Yo Ho Ho… Where’s My Bottle of Rum?

Radio commercials are weird. This afternoon, I heard the same commercial for hair loss a number of times. The company was called IHRS. Try saying that out loud with a bit of a slur and a heavy southern accent and see if it sounds a little funny to you. It sure sounded funny to me, in my delirious driving state.

There was another commercial that was along the lines of: “Have you been buying cheap raisins? Try this: stuff half your face with a regular raisin, and half your face with a *name brand* raisin.”

I then realized the word was razor, and it was about shaving, not stuffing your face.

Next road trip, the vehicle needs a CD drive or better radio. Goals!

This morning started with stops at three thrift stores, and a couple of small purchases. Hope Thrifts was my first stop – a dingy place with stuff everywhere, and a plethora of red blazers. Next up was a Salvation Army store with an interesting selection of board games. Third stop was Goodwill – hold up – Goodwill with a Hobby Lobby next door? And a Steak n’ Shake in the same lot? Well, I may as well just park it here for awhile.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Full of food and discounted Christmas goods from Hobby Lobby (about $3 for a cute sign, broken nutcracker, two broken ceramic trees, and a place card holder – but don’t worry, I have plans for them for a Crumbs Christmas display!) it was time to get moving.

I landed in St. Augustine with only one stop planned, but quickly realized I could spend a lot of time there. Had I known I would have moved faster at the thrift stores this morning! The town reminded me of a cross between Wisconsin Dells and a less sleazy Vegas. A very walkable downtown with a ton of shops and businesses, and a ton of adorable B&Bs.

• 

• 

• 

Yarrr! Land ho! That’s my stop.

This place was well reviewed on Atlas Obscura, but when I told the parking lot attendant where I was headed, his review was “eh, it’s okay.” I went in with mixed expectations. It was extremely dark, with no flash photography permitted, but it was a fun place to kill an hour or so.

I fired a cannon (by holding a magnetic stick to a trigger), heard an audio show about Blackbeard’s treasure, and did a scavenger hunt in return for my very own pirate treasure!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I think the coolest part of the museum was one of two surviving original Jolly Roger flags from 1850.

Oh, and that scavenger hunt I mentioned? The guide told me if I completed it, I would earn a piece of pirate’s treasure. The hunt consisted of finding drawers and cupboards with the Jolly Roger skull and crossbones on them, and listing the items inside. I knew it was meant for kids, but it was a fun, immersive way to explore the museum. Though I couldn’t have prepared myself for this, uh, astounding treasure.

• 

• 

Treasure in hand, I meandered around St. Augustine in the dusk. It’s a place that would be worth discovering in the daytime, with more time to spend. As it was, I walked down the main streets, and stopped into only three or four shops.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Back at the parking lot, I hid another rock before trying to find a hotel for the night. My travel wifi went out earlier today, and so I attempted a few places I had coupons for, which were completely booked up (at least according to the folks at the desk when I showed them the coupon).

A crummy Econolodge about a half hour away was the answer. It’s where I’m now sitting, watching cartoons and trying not to touch the floor with bare feet.

Tomorrow it’s back to Boynton Beach to spend my last couple of days in Florida with the folks and my aunt and uncle who are visiting. I’m looking forward to being back, it’s been a long few days of driving.

On the other hand, I’m not looking forward to getting back to the snow in Thunder Bay. At least I have nothing immediately planned, so I can cozy up with a cup of tea and dream of warmer days!