Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach

We have been going and having so much fun! This trip involved only the most beautiful little town I have seen in a long time, Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. It is simply perfect.

I swear, this may be where I want to make home. It is that special. What makes it so special? It is a small town, it's on an island (and not just any island...Amelia Island), it is quaint, it oozes history, it has a farmer's market downtown every Saturday morning spring through fall, of course there is a beach, the people are friendly, it has a ferry that takes you on a 45 minute trip to St. Mary's, people walk, people ride bikes, people ride scooters, the downtown area is precious.

Let's start with the Farmer's Market. Colorful. Sweet. Music. Good food. Plants. Crafts. People. Veggies. Honey. Bread.

The Farmer's Market

Colorful

A little 4 part harmony

Bottles of fancy oils and vinegars

Flowers for sale...butterflies are free

Sweet jars of honey

The band's gear

Shoppers

The town has bits of history everywhere

Touches of the whimsical around every corner

In front of a little bookstore this sweet man was signing copies of his book. He autographed mine, and I had my picture taken with him. This book is so touching!

Peter the Pelican by Jerry Bishop

Window shopping was a feast for the eyes

On the dock

Docked on the inner coastal

Downtown walls

Another old wall

Nothing drab

Store sign

Blue on blue

On the boardwalk

Beach hat

People watching

Castaway Island Preserve

D had a surprise for me! "Bring your camera" he said. Well, I had a new lens ready to hit the streets! We were off.

The destination? Castaway Island Preserve!! Isn't that a whimsical name?

Entrance sign

This little preserve is a nature retreat in Jacksonville, close to the beach. It has a tiny little kayak launch at the end of the trail that goes off into the marshes.

Bronze sculpture

A sign there warned you to be aware of tide times as at low tide the waters were not navigable. And, sure enough, tide was out when we arrived and it was all mud. But it was extremely interesting to see what comes out to play when the tide is out!

Little crabs...thousands of them

Tide out

Some water, here and there

Thick green grasses

Fields and forest

Flowers...

...and more flowers.

Pine in the setting sun