We are just about out of Florida, but before we go, how about a few more
Florida facts? Tough. You're going to get them anyway!
Pounce de Leon sailed around Florida in 1513. He stopped at what is now
St. Augustine. Old Pouncey didn't stay. No Fountain of Youth. In 1565, St.
Augustine was "established" and thus became the "oldest continuously
inhabited settlement" in the US, according to one source. Native Americans
may have an argument against that.
It is almost like no one wanted the place. Spain traded it to England
(1763) to get back Cuba. Then Spain got it back in 1783. Finally, Spain sold
it to the US (swamps, mosquitoes, alligators and all) in 1819. Such a
bargain. They probably were enjoying the joke on the gringos...and may still
be, for all I know. There probably are a few more trades in there that I've
forgotten. Of course, all this trading and selling is going on with no one
checking with the people all ready living there. And some of them are only
living there because they'd been chased out of Georgia and South Carolina by
other traders and sellers.
Oh, and there is the little matter of the great Andrew Jackson starting a
war with the Seminoles in 1817. Makes great reading if you can find a history
book that tells the truth. (Hint: Jackson doesn't come off looking too good.)
By 1845, Florida had achieved Statehood and promptly becomes the 3rd
State to "drop out" just before the Civil War (or War of Northern Aggression,
depending upon which side you favor). Florida's role in the Civil War also
makes an interesting read, if you have time to get out from under the Mini.
Then came Flagler and his railroad (visit his mansion, if you get a
chance), and then came "The Mouse." The rest is history...until global
warming takes over!
BACK TO THE TRIP
Sunday morning the 13th dawned too early for the three of us. After a
quick tour of where Mike and Joyce live/work (words fail me...and I couldn't
take pictures!), Mike and I headed for the garage. Mike donated a head gasket
set (can't figure out why I didn't pack one), applied some fresh RainX to the
windscreen (Rain? In Florida?), the obligatory photos were taken, and we
headed off to one of the garages where Mike has some of his Minis stored.
That's not one of Mike's cars in the background. He has more class. For a BIG car, he has an
old Buick Wildcat!
The first car I saw was an incredible Blower Bentley...the real thing,
but not Mike's! Mike told stories while I tried not to drool on the
paintwork. If you meet him, get him to tell you the story of the BB and the
race with the punks in the hopped up Honda.
Not a Mini by any definition!
Also not Mike's!
Among the cars in the garage that do belong to Mike is a nice Mascot (I'd
only seen one or two ever and now I've seen two in two days!), and the famous
MiniSota! Mike has been doing a lot of work on the car and everything done
will make it look even better. Now, if he can only get enough time to finish
it... His tow car, the Buick Wildcat, was also there, but I didn't have a
lens with a wide enough angle to get it all in!
A rare (in the US) Mini Mascot
The MiniSota hiding out in the corner.
After going out for breakfast, I took my leave after an all too short
stay and headed on down the road, or up the road, depending upon how you look
at it. I blundered my way north on I-4 enjoying it about as much as I-95 and
finally escaped on Highway 17. Not perfect, but better. I followed 17 until
East Palatka (I'm not making these names up, folks) and took off NE on 207 to
St. Augustine. If you get a chance, this is a city you should see. If I get a
chance I'm going to see it, too. Someone forgot to tell the tourists that
August is off season in Florida and the place was packed. I found the old
fort I wanted to visit but after circling the parking lot (all metered, by
the way) several times without finding a place to park, I gave up and found
my way out on A1A.
Now, A1A can be a good road to drive and sightsee in may places along the
Florida coast. If usually follows the narrow strip of land on the east side
of the Intercoastal Waterway. (Remind me to tell you about a Mini owner who
jet skied from Virginia to Florida down the Intercoastal!) This section
wasn't bad and made up a little for the St. Augustine disappointment. Don't
think however, that you are going to see lots of sandy beaches. Although you
are often very close to the Atlantic there is usually a high dune, or houses,
or condos, or apartments, or something between you and the water. It's there
and close. You could lob a rock over the nearest dune and probably hit water
(not a recommended thing to do -- it seems to upset the sunbathers), but if
you want to actually see water, you'll have to park and take a walk. Oh,
yeah. And as you drive the A1A, enjoy all the "Evacuation Route" signs, and
try to remember the last time you checked the weather forecast!
Unfortunately, the A1A ran out before I ran out of Florida. I had to cut
across the big blot on the map labeled Jacksonville and ended up back on my
favorite road, I-95, again. Shortly thereafter I crossed the St. Mary's River
and found myself in Georgia. The small "Welcome to Georgia" sign was on the
bridge and there was no where to pull over for the obligatory
Mini-in-front-of-Welcome-sign. Use your imagination. I also expected to find
a "Thank You For Leaving Florida" sign, but didn't see one.
One last Florida thought. I thought there was a motorcycle helmet law in
Florida. Maybe it has been repealed because I don't think ever saw anyone
wearing a helmet. One way to look at is that this phenomenon does have
benefits. More organ donors.
On to Georgia.
Chuck Heleker
