Hey Holiday Dreamers!!

Merry Vlogmas 2023 Day Two, Baby!!

Join me on this very foggy, wet, and humid evening along the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Valley, Florida! We are watching the Annual Palm Valley Holiday Lights Boat Parade as it travels up the dark waterway. The annual tradition of boat participants spans a seven mile stretch up the Palm Valley from the south to the north. 

There’s even a Christmas light decoration contest! Boat participants have their own contest, and tons of the docks along the parade route decorate as well. There’s a separate contest to judge the best decorations of the docks!

I hope you enjoy watching the boats go by with us! This is our second time spectating this magical little parade and I absolutely love it! It’s now officially become an annual, little tradition of our own. So, thanks for sharing these special holiday memories with me!

If you are new here, go ahead and SUBSCRIBE! Welcome to a community of Dreamers! LIKE this video, and SHARE out my holiday Vlogmas content with anyone you know who needs a Christmas cup of good cheer sent their way. I’ll be hanging with you each day of Vlogmas - see you tomorrow!

Love you,
Christine

For more information on the Palm Valley Holiday Lights Boat Parade, check out their website, linked below:
http://www.palmvalleyboatparade.com/

This was filmed LIVE on Saturday, December 2, 2023 in Palm Valley, Florida under the Palm Valley Bridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway.

Livestream number 41.

#vlogmas2023 #palmvalley #vlogmas

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Hey Dreamers!!

Join me on a lovely nature exploration outing at the Castaway Island Preserve off San Pablo Road in Jacksonville, Florida! Castaway Island Preserve is part of the Timucuan Parks Foundation. On such a beautiful autumn day, as the Christmas and Holiday season is upon us, I am taking you on a lovely full point of view walking tour of this Preserve along the intracoastal waterway. 

The sun is crisp and the sky is blue. We’ll see lots of foliage, four overlooks, a scavenger hunt of animals and creatures of the marshy waterway and swamps, with lots of footprints to follow and choppers overhead. I especially love the breathtakingly beautiful white bird toward the end of the stream. It was a spectacular scene - from start to finish - and I am so glad to have you join me on this adventure as we walk 1.04 miles together in the sun.

Pets are allowed! There are plenty of picnic tables, and port-a-potties as well. Plus, there is a dock onsite with a kayak launch too. The Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days per week and there is no fee!

Castaway Island Preserve is located at:
2921 San Pablo Road South
Jacksonville, Florida 32224

Further information can be found at:
https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks/castaway-island-preserve/

This was filmed LIVE on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Livestream number 38.

#castawayislandpreserve #intracoastal #jacksonville

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I am grateful for you. Veterans need to know how important they are to our great nation. I hope that in my own small way, right here, you can know that there are people out there who appreciate you. 

America would not be free without you. So I am eternally grateful for your service. For your sacrifice. For your family's sacrifice. To keep us safe, and free.

Please share this video with any veteran that you are aware of who needs to know they are appreciated by others out there in this world. 

Happy Veterans Day 2023.

Love you,
Christine

Thank you for joining me this evening to kiss the sun goodnight with me. I hope you enjoyed this overcast sunset, including the misty, cloudly, wet, and blustery evening. As we watch boats coming and going, along the intracoastal, as we laugh at and observe some interesting looking birds, and as we express our gratitude to all American Veterans.

This was filmed LIVE on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida at the Jacksonville Beach Marina near Rotary Park.
2293 2nd Avenue North
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250.

We had dinner at:

Mavi Waterfront Bar & Grill
2309 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
https://mavijax.com/

Good news: As of this recording - Mavi is VERY pet friendly! Wahoo!

Livestream number 29.
#jaxbeach #florida #intracoastal

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Wow! This is my first visit here! And I’m so grateful I could share it with you - LIVE! I’ve never stopped at this area of the Big Talbot Island State Park in Florida before. I’ve been to other areas, but never stopped the car at this exact parking lot before. Walk along with me as we explore Big Talbot Island. 

