sunshine state

This morning, we added another state to the boys' "visited" list: Florida! Actually, it was my first time in the state as well, so firsts all around. We made our way two islands south of Jekyll (bypassing Cumberland Island, which is also Cumberland Island National Seashore and is only accessible by boat) to Amelia Island, Florida. After a quick stop for breakfast and some coffee (side note: WHY did we pick an island without a funky coffee shop? Even a Starbucks would be great! Take note, Jekyll Island city planners.) we made it to our first stop: Fort Clinch State Park. The fort was built for the Civil War (though it wasn't used in any battles) and then restored/rebuilt in the 1930s as part of the CCC.

We started in the little museum and checked out a Gatling gun, various sizes of cannonballs and other munitions, and a truly gruesome display of Civil War-era medical tools. Then we set off into the sunny, muggy morning to get our first glimpse of the fort. It was really impressive in size, and something about all those cannons pointing out over the water was very affecting. We explored a jail, guard area, and kitchen, and walked all along the ramparts, with the boys darting up and down stairs to check out various nooks and crannies.

The plan was to check out the fort and then head to the beach area around the half-mile-long fishing pier in a different area of the park, but we got a little bit sidetracked when we realized we could follow a path right down to the ocean where it meets the sound right in front of the fort. I had read that the shelling was good in the park in general, which is seriously underestimating the situation. We found tons of great shells, including a dozen (!!!) lettered olives and an auger, plus a whole bunch of cockles and mussels and a few snail shells and whelks. There was such bounty right in front of the fort that we ended up staying out there hunting shells for a long time, until we were all sweaty, slightly sunburned messes. (Note: Florida is HOT!!) Thankfully, unlike some other times on this trip, we had the foresight to pack a cooler full of water bottles, and let me just say that it was probably the most satisfying drink of water I've ever had. We were all seriously parched.

After the beach, we took our sweaty selves off to the town of Fernandina Beach. We spent some time meandering the historic areas of the village, browsing some shops and getting a few little souvenirs for the boys. Then we had lunch at Tasty's, a burger place housed in an old gas station. Great atmosphere and excellent burgers and dogs. And we topped it all off with ice cream cones at Fernandina's Fantastic Fudge -- chocolate for Liam and Max, salted caramel for me, and "Superman" (vanilla ice cream in bright red, blue, and yellow) for Henry. Yum!