saturday morning when our grandkids have soccer practice/game.  

~Edith