As nightfall occurs, the Night-Blooming Cereus begins to appear in the Inn's Garden

It happened one night just last week! The At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast garden came alive with the rare blooming of the Night-Blooming Cereus flower. The plant was an “Inn-warming” gift from our neighbors Starr and Bill.  And, just as mysteriously as it bloomed at night, the next day the flower had already wilted and gone away!

Night-Blooming Cereus is the common name referring to a large number of flowering cacti. Because it seems to only bloom at night the flower has been romanticized as blooming only once a year or only at night when the moon is full.  The plant has some other cool names such as Princess of the Night, Queen of the night orReina de la Noche.

White colored Night-Blooming Cereus at At Journey's End B & B garden

The flower is often referred to in books and romanticized by poets such as the one below.

 The Night-Blooming Cereus by Harriet Monroe (1860-1935/United States)

Yet she loveth the world that forsook her, for lo! Once a year

She, Diana, translucent, pale, scintillant, down from her sphere

Floateth earthward like star-laden music, to bloom in a flower,

And our hearts feel the spell of the goddess once more for an hour.

 Of course…you too can have a romantic get-away by booking a room at our great little inn.

At Journey’s End B & B will help you plan your time away. Just give us a call. Of course we cannot guarantee the Night-Blooming Cereus will make an appearance…but we could order up some roses for you!  Give us a call, 904-829-0076

During the dorm move in weekend we see lots of activity on Cedar Street the home of the Men’s Freshman Dorm and At Journey’s End Bed and Breakfast. The Inn sees lots of activity too with it becoming the home base for a number of parents dropping off their students.   The B & B’s common room is full of conversation amongst parents discussing how they think their sons and daughters will make the adjustment to living on their own.  “It’s fun to be part of this big moment”, says Tim Millbern, At Journey’s End innkeeper.  “At the end of the move-in day, most parents are exhausted and relax at the inn with a glass of wine!”

The Bed & Breakfast hosts a number of parents throughout the student’s freshman year.  While the parting seems final in nature, it’s only a short two months until parents return for family weekend in October.

At Journey’s End B & B is located across the street from Flagler College and has a special offer for Flagler College families. Check out their web site at www.AtJourneysEnd.com

As the Nation’s Oldest City prepares for the once in a lifetime 450^th Birthday celebration, exciting plans are developing. Not only has a Blue-Ribbon panel been appointed by the United States Department of Interior to organize the multi-year celebration but private ventures are also developing their own events.

Here is an outline of what each of the forthcoming years’ celebrations will center around:

• Year 2012 – 200^thanniversary of the Spanish Constitution, memorialized in St. Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitution
  

  The only remaining Monument in the world honoring the old Spanish Constitution

• Year 2013 – 500^th anniversary of Ponce De Leon’s discovery of Florida, reflected in our Fountain of Youth National Archeological Park
• Year 2014 – 50^th Anniversary of the St. Augustine civil rights movement and the role our City played in the movement.
• Year 2015 – 450^th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine, our nation’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement.

As you can see there will be allot of possibilities for celebrations, festivals, and other events in our wonderful city.  You may want to begin considering when you will want to visit St. Augustine to participate.  Once official events are planned, it is anticipated that accommodations in the historic downtown will go fast.

The “Star-Spangled Committee” appointed by the Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar suggested at their first organizational meeting that “having a king, queens, and Pope attend are a real possibility. “If that’s the case, said John Gallagher, owner of At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast, “ we’re going to have to find ways to add more rooms to our Inn…and fast!”

Other exciting plans include the building a replica of a 16^th Century Spanish Chalupa (an open boat fitted with oars and sails)  honoring St. Augustine’s maritime history.  Additionally, another replica sailing vessel, the Galvestown is being built in Malaga, Spain and will be available for viewing during the 450^th celebration at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.

Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL

originally created by George W. Maynard in the early 19^th Century are part of the restoration project.  The room is also home of the largest collection of Tiffany Stained Glass windows still in their original use.  The Flagler Legacy Tour, which includes these rooms and more, is a “must-see” by visitors to St. Augustine, Florida.

Coming to visit St. Augustine?  Stay at TripAdvisor’s #1-Rated Bed & Breakfast, At Journey’s End B & B. Located only steps away from Flagler College, it’s perfectly located and only steps from all of the attractions, shopping and wonderful restaurants.

Have a Student at Flagler College?    We are located across the street from the Cedar Hall Dorm, Auditorium and College Gymnasium.

Here is a recent review from a Flagler College Parent:

“Best Place to Stay When Visiting Flagler College”

Reviewed May 1, 2011

At Journey’s End provides everything a good B&B should: clean, comfortable rooms and beds, delicious breakfasts, and a friendly atmosphere. In addition, its location is ideal for visiting a student at Flagler College, a mere block away, or enjoying the sights, shops, and restaurants of old St. Augustine, which are within easy walking distance. Parking in the town can be a problem, so this is a big plus. The best thing about At Journey’s End, however, is the amazing hospitality of the owners, Tim and John. They truly treated us like personal guests, and were eager to help with reservations and sightseeing plans. We were in St. Augustine to attend our son’s graduation from Flagler College, and Tim and John served our breakfast 2 hours ahead of the regular time, then surprised us with a warm cake, coffee, and card for the graduate afterwards. It was like celebrating with friends. This inn deserves its top rating.

