Sailing, Takes Me Away...

This is what a "not so spectacular"
St. Augustine sunset looks like!!

Have you ever noticed how many songs there are about sailing? There's John Fogarty's Sail Away, the Enya classic Sail Away: Orinico Flow, my Randy Newman fave Sail Away (he often closes with it), and the Styx classic Come Sail Away.

But that's just the beginning...there are tons of sailing songs and books and movies. (I only know because I had to look up the "real" name of Enya's song and I found this huge list on wikipedia). Honestly, I don't understand intellectual copyright laws at all, because it doesn't seem like you should be able to have 100 songs with the same name.

Legalities aside, there's a reason all these singers want to harmonize about life on the high seas: it's because it's mesmerizing. It's relaxing. It's like going to another world.

Last night, the hub and I enjoyed a sunset sail with a few friends, going out with the awesome Captain Chuck and First Mate Rose Ann of St. Augustine Sailing. (That's them above...the woman in red is our friend Mrs. Locklear, whose birthday we were celebrating). We took a 41' Hunter sailboat, which has a very nice cabin below deck, as well as plenty of room for the six of us to spread out and enjoy the lazy evening.

It's hard to be uptight on a sailboat. I mean, I guess if you're on the Bounty and Fletcher Christian is coming towards you with a big rope and a pistol, it might be a little nerve-wracking. But the likelihood of that is pretty low.

A relaxing sail is so nice, in fact, that the hub thought our guests might enjoy the outing. So he put together a great package--a two hour sunset sail on a sailboat, just for two people (plus the crew, of course--you don't want to help sail the boat). It's a totally blissful getaway, and it's only $129 with a three-weeknight stay. You can see all the details on our website.

If you're interested in learning more about the package, just give us a call at 904.824.4301. We'll be happy to give you the whole scoop.

Unless, of course, we're out sailing. (Check out some of the photos from our trip below...and yes, all of the photos on this blog are really from our trip. And Rose Ann apologized that it wasn't a spectacular sunset!)

The marina on Vilano Beach is beautiful in its own right.
 Our captain's favorite boat name? THE LAST BOAT #4.

The dolphins followed us all night--I didn't even have to zoom for this shot.

Saint Augustine: Beautiful any time of day!

Now THIS is Living: Saint Augustine Named One of Most Liveable Cities

Top 10 Cities for Historic Preservation

Photo: Glenn Hastings/Destination Style

Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL

5

In 1999 Florida's Department of Transportation declared one of the countries most unique bridges structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. This led to a debate over whether to tear down the Bridge of Lions, which is St. Augustine's most famous landmark. City leaders and preservationists waged a campaign to save the bridge and won with a five-year, approximately $77 million effort.
"Our historic buildings are a core value to our city," says Nancy Sikes-Kline, a city commissioner and member of the Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine. "It's why a lot of people move here. It's what we're most identified with, our Spanish Colonial architecture."
St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and considered the oldest city in the country, and includes structures that date back to the early 1600s. It is the site of the oldest aid-to-sea navigation in North America, a watchtower build in the late 1500s, that has been replaced by a tower built in 1874.
Historic properties located within the city's seven nationally recognized historic districts are protected by strong city codes. Sikes-Kline says those codes go so far as restricting the colors of paint used on old homes and even the types of door knobs.
"I think that gives people security in knowing that their neighborhood is going to increase in value and remain stable," Sikes-Kline says. "It's also a quality of life issue. Everything will be well maintained."
Number of Properties on the National Register of Historic Places (including districts): 37
Accolades:
• Top 10 Prettiest Towns Forbes, 2012
Historic Landmarks: Ponce de Leon Hall at Flagler College (1888), Castillo de San Marcos (1695), Old St. Johns County Jail (1891), Bridge of Lions (1927)

 

http://livability.com/top-10/top-10-cities-for-historic-preservation-/st.-augustine/fl?fb_ref=.T8GeHbpmt-o.like&fb_source=timeline

Your Fairy "Tail" Wedding

And they call it "puppy love"!

I saw this blog today in the Huffington Post, asking whether dogs should be included in wedding ceremonies.

We've had several pups-of-honor during our weddings at the inn--as long as the couple doesn't want to tie the rings to the dog's collar (it's my job to worry about what can go wrong, and there are a couple of things that make me lose sleep about that), I'm all for it! All of our first floor rooms are pet friendly, so there's no reason not to invite your best friend!!

Here's the link...as well as the full text of the post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sherry-suhosky/wedding-planning_b_1468638.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009&ref=weddings

Wedding Pets: Should I Include My Dog In My Wedding?

