Fort George Inlet at Talbot Islands Florida State Park

Todays trip was about seeing and feeling marine.

Hermit crab without silly glitter and paint.

A1A is that bridge.

The sand "was like walking in snow" another visitor warned us.

Not legal.  But, can you imagine the sound?  Amazing.

A jelly caught in a pool, spinning in circles.

Racoon went left.

Bird went right.

We went straight.

Sea slugs?

Succulents in the Sand ...

This isn't dry desert sand, this is salty salt marsh sand, but the leaves of these little succulents store fresh water for itself. Cool and pretty. 

Added bonus, no needles.

Kingsley Plantation

One of the interesting local historical parks is Kingsley Plantation .  It is a part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic National Preserve.   If you visit for a learning experience, children may enjoy the Junior Range program pamphlets:

For ages 7 years and under

For ages 8 years and older 

Recently I took a friend from Illinois to the park.

The number and size of the slave quarters she found heartwrenching. 

 I didn't need to add that during other months, the insects are so terrible in number and aggression, that it is impossible to walk among the cabins as we did that day. 

 The cabins are all lacking roofs except for the supervisors cabin, redone to help visitors have a feel of the space.  The cabins' walls are all repainted and repaired  over the original tabby aside from a few saved spots. 

 As with other types of construction, they would be completely destroyed in time.

On the water, strong breezes blowing away most of the insects is the main plantation house and outbuildings.

Boats pass steadily by, an easy transportation route even today.

Although not exactly Scarlett's beloved Tara, Kingsley Plantation is the oldest plantation house still standing in Florida. 

Although not an entire day trip, a leisurely visit will occupy 4 hours.  The rangers here are a great resource and happy to stop and talk about stories, activities and even may recruit littles to try their hand at cotton picking!

Kingsley Plantation is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Admission is free.

You can explore the grounds at Kingsley Plantation, which include the slave quarters, barn, waterfront, plantation house, kitchen house, and interpretive garden. The visitor contact station/bookstore is located in a 1920s building adjacent to the plantation buildings.
A ranger program is offered weekdays at 2:00 p.m. Please inquire at the visitor contact station.
Touring the Plantation House - The plantation house is closed during the week for structural work. Weekend tours are available on a limited basis at 11:00 a.m. and 3 p.m., please call ahead for reservations.

The Bluffs at Big Talbot Island

Talk about a gorgeous park.  Talbot Islands are two islands, Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island that are both barrier islands in Northeast Florida.  We have been out there at low tide a few times, and it's a playground of driftwood trees on the beach.  I have heard it's a local photographer's favorite. On this day there were several photographers on the beach, braving some weather in the 40's.

The kids were thrilled to climb up on these huge trees.

A1A from the Car - Worth It

If you have a chance to drive up A1A starting north of Daytona Beach, take it. It is a slower ride, but the view is worth that toll.

The Classic Flagler Beach Sign Stands as the highest building on the beach side on all Flagler Beach.

This is the view for miles.