Island Time (#1)

On my last stop in Florida for the season, I had to return to the coast, and was lucky enough to get four nights at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island. I had no idea how lovely and interesting this island would be, and I already plan to return next winter! 

While the Civil War-era fort is the main attraction, this 1400+ acre park stretches along the shores of the Amelia River, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cumberland Sound. There are on and off-road bike paths, and the speed limit in the park is 5 - 25 miles/hour. I love it. In fact, all of Amelia Island is bike-friendly and you can ride north into the Fernandina Historic District, along the beach, and south for 22 miles along pathways to Little Talbot Island.

While doing an amazing job of keeping all of the retail ugliness at least 3 miles out of town, they have also preserved a 50-block area at the north end of the island that exudes charm. The town of Fernandina was established in 1811, and named for King Ferdinand VII of Spain. The "new" Florida railroad built in 1853 brought the subsequent tourism boom.