Our day started with a morning walk on Crescent Beach at sunrise – the beach never looks bigger than when everyone’s still sleeping in. Mom even let me off the leash since no one was around to see (shhh, don’t tell!). I didn’t chase a single seagull, scout’s honor. Dad found a shark’s tooth, and I smelled, well, everything! It was invigorating!
We went for a 15-minute car ride to downtown historic St. Augustine and found the perfect parking spot in an attended lot near Flagler College on Cordova Street. Just steps away, Mom and Dad enjoyed amazing biscuits in the backyard seating area of Maple Street Biscuit Company. Afterward, we walked down St. George Street to Faux Paws, and I enjoyed my own (actually, it was two biscuits, but who’s counting, we are on vacation)! We had a photo opportunity there, so I posed like a good boy. Everyone along the brick-lined street told me how cute I was, so I felt mighty fine!
As we headed back towards Beacher’s Lodge, we stopped off at Ron Parker Dog Park to check out the island pup vibe (which turned out to be not as hoity-toity as some of their tails claimed).
After playing with my newfound friends, my rumbling tummy signaled it was lunchtime, so we stopped on St. Augustine beach at Cafe II. I ordered the beef and shells from their “Bone Appetit” menu, and I caught Dad eyeing my frosty paws® dessert cup.
I thought we were going home for a nap, but instead, we went a bit further south to Washington Oaks. At the beachside park, we climbed on rocks and scared the little mole crabs back into their sand holes.
On the intracoastal side of the park, we strolled the trails under the wooded canopy, Mom and Dad sat on a bench to enjoy views of the intracoastal waterway and of course we stopped to smell the roses.
As an afternoon treat, we headed over to Treaty Park Dog Park where I introduced myself to the neighborhood pups and shared a drink at the watering station, we took advantage of the rest of the 47 acres of park with a stroll along the boardwalk overlooking a pond. Mom said it was best to let the ducks enjoy their sunbathing without disturbance.
Then, we went back to the beach to enjoy dinner on the oceanside patio at the Beachcomber. Tucked in behind a sand dune, Dad wore his flip flops, and Mom enjoyed a fancy beach drink while they talked about what was in store for tomorrow–something about a boat ride on St. Augustine Eco Tours and taking me on the Red Train, not the Green Trolley (but honestly, I can’t tell the difference). Since I had beef at lunch and an extra biscuit in the morning, I opted for the doggy chicken (after all, it is bathing suit season). We all got full bellies, sand between our toes, and salty ocean-air hair!
After such a busy day, Mom said I had to wash up at Soggy Doggy, directly across the street from Beacher’s Lodge! We just made it in time for the last self-serve wash at 5:30 pm. I cleaned up real good so I could cozy up with Mom & Dad in our pet friendly condo!
And finally, back to our suite at Beacher’s Lodge, catching all the colors of the sunset from the open-air walkway leading to our front door. Dad brought my bed from home out onto the balcony just outside the living room sliding glass door. Mom and Dad relaxed for a while as we listened to the sound of the waves and watched the moonlight dance up the shoreline and tickle the tops of the swaying sea oats…and, well, that’s all I remember… until I started chasing those ducks on the pond from earlier, but it was ok because it was only in my doggy dreams.