This year Concerts in the Plaza celebrates more than two decades of great entertainment in a great place. The series has been called “the best way to spend a Thursday night in St. Augustine,” and it’s easy to understand why when you’re sitting under the majestic oaks of the Plaza de la Constitución enjoying quality musical entertainment.

The concert season starts with an afternoon performance from 1 to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day presenting the St. Augustine Jazz Society.

The concerts continue all summer long on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and concludes, as does summer, on Labor Day with another afternoon performance.

All concerts are free and if you  are a guest at At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast, we will provide you with lawn chairs for seating. Picnic dinners are popular and At Journey’s End B & B innkeepers can recommend some great little restaurants and shoppes that provide picnics for attendees.

This summer’s schedule is:

It will be a fascinating demonstration with a 16th Century military encampment, drills and true living history interpretations beginning at the Fountain of Youth Park.

Demonstrations begin on June 4th, 2011 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. culminating with the the reenactment of the historic sack and burning of St. Augustine beginning at the City Gates and proceeding down St. Georges Street to the City Plaza. The “Sack begins at 7 p.m. and you won’t want to miss the colorful characters, the burning torches and musket firings.

This living history event is hosted by companies of the Historic Florida Militia, the Men of Menedez and Drake’s Men.

St. Augustine, Florida… the oldest city in America is a great place to visit and experience history like never before. While here, enjoy the outstanding cuisines of our independent restaurants, wonderful shops and great Bed and Breakfasts like At Journey’s End B & B!

See you soon,

Tim & John, Innkeepers

The St. Augustine Historical Society along with the Oldest House Museum recently opened a new exhibit showing over five centuries of history from our region of North Florida.

This exhibit is a fascinating look into the past including some years prior to Ponce de Leon’s discovery of Florida.

For history buffs, this is a must-see exhibit when visiting St. Augustine. It is located at the Oldest House Museum Complex, 271 Charlotte Street, St. Augustine, Florida. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm.

NOTE: For those staying at At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast, the museum is only a 5-minute walk!

Lions at At Journey's End Bed & Breakfast

Can’t wait for their return? Come see to At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast and see our miniature replicas guarding the front door of the inn.  While you’re there it just may be right time to make reservations for your next overnight stay at the inn.

The City of St. Augustine made several suggestions on ways to celebrate the Lion’s return:

• Visit the empty slabs and take a picture of the “before” and then return after they are mounted and take the “after” picture. A great keepsake!
• Watch the movies “Lion King”, “Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion” or other MGM movies!
• “Like” the Bridge of Lions Facebook page…or “Like” our Inn’s own Facebook page!

• Bring along someone who has never seen the Lions and share the grandeur of these magnificent  sculptures.  Of course you could spend the night with us At Journey’s End B & B!

Lot’s of ways to celebrate the return!  Have fun!

And, here are the events:

ST. AUGUSTINE’S CELTIC FESTIVAL – March 11-13.

Celebrate Celtic heritage at this Romanza-sponsored festival featuring some of the greatest living musicians, artists, writers and poets from Ireland, the U.S., and the Celtic region of Spain (home of St. Augustine’s founder).

For complete details on performers, schedules and ticket prices, go to www.RomanzaFL.org.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – March 12

Get your Celtic Saturday off to an early start with an exciting and colorful St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of historic St. Augustine.  Part of the Celtic Music and Arts Festival, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of King and Cordova Streets, head east to Avenida Menendez, then north to Orange where it will travel west to Cordova and then south to King.

30th ANNUAL LIONS CLUB SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – March 11-13.

Get ready to eat some great seafood, shop till you drop and then tap your toes to live music! The Lions Club Seafood Festival takes place at Francis Field on Castillo Drive in St. Augustine.  Festival hours are Friday 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Lions Club charities.  Admission is $2 per person, children under 12 are free.  For more information, visit www.lionsfestival.com.

MENORCAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION – March 12

Come learn about this unique cultural heritage found in St. Augustine. The Menorcan Heritage Society will hold their annual celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic Llambias House, located at 31 St. Francis Street in St. Augustine. There will be demonstrations of mullet net making, dance performances, and story telling by Menorcan descendents. There will be t-shirts books and foods for sale.  Admission is free.

Guests of At Journey’s End B & B receive personal concierge advice and suggestions about all of these fun events.  Call 904-829-0076 for room reservations.

Featured on HGTV, Peace and Plenty Inn was the subject of the popular  “If These Walls Could Talk” Series while the British themed Penny Farthing Inn received a mention in a Southern Living Magazine article about destination St. Augustine.

But the inns that bookend the street, Cedar House Inn and At Journey’s End have both received significant attention in the media as  “Best of St. Augustine” and as the #1 rating on TripAdvisor.com respectively.

The St. Augustine Record newspaper recognized the Cedar House Inn as the Best of St. Augustine for three years in a row.  No other inn has been so recognized by the local newspaper.

At Journey’s End was rated by their guests as the #1 Top Rated Bed and Breakfast in all of St. Augustine by TripAdvisor.com with a 5-Star rating.  Atlanta Magazine also recently made mention of At Journey’s End in their monthly travel section.

So, if you are traveling to St. Augustine to enjoy the history of the oldest city in America, the wonderful cuisine of outstanding restaurants or shopping along the city’s quaint streets, check out the Inns on Cedar Street for outstanding, unsurpassed hospitality.

At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast - 89 Cedar Street, St. Augustine, FL  32084     Telephone – 904-829-0076