The views alone are worth a stop y’all. Let’s explore the Intracoastal views along the waterfront. The breathtaking marshes and wetlands, and grand, plantation style homes, settled off in the distance, along the water’s edge. It was a golden, sunny afternoon, and I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

Let me know in the comments down below - have you ever been to Big Talbot Island State Park? And, either way, let me know if you loved the peaceful, serene atmosphere on full display in this magnificent setting.

I hope you are having a fabulous day everybody!

Love ya!

Christine

Filmed LIVE on Sunday, October 15, 2023 on Big Talbot Island, Florida.

Big Talbot Island State Park is located:
Florida A1A
Jacksonville, Florida 32226

#bigtalbotisland #florida #floridastateparks #intracoastal

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So - this adventure  - I am soooo happy to bring to you! 

You guys - I have crossed the St. Johns River on the Auto Ferry more times than I could have ever counted. I LOVE this Jacksonville icon with all my heart. And today, I’m actually sharing it LIVE, with YOU!

I hope you enjoy my trip across the beautiful and flowing St. Johns River, as viewed from inside the car, and from outside the car. Enjoy the sights and sounds - including the very loud boat horn. And while the pelicans may just be my favorite part of every trip across, please make sure to keep your eye open for dolphins, various birds, massive freight ships, Singleton’s Seafood Shack on the Mayport Village side, and the Sandollar Restaurant on the Fort George Island side of things.

Our fare was $8.00 for a weekend trip. Fares are one way. There are bathrooms on both sides of the river, which come in useful, especially if you are far from home, or end up waiting for the ferry for a very long time. There are also picnic tables and a viewing platform/pavilion on either side of the river. And now, I even noticed an Amazon Locker on the Mayport side during this visit! The ferry runs seven days a week, and approximately every half hour.

Have a fabulous voyage folks!

Love ya’s!
Christine

P.S. You’ve gotta check out Island Donuts in Atlantic Beach, Florida! Did the donuts I shared with you look absolutely delicious?! Check it out next time you are in town. Cost is roughly $2.00 per donut and I believe, worth every penny!

Island Donuts is located at:
363 Atlantic Blvd. Suite 6,
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233

Filmed LIVE on Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Mayport Florida, Atlantic Beach, and Fort George Island - located in the greater Jacksonville area of the Sunshine State.

#stjohnsriver #autoferry #mayport #jacksonville #islanddonuts

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Join me LIVE this golden afternoon in Mayport, Florida as we explore all the beauty surrounding us in the wetlands known as Dutton Island Preserve! This place is a must-visit if vacationing in the Jacksonville Beaches area of The Sunshine State. With views of the Intracoastal Waterway, and bridges on and off the San Pablo Island, the horizon is quite a hopeful sight to the eye here! Whether you’re a local, or a one time visitor, I highly recommend popping on over to Dutton Island Preserve. The marshes are marshy, and lands are quite wet, and that’s a good thing!

But gosh, golly, and jeaz - apparently you should not forget your bug spray when you visit! While I was not attacked by hardly any bugs, Bryan, the hubbie, got really bit up and had to run back to the car for some bug spray. He’s the one smart enough to actually keep it stocked in the car, and I’m the oblivious one, taking things one little hop at a time. So while I was not prepared for bugs, it was a very good thing we had some in the car. Don’t visit without it!

I hope you enjoy our lovely walk together. Let me know whatcha think? And if you’ve ever been here before, and do you want do visit? But most importantly, is your car continually stocked with bug spray? Let me know in the comments below.

Love ya’s!
Christine

Filmed LIVE Saturday, October 14, 2023 in Mayport, Florida.

Dutton Island Preserve is located:
793 Dutton Island Rd W
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233

#duttonisland #atlanticbeach #mayport #florida

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Hang out with me under the Palm Valley Bridge this magnificent evening! 

You know - Jacksonville really is a City Of Bridges. So much activity happens underneath them - never mind how many cars traverse the top of them. I find bridges really fascinating, and they’re quite a good hang out spot as well. Added bonus - Anywhere there’s a bridge in The Sunshine State, there will be some shade underneath. So whether you’re hiding from a hot sun and cooling off in the shade, fishing the day away, or simply enjoying the views, be sure to spend some time underneath a Florida bridge next time you’re here.

