Beer Club

I've never been much of a joiner, but this club at Carolyn's on Centre seems like a fun one to join...

Baby Spice

This is Baby Spice for those of you keeping track. For those of you new to the blog, we have a neighbor who kindly takes care of strays that have moved in under their house. They tame them and name them after Spice Girls.

Sears

And while we're discussing "normal" things, we have a Sears too. It might set the record for the world's smallest Sears, but we have one. It's just a Lady Kenmore girl's dream.

Movie Theater

Many guests ask if we have a movie theater on the island. Well, here it is. It's got SEVEN screens! And two of them are currently showing Harry Potter just in case you can't get three hours to string together at home to watch a movie. We even have popcorn. And a matinee is just $4.25... or so... I haven't been for awhile.

My Favorite Consignment Shop...

...is open! This shop is called "Buy Gones" and they've always got a great selection. For you Chico's fans out there, they've even got a whole rack dedicated to that line. If they've got your size you can score some pretty nice bargains. Reduce, reuse, recycle. That's my mantra, especially when it helps the pocketbook.

My Hero Today

This is Carol Zeff, uber masseusse. I had a little bit of sciatica going on in my back and decided to pay a visit to Carol to see if she could get it worked out. After an hour on her table, I felt like I could kick a field goal. And my back felt better too.

Carol is the owner of Island Massage, a business whose services we make good use of at Fairbanks House. We've referred quite a few happy guests to Carol at her studio, as well as had her come to the inn for in-room massage. If you're coming to stay at Fairbanks House, be sure to ask us early if you'd like an appointment because Carol is in demand.

P.S. Carol was not on my walk. I took this photo this afternoon and went for a run tonight. Still not cheating.

If You'd Only Been Here a Couple of Minutes Ago..

You would have seen the sea turtle that all of these people missed too. They're all waiting for it to resurface but I gave up. Fortunately, I saw it, but unfortunately digital cameras are too slow for rapid-fire photography, so I missed the shot. You have to keep your eyes peeled to see them because, at first glance, they look like trash floating in the water since they only stick their heads out. This one had its whole shell sticking out since it was about to dive and I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to shoot before it disappeared. I promise that I'll eventually post a shot of one on my blog.

Hopefuls

These guys out on the fishing pier at Ft. Clinch had several lines in the water and they were workin' 'em. I guess that's what you have to do to catch your limit in the shortest amount of time. This father/son duo was having a great time out there. What a great way to spend some quality time between the generations.

Book Signing

I'm not sure whether writers and artists flock to Amelia Island or if Amelia Island brings out the writer and artist in our residents, but we're fortunate to have plenty of both here. And they're well-supported by the community. Books Plus, a wonderful independent book store owned by Don Shaw and his wife, Margo, hosts frequent signings featuring local authors. This is not someone who showed up to the wrong island for the Ernest Hemingway look-alike competition, but Jerry "Pop" Bishop, signing copies of Peter the Pelican.

Two - Island Sunset

There was a beautiful sunset shaping up tonight between Amelia Island (on the left) and Cumberland Island, GA (on the right). I took my walk tonight on the fishing pier in Ft. Clinch State Park, which is on the northern tip of Amelia Island. We're looking across the Cumberland Sound toward Georgia. I had hopes of seeing a submarine since their turning basin is right in front of me. They do training runs from their base just up the river in Kings Bay, Georgia. It's quite a sight when they come through. Tonight, I had to settle for a beautiful sunset.

Nice Haul

Somebody made fine work of these blue crabs today. As you can see, they're not long for this world because the crab pot is already heating up. Since my hometown is Baltimore, I can tell you that I'm confident that those crushed beer cans had their ingredients emptied into the crab pot as opposed to the cook, since that's the proper way to steam crabs. I'm concerned that I don't see a can of Old Bay seasoning. So maybe these aren't the ingredients sitting next to the catch.

Harry Potter in Fernandina

Or at least someone who is going to buy the book tonight. If you can't read the name, click on the photo to enlarge it. Perhaps this is Hermoine paying a visit to our fair little island?

Four Sisters

These four houses were built to be identical in the early 1900's. They're still "mostly" identical, although one of them needs a little bit of TLC. They're called the "Four Sisters" because they were built from the wood of the Egmont Hotel, on whose site they sit. The Egmont was a grand hotel that housed all of the wealthy "northern folk" who came down to Fernandina in the 1800's to get warm in the fall and winter months. When Flagler put his railroad in that would allow these folks to get all the way down to south Florida and, hence, warmer, there wasn't much need for the Egmont anymore and it was torn down. Fortunately, the materials were saved and the sisters were born. They're quite beautiful and just up the block from us. So, all of you "northern folk" won't have too much of an address change when you want to get warm in the fall and winter months.

Ice Cream Corner

Everyone in this photo had either just eaten, was in the process of eating or was about to eat an ice cream cone. That's a favorite Fernandina pastime on a warm summer's eve. The shop of choice on this corner was Fantastic Fudge (and ice cream). I saw a couple of dogs enjoying a nice cool treat, as well.

New Art Gallery

I just noticed this new art gallery the other night. It looks like they're still getting set up but they've certainly got some eye-catching pieces in the front room. In fact, this may be the whole gallery. They're in the front of a small multi-use building including offices and a masseusse. Here's to their success. ( I just took a sip of wine. Please join me.)

