OVER 3 MILLION LIGHTS!

After a couple of weeks back in Webster, FL (our winter domicile), we were "ready to roll" when time came to attend a planned motorhome chapter rally with about 30 other motorhomes from all over the USA, being held in the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida.  The St. Augustine area definitely meets all the criteria for a successful RV rally ... lots to see, lots to do, and plenty of shopping.  A side benefit is seeing our friends who enjoy traveling in their motorhomes who are members of the Tiffin Travelers Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA).

Compass RV Park - St Augustine, FL

Tiffin Travelers RV Rally - December, 2018
St. Augustine, FL

This is the 25th year the City of St. Augustine has hosted the annual Night Of Lights which not only draws people from Florida and throughout the USA, but is also recognized on an international scale.  The festival's origins begin as a Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays.  The tradition continues in St. Augustine with over 3 million white lights twinkling on the old buildings, landmarks along the Bayfront, and throughout the brick-lined streets.

Daytime View - Flagler College
St. Augustine, FL

Night of Lights View - Flagler College
St. Augustine, FL

Our group purchased group tickets for the Night Of Lights annual affair which began November 17, 2018 until February 3, 2019.   The St. Augustine event has been proclaimed one of the best light displays in the world by many travel publications as well as National Geographic Magazine and Rachel Ray Magazine.

Daytime View - Casa Monica Hotel
St. Augustine, FL

Night Of Lights View - Casa Monica Hotel
St. Augustine, FL

Parking is always challenging in St. Augustine but during this celebration you have to make a special  effort to get parked and locate your group.  To participate, you arrive at one of several designated locations to purchase your reasonably priced ticket for a designated nighttime tour.  You choose your transportation ....... either by one of 2 different trolley companies, a boat company, or a red train, and I can't imagine the coordination of people to make this happen.

Old Town Trolley Tour Company
St. Augustine, FL

The Old Town Trolley Tour was our mode of transportation and we might add it is also a great way to tour St. Augustine day or night.

View of Flagler College at Night Of Lights - 2018

Night Of Lights Trolley Tour - 2018

Lightner Museum - Night Of Lights 2018

Plaza de la Constitution - Night of Lights - 2018

The rest is up to you.  Your evening is filled with Christmas music and winter songs and it's up to you to make as little or as much noise as you sing your heart out, wave to passers-by, and say Merry Christmas to everyone that you pass.

Night Of Lights - St. Augustine, FL - 2018

We left with our hearts brimming with Christmas Spirit....just the way it was supposed to be.  Oh, before I forget...those lights were dazzling!

May the beautiful lights of every Christmas season remind

us of Him who is the source of all light.  

                               

                                                             David Bednar

RECALCULATING

Yes, we are still in Florida, and these last weeks have been nonstop busy for us.  Not that we are driving from one place to another, but we have kept busy.  We enjoyed the Family Motor Coach Association National Rally in Perry, GA, where I presented 3 Attitude Adjustment classes.  I couldn't have done it without my sidekick and lots of able-bodied assistants.  

Attitude Adjustment Class - Perry, GA

After we left Perry we headed to Brunswick, GA to a Tiffin Travelers rally at Coastal Georgia RV Resort, and visited friends we had not seen in a couple of years - not only RV friends but St. Simons Island friends.  A trip to that area would not be complete without some delicious Georgia shrimp.

B&J Seafood - Darien, GA

The Marshes of Glynn County, GA

St. Simons Lighthouse - St. Simons Island, GA

Sydney Lanier Bridge - Brunswick, GA

Intercoastal Waterway - Jekyll Island, GA

We returned to Florida Grande where a huge plain wall has been painted with a huge mural in the Activities Room.  The more I painted from atop a 12 foot ladder the bigger the wall got.  The ceiling is about 14 feet and at about halfway through I made an executive decision to stop at the halfway part of the length of the wall.  It was fun painting, but it's more fun when there are a few people around.  We gave the mural the name "RECALCULATING"... you'll understand when you see it.  

"RECALCULATING"

If you are in an RV for any time at all something is going to break.  Let's hear an AMEN to that.  Our brand new beautiful toilet went kaput last week.   Luckily we were able to get it repaired at Alliance Coach in Wildwood, FL.  If that wasn't enough, upon our arrival at Alliance our passenger-side front jack sounded like a jackhammer when it was extended.  We returned to Florida Grande until a part is delivered next week.  Just a slight delay in our departure plans and we'll be heading south.  We can't complain since both were still under warranty.  

My Sidekick (RV is always on standby)

With the painting behind me (I should say "us" because RV was assisting me along the way), our blog will be written on a more timely basis.  Happy Father's Day to all you fathers, and thank you for reading our blog.