Day Trip Get-A-Way Will Do You Good

I haven’t found the time, the effort, or the money for a true “vacation”.  My sister Lisa is in the same situation too.  We find ourselves getting that burn-out feeling, the need to escape and get away.   So Lisa and I decided that we’d just take Friday off and make a GET-A-WAY day trip.

We piled ourselves and our boys into the car and headed east to Jacksonville to spend the day in a shopper’s heaven.  We went to the St. Johns Town Center.    I’ve never been there, but heard that it is one of the newest shopping areas and “concepts” in Jacksonville.

We stopped in Starke for breakfast at IHOP, yummy buttermilk pancakes…then in Orange Park, we got on the expressway and crossed over the St. John’s River – which looked as smooth as glass.  Continued on 9A and exited to a shopping area very different from a standard style, air-conditioned mall.   It was an open-air shopping area with landscaped streets, plenty of parking, and pedestrian friendly.   Open outdoor patio eateries, fine dining, restaurants, and just about every store to tickle your fancy.   It was a hot day, but when you opened the front door of each store, the cool AC just “schwooshed” you in the face and the aroma of each store was different and inviting.

You are probably wondering, how did the boys survive the day?   Well, their favorite store was the APPLE Store.  They were able to get their own hands on an iPad……(actually, I liked playing with that iPad too).

We had a late lunch at Ted’s Montana Grill – and it was Excellent.  The boys thought it was great to eat a bison burger!  The food was great, service was very good too.  I had eaten at the original Ted’ Montana Grill in downtown Atlanta a few years ago, and knew they had “killer hamburgers”!    I sure wish we could get that restaurant in our Gainesville market.

I will admit that we did a lot of “shopping”….not “spending”.    The only thing I bought the whole day was a cookbook at Williams-Sonoma.   Lisa & I were tempted to spend….but enjoyed the day off….the day away…..and a fun filled change of scenery!

For me, it was wonderful to finally get into some STORES than have always a catalog in my mailbox!

                              Pottery Barn         Williams-Sonoma       Ballard Designs

We are planning a trip there again, and want to go closer to Christmas, as we assume it is decorated beautifully for the holidays, and stay later into the night.  It would be great to be outside shopping there after dark!!

So if you are ever need a day trip, try the St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville.   This is a Simon Mall and they have their own Facebook page. 

We had a GREAT  Day-Trip Get-A-Way !!!    (We need to have more Get-A-Way Days)