The Post Office and Customs House in Fernandina Historic District

Just off the Florida coast, Amelia Island offers lovely secluded beaches, Southern charm and wildlife that includes sea turtles, dolphins and manatees.  This 13-mile island paradise also supplies a chance to view the remnants of  its fascinating history. The Fernandina Historic District consists of  50 blocks of  late Victorian architecture, including the depot for Florida’s first cross state railroad, a saloon with the interior built by the founder of Anheuser Busch and Florida’s oldest operating hotel, which hosted President Ulysses S. Grant ans  Cuban poet Jose Marti. Read More »

UpTake on soaring pelicans

White oval stickers with black capital letters HMB are proudly affixed to many car bumpers in my “neck of the coastline.” I have one stuck to my laptop and many people ask what it stands for. I often reply with “Heaven Made Better” because that is how Half Moon Bay makes me and my diggity-dogs feel.

This ‘UpTake’ was snapped by yours truly while taking a stroll on Maverick’s Beach with my furry four-legged companions, Lupe and Paolo. It was a beautiful and warm day with just little layer of clouds in the sky. The tide was out, people were picnicking and dogs were happily running in the sand, tails wagging and slobber flying! While my dogs were sniffing in racks of washed up kelp, I was basking in the moment. I looked up to the sky with my camera and these pelicans were soaring overhead in the sunlight. *sigh* Life is good. Wag more, bark less (another familiar bumper sticker).

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The best part about extra hands...

Did you know that The Empire Strikes Back came out 30 years ago? Hurts, doesn’t it? Okay, you’re old, but you look great. Let’s move on. The anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back is just one of the Star Wars celebrations happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during their Star Wars Weekends.

Star Wars Weekends are celebrated at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting today! That’s right, if you want to go you need to find a ship that can get you there in less than twelve parsecs.  Or you can go next weekend.  Here are the dates: May 21-23 and 28-30, June 4-6 and 11-13.

Perhaps you are wondering what Disney has to do with Star Wars.  The two pop-culture powerhouses have been friendly since the Star Tours ride opened at Disneyland in 1987.  It’s a relationship that has continued to grow and blossom over the years — apparently, and I speak from experience, there is a lot of crossover appeal between Disney and Star Wars fans. Go figure.

Star Wars Weekends celebrate the six films as well as the current animated series The Clone Wars (which, IMHO, is pretty awesome). In addition to everything you would normally expect from a Walt Disney World vacation you are also able to join Jedi Knights, Sith Lords and the rest of your Star Wars favorites for shows, parades, presentations, autographs (FASTPASS available outside front gate entrance for celebrity autographs) and anything else the Force has in store. Read More »

Beers across America

Beer lovers, unite! This week has been American Craft Beer Week, but don’t fret if you’ve missed any of the festivities — this weekend is beer-filled and then some!

The annual American Craft Beer Week runs through the 23rd of May and celebrates small and independent craft brewers.  Promotions in most states run throughout the “Mother of all Beer Weeks.”  Check the official website for beer events in your area. Read More »