So I really hope you enjoy this evening live along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Palm Valley area of Ponte Vedra Beach. Situated between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. There’s so much nature to soak in here. Birds, jumping fish, hawks, tons and tons of little crabs scurrying about, and we just missed seeing a gator before going live. 

Plus, we had an absolutely phenomenal meal at the Palm Valley Outdoor Bar & Grill, just before we went live. We ordered the garlic shrimp appetizer, and then we both had the burger and fries for dinner. I highly recommend the Palm Valley Outdoor Bar & Grill. We’ve been there many, many times, and for some very special reasons - that I discuss on the livestream. I also wrote a blog article about this restaurant in the past, back from when restaurants reopened in 2020. So be sure to check that out, as it was the first restaurant we ate at after everything had been closed for a long while.

http://www.christinesfloridiandreams.com/christines-dreams---blog/75-the-first-supper-palm-valley-outdoors-bar-grill

The Palm Valley Outdoor Bar & Grill is located just under the Palm Valley Bridge at:
377 S. Roscoe Blvd. #2
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082

Filmed LIVE Saturday, September 30, 2023, in Palm Valley, Florida.

Thanks for being here with me, and I would LOVE for you to Subscribe if you’re new to my channel, and Like this video, if you enjoy seeing the sights and sounds of The Sunshine State.

Love y’all,
Christine

#palmvalley #intracoastal #florida

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Over the last few months, #lastsupper might have well been trending every single day.

Because with every conversation I have had with another human being - this meal - this act - was a topic of conversation…

Where was your last dinner out?

What did you order?

Who were you with?

And even - what did you talk about?

Ahh, who were you with??? Before quarantine took us all over.

Were you with the ones you are with right now?

Were you with loved ones you now have not seen in eight weeks?

Separated by an invisible plague.

A plague that is wreaking havoc on civilization itself.

Were you celebrating a special occasion during that final meal? Or was the dinner out nothing special at all?... Just another day, just another outing. Not really having given it a passing thought.

There are lots of meaningful moments in a person’s life. Many moments that, when they are taking place, the person does not know it’s the last time. That’s why the old adage…

Live each day as if it were your last.

OR

You don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone.

So, maybe now is the time to ask yourself: Are you living each day? Yes, even during quarantine. Are you fully alive? Each and every single day. Regardless of place? Circumstance? Location? Setting? Situation? Finances? Limitations? Roadblocks? Mystery? Scarcity? Hope? Fear?

I am. And I have been, living, each day.

For three years.

I am fully ALIVE.

Pandemic…

Or no pandemic.

I am alive. And I am living my very best life.

I was fully alive before the world changed, and I am extremely grateful to be fully alive during it. And I’m still completely and 100% alive, as the world awakens, opens up their front doors, and steps off their front porches… many, for the first time, in a very long time.

You see, I was already out there… standing in the street… looking inward, toward humanity, inside their houses. Just waiting for y'all to come on out again. And join me. In life.

Because life - in Florida - means fresh air. While it was winter, and a cold and rainy spring, in many areas of the country, during this horrific shutdown, living in Florida during this plague was an extra special blessing to be from God Himself.

I was able to still walk outside, and get fresh, warm air, every single day. I was able to sit on my balcony, outside, every single day. I was able to literally soak in my vitamin D. The vitamin they keep discussing in the news as being imperative to fight CoVid19.

So, I’m happy to FINALLY see and hear of many other people starting their own venture outward. Yes, even New York is seeing signs of hope and life again. So, as the weather turns warmer, and brighter, in other parts of the world, many others can now also soak in their daily vitamin D. Have their coffee on their balconies. And get outside.

I’m happy to be joined with the sea of humanity as they open their front doors.

Many are afraid.

Many are terrified.

Many are following guidelines, plans, and executive, gubernatorial orders, or newly enacted city ordinances.

