Shellady Adventures in the Northwest-Summer 2013: February 2015

For an older couple, just spending their first winter away from the midwest, it is an incredible experience! Just as the memories of teaching daily fade with retirement, suddenly the memories of cold weather and snow drop from view as well. While Iowa is getting from 6-12 inches of snow as I write this, we are experiencing about 70 degree weather and clear blue skies here in Fernandino Beach, Florida. I look out our window at the palm trees and the slight breeze and have trouble imagining the storm at home, or the lack of electricity due to its clutches.

We have been here about three weeks now and in that time we have busy almost every day. There are so many sights to see that are new to us. We have been beach walking that is our all time favorite.
We have been to plantations, forts and wildlife preserves along with a trip to Jekyll Island to experience the peacefulness and the driftwood beach. The trees with their weeping greenery next to the many stately mansions and the historic architectural homes in this area just appear around every corner. And, if the landscape were not enough, the birds are something to sit and watch in awe! We have watched pelicans feed at the bait shop near the water and the birds as they land in the marshy areas around the parks in town. We continue to find new things to do daily and the weather inspires us to get outside and enjoy each day. Our dachshunds have been great travelers along this journey and especially love walking along the sandy beaches, seeing new people and children.

The first week we arrived in Florida, we traveled north to Jekyll Island. At the Visitor's Center we were given recommendations of things to see. We decided to go to see the sea turtles at the local center where injured turtles are taken for healing. It is a great place for kids, especially, to learn about how to care for the environment and protect sea life. They even had a M.A.S.H. tent to treat all types of turtles. It was equipped with outdoor pens for turtles that don't need to be in water.

The wonder and fascinating driftwood beach of Jekyll Island was beyond our dreams! We had just come to terms that the Florida beaches were not going to have the rocky, mountain line charm of the northwest when we were told of this beach. Not much in the way of rocks, but the twists and turns of the driftwood seemed to be something out of a magical motion picture. The beach went on and on, so we kept running into another tree formation that was better than the last. It was a beautiful day and I think we will have to visit there again before we come home.

Jekyll Island was the summer resort for the rich and famous of the 1900's. Men like J.P. Morgan and the Goodyear families to name a few. They built summer homes and a beautiful hotel to house the very privileged of society. Sadly, many of them were too busy working to take the time to enjoy the fruits of their success. Goodyear only spent one summer in his large home, dying young and unable to relax in the lifestyle he had built for his family.

Wonderful opportunity to see the pelicans at a bait shop near the water. The owner feeds them daily with leftover fish scraps and the birds swarm the area. They don't mind if you get extremely close and it is an awesome sight to see if you have never seen a pelican other than in a textbook.

Back in downtown Fernandina Beach, there are never ending sights. Horse drawn carriages give visitors a lazy look at the sights around town.

No matter whether the weather is warm, windy, or even a bit chilly, the beach is a place to go every day to walk the dogs and enjoy the ocean waves.

Love the old cemeteries and the houses throughout the area, wonderful photographic opportunities!

A visit to the north, St. Mary's, another quaint little town with a beautiful park and more older homes.

To the south, near Jacksonville is Kingsley Plantations. We just happened across it on a drive and taking the back road to get there made us question where we were going to end up. It was worth the drive on the old road, we got to see our first armadillo in action. The buildings were well preserved and the lawn had a beautiful view of the palms and the water in front.

We spend a day visiting Fort Clinch which is in Fernandina Beach. This is a well preserved fort that was occupied by Union soldiers in the 1860's.

Back downtown in Fernandina

We went to St. Simon Island near Brunswick, Georgia. We visited Fort Federica, which was mostly ruins, with stones outlining the buildings that once stood there.

After leaving the site of the fort, we toured St. Simon Island. There was so much to see, fabulous homes, Methodist retreats, and Christ Church, one of the earlier churches on the Island. We visited the Methodist church which was striking and led to a peaceful park dedicated to John Wesley. John and Charles Wesley came to Georgia to spread the gospel and were know for founding the Methodist movement in the United States.

Inside the Methodist church, very rugged look, but the church is relatively new.

The wall protecting Christ church, with the landscape beautifully kept for visitors to see.

Famous lighthouse on St. Simon with the main house being a visitor center and gift shop.

Back to Fernandia Beach and more exploring off the main stress of historic downtown.

Interesting doors caught my eye. The old railroad station is in the process of being redone.

Back down south of Fernandina toward Jacksonville, we visited Timucuan Ecological and Historic Perserve. This is close to Kingsley Plantation that we had visited earlier. In this area we saw the remains, and I mean remains of Ft. .George which is located on Little Talbot Island State Park.

Although we didn't see the birds that are noted for landing near the water in this area, the trail was
something to remember. We saw no wildlife other than one squirrel on the trail, but the trees made the trail worthwhile.

Fernandina Beach, simple and relaxing. Many senior citizens have found this place to spend time away from the cold winters further north. The birds come in flocks to eat and walk the beaches along with the visitors.