TwoGether

Saturday 12/17/11

National Weather Service, Jacksonville, FL

Today: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind between 7 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

When we checked the weather last evening there was nothing about gust as high as 26 mph.  SHUCKY-DARN…It looks like we are “stuck” here in St. Marys.  I think Linda hacked into the NWS website and added the part about gusts.  She was hoping we could spend a whole day here walking around the town.  I kind of wanted to see the Submarine Museum myself but we arrived too late yesterday.  Of all the bad luck!!

The name Lang and St. Marys are synonymous.  Apparently a Mr. Lang owns the majority of the waterfront.  There is Lang’s Marina East, Lang’s Marina West, Lang's Charters, Lang’s Seafood Market, Lang’s Seafood Market Restaurant, and “Lang’s Pride”, a shrimp boat which very likely caught the seafood we had for supper last night. Even the Waterfront Park is on land donated to the town  by Mr. Lang.  While we didn’t have the privilege of meeting him we met someone he grew up with.

Meet Nat Wilson. He is the Dock Master at Lang’s Marina.  Mr. Wilson is 81 years young, works seven days a week, seems to be in great health and is the epitome of a southern gentleman.  Soft spoken, easy going, with a warm smile and a quiet persona that just makes you feel at home. He was born and raised here and grew up with Mr. Lang who is a few years older.  

This morning, when I was on my way to see Mr. Wilson and pay for another nights slip rent, I spotted a reddish-brown fur ball that squealed at me twice and dove into the water.  I think I was startled as much as it was.  My first thought was muskrat.  Later I found out there are river otters living around the marina.  Unfortunately I never got a glimpse of one again.

The two main streets are St. Marys Street and Osborne Street. Where the two intersect on the waterfront, there is a public pavilion which becomes the site of the Community Market on Saturday mornings.   You will find local vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, free range eggs, all kinds of baked goods, quiche, local honey, homemade jewelry, and tote bags.  After taking in a few sights we were drawn back to the market where we picked up honey, Key Lime pie (my favorite) and Pineapple Crunch Loaf Cake and Sweet-tater Pie. Linda and I have both lost a few pounds since this adventure started but I can see that going by the wayside.

On St. Marys Street you will find the St. Marys Submarine Museum, the Riverside Café, The Shark Bite Bar and Grill and the numerous Lang enterprises.

Osborne Street has several old homes and inns which are now bed and breakfasts, boutiques, cafes and the bank.  Also there is the Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Chapel.  All of this is cloaked in live oaks draped with Spanish moss and cabbage palms.

The Cumberland Island National Seashore Park offers a ferry that will take you to Cumberland Island for camping, hiking, bird watching and other nature lover’s activities.  The land, which is the site of the Carnegie family’s mansion Dungeness (now in ruins),, was donated to the Park Service with the stipulation that the horses would be allowed to roam free on the island.  Generations of horses later they are wild and fend completely for themselves. 

Waterfront Park is a beautiful place to sit on one of the swings and relax while watching children playing and lovers strolling along the promenade.

I’m not sure what happened to those 26 mph gust.  I never noticed them.  Maybe Linda is more computer savvy than she lets on…..?