Oh you don’t have to get fancy for historic downtown Fernandina Beach; you won’t get in trouble with the law or anything. Statement necklaces and slingbacks aren’t absolutely de rigueur. Yes, you might see a fair number of bow ties, rolled up sleeves and handmade belts. Classic seersucker, timeless pieces, handbags that aren’t knock-offs. This is the south, after all....
Being able to walk to everything is key here at Beaches, Bars and Bungalows. One of the first things we look for is how close all the important components of our getaways are: the beach, the beach bar, and the bungalow motel or mom-and-pop. Being able to go back to the bungalow for a little nap after someone (not...
No, we’re not sad to say goodbye to summer. Living up north as kids “summer’s end” used to mean school starting (ugh) stiff new school shoes (dorky) pulling scratchy wool sweaters out of moth balls (ew) and the long lazy days full of warm sun fading fast. But living in Florida we become so weary of the heat and rain...
When the only sounds you want are seagulls calling, distant laughter, and waves crashing. And later maybe some chill acoustic guitar, the clink of glasses, and even later the nostalgic love-calls of the cicadas outside your bedroom window. When you want to stroll down a quiet street past whimsical beach cottages and only see one other couple, smiling around just...
And so, are just a block or less to the beach! Get your sun time in and toddle that short distance, plop down in a booth or barstool for some great food and live music. Oh, and perhaps a drink? (Haha, perhaps.) We started up in Nassau County – read about the one...
My youngest daughter looks around Vero Beach and says “Mom. Where are the hotties?” Okay, yes, Vero Beach has a certain concentration of oldies. (Average age being 50.9: way better than Venice, at 69!) “The hotties are your bartender, your server, and the guy driving the ATV beach thing.” Right in the staid, chronicled downtown of Vero Beach sits a...
Some of us can’t bear to leave our pets at home when we travel. (Some of us can, case in point our forever-barking rescue Chihuahua mix, Puppet.) We’ve done the research for you, and starting with the Northeast coast, here is your go-to list for where to swim, play and stay with your DOG! The best dog beach, the best...
We watched with heavy hearts as Hurricane Hermine bore relentlessly toward Cedar Key, feeling as helpless as onlookers of a multi-car pileup on the other side of the highway. “NOT CEDAR KEY!” we cried out, as if it would be okay if the hurricane devastated a nearby town not as beloved to us. You’ve seen on the news the bleak,...
A beautiful uncrowded beach; a charming downtown with shops and restaurants; waterfront watering holes; locally owned places to stay; friendly people: all you need for your Florida vacation. Jensen Beach is one of the coolest towns we’ve seen in awhile. Well, except for Matlacha... and of course Indian Rocks… and also there was Flagler Beach… If you drive into Jensen...
Classy and crazy can live on the same street, right? Think about your own neighborhood. There’s you, and then there’s that guy who rollerblades every summer evening, singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs. And it’s fine! He’s happy! And, he has a beautiful voice. And so it’s the same for houses. Especially truly old houses, well kept,...
