August 27

“I’ve Got A Little Extra Time”

So, I did not even think about the gas gauge.  It never occurred to me on this trip to Augusta that I needed petro, again.  I filled up before I left Jacksonville so in my mind, I’m good to go.

This morning as I left Columbia County on “E”. I didn’t realize it until the car made that dastardly sound of rapid “ding. ding. ding”.  It was then that I panicked.  First of all, although I know that particular area sort-of-kinda, Wayne, the brother-in-law sent me a different way because of area construction.  That way, I have almost no idea how far it is to anything. If you know anything about Georgia’s countryside, you know the blocks are actually “country blocks”…. Long and far.

With the radio, and AC off and anything else that I thought might use more gas, I headed to where I thought was a gas station.  With knots in my stomach and a prayer, off I went headlong in that direction. “Whew”, I said as I pulled into the empty parking lot of the gas station. It was then I realized it was Sunday and not open at that time!

I saw a young man there hoping to go in as well and ask him where the nearest station was.  He said, “Oh, a couple of miles. Why?”  I explained that I was in a pickle. Right away, he said…”Don’t worry. Follow me. I’ve got a little extra time”. 

So I did. I followed him right into the station and he waved me off to go do whatever he was going to do.  People can me nice.  His mama did a good job.

See you tomorrow,

August 9

The Goodyear Blimp in Jacksonville

According to the “Goodyear blimp” website, the last true blimp, a non-rigid airship,  was retired on March 14, 2017.  The newer version is a semi-rigid airship so obviously, the one in this photo is the latter.  It was seen in August, 2022 about three miles from Herlong Air field, so we think it probably uplifted from there. It is possible it was hosted at the old Cecil Airfield, which is just down the road from Herlong but we found no evidence of either. 

It was traveling not far from Jacksonville’s Herlong field and going Northeast over Crystal Springs Elementary School when I stopped for a quick pic.

The Goodyear Blimp is an iconic aircraft that flies at different and various events including football games, PGA golf events, Country Club events and more. 

In May of 2020, it flew over 11 hospitals in Florida in honour of the frontline workers during the Coronavirus pandemic.  To check out the schedule just visit goodyearblimp.com for more.

What are your memories of this incredible looking icon?

See you tomorrow,

8-9-22

August 7

Jacksonville Trolley- 1926

Brooklyn trolley Painting(Ramey photo)

So, today, we have bikes, motorcycles, busses, cars, the skyway and even 2 wheel scooters on the downtown streets for transportation.  Back-in-the-day, there was the trolley cars that stretched form Orgega, to downtown, downtown to Panama Park, downtown to Springfield and of course, Riverside.

While riding in the Riverside area yesterday, I came across the trolley drawing of yesteryear.  ‘Love it. Don’t you?  I saw no artist’s name but honors to that gifted person or people.  

The Historical Society did a post on trolleys saying that the last riders on December 12, 1926 were Judge Burton Barrs(Barrs Street), the street car President, J. P. Ingle( Ingle Street), Mayor John Alsop( Main(Alsop)Street Bridge fame), C.D. Gay, a man who had ridden on the first electric car.  The ending ride took place at Forsyth and Ocean. (Photo: Jacksonville Historical Society, Painting is on the wall in Brooklyn, Riverside area.Artist unknown).

See you tomorrow ,

8-7-22