Hilton Head Island - Caligny Beach After spending a week at Faith finalizing preparations for the Nomads project, we left for a week at Hilton Head enjoying some “island time” relaxing and exploring with our bikes. Unlike previous years, we returned to Jacksonville for a couple of nights before heading north for the holidays – this time by train.
Dave in Faith's "new" golf cart In with the New, Out with the Old
On site transportation has long been a challenge at Faith. More than once, there have been 3 non-working golf carts on campus. With some care, new parts, and coaxing, the volunteers were usually able to get at least one of them working for the winter season. However, upon return in the fall, frequently none were working.
On site transportation has long been a challenge at Faith. More than once, there have been 3 non-working golf carts on campus. With some care, new parts, and coaxing, the volunteers were usually able to get at least one of them working for the winter season. However, upon return in the fall, frequently none were working.
Lazarus taking a charge This season, Fred and Pat took on the task of working out what was wrong with “Lazarus”, the oft-resurrected electric golf cart and a gas Club Car that had defied several mechanics’ attentions over the past few years. As the time was nearing for us to travel north for the holidays, they were able to get Lazarus to move a few feet, but that was all. And although the Club Car was in better shape, just about to turn over, it was still not able to run.
So, with the Trustees support, the decision was made to purchase a “new-to-us” golf cart. Fred took delivery on it just before heading out of town. He also waved goodbye to the Club Car as it went to a local dealer to get it checked out before we put any more into it ourselves. So, the church had a working golf cart that hopefully would stay that way for an entire year. Only time would tell.
So, with the Trustees support, the decision was made to purchase a “new-to-us” golf cart. Fred took delivery on it just before heading out of town. He also waved goodbye to the Club Car as it went to a local dealer to get it checked out before we put any more into it ourselves. So, the church had a working golf cart that hopefully would stay that way for an entire year. Only time would tell.
The ladies of Faith serve lunch to the crowd at Beyond 90's Christmas event. Upon our return, we topped off the fuel in the EZGo and spent time more time with Jose ensuing he was comfortable with it. And the cart’s arrival was just in time. Since the church was the location for a huge event offering Christmas gifts to the refugee community being served by Beyond 90 and First 90 on the 2nd Saturday of December. The event took place all over the campus, so there were things to be picked up, moved around and hauled away all over the place. Dave and Jose made the rounds with the golf cart, making the efforts so much easier.
The forlorn tractor waiting to be sold Then there are the tractors. Faith has one that works much of the time, but there was another that had sat forlorn and forgotten for many years. Last year, Joe and Neal were determined to free it from the trees growing up through it, so that it could be assessed. They were successful, but it did look the worse for wear. We ran out of time in the spring to do much more, but we returned this fall to revisit the fate of this rusty John Deere 650 tractor. We were told by some that it should be hauled to metal recycling, and by others that it had value. We just had to find the right buyer. So, again, we received permission from the Trustees to take a few weeks to see if it would sell. If not, it was going to the metal yard.
And, off it goes. Cathy posted it on Facebook Marketplace on a Saturday evening, and the inquiries started almost immediately. Struggling to sift through the responses, she answered questions about its condition and refused the rock bottom offers that were coming in. Most parties just vanished after a couple of exchanges. She had just about decided it wasn’t going to work out when she got an offer close to the asking price from someone in NC. It seemed like another scam, but eventually he convinced her that he was legitimate. Arriving on campus in the middle of Beyond 90’s mammoth Christmas event, he navigated the busy parking lot and managed to winch up the tractor into his trailer in short order. The church was a little richer, and he was happy with his purchase to supply parts for his other tractor. Cathy was just a little stunned that it all worked out in time for us to head out of town the next day.
Fred by the river in downtown Jacksonville Cycling Tours
We kept looking for new places to explore with our bikes. One Sunday we headed downtown with Pat and Fred to ride a section of the Emerald Trail by the river in Jacksonville. We did our best to make a complete loop, biking east along the north side of the river and making a somewhat breathtaking trip over the river on a pedestrian/bike path next to I-95. Making our way east along city streets, we joined up with the river again and rode along the south bank toward the Main Street bridge, passing the recently renovated Freedom Fountain, whose water jets made fascinating patterns for us to see. After a little more harrowing ride through city streets as the football game was ending, we arrived back at our cars unscathed and glad to have seen this side of the city.
We kept looking for new places to explore with our bikes. One Sunday we headed downtown with Pat and Fred to ride a section of the Emerald Trail by the river in Jacksonville. We did our best to make a complete loop, biking east along the north side of the river and making a somewhat breathtaking trip over the river on a pedestrian/bike path next to I-95. Making our way east along city streets, we joined up with the river again and rode along the south bank toward the Main Street bridge, passing the recently renovated Freedom Fountain, whose water jets made fascinating patterns for us to see. After a little more harrowing ride through city streets as the football game was ending, we arrived back at our cars unscathed and glad to have seen this side of the city.
Cathy by Hilton Head's historic Rear Range Lighthouse. A week later, we headed to Hilton Head for 5 days at the Disney resort there, bringing our bikes with us for the first time. Hilton Head is a great place to explore by bike, with paved paths that circumnavigate the island and give great views of the marsh and intracoastal waterway that pass by its inland side. We had biking weather for all but one day of our visit, and saw much more of the island than on any of our previous visits, including an historic lighthouse deep inside a gated community.
Pat, Evalyn, Barry and Dave admire the lights at Deck the Chairs Parting Shots
We made what has become an annual trek to Deck the Chairs, a Christmas light display at Jacksonville Beach. This was probably the chilliest visit we have had to the event.
We made what has become an annual trek to Deck the Chairs, a Christmas light display at Jacksonville Beach. This was probably the chilliest visit we have had to the event.