Posted: 05/07/2012 8:56 am

It is becoming increasingly popular for brides and grooms to customize their wedding to express the one-of-a-kind love they share. From first dance flash mobs to portraits with the pets, a wedding is a couple's opportunity to celebrate their relationship with family, friends and even Fido.

Many couples are joining the growing trend of incorporating their pet into their wedding; they are imagining the playful candid shots the photographer can capture and the great frame that will adorn each picture on the living room wall. Thoughts of Fido frolicking with you and your new husband on the happiest day of your life can certainly paint a beautiful picture.

Unfortunately, the muddy paw prints on your once spotless wedding dress seem to paint a more realistic picture -- and one you would rather avoid. As a professional pet sitter, I can guarantee that if the right preparations aren't made for your pet, you'll be in for a wild ride of unfortunate events.

Very few brides imagine their wedding to be a day filled with chaos and pandemonium. And even for the ones who do see the champagne glass as half empty, they still hope for the best. I'll never forget the couple whose dog gave in to the temptation of his sweet tooth. That's right; the pup pounced on the gorgeous wedding cake at the outdoor reception and literally dove right in. Although now it may seem like a funny story worth repeating, the couple was mortified at the time.

As you prepare for your wedding and review every detail: the décor, the dinner, the dancing... don't forget the dog -- or cat. Before Fido or Fluffy can strut their stuff down the aisle, make sure your pet is properly prepared for the event ahead. It is not uncommon for brides and grooms to overlook the possibility of their furry friend getting a case of cold feet/paws on the Big Day. Although you may take pride in your pet as the friendliest of fur balls and boast about his track record of good behavior, there's nothing like an overwhelming crowd of wedding guests to chase away Mr. Charming.

Luckily, there's still time to prepare your pooch for his best performance yet. With a little help from a professional pet sitter, he can be the loveable, well-behaved, four-legged guest of honor he was meant to be!

Brides and grooms should confirm that pets are welcome in the church or facility hosting your wedding ceremony. If there is a strict policy prohibiting pets, not even the saddest of puppy-dog eyes will help bend the rules. A fellow pet sitter who was hired to escort a couple's pup to the church for their wedding ceremony ended up walking the dog for several blocks as they waited for the wedding party to exit for pictures. Unfortunately, the bride and groom didn't confirm that their dog would be allowed inside. Instead, they assumed it wouldn't be a problem.

For every horror story, there's a fairytale that outweighs the cringe-worthy weddings of others. Several members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) have shared their positive experiences with me -- weddings where everything goes well and Fido isn't face-first in the fondant.
The common factor is the couple's extensive preparation.

Follow this check list to prepare for your Big Day:

The Pet Parents' Check List of Dos and Don'ts before the Big "I Do"
• DO have realistic expectations of your pet. Even the most well-mannered pup may let out a bark or two
• DO hire a professional pet sitter -- keeping tabs on Fido and Fluffy does not have to be your job!
• DO prepare a travel bag of must-haves for your pet (include treats, toys and comfort items). Your pet sitter will be sure Fido and all his accessories make it safely to the ceremony and back home
• DON'T stress! Ok, this may be an unrealistic tip -- but you can at least reduce your stress. You're the bride... no one expects you to be superwoman!
Also consider the following before including your pet in your wedding:

Pet Behavior
Consider your pet's personality and behavior. Is he obedient and well trained? Will he feel comfortable around your guests? Professional pet sitters with experience incorporating pets into weddings are available to be your pup's care taker for the day. You'll have more than enough on your mind; the last thing you need to worry about is your pet's performance.

Style vs. Safety
If you plan to accessorize your pet with wedding day attire, be sure it fits properly and doesn't create discomfort. Don't jeopardize safety for style! A fancy new collar may be all your pooch needs to make his look extra special.
When the ceremony concludes, give your furry guest of honor an after party of his own. Your professional pet sitter can safely escort your pup home while you enjoy the wedding reception; you'll have the flexibility you need to socialize with guests, without neglecting the needs and comfort of your pet.

Your Moment of Zen

This is the view from our second story porch.

Not bad, huh?

Super Moon 2012

There's so much about Saint Augustine that's absolutely super: the romantic brick-lined streets, the fort, the wonderful Bayfront Marin House Inn.

Tonight, it's the moon that's super. It's 14% bigger than usual, and 30% brighter. I have to say, it's normally lovely, but it was nice to see so many people stopping to appreciate it tonight.

I hope you enjoyed it, too...wherever you were watching from.