ON THE BOARDER....Georgia and Florida Coast

We first saw Fort Clinch State Park at Fernandina, Florida last year for a day and decided we needed to return this year.  Most of our schedule was built around availability of a beach camp site here at the State Park.

We have been able to enjoy 4 days of visiting downtown Fernandina, touring the pre Civil War fort and soaking up the sun.
  Fort Clinch, like Fort Pulaski on Tybee Island, was built around the same time to protect the nation from coastal attacks after the War of 1812.  However, all these southern forts along the coast saw action in the Civil War and even up to WWII as observation locations.  Ft. Clinch is situated on the St. Mary's River and directly across you can see Georgia and Cumberland Island, famous for its wild horses.  Next year our plan is to go to Cumberland Island for the day.

Fort Clinch

                     Downtown Fernandina                                              

Cumberland Island and Coast                                                             Guard boats

Wild storm clouds heading out to sea from our camp site

We enjoy this area so much.  St. Marys, GA is right across the river (another beautiful small town) which houses a major US submarine station.  A park ranger told us last year that before a submarine comes into their home port, family members arrive at Fort Clinch to watch it enter.  Arrival times are never posted for security purposes but the families are notified.  Seeing a sub traveling up the river would be a great sight for sure.



                                                         ON TO ST. AUGUSTINE

We are camping at Anastasia State Park, 2 miles from downtown St. Augustine and easily accessible by bike.  The historic area is fun to tour with Fort Castillo de San Marcos being the main attraction.  This was a Spanish fort when construction started in 1672.  It then went to the British, back to Spain, and finally to the United States in 1821.  It is a National Park with dozens of well versed volunteers willing to share their knowledge.

Look out all invaders!

Fort Mantanzas protected St. Augustine from invasion from the south.  It too is a National Park, but very small.  Thirty men would rotate spending a month at a time just watching the river.  The Park Service ferries people on a large pontoon boat for their visit.

                                                                  Fort Mantanzas

  The beach and State Parks here are just wonderful.  I first questioned our decision to stay for 2 weeks, but it is so relaxing and enjoyable  There are a few visits to be made while we are here, but then we are north bound for a week in the mountains of North Carolina.

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