Florida

A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses

This column is dedicated to acknowledging the examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus — our town.

Perhaps it’s just what we read or have seen in movies. I really don’t know why going to Florida on spring break is so special, but this year we went. Now that it’s over, there are some facts that I’d like to pass along. Our destination was St. Agustine, Florida.

As their Chamber of Commerce would say, it is simply enchanting. According to House Beautiful, it’s one of the best small towns in the United States, and of course, it is the oldest. There are a lot of historic buildings, and their architecture is overwhelming.

The college in St Augustine, Flagler, has some of the finest buildings one could imagine. There is a beach close to the intracoastal waterway (without having bought a new bathing suit, I simply enjoyed the view).

The parking is next to impossible. Thus, the trolleys are significant. The architecture of the churches is outstanding. It’s interesting to know that a town like this can charge a hefty fee for motel accommodations and by hefty, I mean the $300 range. Thank goodness for reward points.

The restaurants were more than enchanting. Many had garden areas and heaters to ward off the evening chill. Lighting and torches added to the ambience. The menus were extensive with an emphasis on seafood.

Our favorite across from the beach was Harry’s. We were shown some favoritism by the waiter – wheelchairs sometimes do have their advantages. One of our lunches on the oldest street in town was shocking to me. When I asked for crackers with my soup, the four crackers added three dollars to the tab. Oh well, I actually left two on the plate so... lesson learned.

This trip to St. Augustine and back home was over 2,000 miles and for the record, Galveston is 130 miles from Columbus. The only items lost on the trip were a couple of designer magazines. Bob came home with a suitcase full of clean clothes. His equation for changing shirts is generally about 3 days. I have to admit, he has some nice “beachy” shirts. The first day in St. Augustine, we found a delightful ladies’ boutique. After meeting the owner, I simply had to mention the outstanding collection of inventories she had collected.

As a Chamber member, I thought it appropriate to invite her to Texas. Her response was quick and positive. “I would love to move to Texas, my boyfriend is in Dallas.” Note, my search for a new bathing suit was still in high gear. It was really a joke. Bob found a perfect one at Bucees in Baytown on the way home. Grass is sometimes greener in your own backyard.