Fernandina Beach, FL - Day 201-203

April 1-3
Day 201-203

Well, they're at it again!  We arrived in Fernandina Beach, FL and they were so glad to see us that they brought out a live band and threw a street festival to welcome us.

Don't I wish.

We walked around this quaint town a lot and saw a number of the Victorian era homes and buildings for which it is known.  This is the oldest operating hotel in Florida.

The Green Turtle restaurant chain is one of my son Michael's favorites, but I bet he's never seen one like this!

We were not sure what this was.  Sharon went up and rang the bell, but nobody answered.  We later found out that it is a private residence.

We went to Mass at St. Michael's.  The original building was built in 1872 and was remodeled just last year.  The priest, Fr. Jose (pronounced Joe's, not Ho-say) was from India and comes from a Christian community there established by St. Thomas, who was also the subject of today's gospel.

This man has decorated the front of his house with his artwork of shells, walking sticks, and various other handcrafted items.  The red, white, and blue shells hung on strings form an American flag.  He says he went to "the art school of life."

Just another Victorian home that we found interesting.

This is the St. Michael's school that was apparently closed for a number of years and has recently reopened.  Parishioners say that Fr. Jose has revitalised and saved this parish.

This is an unusual looking Hampton Inn.

There was even a distillery two blocks from the marina but we did not tour it.