Into Florida

Leaving Georgia, we have now ventured further south into Florida. Having followed the coast down the intriguingly numbered route A1A, our first stopping place was Saint Augustine, said to be the oldest permanent settlement in the USA, a community having been established there in the 1600's by the Spanish. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, but the town has (since the 1800's) reinvented itself by foresighted citizens building and maintaining the Spanish style [photo] and the old town has turned itself into a neat and popular theme park exploiting the Spanish history.

Then to Daytona Beach, passing the famous speedway, thankfully quiet at this time, or we would have never found accommodation! We stayed at a beachfront hotel and splurged on a full oceanside room. We had a delightful walk along the beach, but you have to dodge the traffic which is allowed to drive along the beach here [photo]. During dinner, the heavens opened, and we got quite wet getting home. The TV then issued "tornado warnings" for our area - this didn't eventuate but there was a spectacular thunderstorm, and, later, very strong winds which persisted until about 10am. These winds blew up such a surf that Mike could not jog along the beach in the morning as he was looking forward to (the previous day it rained, preventing the same activity).

We visited the Ponce Inlet Light Station [photo] which is at the very southern end of the spit that is Daytona Beach. This very pretty terra cotta painted lighthouse is the tallest in Florida, and the 2nd tallest in the USA.

So far, a pleasant first few days in Florida, but it's been bitingly cold here, and it's apparent that neither the locals nor the tourists are expecting or prepared for it. Many people are inappropriately dressed, and are obviously uncomfortable. We're lucky, we are travelling with Paddy Pallin's warmest clothing, and can get well rugged up.