#338: Amelia Island (pg 597, 2nd Ed. pg 745)

 

Dinner at Salty Pelican Bar and Grill

Fort Clinch State Park

These cannons point across the St. Mary's River toward the Georgia islands.

This fort was built during the Civil War, and while it was built in a very strategic location, it never ended up seeing actual battle.

The St. Mary's River

After exploring the State Park, we built up an appetite and enjoyed lunch The Patio at 5th and Ash.  We recommend their charcuterie as an app!

And then we made our way back "home" (we stayed at Amelia Surf and Racket Club A136, a 3 BR, 3 bath beach-front condo) to walk along the beach.

And enjoy the sunset!

I went to Amelia Island with three former college roommates.  We are spread all over the country and wanted to try to get together.  Unfortunately, the only time that worked for everyone was the MLK holiday weekend in January.  So, since we knew it would be freezing in most areas of the country, we settled on Florida.  Well...... this is what we got!  There was a  polar vortex that came up from the South, so Amelia Island, typically in the 60's this time of year was in the 20's and 30's!  Brrrr  🥶

So, it definitely limited what we initially envisioned doing (biking, kayaking, etc).

But we bundled up and made the most of it and loved all the awesome trees and walking paths!

And made our way to American Beach on MLK day, which we felt was an appropriate way to spend the day!  This was within walking distance of our condo and was founded by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida's first black millionaire as a resort community for African Americans during the time of the Jim Crow era and segregation.

Then we spent the rest of the day on a self-guided historic tour of downtown Fernandina Beach looking and learning about all the historic homes, having lunch and shopping.  A delightful way to spend a non-beach day on a Amelia Island!

Here I am with my friend Kelli in front of Tabby House at 27 South 7th Street, whose outer walls are made of concrete and local shells.

And then, we lucked out because as we were walking by Williams House (at 103 South 9th St and now run as a 10-room B & B), the owner saw us looking at the home from the outside and invited us in!  She said she planned to take the Christmas decorations down later that day, but we were glad we got to see it in all it's Christmas glory!  It was cozy, charming and beautifully decorated.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church known as "The Jewel of Centre Street." 

And then we made our way to "The Captains House", now more informally known as The Pippi Longstocking House due to this home being selected as the location for The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. 

And then made our way back "home" again for one last walk along the beach and beautiful Amelia Island sunset before heading home the following day.

Logistics:  Amelia island is about a 30 minute drive from Jacksonville airport.  Cost varies depending on where you stay and what time of year you visit and what you decide to do.  But there are many affordable ways to explore the island with many free or low cost beaches and state parks.

Verdict: I think I might be tainted because I visited in January.... and it was a very, unseasonably cold January weekend!!  So, my January experience was No, you don't need to see Amelia Island before you die.  But it was beautiful.  I would describe it as Hilton Head and Jupiter Florida met and had a baby with a little Savannah sprinkled in there for history and southern charm.  It was a great combo!  And maybe if I went back in June-Sept, I'd have more of a "must-do" verdict 🤷

But with this visit of Amelia Island, I have now visited all of the Florida sights in the 1000 Places book!

#311: Death Valley (pg 573, 2nd Ed pg 715)

 

July 11, 2022

Welcome to Death Valley National Park!

First stop: Zabriskie Point

Great views from Zabriskie Point!

Next stop: Furnace Creek Visitor's Center to get some tips on where to visit while in the Park.

We were greeted by a sign documenting the temperature..... it was HOT!! 🔥

Little did we know, it would get 7 degrees hotter later that day.... more on that later!

The guy at the Visitor's Center suggested we visit the Mesquite Flat Dunes.  This is where the scene from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope was filmed where R2D2 and C-3PO land in their escape pod in the Tatooine Dunes after fleeing Darth Vader.

There were signs warning people not to walk out on the dunes and to keep your car in sight.  There were warnings that "Sand temperatures can be hot enough to melt candles" right off your feet.  In fact, two people died at Death Valley just last month.  One died after he ran out of gas and he overheated/dehydrated before help arrived and another died for the same reason after getting a flat tire.  The heat is no joke!  We took the warnings seriously.  We stayed close to our car.  We made sure we had a full tank of gas.  We brought plenty of water and we only stayed on paved roads, which our routinely checked by park rangers and other visitors. 