And, yes, many are stepping off their front porch steps at the very same time.

So, I’m out here to say to those who are starting out right now...

Hello.

Welcome back.

And -

There’s a life to live out there.

Life is happening - whether we know it or not - whether we like it or not - and whether we want it to or not.

And life is, merely and once again, your reaction, to other actions.

I am showing you my reaction.

People are craving normalcy. People want to socialize. And people want to go out to eat.

Well, we, in Florida, were able to finally do just that.

For the first time in over two months.

We dined out.

We sat outside. We were far away from other humans. And we had a great meal. As we gazed at a gorgeous, waterfront setting.

We traveled down the winding Palm Valley Road toward the bridge.

Nestled and tucked under that large expanse of a hovering bridge is the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill. Located at 377 South Roscoe Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the location really is perfect as well.

On a bright and shiny and blue sky day, we arrived at the Grill for a lovely lunch outing.

We planned our outing to go earlier in the day, rather than later. My work schedule has me going to bed early, so we usually end up with a lot of lunches out - instead of dinners.

But considering this was a first meal of sorts, and it was a birthday celebration, both hubby and I were extra excited to arrive - no matter what the time was.

We knew it would take a while. We knew they had just recently opened to the public once again for dine-in service. We were prepared to wait, long.

And all their signage around the building told me another story… That they were open during the worst. That they were doing curbside pick up - and even dock side pick up, for boaters.

I was extra grateful to be a dine-in patron that day.

We had about a one and a half hour wait… They had told us about 35 minutes, it ended up being a lot longer, obviously.

No problem.

We knew what we were getting into by dining at a restaurant just after an official re-opening to the public. In my mind, I treated this outing as the equivalent of visiting a restaurant on their first day of operation - a new business. A restaurant’s first day is always a huge mountain to climb. Always a challenge. And yet, no one seemed to be bothered by the wait. But it’s kinda hard to be bothered with anything at all when this is the setting:

I cut my burger in half, and had the other half for dinner that night - my way of watching calorie intake during that outing.

The steak French fries were from Heaven. Because - again - key word being - fried.

We chose not to have dessert there, as I had special-ordered a few cupcakes from Cinotti’s Bakery to act as the birthday cake dessert, that we would eat at home later that evening.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. But the setting was what we especially enjoyed. And it was the action itself of dining out. Leaving the house, driving to a restaurant, reading a menu, and dining amongst others, that was most important to us on that date.

Overall, the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill was a lovely experience. A great birthday outing. And a fabulous place to try if it happens to be your First Supper as well. The tables are spaced plenty distance apart, and the restaurant is following all the cleaning protocols in place. With employees wearing gloves, and lots of santitzing tables between customers. The setting is more than ideal, with the Intracoastal as a backdrop, and tucked just under and off to the side of the Palm Valley Bridge.

You’ll enjoy the boats coming and going. Paddleboarders going north and south. And you may especially enjoy the countless doggies - sitting on the edge of their owner’s boats. Also taking in all the sights and sounds… and smells… of the salt life, and good food.

It is my sincere hope that for those of you in states where restaurants have also been approved to reopen, just like in Florida, that you use the experience of my First Supper, as a push to get out there yourself. For those still anxiously waiting for your own First Supper. Go ahead and get ready now. Your time is coming. To start your own venture outside. To open your own front door. To step off that front porch. Find yourself an open restaurant. Wait All The Minutes. Get seated. And have a lovely meal. Have your very own First Supper. And, what the heck, maybe even order dessert while you’re at it.

It’s ok to be scared. And by all means, it’s also mostly certainly ok - to be very uncertain. And, just like The Last Supper, it’s ok if you don’t yet know when your First Supper will be. Just keep it in mind. Plan for it. Get it in your head. Because one day, and maybe when you least expect it, it will come to you.

And you can ask yourself - will you be fully alive on that fateful day? Will you be living that day like it’s your last on this Earth? Will you remember the moment - so you know what you’ve got, when it’s gone? And then, finally, who will you be with when that date arrives? ~