The only thing better than getting together with a friend is meeting her for lunch -- and along the river, no less. News-Journal staffer Karen Gallagher and News-Journal retiree Barbara Taylor recently caught up with each other while taking in the scenery at Blackwater Inn along the St. Johns River in Astor.

A three-hour cruise along the Halifax River on the StarLite Princess paddle-wheel boat was a fun excursion for Staff Writer Audrey Parente and former News-Journal copy editor Laurence Bennett. Dinner on the cruise was ala carte and cost for the meal was not part of the resident-discounted $18.29 per person fare for the boat ride.

For more than just a midday meal, Staff Writer Audrey Parente was invited to take a trip up State Road A1A along the ocean to The ChiDog. It turned out to be a sneak-away lunch break staycation. Laurence Bennett showed up with his red Ford Mustang convertible. No beach towels, no bathing suits, but on a hot day, nothing beats hot dogs and snow cones by the ocean.