Atlantic Coast from Florida to North Carolina

Kennedy Space Center

Since 1981, as the shuttle Columbia flew into Earth’s orbit, through July 2011, when the last shuttle was launched, the Kennedy Space Center was the launch and landing site for the space shuttle. The orbiter Atlantis, after 33 missions, is at the heart of the center’s Space Shuttle exhibit.

   
Kennedy Space Center                                           Atlantics Space Shuttle

    Private company SpaceX prepares to launch                               John Glenn circles the world

 
On March 15, the United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a military communication satellite. We were fortunate to be visiting a friend at Ormond Beach that evening and viewed the rocket at the beach as it passed out over the Atlantic Ocean.

 
Night launch from Cape Canaveral

 

Historic Fort Clinch

As in most Florida State Parks, with reservations made many months in advance, camp sites are always at a premium. Probably due to a last minute cancellation, we, with one days notice, were able to reserve a site in Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island for just one night.

Walking from our site through the forested dunes lead us to historic Fort Clinch, a restored 19^th century masonry coastal fortification. This fort was an improtant Union post during the American Civil war.
  Fort Clinch protecting Fernandina Beach

    More warnings on a hike                                       Wet and Wild

  

Amelia Island

Spring Arrives in Georgia

    Azaleas

    Shrimp fleet                                          Jelly fish

    Huge century’s old Live Oak trees

 

Rice is King

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation is a well-preserved plantation home with 1200 acres of one-time rice fields carved from the marshes along the Altamaha River. Prior to the Civil War, the back-breaking work of slaves was the foundation of the lucrative rice culture. The end of slavery lead to the demise of the rice plantations. The rice fields are now home to a variety of wildlife in the overgrown salt marshes.

 
Plantation home

 

Fort Pulaski

A fort on Cockspur Island at the mouth of the Savannah River was first built of earth and logs in 1761. A second fort built after the revolutionary War was washed away in 1804 during a hurricane. Fort Pulsaki, the current fort on the island, was built just after the War of 1812 as part of a series of masonry fortifications along the seacoast. The dike system which allowed for tide control and drainage was designed by recent West Point graduate Lt. Robert E. Lee.

At the start of the Civil War, in 1862 Fort Pulaski became the target of the new rifled cannon which lead to the downfall of masonry forts the world over.

In the 1930’s after years of neglect the fort was rehabilitated by the CCC and is now enjoyed by visitors.

   

Officers quarters                       Cannon at the ready

    Damaged walls from rifled cannon fire                              Imbedded shells from 1862

Tybee Island 

The Tybee Island Lighthouse is Georgia’s oldest and at 145 feet, tallest dating from 1736 We can confirm the reported 178 steps to the top. With a 1^st Order Fresnell Lens, the light can be seen 18 miles out to sea. The Coast Guard maintains the lamp and lens.

   

Swinging at the beach                             Tybee Island Lighthouse

Brookgreen Gardens

This garden of more than 9000 acres which formerly was a rice plantation, showcases a variety of classical and whimsical sculptures in a flowering landscape. Although April is the beginning of the blooming season the azalea and camellias added color throughout the garden.

    Sculpture maze                                         Diana with fawn

    Battling the alligator                            Flying Brown Pelicans

Sundial from the 1939 NYC World Fair

 

Parris Island Marine Corp Museum

This history museum is located at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, a huge, active military base. The most interesting displays related to the evolving actions of the Marine Corp from the American Revolution to present day. Early in our tour a group of about 50 young very polite, well “coached” current male recruits joined us. The traditions of the corp are obviously part of their training.

Additional note: Two of Jim’s uncles served in the Marine Corp in World War 1, one of whom, John was killed in Bellow Woods France

   

John Raymond Canfield                                  Roger Irving Canfield

 

We now continue along the coast in North Carolina and Virginia as we get ever closer to home in NJ.

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