So long Florida...on to Georgia

Fort Clinch State Park...Amelia Island, Florida

March 31-April 3

We visited the Kingsley Plantation and learned a great deal about what life on a plantation and slavery were like in this area.  It was very sad to hear of the difficult life that so many black slaves had at the hands of the white plantation owners.  The audio tour was excellent in conveying the history of slavery.  

 This plantation had an unusual labor system. Slaves were assigned a given task for the day ranging from picking cotton, cooking for the white families or working as a blacksmith. Once they finished their task for the day they could work on their own small gardens or be hired for additional work.  Their hope was to save enough money to buy freedom for themselves or their family.

We loved the historic downtown area of Fernandino Beach.   SO CUTE!

 We had a pizza picnic on the beach.

 Fort Clinch State Park has both a beach camping section and a river section.  Amelia Island sits at the mouth of the Amelia River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.  It was so beautiful!!  This morning while I was walking on the beach I felt like I was transported to Gilligan's Island...a beautiful, deserted, wide beach.  I think this was one of the most stunning places we have visited...it reminded me a little of the Puget Sound and our first home in Steilacoom.  We also got to see many dolphins on our evening sunset walks...so cool!

The campground is located next to historic Fort Clinch.  We toured it one day and learned about the interesting history of a fort that has never seen a battle.  Due to it's key location on a river inlet to the United States...it was important in keeping the interior of the U.S. safe.

There was little urgency of war when this fort was built so there are tons of interesting architectural elements to the fort.  The boys loved the secret passageways and spiraling staircases.

We spent a couple of afternoons at a nearby beach park...the boys loved the beach and the fact that a basketball court was across the parking lot.  Basketball and skimboarding all in one place....PERFECT!

This afternoon we are leaving the great state of Florida after nearly 2 months here.  We have loved the beautiful beaches, amazing animals, historic sites and sunny weather.  We are going to Savannah, Georgia for a few days then on to Atlanta. Happy Spring Break to our Spokane friends!!