Beach Walk at Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island is a Georgia State Park that boasts over 8 miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches. The island has many places to walk including the historic Millionaire Village once a vacation home to America's wealthiest families including the Vanderbilts, Rockefeller, Goodyear, and Pulitzer to name a few.

We started the day off at the Georgia Sea Turtle Museum where we joined an educational tour about alligators on Jekyll. This included a ride over the south beach and a walk to locate an alligator that had a tracking device. We were able to track this gator to a sewer pipe in the parking lot of a hotel. You never know what's right under your feet!

The highlight of the day was the long walk on the beach. There's nothing nicer than cooling your feet off in the ocean...

Take a walk and get your feet wet!

Weekend Walking in Savannah, Georgia

 

A Weekend in Savannah, Georgia

June 27 and 28 

Savannah is just a 2 hour drive from Jacksonville so it makes an easy weekend trip. We drove up on Saturday afternoon and arrived in time to take a nap and get ready for dinner. 

Dinner at Johnnie Harris 

1651 E Victory Dr
Savannah, Ga

Johnnie Harris Restaurant was established in 1924 and although the place has been updated over the years it retains an old fashioned atmosphere. It felt almost like being in 1930 with dark paneling and high ceilings. There was a large area in the center of the restaurant that looked like it could be used as a circular dance floor. It was surrounded by intimate booths around the perimeter. 

The food was good. I had the barbecue pork plate with fries and coleslaw. The pork had a really good smoky flavor and the coleslaw was perfect but I think John made the better choice health wise. He had salmon with sweet potatoes and broccoli. He said it was delicious. 

I love this! It's Earth rising! Located at 14 E 73rd Street. Originally a storage tank built in the 1950s by Savannah Gas Company it's been painted to resemble the earth. It now carries an advertisement for the Savannah Mortgage Company. 
You can read more about this at Roadside America.

Historic Savannah 10K Walk

This walk was set up by The Happy Wanderers Walking Club and is self guided. You can pick up the directions and a map at the Savannah History Museum and Visitors Center: 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Savannah, Ga 31401. Just go to the front desk at the museum and ask for the start box. 

I was intrigued by all the staircases in this city. This is just one view. 

This is Forsyth Park at Gaston Street and Bull Street. It's one of many parks and squares that dot this town. I loved that there was so much activity going on. People sitting and talking, riding bikes, walking and a young couple (see the guy kneeling down?) having their pregnancy photos taken. Large oak trees that shade the park and a beautiful cast iron fountain that was that was erected in 1858 make this a lovely place to walk.

If you continue on in Forsythe Park past the fountain you'll come to the Confederate Memorial. The monument was erected in 1874 to honor those who fought and died in the Confederacy. It's interesting to note that the monument was made in Canada with Canadian materials and brought to Savannah by ship so no part of it touched Yankee soil. History runs deep here. 

If you're walking for AVA credit be sure to take the time to walk around the monument and make note of the names of the Confederate officers on the two bust at the front and rear. You'll be tested later:-)

This is a friendly town full of Southern hospitality. While we were trying to take a selfie in one of the parks a young couple walking their dogs stopped and offered to take our picture. 

We did venture down to the water front but it was packed with tourist so we didn't linger. To me it was nicer walking by the old houses and through the many parks and squares. 

There's a lot of history to be found not to far from home. 

For more information on how you can enjoy walks of this kind check out the American Volkssport Association.

Lace up and visit a town near you!

Walking to a Destination

Most of the time our walks meander around from our car (or house) and back with no real destination in mind. Our goal is to just walk and chalk up steps and miles. Today we decided to do something different and actually walk to a chosen destination.

We parked at the MOSH with the intention of walking to European Street on San Marco to have lunch. It was actually only about a mile from where we parked to the restaurant so we added some walk time by going over the bridges.

First we walked over the Main Street bridge to the Landing.

A lot of sailboats docked at the Landing. There was also a charity walk for the Kidney Foundation. Nice to see activity down on the waterfront.

Then over the Acosta to San Marco. It was very hot on top of the bridge. A bright sunny day with no breeze. This is a view of the Landing from the Acosta. Very pretty waterfront city.

After lunch at European Street we took the long way back by going through the San Marco area. Walking down Hendricks Ave. we came across some old buildings. One was the South Jacksonville City Hall built in 1913. Learned something new today. 

We also encountered a man who I think was homeless. He walked with us a while and told us about living in Pittsburgh. He was nice and didn't ask for money so maybe he wasn't homeless. Maybe he thought we were...

After we got home John informed me that if we walked one more mile we'd be caught up on our goal of walking 500 miles this year. So off to Winn Dixie we went. We parked and walked down to where the Salvation Army is on Lem Turner, turned around and came back to Winn Dixie where we did our shopping.

Yeah! We're not behind anymore!!! Let's hope we can keep it that way.

 Lace Up and Walk you might learn something new about your city!

Walking in the Rain- Tillie Fowler Regional Park

We took the little guy to the park even though we were pretty sure it was going to rain...Are we bad grandparents? 

