For the first time in almost 2 years...

Tim and I got away! Thanks to my in-laws who watched the 4 babes without a hitch! Tim and I took a trip to Jacksonville and stayed on the Riverwalk. It was nice to get away and explore!

We needed to stop for gas on I10, so we visited 'The Busy Bee" gas station on 231. Who names a gas station? Well, make no mistakes about it...this was not just a gas station but a FL weird stuff trading stop/gourmet fudge shop/convenience store/cleanest bathrooms from Tally to Jax stop. I took a pic of Quizinos just to prove to Tim how 'gross and creepy' this was going to be. I stand corrected:

                I guaran-tee you won't be able to find such classy paraphernalia anywhere north of SC!

                                                 Tim found a coupon (Pause to thank Liz Kuntz!)

 Happy us in our hotel room! We did end up eating at the Chart House in these clothes, since the rain set in. I was actually kind of embarassed...Khaki cuff shorts and a black tank! Ahhh...don't tell my parents. See...I went to the Melbourne Chart House for Prom and events like that...soooo not shorts!

                                                              San Marco below: L.O.V.E.

 I can be happy anywhere there are book stores! They are so calming! The smell, the books, the organization. Sometimes I wonder if I won't go work for the library system some day.

 Hilar! I started a conversation with the man who owns this shop below. He makes these amazing custom tables from rescued Pine wood. They are all so different and beautiful. I was way excited about his products and began discussing with him how 'his business' was doing. Had he thought about sending photos to Soutern Living's Idea-Homes editors? Has he though about doing business in Rosemary Beach? etc... When I left Tim was commenting about 'that poor man...here he is with his baby and you are overwhelming him..." sorta kidding-sorta serious-like. I emphatically stated, "TIM! Who wouldn't want some good free advice?" Then I laughed out loud as I realized I was being completely serious! "He should take it as a compliment to how great I think his art is!" Classic.

                          The Cummer Museum was another favorite of mine: The GARDENS were heavenly!

 We traveled by foot over to the market under the bridge and caught a cool band there:

JACKPOT: We found this restaurant, TAVERNA, that uses all fresh, local, organic ingredients to make the world's greatest food! Tim got a truffle pizza, I got a spinach salad, and then we split home-made mint ice-cream on chocolate cookies. Delish!

 Jacksonville Zoo...fun, the Zen garden was my favorite part...but honestly, I like the Brevard Zoo better! Go Melbourne!

 Tim being a Pelican. Every once in a while he will let me capture him being silly.

                                                                          The End.