Best Wishes Dave and Erin

Dave and Erin checked in this afternoon, changed clothes and went off to get married on the beach. We frequently get couples who will do that. We don't host weddings of any kind or size at the inn, but there are lots of nice alternatives on the island, including the beach - as Dave and Erin have selected - or a beautiful 1800's fully restored courthouse. So, to recap, we don't do weddings here, just really great honeymoons. Congratulations Dave and Erin; we'll see you for breakfast.

Neither Rain, Nor Snow...

Nor big puddles from today's heavy afternoon downpour will keep Boomer from his appointed rounds. His buddy, Sarge (the black horse), is afraid of puddles so Boomer works after rain showers.

Wildlife - Sort of

This quarter cup of dog is "Sister," being walked by our neighbor, her human, "Sandy".

This egret behaves like the one that has lived on Centre Street for several years now, and sometimes ventures down Seventh for a vacation. She just walks right into our gardens, shakes the bushes and eats whatever falls out. She's not tagged, but this one seems tame enough to be her. I should have asked "Sister;" she would know.

Another Great Turnout

At the Friday night free concert series on Centre Street. All of the usual suspects, including pirates, were out - even after a torrential downpour. But, as we know, pirates and their friends are fearless.

Boston Has Its Citgo Sign...

... and Fernandina has its Coca Cola sign. Ours isn't visible from as far away as theirs but we never want to go very far away anyway.

In the Company of Greatness

The Amelia Island Runners meet every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for a group run on a tbd route. Tonight, they ended up in Ft. Clinch with me. Fortunately, I had a BIG head start so tht I didn't have to suffer the humiliation of getting passed by the entire group. In fact, I finished my run and got my camera out to grab a shot of one of the most talented runners on the island way out ahead of the pack on the way back out of the park. This is Rosa Haslip; she wins most of the races. Some day maybe I'll race again... In the meantime, I'll cheer for these dedicated - and generous - folks.

Emmy Lou - the Visitor Center Bluebird of Happiness. I stopped by the Visitor Center on Centre Street tonight to drop off some brochures and found my friend, Emmy Lou. Our visitors could be in no better hands than when she's behind the desk. She's a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm and she's always got a smile on her face. As a bonus, like me, she's a Christmas freak. She tells me that, in her will, she's left me all of her decorations. Every once in awhile, she's calls me and tells me that she's got a box for me. I feel compelled to ask how she's feeling. Fortunately, she's just making room in her garage. Stop in and say "hello" when you're in town.

A windy attempt at beach volleyball. Or, at least volleyball at the beach. And on the sand.

P.S. Blogger has been giving me a hard time with titles lately, in that it won't let me put them in. If I click on the box for about half an hour, then I can add a title. I think I'll have dinner instead tonight. You can name this one yourself.

Nice Evening for a Game of Fetch in the Surf

Yes, our beaches are usually this uncrowded. You'll find pockets of people here and there, but if you walk for five minutes in any direction, you'll find scenes like this. So it's always a nice evening for a game of fetch. Or for a run. Or for flying a kite. Or for watching the waves. Or for going back to the new bakery in town. Must... keep.... walking....

New Bakery In Town

It's called "The Sweetest Things". I'm in trouble now. Freshly made cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, Danish.... Wish me luck. I'm in trouble now. Did I mention that? Wish me luck. Did I mention that? Mmmmmmmm, brownies... Wish me luck. Must... keep... walking... Wish me luck.

Inaugural Friday Concert

Tonight was the first night of Sounds on Centre - the July Friday night concert series. It was turning into a nice little street party with lots of locals and tourists mingling and shopping by the time that I left. The first band in the series was "Face For Radio" - good band.

A Beer at Sunset

It's a beautiful evening for a beverage of your choice on the porch of the Green Turtle. Town is quite full right now and all of the outdoor eateries and drinkeries were bursting at the seams tonight. Locals nd visitors are all enjoying perfect temperatures and nice island breezes.

Leapin' Lizards!

We've seen a resurgence in our lizard population in the last couple of years. I'm hoping that it's a result of something good in the atmosphere rather than as a result of the lower population of things that eat them - like birds. Lizards are great to have around; they clean up the crumbs on the breakfast porch, entertain the guests and keep the bugs down. We have to educate some of our northermost guests who have run screaming into the house thinking that they've seen a baby alligator coming toward them. Most get it though...

Big Do-ins on Fridays

The summer's heating up in Fernandina. Every Friday evening in July there will be concerts from 6pm - 8pm on Centre Street.






And, if you're still in the mood afterward, you can head over to the Frisky Mermaid Bar for some Latin dancing, including lessons.

Ginger Spice

One of our neighbors is kind enough to care for the many strays that find their way to the cat food bowl on their front porch. They've taken to naming them all after Spice Girls. This is Ginger Spice. She looks pretty excited about the reunion this week, don't you think?

New Window at Dottie B's

There's a nice new tropical display in the window of Dottie B's, our in-town florist right next to our in-town hardware store. Note the reflection of the old oaks and the courthouse clock tower in the window. Only locals will know that you can also pick out the News Leader, our in-town newspaper and Luigi's, one of our in-town Italian restaurants in the reflection.