We Crossed the Border...

...well, at least the Florida/Georgia line. Two weeks of hiding from winter paid off with lots of animal surprises and time with family and friends. Stop 1: Amelia Island Stop 2: Tampa Bay

Day 1: Amelia Island, January 2024, One of the many Egan's Creek trails, free, mobility scooter friendly.

So last year we spent NYE at a family member's farm cooking out and enjoying a fire by the donkeys. Some say how you spend New Year's Day sets the tone for the rest of the year; last year that proved true...I guess we will see what 2024 has ready for us.

We started off with New Year's Eve with my friends Julie & Danny in Amelia Island and we were up bright and early to explore their favorite spots on the island. Amelia Island is only 18 sq. miles with the longest point being 13 miles and the widest area being around 3 miles. In this small space. If you want a trail just look up, they are everywhere...if hiking isn't your thing...Amelia Island is loaded with history and beaches. Originally inhabited around the year 1000 by the Timucuan and followed by 8 additional groups of people including pirates, Europeans, & Mexicans. Learn more at their history museum or even their ghost tour.

Day 2: Amelia Island, Fort Clinch State Park, $6 per car (+$2.50 each for the museum), partially mobility scooter friendly

On our second day, we were joined by some of our kids. It was actually their idea to make this getaway. Another day bright and early off to Fort Clinch State Park where the kids went off into the woods for some wandering and the old folks headed to the fort. For those of you keeping track of my mobility issues, I am practicing walking with special boots and a cane so I can keep moving. But on a scale of 1 to 10, the fort is probably a 9 for anyone in a decent wheelchair or scooter...you just won't be able to see everything.

Keep scrolling to get adventure photos with the young'ins.

The kid's Fort Clinch SP wanderings, photos & videos by Cody Mausolf of The Liquor Portal

Day 2 Afternoon: downtown Fernandina Beach, free, partially mobility scooter friendly varied by store entrances

We started off our downtown wanderings with this amazing fella and his friends.

We wandered the shops and enjoyed some amazing food that was even Melanie-friendly. What does Melanie friendly food mean? Check out Mel's Rootless Paleo AIP diet

Sneaky pics by Cody/The Liquor Portal

Next 10 Days: Tampa Bay Area, January 2024

On day 3 we made the drive from the East Coast of Florida to the Gulf Coast and didn't stop wandering for about ten days. Lots of hiking, kayaking, and biking with the kids and pup. Bob and I always appreciate when our son-in-law is along for a trip, he has the gift of finding all the free off-the-beaten path historical and natural adventures. It felt like we were in Florida forever but then again not long enough.

Multiple day hikes smooshed together: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey, free, partially mobility scooter friendly

We spent multiple days visiting the many trails at Starkey. Starky has 8,300 acres of wandering space that includes bike trails and camping. Many of the paths are wheelchair accessible, while on other paths I certainly needed my boot and cane. It was worth it though to see these hidden gems. Some of you may recall that we like to keep track of the birds that we see, this trip had lots of counts and is very popular with bird-watching clubs. We even saw some quail that were way too fast to catch on camera.

We saw so many amazing plants, even an orange tree.

Cody's point of view (following video & slideshow)

SLIDESHOW

Town and Beach Wanderings: Honeymoon Island State Park ($8 per car, off-beach areas are accessible), Pinellas Trail (free, very accessible), Tarpon Springs (free, somewhat accessible...my chair had to be carried a few steps), and Dunedin (free and accessible)

We have been to Tarpon Springs enough times that some of the shopkeepers recognize us, but never have we run into the town's mermaid, Ama. We also some of her friends in the water behind her. A crowd of people drew our attention to a newborn manatee during the epiphany. Amazing, none of our photos do justice, but here is an aerial news report.

Crystal River Archeological State Park: $3 per car, all accessible minus the mound

Stopping at this site was a last-minute decision on our way to spend the afternoon with the manatees. We would love to come back and spend more time here. Very informative little museum surrounded by a very serene archeological park. They don't know who the people were that lived here but the park ranger is very excited to tell guests all that she knows.

Manatee Adventures: Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Hunter Springs Kayaks $40+, not accessible but they worked it out

Let's just start with I didn't know that being in the presence of manatees was on my bucket list. Being with them was like being in the presence of dragons or even angels. Completely Majestic! We do have some pics and videos but they do no justice. We did not get the swim package but plan to do so next winter. Why next winter? They only gather en masse in the winter to stay warm. The springs stay at 72 degrees which is ideal for them and humans. Three Sisters Springs has about 400 manatees gathering. Manatees travel in groups of no more than six and are called an aggregation. Here is a news video from 1/15/2024.

We kayaked down several canals before we found a large collection of them. We were skeptical that we would see any because we really didn't understand the magnitude of this gathering. We passed this canal that was blocked off from humans and could see the mounds of their backs in the water. This gave us hope as we made our way to the Three Sisters area.

Even if had just been a cold kayak trip it would have been satisfying, but now it was an unforgettable day. We took the three-hour kayak rental which was just right. If we go longer next time we will get the wetsuits and snorkel gear and pack food and more water. Emma and Mitchel loved having the clear boat, but it was very uncomfortable and slow-moving.

Scroll down for Cody's PoV underwater video.

Yes, that was a lot...we are tired, you are probably tired of reading and I am tired of typing and editing. Stay posted for part 2 of "We Have Crossed the Border..."