Florida - Dolphin Tour

Today we are scheduled to go out on a Dolphin Watch Cruise with our friend Jean and a group from her neighborhood.  It is starting out nice.

 Jean put her back out so wasn't able to come with us.  It is an overcast and cool day - a high of only 71.  We arrive at the docks.

 The Pelicans are just hanging out.

 I hope this guy has a legitimate business cause this boat name isn't going to help him if he get's caught embezzling or selling drugs.

 And our boat for the tour is right next door.

Not a full boat so room to wander around

 But this 90 footer probably has more.

  and were are off!

More lazy Pelicans

The Saint Augustine Lighthouse

 and the Freedom Schooner goes by

 A view to the Ocean - Vilano Beach is to the Left and 

Anastasia Island is to the Right.

 A view of Downtown St. Augustine - the Treasury Building on the Left, the smaller building to the right is the Lightener Museum and the two towers are Flagler College

and of course Castillo de San Marcos

 The consequences of driving a boat while impaired

 Still no Dolphins but some Snowy Egrets

 A Kingfisher on the hunt

and an Osprey in the crows nest looking for a meal.

Off he goes

  and rests in a tree on shore

 A couple of Ibises

 and more Pelicans

On  the final stretch back to the dock 2 dolphins are finally spotted - of course I was on the other side of the boat but managed this parting shot.

and back to the beginning

Didn't get to see a bunch of Dolphins but it was a nice boat tour with informative staff.  Not a bad way to spend a gray day.

Florida - Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

It is a beautiful day so we pack up the bikes and head to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

 We pass by the River to Sea Preserve - we had done the ocean side before but not the River side so we go in to check it out.

We decide to walk the trails a bit

We get into a jungle of palms and oaks

The trails are confusing numbers and colors but we have no idea where they go except I  believe the little wave marks may take us to the River

Finally we find a trail map

The boys enjoy a view of the River and a breeze

Time to head out

Next arrive at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park just down the road.

Owen and Louise Young bought the property in 1937 from General Joseph Hernandez who had purchased it in 1818.  Mrs. Young donated the property to the State after her husband's death in 1964.

The Visitor's center was the Winter cottage of Owen and Louise Young. 

They built along the Matanzas River instead of the Beach Side for the protection of the Oak Hammock Forest and the Sunsets on the River and Marsh

A nice place to fish or just relax along the breakwall

We arrive at the formal gardens - the Rose Garden which has just been pruned

They saved a few in vases

and left this beauty

A Reflecting Pond

and lush plantlife

Bridges

Bird of Pardise

Ornamental Cabbages

and Majestic Oaks

Camelias were in bloom

 As well as Azaleas

We brought the bikes so may as well use them

Stopped at the Gift Shop but it was closed.  It was the original Caretakers Residence.  It had a smokehouse. 

We ride the bikes down the Old Highway A1A

and catch a trail through the Maritime Hammock

On our way out we stop at the Beach Side

It is quite windy

Looks like High Hazard and dangerous Marine Life

So we opt out of a Beach Walk