GET OUT and GO: ITS OUR TIME OF YEAR

You are reading this either as a fortunate resident, a valued visitor or someone yearning to make the move.

In any event, this is one of the times that our place truly shines. December, January, February and March usually offer many blue-sky, beautiful days with mild temperatures in the 60’s to 70’s – perfect for getting out-and-about to enjoy the unique features of our region.

Even though we are ocean-bound to the east, there are still numerous north, south and west opportunities to explore, visit and experience – either as day-trips or for overnight weekends. Additionally, there are many nationally and internationally renowned events to attend – from the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, to the Daytona 500 and The Players Championship.

My favorite place to share with visiting family and friends is the Georgia Coast. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Jekyll Island State Park’s Millionaire’s Village, St. Simons Island and of course, Historic Savannah are all fabulous destinations. If you want to experience the Coast in a unique and somewhat rustic fashion, try staying at Little St. Simons Island or in the Geechee/Gullah Hog Hammock community on Sapelo Island.

Complimenting Georgia’s Barrier Islands, the coastal rivers offer a glimpse into some of the South’s most unique and beautiful environments. The Altamaha, Ogeechee, Satilla, and St. Marys rivers, and their tributaries, provide remarkable boating and fishing – magnified through overnight camping on smoothly-groomed, white sandbars.

Likewise, North Florida is fortunate to have an equally-stunning outdoor environment. Graced by the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River – with massive marsh, woodland and prairie preserves – our region beckons one to be outside.

The 310 mile long St. Johns River is a conduit into the middle of Florida, revealing pristine natural wonders and bountiful wildlife. The river flows north from its headwaters in Indian River County – dropping only 30 feet in elevation along its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Since the early days of Florida’s exploration, the St. Johns River has lured people from around the world to lazily travel its path.

I also like to focus on specific locales to better understand Florida’s diversity and variety – and to plan follow-up trips. There are three such areas that I continue to explore.

The Panhandle has an unusual blend of modern, inventive and award-winning communities punctuated with accessible public beaches, state parks and recreation areas. Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, WaterSound, Wild Heron and Carillon Beach, west of Panama City, all cater to family-styled vacationers and second-home hunters.

The Upper Gulf Coast remains, for the most part, natural, somewhat wild, sleepy and serene. Appalachicola, Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa are fantastic places to commune with the spectacular gulf environment  – enjoying it from a boat or from the “hill” and the many little villages and fish camps.

The “old” Central Florida is the place to imagine what it must have been like throughout the central part of the state back in the 50’s and 60’s, before Mr. Disney came to town. Downtown Sanford, DeLand, Mount Dora, Tavares, and Lady Lake are wedged between the Ocala National Forest and the sprawling metropolis of Orlando – holding on to their character, roots and small-town sensibilities.

Whether you choose to stay close to home – from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine to New Smyrna Beach – or venture out for extended stays, you will find that our region has tremendous appeal and variety. Our region’s many naturally-preserved and culturally-settled assets will entertain you and yours with unlimited, short or long, memory-making travel opportunities.