| The Siren Call of Fernandina Beach |
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| February 25, 2008 |
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My idea of a great place to get away is Fernandina Beach. I'm a bit prejudiced because I used to work at the News Leader newspaper.
But every time I return, I'm reminded of why I love it so: Fernandina is authentic Florida - a marvelous mix of natural Florida (Fort Clinch State Park), beaches made for walking, watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean, shell collecting and finding shark's teeth, an Intracoastal Waterway with interesting and varied boat traffic, a birthplace for the shrimping industry, boasting a historic downtown that celebrates its old buildings, including churches and add to this a lively restaurant scene where you can start with down home for breakfast then enjoy American eclectic or the latest catch for dinner. And all of this compacted in about a one-mile square area. Whew!
Fort Clinch State Park is a Gateway for the East Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Rangers lead walks on a regular basis. Check their Web site. Civil War re-enactors love Fort Clinch. When they're not doing battle reenactments, whole garrisons of Union or Confederate soldiers will take over the fort for a weekend and do the daily life of a soldier (think wool uniforms and mosquitoes back then). Sometimes they give candlelight tours of the fort so you see it they way soldiers lived it. Quite wonderful.
A long fishing pier at Fort Clinch State Park attracts both anglers and sightseers. The pier just out into the Atlantic and to the left is the mouth of the St. Marys River. Georgia is on the other side. Sometimes you see submarines going out to sea or returning to St. Mary's, Georgia.
Fernandina has a host of fine B&Bs. My personal favorite is the Florida House Inn. It could be the full continental breakfast but also well-behaved dogs are welcomed and my dog Annie had her first overnight there. When we entered the room, there was a bowl for her and tennis ball with her name on it.
The staff and volunteers at Amelia Island Museum of History not only talk the talk, they walk the walk - literally. Check out their various walks you can take including a stroll down Centre Street, a haunted stroll through graveyards and strolls through neighborhoods with fine Victorian homes.
Did you know Henry Flagler wanted to start his East Coast railroad here? The story goes that city fathers turned him down, thinking they were doing just fine with all the visitors arriving by steamers. Flagler moved on to St. Augustine and the rest, as they say is history.
Walk the beach, indulge in a piece of fudge from Fantastic Fudge on Centre Street, enjoy the mix of stores in historic buildings and smell the salt air. Ah, Fernandina Beach, I hear you calling me . . .
Looking ahead: The first weekend of May is always the date for the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. For 2008 the dates are May 3-4. Eight blocks of downtown Fernandina Beach are closed to cars. Pedestrians wander through an arts and crafts show, lots of family friendly things to do and yes, pirates roam the streets. If you want to go, book rooms early.
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| The Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Fernandina Beach was built and painted to fit in with the historic area around it |
| Credit: Lucy Beebe Tobias, VISIT FLORIDA Authentic Florida Expert |
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