Hi guys! 🙂

I wanted to share some photos from the outings I have done around Jacksonville, Florida and parts of lowcountry Georgia while I was recovering from Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. It was good to get out and expose my eyes/brain to different environments constantly, so my parents and I (or sometimes solo) checked out some different cities/towns in Georgia or experiences around Jacksonville!

Enjoy!

Note: I apologize if some of the photos are slightly fuzzy, I took them as stills from the TikTok videos I made. I am not posting all of the photos but the most significant ones!

Florida

World Golf Village – St. Augustine

I went to World Golf Village for a car show in June and explored the Hall of Fame while I was there. I also stopped by the Murray Bros. Caddyshack for a bite to eat! I later learned that the Hall of Fame and other amenities would be relocated to Pinehurst, NC in 2024, so I was lucky to see it – it has been in St. Augustine since 1998!

You can view my TikTok video here!

Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation is located on Fort George Island in the Timucuan Historic Preserve. According to the website, “in 1814, Zephaniah Kingsley moved to Fort George Island and what is known today as the Kingsley Plantation. He brought a wife and three children (a fourth would be born at Fort George). His wife, Anna Madgigine Jai, was from Senegal, West Africa, and was purchased by Kingsley as a slave. She actively participated in plantation management, acquiring her own land and slaves when freed by Kingsley in 1811.

With an enslaved work force of about 60, the Fort George plantation produced Sea Island cotton, citrus, sugar cane, and corn. Kingsley continued to acquire property in north Florida and eventually possessed more than 32,000 acres, including four major plantation complexes and more than 200 enslaved people.”

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum is the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. It was established in 1958 when Ninah Cummer bequeathed her art collection and riverfront home to create a museum. The core collection of 60 pieces from Cummer’s estate has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art. My favorite part was Flamboyance!, a horticultural exhibit with topiary flamingos covered in pink flowers overlooking the St. John’s River.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Boneyard Beach

Boneyard Beach is located on Big Talbot Island and is a mile long. The beach is known for its driftwood that once grew near the shore. Next door to it is Black Rock Beach and I walked to the far end of it as well.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

MOCA is an institute of the University of North Florida and houses unique art pieces from local artists.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Museum of Science and History (MOSH)

I felt like a kid again when I toured MOSH! It was full of live birds, sea creatures and reptiles and also had information on conserving energy, dinosaurs and the history of Jacksonville. There was even a planetarium!

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Beaches Museum

The Beaches Museum highlights the history and culture of Jacksonville’s beach communities that consists of Mayport, Neptune Beach, Jax Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra and Palm Valley. It also has highlights of a train depot, houses and a chapel from the first settlers.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch opened to the public in 1938 and was named in honor of Gen. Duncan Lamont Clinch. The fort was constructed of brick in 1847 after the end of the Second Seminole War. Confederate troops occupied the fort between 1861-1862 and no battles were ever fought.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Georgia

Savannah

I visited Savannah on my 43rd birthday and took the trolley around the city to view the historic sites. There were a ton of churches, buildings, sculptures, parks and other architecture, it took all day to get through it! I wish I would’ve stayed longer to experience more of the shopping and food but it was so hot the day my parents and I went that we just decided to go back to Jacksonville and eat there.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s was established in 1792 and is the gateway to Cumberland Island (I unfortunately cannot go on any type of boat ever again, but there are ruins and wild horses!). St. Mary’s also has historic churches, houses, a submarine museum and other spots. It’s definitely worth checking out!

You can check out my TikTok video here!

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island was founded in 1733 by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe. The historic area sits on 240 acres with 34 historic structures! It also houses the Georgia Sea Turtle Center as a rehabilitation facility, which was my favorite part.

You can check out my TikTok video here!

St. Simons Island

St. Simons Island was founded in 1736 by y Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe. I saw a couple churches and also saw the St. Simons Lighthouse, which is the oldest brick structure in the area and is still maintained as an operational light by the U.S. Coast Guard. You have to climb 129 steps to get to the top! I also saw Fort Frederica that was used during the Civil War.

You can check out my TikTok video here!