November 4th, 2010

200 First Street Courtyard Shoppes, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Florida, North Florida, First Coast, Red Daisy

No, I have not moved to these towns in North Florida.  But, I certainly have enjoyed visiting them; checking out the beaches, restaurants and shops. 

I must say that the residents and shopkeepers, wait staff, you name it, have been so nice, so gracious and helpful.  It has been refreshing.

The town of Atlantic Beach is small.  You can walk it in no time.  Lots of little shops and restaurants come alive in the evenings with some of them offering entertainment.

The beach is amazing.  I have said it before.  Wide and perfect for walking, biking or just sitting.  I love the beach houses that hide behind the dunes.  People say that the beach houses here reflect Old Florida.

Residents are taking care of the towns of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach.  Everything is clean, brick walkways have been installed.  These towns have character.  That’s it!!

Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are right next to each other.  So much so that taking one step will place you in one or the other. 

The name “Neptune Beach” came about in 1922 when one of the residents in the area built his own train station “Neptune” requiring the train to stop and take him to Mayport every day.  Mayport is one of the oldest fishing villages in the U.S.

When I visited the last time I found a cluster of shoppes in Neptune Beach.  They are called 200 First Street Courtyard Shoppes.  The location of these shoppes is the old Ed Smith Lumber Company. 

Now the shopkeepers are all local women; they own and operate these businesses.

Up until October there was music in the Courtyard, sponsored by the merchants at 200 First Street.  That will pick again next year in April.

www.200FirstStreet.com is the website you can visit to find out what is going on. 

Every Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. you will find the North Beaches Art Walk.  Merchants work in tandem with artists providing a venue to show and sell original art work.

A lot of these artists are sponsored by the shoppes at 200 First Street, and you will find the courtyard all set up with musicians adding to a festive evening.

Some of the stores have the following events at the moment:

Deanne Dunlop Photography – Until tomorrow, November 5th – Spokesmama – 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon.  Mom & Baby Photo Parties. 

Then from November 6th until the 20th – Quick Takes – for Christmas Cards.

And, on November 18th there is a High School Open House for 2012 Ambassadors.

For more information please visit www.deannedunlop.com or call 904-610-5669.

Later, on November 26th there will be a celebration commemorating the 10th year anniversary of 200th First Street from 4 to 8 p.m.  An invitation to share an afternoon of shopping, while enjoying music in the Courtyard, complimentary champagne and cake.

As the holidays approach, the BeachesTown Center will be holding their annual Holiday Celebration on December 4th.

Also in December you will find Santa on the Courtyard every Saturday.

The other shoppes at 200 First Street are:

First Street Gallery – www.firststreetgalleryart.com. Tel. 904-241-6928

Boutique Unique – Casual, fun clothing for women. 904-241-7109

Bali – Furniture, gifts and jewelry – www.balicargocompany.com 904-270-2254

Lillie’s Coffee Bar – Fresh coffee roasted daily opening at 7 a.m. Perkcussion gathering first saturday of the month. www.lilliescoffeebar.com 904-249-2922

Jaffi’s – “Is the go to store fore everything a girl wants”.  Effortless styles, comfortable and wearable. 904-249-4030

First Street Gallery – Exhibit “At the Beach – Leigh Murphy” – Local watercolor artist, Leigh Murphy, has been the winner of over 100 awards.  She is best known for her realistic and detailed rendering of shells.  The artwork will be on display until January 6, 2011.  904-241-6928

One store that I really enjoyed visiting at 200 First Street was Red Daisy.  I wrote a post on 8/15/10 and if you would like to see it just click on the month of August under Archives on the left hand side of this website.

Again, I stopped but did not have time to visit too much.  The owner is Tracy Raymond.  Red Daisy is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sundays from Noon until 5 p.m.  Tel. 904-339-0137. 

Red Daisy offers home furnishings, gifts, jewelry, soaps, candles, lotions and rugs.  Tracy likes to combine the “old” with the “new”.  She says that it is a contemporary antique shop, with a little funky jazz thrown in. 

Red Daisy is ready for the holidays.

Have a great day!!!

October 5th, 2010

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, Cambridge, Maryland, Pet Friendly, Kennels for Hunting Dogs, Dorchester County

Cambridge, Maryland? Dorchester County?  And, Why?  It all started with a phone call and off I went to retrieve a friend from the airport in Baltimore.  Well, you would have done the same, right?  What are friends for?

I made a complete circle, leaving Rehoboth to Baltimore and on the way back I continued on Rt. 50 towards Salisbury, Maryland where Shelley’s car was parked.  Don’t worry she stopped to get me my clams at Harris Crab House in Kent Island.

One of the towns on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is Cambridge.  It is the county seat of Dorchester County.  It is also one of the oldest towns in Maryland; settled in 1684.

Some years ago Hyatt built a hotel with an 18- hole championship golf course and marina.  It is called Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, located at 100 Heron Blvd. at Rt. 50, Cambridge, MD 21613.  Tel. is 410-901-1234 and the website is www.chesapeakebay.hyatt.com.

I had never stopped to check this resort so as we were driving by we decided to do so.  At first I kept thinking what would I do if I stayed in Cambridge?  It is such a small town, afterall.

The hotel is located on a beautiful tract of land right on the Choptank River.  Full service marina and a gorgeous golf course.  From the outside the actual structure of the hotel was a little plain; inside it was very pretty.

If you are planning a get-a-way to this hotel check the website.  It is pretty informative.  The hotel is close to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, the Dorchester Heritage Museum and the Annie Oakley House, among other museums.  The nearby towns of Easton, Oxford and St. Michaels are very accessible.  These towns offer history, restaurants, shops and beautiful scenery.

For more information on Cambridge, Maryland you may visit www.baydreaming.com/cambridge.htm.

The hotel has many services including restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools with water slide, shops, full service business center, babysitting/Camp Hyatt and others.  But, one that caught my attention was the Pet Friendly/Kennels for hunting dogs.

This is a pet friendly hotel, definitely and for the rules and regulations regarding this service please visit the website, as well. 

If you decide to bring that special dog the resort has gifts for your pet.  Stillwater Spa carries a complete line of spa products made especially for your pup.  The Lavender Detangle Spray, Soap on a Rope and Canine Robes are among the items available.  What a life!!

I can see why this hotel has been very popular for weddings and conventions.  Secluded, quiet with plenty of services and amenities.  I was surprised to see it so crowded on a Tuesday.

As you can see from the pictures, it is definitely beautiful.

As we were leaving, I could not believe my eyes.  So many wild turkeys!! They were crossing the road so I grabbed the camera for that last shot.

Talk to you later….you know I will……