Fernandina Beach, Florida

January 1 - 5, 2010

Fort Clinch State Park

Fernandina Beach, Florida

What a beautiful state park; we arrived in the rain and the road to the campground is a tunnel of moss covered trees. Then all of a sudden, we were at the beach with beautiful dunes and the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Amelia River on the other. Only ONE problem...the forecast is record cold temperatures for the next few days. So, I'm beginning to believe we are the culprit because everywhere we go we bring the cold and damp!!! One attraction for us to come here was the Amelia Island Kayak Adventure...needless to say, we won't be kayaking in 40-degree weather.

There are two campgrounds at this 1,427-acre State Park: The Atlantic Beach (where we are) and the Amelia River Campground on the river side. The River campground's sites have large, spanish moss draped oaks and somewhat smaller campsites, although we did see a couple of big rigs over there. We were lucky...when we arrived we were surprised that our site (#6) had 50-amp service (not always common in state parks); however, Susan and Bob's site (#16) had 30-amp...something to remember when we someday return to Fort Clinch.

Day one we woke up to bright blue skies, some pretty good gusts of wind and temps that only reached the high 40's for the day. But, we weren't going to let that deter us; we were here in Florida for the first time this year with new things to do and places to go.

We took a ride along the coastal road on the northern side of the island and found many oceanfront homes in need of repair and for sale. I guess it's a sign of the times. Real estate books showed "oceanfront" properties as low as $750,000.

We started the day with a trip to Fort Clinch here in the State Park. Named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, a prominent figure of the Second Seminole War, construction began in 1847. A military installation built to guard the mouth of the St. Mary's River (in Georgia), protect coastal and interior shipping, and defend the deepwater port of Fernandina (Florida). Never initially fully completed, the fort still served as a military post during the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War II when the Coast Guard established and maintained a surveillance and

communications system within the fort as well as a mounted beach patrol which kept watch along the beaches for landings by spies and saboteurs. (Nasty spies were put behind bars!!!!)

The first weekend of every month, soldiers perform reenactments of everyday fort operations. We were lucky to land here for that weekend.

We said good-bye to Fort Clinch and headed for downtown Fernandina Beach.

Centre Street is where it's happening with its little shops and restaurants. The storefronts are all reconditioned and rehabed buildings. I have to say, the beautiful blue skies made up for the windy, cold weather of the day.

(Does anyone remember the picture of Susan and I and Johnny Depp--Pirates of the Carribbean-- from the wax museum in Newport, Oregon????)

I am here to let anyone visiting the area know... do not expect to get "linner" in Fernandina Beach. Most restaurants are open for lunch from 11:00 to 2:30 and then re-open at 5:30 for dinner. If you are hungry at 3:00 you will go from door-to-door only to find "closed" signs. We finally ended up at "Jack and Diane's", where we had a great "linner" and would recommend it to you when in the area. (Oh my...I'm beginning to sound like a travelogue!!)

I've been mentioning (you could say "complaining" I guess) about the weather. Here's what Ken came across on Monday morning, January 4th while taking his walk.

Could this water look any colder????

Another sight from Fort Clinch State Park is Amelia Island Lighthouse. The tower itself was constructed in 1820 on Georgia's Cumberland Island across the channel from Amelia. Eventually the channel shiften southward, making the light ineffective as a navigational aid. The tower was moved to Amelia Island in 1834 and dismantled and reconstructed in 1838. It now has the distinction as the state's oldest lighthouse that has survived without major rebuilding or being moved since that time.

We also took a ride to Amelia Island Plantation, a resort on the island offering golf, spa, shops, etc. This was located on the south side of the island and there's a big difference in the neighborhoods down there...the "Enclave", "Seaside Retreat", "The Dunes", etc.

Susan and Bob left this morning for Orlando where we will join them on Friday. But first we're heading tomorrow to another state park, San Sebastian, located on Melbourne Beach for a short stay. (Maybe a little more warmth too??) See you then!