Posts in Category: Florida

Sand Dunes are Gone/ Jacksonville Beach

“The sand dunes are gone.” After Hurricane Matthew, I was talking to a family about their upcoming beach photos and I said we can take pictures here, here and the dunes. And she looked at me and said they were gone. I was perplexed how could the dunes be gone? I guess the dunes did their job and helped protect the coast.

On the beaches I’ve noticed a lot of board walks are unusable, trees are down, a TON reeds have washed up upon shore, people’s fences are completely obliterated and their homes exposed. There are still some piles of sand dunes but the ones that are left are a lot more narrow and small. Others that are left are jagged. I know that some beaches along the coast are still closed because of the destruction like Huguenot Beach.

The picture of the building seems like just a building but it’s supposed to have sand dunes in front of it. There are a ton more “treasures” on the beach to collect now. There are also some large ditches. I am not sure if those are from the wind from the storm or something else. We’ve seen the large trees be turned into seesaws. These photographs were taken around 7th south Jacksonville Beach. It was strange to drive up to the parking lot and see the ocean their used to be sea oats and dunes that gently blocked the view. These photos were taken in the afternoon and to document some of the aftermath of the storm.What things have you noticed that are different at the beaches now? Jacksonville Beach Sand Dunes Continue after the jump to see the rest of the photos.

Universal Studios with Young Children

Universal Studios with Young Children This is a continuation of our trip to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You can see the first post here.

Candy Class at Sweet Pete’s/ Jacksonville Florida

The candy class and tour at Sweet Pete’s were so much fun. We took the class in the summer of 2015 with my in-laws. My mother in law had heard of the candy store from the show The Profit. Sweet Pete’s is located in downtown Jacksonville and is three stories tall.

Sweet Pete’s

As soon as you walk into the store, you sense you are in a whimsical land akin to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. On the lower level are the sweets made on location and the restaurant. The second level is more candy (not made on sight) and the ice cream shop. The third level the location of the classes and birthday parties. The whole building is so nicely decorated. I recommend walking up the stairs and going out on the balcony to see the brightly covered chairs. Even the bathrooms have unique decor and furniture.

Blow Pop Class

We took the blow pop class at Sweet Pete’s. Our kids were too young to have their own blow pop station. However, they were allowed to watch and help add sugar to the gum part of the blow-pop. The instructor was so enthusiastic about her job and was so kind to us. I’m not much of a blow pop eater but I liked to experience the process of making the blow-pops.We chose a watermelon flavor.

The instructor said one of the best classes at Sweet Pete’s is the hand-pulled lollipop classes. After taking the blow pop class, I can see why she would recommend the hand-pulled lollipop class. I’ve seen chocolate being made, I’ve melted my own chocolate before but I’ve never seen hand-pulled lollipops being made. Even though I think I would prefer to eat chocolate over a lollipop I would want to experience a class where I couldn’t do it at home.  Sweet Pete's Candy Store Jacksonville To see more pictures continue after the jump