I’m not kidding. I asked this alligator, “Do you remember Annie?” And . . .

He opened his eyes! I had this strange feeling that he did. I almost freaked out! . . . Then he winked and said . . .

“I remember you, too!” Oh, memories! Maybe, some are better left out or forgotten!

Still watching! You can bet this is one gaze that I thought about for the rest of the day and well into the evening.

Just a quick photo for Annie again. Here’s a place that is dear to her heart! And I remember it, too. She told me over the weekend that her Dad had worked here and that her and her sisters knew the place like the back of their hands. It is still beautiful and a strong reminder of “old” Florida and of postcards and pink flamingos. To be honest, it is a little like stepping back in time and so worth the stop to see.

This is what I remember most about Silver Springs—the glass-bottom boats. I talked with my Dad the other night and he went back over the memory of the trip we took when I was a child. He was so amazed at this place—the place where Sea Hunt (one of his favorite TV shows, back then) was filmed. In fact 80 plus movies were filmed at Silver Springs including a James Bond movie and all the first Tarzan movies.

And it is hard to imagine that the floor of this spring is about 55 feet deep. I kept thinking how easy it would be to dive straight down and touch the bottom.

This old gate is one that C. S. Lewis would have passed many times on his way to Holy Trinity Church at Headington Quarry in England. I don’t know why I thought of this quote from Prince Caspian when I posted it last night; I just did. I hope you enjoy it, too. And if you have not read Lewis’s Narnia books, the summer is a great time to do just that—read.

“He led them to the right of the dancing trees—whether they were still dancing nobody knew, for Lucy had her eyes on the Lion and the rest had their eyes on Lucy.”

Visit any Mast General Store and you will feel like you have stepped back in time. You also will feel very welcomed. I don’t know how the people, who own this group of stores do it, but from the moment you walk in the door to the time you leave, you feel like you have walked into a place that is warm and friendly. They love for you to bring your dog/dogs with you (if the animal is well behaved) and will even go out of their way to offer your pup dog treats. In fact, Cocoa Joy walks through the store attracting comments and doggy cookies from one sales associate after another. The photo above was taken at the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. It is the original store, and from the moment you walk through the door, you realize you have stepped into a bit of history.

The store contains a small Post Office. In fact a sign hanging near the window says: “This is a Working Post Office. Please Do Not Attempt to Open the Mailboxes.” Guess there is nothing like curious shoppers!

Wander through the rooms and you will find something to purchase. I love the shoe section (in a room beyond this one). You also can open the old Coca Cola cooler (in the foreground) and pull out a small bottom of Coke—absolutely the best!

This is the way America shopped in the 30′s and 40′s. Even the old gas (petrol) pump is still in it’s original place.

We continue to have dramatic sunsets! The storm clouds part and the sun comes out—just in time for the end of the day. (smile)