Jacksonville Aboretum (3)

Do you believe now that Florida has seasons?

Cypress trees in the so-called ravine.

See you in February.

Frosty (4)

An ingenious way to protect a tender Foxtail palm

They lost many plants last year. Let's see how this year's cold spell ravaged.

Frosty (3)

Frosty (2)

Last ditch effort to save tender plants.

The umbrella prevents the warmth of the earth to escape - at least that's what I hope.
Banana leaf black-out.

The mottled leaves are cold damaged.

Frosty (1)

The plant in the background is native, the others are tender exotics. They will come back in spring.

This bamboo is supposed to be green. The cold leached out its color. All enthusiastic in summer, this rubber tree did not like the coldest night after it had held out several frosty and dark hours before.

There are bananas that can take the cold, this one croaks at the first sign of dipping temps.

Fernandina (3)

Fernandina was a Spanish town.

Plaza San Carlos is its oldest part. Obviously, the Victorian homes and Florida bungalows are newcomers
.

Before the Spanish, the Indians used this high place above the Amelia river as a settlement.

Many of the homes had for sale signs. What a beautiful spot to live, but ....

... there is a reason why the homes are for sale.

Looks like a paper factory. It makes a lot of noise, but luckily we did not smell it.

Fernandina (2)

One of the stores had a koi and goldfish basin up front.

A fancy post office

Fernandina (1)

Fernandina , north of Jacksonville, has a long history - as Florida goes. The small port got lucky as a popular shopping destination for well-to-do Amelia Island Resort visitors. It's historic downtown is restored with many unusual shops and lots of restaurants.

We were there on December 25th. It rained and all the stores were closed.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is way north of the citrus growing areas, but some neighbors in Jax have picked trees that survive cold spells without damage: sour orange which makes delicious marmalade. Grapefruit

Kumquat

Barberville (2)

In addition to garden "art", the place also sells citrus and nuts. Many streetside stands do so as well. All those mailboxes survive anything nature can dish out: storm, drunken drivers etc.

The main house is appropriately painted yellow with red trim and it has a porch.

Lots of clocks, none of them show the same time.

To top it all off, smoker koi, Lady Liberty, a roaring stag, and a horse's ass.

Barberville (1)

Barberville is a speck on the map at the intersection of 40 and 17 and at a railroad crossing. We stopped because it has one of the coolest junkyards for garden ornaments.

Metal palm trees, bears galore, orang utans, horses, you name the animal and it's there.

This is a sturdy seating arrangement which will not be easily blown over by a hurricane. Check out the colorful wall art in the background.

Nobody will stay in the dark.

Astor

St. Johns River in Astor Pelicans enjoy the sun

The bridge in Astor connects Lake and Volusia County on Route 40, which is the only convenient east west connection south of I-10 and north of I-4.

Fishing camps abound at this bridge.

On this cool morning, only one boat ventured out.

The middle span of the bridge is noisy metal which can be lifted for tall boats.