Yes, here I am after almost 3 years of silence, yankeeindixie.blog is back from the dead. I will be updating everyone about my time before, during and after I cheated death in a three part series. Right now it is January 14, 2023 and I am sitting in a Holiday Inn in St. Augustine, Florida after taking a long weekend trip to clear my head and to write. I left the island at noon and arrived here in Florida. I had previously contacted a friend down here who i met several weeks ago at Coconutz. I will just call her Madison. She was sitting next to me at trivia night and here I was next to this beautiful blonde with the most sparkly eyes and the most beautiful smile. I was, of course, too shy to say hello but she started talking to me. we joined up as a team with another gentleman and we actually finished second. Lucking the categories were kind to us and it was a fun night.
We kept in touch and to my delight, she was free last night for dinner. After checking in, I grabbed a shower and a shave and ventured out to a local place called Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille. It is one of the more popular places here in St. Augustine in the historic section. St. Augustine is a beautiful old city founded in 1565 by the Spanish admiral Pedro Menendez de Alives. I won’t bore you with a history lesson so I will move on. Back to Harry’s. It is a Cajun/Creole restaurant, wich at 7 was packed. The old town has very narrow streets and next to no on street parking. I found a $10 lot and left my car, which was a block away. As I was walking, Madison happened to drive by me and directed her to the same lot. It was not only cold out but extremely windy so the warmth of the restaurant was welcomed. We made our way upstairs to the bar to wait for a table, and we met these two ladies from Boston, who we chatted with and then were able to have their seats. We decided to just eat at the bar and drinks were ordered as we inspected the menu. She ordered to Louisiana Fondeaux and Shrimp and Grits, and I had the Boudin (sausage) Balls and the French Baked Scallops. Needless to say the food was amazing and plentiful and we were stuffed. As I sat there, I kept thinking to myself how amazing she was and how comfortable it was just to sit, talk and have a delicious dinner. She is from upstate NY and is looks very much like Daryl Hannah and I often joke that my blessing in life is to surrounded by such beautiful women. Ok, back to my story. After dinner and declining dessert, she recommended a small club down the street called the Trade Winds Tropical Lounge. There was a band playing there, so I was eager to go and check it out, and I do need stuff to write about, right?
After walking in, it was mobbed and a band called “Live Stream” was playing classic rock. Has anyone else noticed that guys in these bands are more and more resembling the commercial for AARP, where a high school band from the 70’s are now grey and can still rock the shit out of a place? Well they did!! One of the best bands I have heard in a long time. We got some drinks and were able to get a couple of stools to sit. We chatted with some other people there, nice people who also remember 1980. I did post a clip of “Enter the Sandman” on Facebook for SD (see previous posts for more info) and by 11 we both decided to call it a night, She had plans for Saturday and I had made plans to visit the distilleries here to pick up some goodies to take home.
Here I am writing about last night again feeling so blessed that God (yes I have proof he exists) has allowed me to meet some amazing people and I cherish their friendships. Off to shower again to explore the town with its 39 degree wind chill and 19 mph NW winds.
Ok, now Saturday evening and i had a very pleasant day. Layed around until almost noon and my first stop was the St. Augustine Distillery. I sampled their bourbons and bought their medium and their deluxe issue. The former I will share but I confess the latter will be for the most special occasion and person to share it with. I also got a couple of t-shirts to replace a precious one that is stained beyond hope. The New York term is schmutz. Sauces and tomato based condiments are not my friend while eating. Those who know me need no explanation.
By 2pm, I was in need of food, since I only had some Triscuits in my room. Parking was a nightmare but I did find a $10 lot at a local church. I was in the mood to sample some bbq and Yelp recommended a place called Mojo Old City BBQ. I opted for the bar and ordered the ribs. They were delicious and fell off the bone. They don’t drown them in sauce and you can choose to add your sauce of choice. The staff was friendly and I got another t-shirt.
I decided to walk around the shops and there was a wine bar called Bin 39. The other distillery there had too long of a line so I decided to skip it. Luckily the wind subsided and a break was needed. This place was cozy with wine flights but I chose a Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. It as called Selby and it was a delightful choice. I love to people watch so I went back outside and sat on a bench. The old town was very busy with many large groups of people, who were enjoy the sunshine, and having a good time.
As the sun began to set I passed a place in one of the old buildings called The Milltop Tavern and Listening Room, who had live music coming out of it. I ventured upstairs and grabbed a small table near the stage and ordered a White Claw and some pretzel bites. After a while, my energy was starting to wain and the process of finding my car, which was parked about a half mile away began.
After a lovely walk, I found my car and drove back to the hotel and sat at the bar for a nightcap and watch the football game. Chatted with some other guests, I went to my room to finish watching the Jags make a great comeback and then fell asleep.
Sunday proved to be a more lazy day and I decided to leave the Fort for another trip. My ankle was getting a workout so I decided to rest until the afternoon. Once I was ready, I headed back to the same lot to park, which was centrally located and only about a 1/4 mile from the old town. I wondered around for a while, window shopped and decided to take the advice of Madison and eat at the River and Fort restaurant. It was on the river, across from the fort (duh), and the sun was shining and the winds had died down.
After requesting an outside table facing the river (spectacular views btw), I ordered a delicious Argentinian malbec and some appetizers instead of a full meal. First came the French onion soup and fried green tomatoes, which we both absolutely delicious and while I was eating, Madison sent me a text that the Space X rocket was about to launch. I was able to see it disappear into the clouds and thus witnessed my first space launch. I then ordered an appetizer of sticky ribs.I managed not to schmutz on my new shirt and paid my bill to continue my evening.
I read that the band Live Stream was going to be back at the Trade Winds again so I made my over there and to my delight, I was able to sit at a table. The band was again awesome playing classic rock and I pursued my favorite pastime of people watching. There were several birthday group and close to the end of the night there was a group of semi drunk women sitting next to me. What is with me and drunk women, where I am like a bug light? They seem to gravitate my way with no encourage from me. One attractive woman commented that I must be mean because my arms were crossed. I was chilly and trying to keep warm. My leather jacket was too much to wear and it was no big deal. Another women said “mean”? Look at him, he’s adorable”.If I could only convert those complements into a touch down or at least a field goal. (you figure out the analogy). I had to get back to the lot by midnight to get my car so my evening ended on a high notewith a few Screwball shots to warm me I made it back to my hotel in minutes and went to sleep.
Monday was a travel day and the traffic wasn’t bad, except for northern Georgia where an accident was cleared but had some residual back ups. Thus an end to a wonderful weekend and my first post in almost three years and it is good to be back.
Stay tuned for my three part recap of my absence and many more funny adventures. I have made some new friends and the people and going to make writing about them easy.
Best wishes
John Scarso aka NY John
Hilton Head Island S.C .
1/17/23
Yankee in Dixie 