St. Augustine Wedding Recap

Its was a long 4 days. It seemed a lot longer than I expected it to feel. My pessimism was leading the way on this one, like most things. However I feel it was the long nights and early mornings which made it seem like a week. I wish that it was a week!

I didn't really know what to expect out of the weekend but I can tell you that it was excellent from the get go. MAYBE it was the fact that I was going to be flying on a plane with 3 of my friends. MAYBE it was the 8am bloody marys and white Russians at the Detroit airport. MAYBE it was the fact that I found out that cliff took some happy pills before getting on the plane because he didn't think he would get on the plane with them OR, MAYBE, it was the fact that Sean totally got on the plane with weed. It could have been any of those really, actually, it was ALL of them. It pretty much set the tone for how the weekend was going to go and it pretty much kept pace.

5am departure out of Logan, pit stop in Detroit, landing in Jacksonville, Florida around, 11:30am. We got through the airport with ease due to lack of baggage and nothing but carry ons and after we got the rental car, we were off from there.

Stepping outside of that airport was magnificent. I cant really explain it. I mean its nothing THAT great or anything lots of people probably haven't experienced before, I'm sure theres a lot better. The sun being as bright as it was did no justice to my brain considering it gets bright as fuck here and yet its still 12 degrees outside. My New England conditioned brain tends to not fall for bullshit, atleast weather wise. I walked out to a warm breeze and shed my coat faster than a presumptuous virgins clothes before his first make out session with the reassurance that he'll surely be sliding into home plate.

We made our way to St. Augustine, Florida to meet up with Adam and Brando who arrived there Thursday. Having done little research I wasn't sure exactly what I was in for. I found out quickly that I was apparently in Americas 1st city. WHO KNEW!?

St. Augustine is actually a very nice place. Its pretty much a legitimate tourist city. EVERYTHING to do there is pretty much tourism. The whole city is littered with beach shops, antiques, art galleries and signs with historical education about whatever architecture it is youre looking at. I didn't mind it though, I'm actually glad I did tourist things. This has been the 3rd time Ive been to Florida and every other time I never really went and did ANYTHING. I'm glad I had a buddy with me that was very much into tourism as I was. Adam and I dominated St. Augustine. Sadly, there is still a place or 2 we didn't get to visit. 

Like Castillo de San Marcos! Which is a Spanish built fort. Otherwise known as Fort Marion from 1821 until 1942, and Fort St. Mark from 1763 until 1784 while under British control. Cliff was very much set on going and visiting the fort. We just never really got to it. Since also being a part of the wedding party we did have some sort of set itinerary for doing "wedding things" as disorganized it may have seemed. I dont even think adam or anyone else go to it either.  I believe the brides maids did. Bitches...

We did do some cool shit though. Met some crazy locals hanging out playing pool at the local American Legion hall post #37. Which Brando/anyone only liked because of $6 pitchers. That shit didn't matter to me! We went to a gator farm and saw alligators. Played some mini golf, visited the beach and visited Ripley's Believe it or not! Now I know this might not sound like much or fall under the category of "wicked cool shit", but I thought it was really fun and enjoyed every second of it.

I really did like the city though. It would probably become boring fast after all my friends were gone and Ive seen all that there is to see and do. After Ive exhausted the bars, restaurants, gifts shops and women. After Ive drained the town of all its romanticism and the "City Of Lights" is nothing more than a Christmas tree in April. It was a really nice place. I enjoy visual aesthetics and St. Augustine had it. As corny as most would think "The City Of Lights" is, I loved it. Its simple and quaint. Right up my alley. Definitely would visit again.

Overall the weekend was great. I got to travel around a bit with my friends, got to visit a new place in Florida I've never been to before, escape winter for 4 days and most importantly be a groomsman for a good friend of mine. I hung hard, laughed a lot and met some new cool people who I hope I'll get to see again at some point in the future. Congrants Juston and Lauren. New friends, nice to meet you. Bon voyage!

Photo of Lightner Museum by James Watkins