Next, my brother did a round of golf at Devil's Golf Course 🏌

And then a visit to Badwater Basin - the reason why Death Valley is a National Park.  It is 282 feet below sea level.

The salt flats are pretty cool - for something so hot anyway 😜

Left to right, this is my son Tanner, my brother Ryan, my nephew Eli and my niece Sophie.

Then we drove the 9 mile scenic loop around Artists Drive.

Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope shot a couple scenes here as well including the scene with Jawas' Sandcrawler and where R2D2 does the solo trek up the desert canyon.  

And it was also here that the temperature got up to 121 degrees!  

We got out of the car and ran around to celebrate and make a memory of being the very hottest any of us had ever been.  How did it feel?  Well, I felt my eyes drying up every second they were open and I felt my mouth drying up with every breath.  It was HOT!

Cost:  $30 vehicle entrance fee (although we had a 4th grader with us with a 4th grade pass which made it free for us - yeah!).  Although make sure you arrive with a full tank of gas!  There is only one gas station (located by the Visitor's Center) within a 70+ mile radius, so they charge $9.22/gallon!

Verdict: So, I'm not really sure what to say on this one.  The five of us talked about this on our way home.  I called my husband and was telling him about how hot it was, all the warnings, how you couldn't stray far from your car, how the sand could melt your shoes, etc.  And his response was, "So why do people want to go there??"  Well, I think that's exactly it!  It's such a totally unique place.  I've never been anywhere quite like it.  And that's what makes me want to give it a "yes!"  Having said that, if you can't handle the heat, this place is definitely not for you!  In that case, best to visit another valley that's not quite so deathly 😉

#293: The Oregon Coast (Pg 693, 2nd Ed: pg 857)

I finally made it to the Oregon Coast!

I've been to Oregon countless times to visit my Grandma, but always spent my time in/around Medford to maximize my time being with her since that was always my purpose in being with her.  This was my first trip to Oregon since she passed away last year, so instead of going to Medford, I headed out to the Coast!

I joined up with my college roommates  - After living together (randomly assigned to the same dorm as 18 year old college freshman and hitting it off) for two years from 1994-1996, we went our separate ways and this was the first time all four of us have been together since!

What a great location to reunite!

Sept 10-13, 2021

Kerry, Monique, Kelli, Ashley

First stop:  Tom's Fish and Chips in Cannon Beach!

Kelli's parents own a home in Cannon Beach, where we stayed for the long weekend.  It is literally right on the beach.  Such a fun location and setting!

Our view from our home.

Sunset walk

Haystack Rock selfie

Haystack Rock is an iconic 235-foot basalt sea stack.  There are several of these basalt sea stacks that jut out of the water, but this is the largest.

Roommates for two years..... friends for life!

Dinner in "downtown" Cannon Beach

Waking up early Saturday morning to enjoy a quiet walk on the beach.

There is beauty all around.....

Then we hit the road and headed South.  Here we are at Neahkahnie Mountain on Highway 101.

And then lunch at Tillamook's dairy!

Seeing how cheese is made....

Time for ice cream!

Yes please!

Then we went to check out Seaside, which marks the end of the Lewis and Clark trail!

I recently read Stephan Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage", so this was so meaningful and cool to see after having that newfound appreciation of these explorers.

Sunday morning:  Indian Beach

And enjoying the view of Indian Beach while eating fresh scones from the bakery!

Where the Goonies was filmed!

We hiked up 1.25 miles in order to see this view of Tilamook Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is out on that rock.  So cool!

Then back to Cannon Beach with our homemade wind screen to soak in the beauty and enjoy the day.

That evening, we drove to Astoria to check out the famed Astoria Column.

For a $5 entrance fee/car, you can park, walk all around, walk to the top of this column and enjoy the 360 degree views.

Astoria is famous in part for being where the Columbia River flows into the Pacific.

At the top of Astoria Column.

The "ceiling" of Astoria Column.

Having dinner down by the Columbia River and enjoying the Column from a different viewpoint.

Verdict:  YES!  I absolutely loved everything about this place.  The coastline is rugged and beautiful and there is so much to see and do.  Walks along the beaches, hikes along the shore, State Parks (we explored Ecola, but there are others), lighthouses, boutique stores, quirky restaurants, charming accommodations.  Cost:  Well, this depends on what you do, where you go and where you stay.  But whatever, your budget is, make sure to explore this beautiful area at least once in your life!