I don't think so. A little rain never hurt anyone...and he had fun...

Tillie Fowler Regional Park is located on US 17 across the street from the main gate to Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

Most of the trail is cover with a nice boardwalk. Good thing because there was a lot of standing water. 

This is the Tower Trail that takes you to a 3 story wooden tower that looks out over the woods toward the river. 

As you walk along the boardwalk you can see brick roads that crisscross under the trail. 

This area was once used by the Department of War and the brick roads were used for movement of men and animals. 

Don't be afraid to get your feet wet, lace up and walk in the rain!

Self Guided Walking Tour of Monticello, Florida

Heading home after a visit with our son and his family we took a side trip to visit the town of Monticello. I've seen the sign for this historic town many times but we've never taken the time to visit. I was happy that we did take the time on this trip.

At the Chamber of Commerce we found a brochure for a tour that could be made on foot or in the car. Of course we took the foot route.  I forgot to take a water bottle that I could carry with me but I thought we'd find a place to stop for a cool drink if needed. Wrong! Nothing is open in this quaint little town on Sunday afternoon. Fortunately most of the walk was in the shade so we didn't suffer too badly.

We stopped by the Chamber on Commerce 420 W. Washington Street to pick up a map of the walking tour.

The Chamber of Commerce is located in a cute little converted church. Even though it was closed on Sunday the maps are located in a stand at the front door. 

Monticello Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

Monticello Opera House was built in 1890 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The walking tour took us by several churches. This is the most interesting one (in my opinion:-)

Christ Episcopal Church located on High Street was built in 1885. 

Interesting details on this building. Lots of intricate woodwork and beautiful stain glass windows. The woodwork sets it apart from other Episcopal Churches built around this time. 

Anytime a walk includes a cemetery I'm happy. Weird but true...

City Cemetery 

(1827)

There are many early settlers of this area laid to rest here as well as Union and Confederate Soldiers.

Next time we see an interesting sign we won't wait so long to check it out! 

Get off the main road lace up and start walking!

Walking in Historic Springfield

Springfield is the oldest residential area in Jacksonville. Established in 1869 Springfield saw tremendous growth after the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed the downtown area. An eclectic grouping of bungalows, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Prairie School, Mediterranean and Stick style homes sit along tree shaded streets. By the 1920's many of Jacksonville's richest and most powerful families lived in Springfield.  

By the time I worked at the Springfield Atlantic Bank at 8th and Main in the late 1970's and early 80's many families had abandoned the area in favor of newer neighborhoods. The area was blighted and many of beautiful homes were left to deteriorate.

In 1987 the Springfield neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. There was a renewed interest in the area and in 2010 Southern Living magazine spotlighted Springfield as the #1 comeback neighborhood of the South.. In 2013 This Old House placed Springfield fourth on their list of sixteen of the Best Old House Neighborhoods in the South.

This was the first walk we took with the First Coast Trail Forgers walking club. The walk started at 10am with about 15 people. We enjoyed walking with Mark and Gloria a couple that have been involved with the club for many years.

It was a really nice walk with beautiful houses and big trees. The 5K walk took us about an hour and then we ate lunch at a little cafe at the start point of the walk. The Three Layers Cafe located at 1602 Walnut Street offered a lunch menu of salads, sandwiches, soup and the most wonderful looking desserts. I had a turkey and artichoke grilled sandwich with chips. John had a Cuban with potato salad. I stole a taste of the potato salad and it was very good. Even though we passed on dessert it was the perfect way to end a walk.

At the start of the walk we were all together. That didn't last long as
the power walker blew on down the road. 

A small sampling of the renovated homes.

I would love to see inside that room at the top of the tower.

St Mary Episcopal Church on N Laura Street. 

It was a sweet surprise when we spied this little gem in the middle of a residential block. St Mary Episcopal Church. There she was. Red door and all...I wonder if the power walkers even noticed?

There's still work to be done...

Lots of interesting places to see...

Are you ready to lace up your shoes and go walking?

Walking Among the Dead - A Walk Through Evergreen Cemetery With Friends

Today two of my friends joined me for a three mile walk through Evergreen Cemetery. 

It was a nice day. Started out a little cool but quickly warmed up. Walking in short sleeves felt nice. 

We met at the office and walk down Woodlawn Ave. and crossed over the railroad tracks. Once in the back part of the cemetery we just wandered up and down the roads stopping occasionally to peer inside a mausoleum or to check out a grave marker. 

We were the only walkers but there were plenty of maintenance people around so it didn't feel desolate. 

It took us right at one hour to walk three miles.

A few reasons to walk here:

1. No traffic to speak of. We were passed by two vehicles both were going about 10mph.
2. No exhaust fumes. 
3. Shady
4. Quiet
5. It would be difficult to get lost as the cemetery is enclosed by a fence. 
6. During the week there are lots of people working around doing maintainence and lawn work so you're not out there alone. 
7. Easy to park at the office or along the roads.
8. Interesting things to look at along the way

Evergreen Cemetery 

4535 Main Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32206

Grab a friend Lace Up and Walk!