The Pier and The Bluebird of Happiness - December 16, 2021

The cross stands 208 feet in height, the tallest free-standing cross in the western hemisphere. It resides in the “Sacred Acre” on the property of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, the first shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States and over 450 years old. Pilgrims come from all over the world to pray for Mary’s intercession. Although the Great Cross is in St. Augustine, it can be seen from the fishing pier across the bridge in Vilano Beach. I was determined to get a picture of the cross in front of a dynamic sunset. We headed down last night, camera in hand.

When you first step foot on the pier you are greeted by the Bluebird of Happiness. He’s a cute blue figure with a yellow beak, wears a matching yellow bow tie and has and big wide eyes. It’s one of the iconic things that makes Vilano cool. While waiting for the sun to do its magic, we are entertained by the band at the neighboring Beaches Bar and Grill giving a great rendition of “Layla, I’m begging darling please, Layla.” We are right next to the bridge from St. Augustine and it has bumper to bumper traffic. If you work in St. Augustine and need to get to Ponte Vedra and north, it's the only way out. As far as traffic goes, I’d take that view over 93 south headed to Boston. No contest. Tour boats are departing to cruise the inlet where the St. Augustine Lighthouse can be seen shining it’s beam across the Atlantic. As the sun goes down, the lights slowly turn on from the city. Every year, this historic city has an event called the Night of Lights which runs from Thanksgiving through January and reportedly covers 20 blocks. All the buildings are decorated with Christmas lights and from where we are standing, we can see them beyond the Bridge of Lions, reflecting off the water. We vow to get into to town to see them before we leave.

Unfortunately, this is one of the very few nights when the sunset did not bowl me over. I did not get the colors I wanted behind the cross but the big ball of fire setting over the water was in fact, beautiful. Standing there, under the warm December sky, the music playing, the lights twinkling, the lighthouse shining, there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

“The little things, the moments. They aren’t little.”

As darkness had arrived, we headed down the street to check out the Magic Beach Motel at night while the refrain, “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow” serenaded us out. As promised by my gift shop friend, the neon sign was quite the sight. I can’t imagine this sleepy beach town without it. I don’t know the exact date it will be torn down, but I cringe just thinking about it.

As for elusive picture of the colorful sky behind the cross, I guess there will be another trip to the pier soon. I can’t say I am disappointed at that.