Adventures with Pajama Dave...

What is it about having company that helps you see more of your town than you ever have on your own? I've lived in Fernandina for nearly three years now, yet in the past two days I've seen more of it and learned more about it than I have in all the time I've lived here. Thanks to a visit from mom and Kathleen!

Today we ventured out to take a boat ride from Amelia Island out to Cumberland Island, captained by the aforementioned Pajama Dave. It was a pretty awesome day scenery-wise.

Shrimp Boats

Paper Mill

Pippi Longstocking's House.

Boat. Someone should take a look at this thing.

Boy fishing.

Fishing with Ft. Clinch in the background.

Fishing with Ft. Clinch in the background.

Ft. Clinch. We walked here from the beach house yesterday. 10 miles round trip according to our calculations.

Patriotism.

Freaking submarine right off our shore! There were lots of escort boats around, making sure no one got too close. 

Seamen on deck. Been waiting all day to say that one.

AND NOW FOR THE FLYING STINGRAYS!!!
Apparently, it is prime time for mating season, and in Cumberland Sound, this can only mean one thing: Sting Rays flying out of the water to attract mates. I've never seen anything like it.

Dolphins. We heard the navy releases dolphins into the channel ahead of the submarine as scouts. Definitely wasn't listening to why or how or what they're sent out to scout. I got distracted by dolphins. And Submarines.

Horse on Cumberland.

Of course.

Did you know that the Island has a netting factory that manufactures the backstop/batting cage type nets for 85% of major league baseball teams? Me neither. It's crazy. They used to make shrimping nets but switched over to sport netting in the 70's when the shrimping industry took a hit. These guys outfit Major League baseball, but also tons of college teams. 

Kathleen, nice factory worker man, and Mom admiring the nets.

It's nice to know how much there is to explore and see in your own town sometimes. I'm pretty grateful I got the chance to see all of this today. And to watch Kathleen, running barefoot to flag down the mailman to ask directions to the net plant. I'm really glad I got to see that. Just like old times.