This fine looking sailboat on the mooring next to Beatitude, paper mill in background

Today, May 14, was our last day in Florida. We enjoyed the quaint town of Fernandina Beach one more time. After our morning prayers and reading of the Bard, we loaded our bicycles onto Dalí for the first time and took them ashore. We were able to put them in without folding them, although it was pretty crowded.

A dinghy full of bikes.

Fishing by the dock

First on our agenda was a ten-block trip to the famous T-Rays Burger Station. The guy who was commemorated on the park bench (yesterday’s post) worked for his father in an Exxon station back in the 1980s. His passion was to open his own restaurant, so he talked his dad into letting him start serving food in the station. Over time, the restaurant was born, along with the slogan, “Eat here and get gas!” The place is still in an unassuming old Exxon station (which no longer functions as a gas station) with mismatched furnishings. But, they serve great burgers, which we had for lunch. The decor was just right for this Bulldawg fan. There was UGA memorabilia everywhere. Obviously, T-Ray had good taste in football.

Five minutes after starting lunch, line out the door at T-Rays

Georgia memorabilia in T-Rays

After lunch, we hopped back on our bikes and cycled the two miles to the Atlantic Beach. It was hot and humid, testing Cindy’s determination and perseverance. But, she endured, and we made it! The water was nice and cool. We didn’t go in, but did enjoy wading along the shallows while small waves rushed to and fro over our ankles. We also relaxed on the sandy beach for a while and picked up a few shells. After an hour or so, we refueled with a drink at the Sandy Bottom Bar before our return trip to town.

Amelia Island

On the Beach

“Toes in the water…”

Beach birds

Several of these jellyfish were washed up on the beach

Amelia Island Beach

This emblem of our love lasted until high tide. Our love… forever.

Once back in the old town, we locked up our bikes to the bike rack and did a little shopping. The stores along Centre street were nice and quite interesting, more so than most other places we’ve visited. I could tell we were almost in Georgia, as there was Bulldog memorabilia in most of the shops. We ambled up Centre street, stopping in almost every store, making our way to our dinner destination, Pepper’s Mexican Grill and Cantina, where our burritos and tacos hit the spot. On the way back to the marina, we stopped at a couple of more stores and art galleries. It was an enjoyable and relaxing day in north Florida.

Cindy shopping in the Christmas shop in Fernandina Beach. (She bought a pirate nutcracker).

We didn’t eat here, but I like the restaurant name and slogan. 🙂

The Florida House in Fernanina Beach

Pepper’s – Our dinner spot.

Pre-civil war home in Fernandina Beach

Tomorrow – Georgia!