Fort Caroline NM

Where the Waters Meet:

Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. The Timucuan Preserve includes Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation. 

22 Nov 2013
We spent the day exploring Fort Caroline. This fort was a small fort that has been lost to time and history. The location has never been found, and this was a small recreation of the fort. After taking in the Fort, we took the dogs on a nature loop and Molly found her first wild turtle. She wanted to take it home, but we had to remind her that all things in the National Parks had to stay in the park. While part of Timucuan EHP this is a stand-alone unit to it.

NPS Website

Our 12th NPS Unit

The Fort outside

The Fort inside

Spanish Moss

The girls out for a trail walk

Mollys Box Turtle --- can I take it home mom !!

Fort Matanzas NM

A Timeless Vigil

Coastal Florida was a major field of conflict as European nations fought for control in the New World. As part of this struggle, Fort Matanzas guarded St. Augustine’s southern river approach. The colonial wars are over, but the monument is still protecting—not just the historic fort, but also the wild barrier island and the plants and animals who survive there amidst a sea of modern development.

21 Nov 2013

A small Fort that played a key role in the Spanish control of Florida. After a short ferry ride over to the Fort we got to spend an hour touring the Fort. This park will not take long to take in and should be combined with a visit to Castillo de San Marcos.

NPS Website

Our 96th NPS site

 

Jimmy Carter NHS

A Rural Beginning

Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia, that revolves around farming, church and school, had a large influence in molding the character and in shaping the political policies of the 39th President of the United States.

12 Nov 2013
No matter your political views this was a great man from simple and humble beginnings, I would even dare say we could use someone like him now. We started our visit at the VC at the high school where he went to school at. We took in a movie that covered his life here in Plains and also took in the many displays and exhibits. After we took in the Visitor Center, we went downtown to explore the sites that were important to Jimmy Carter's upbringing and buildings used during his campaign for President. We then headed out to his boyhood home and spent a couple hours seeing the house and the grounds. 

NPS Website

Our 95th NPS site

Campaign Headquarters --- because it had a working bathroom

Jimmy Carter slept here

Yes, they had a tennis court

Andersonville NHS

Victory From Within: Exploring the Stories of Prisoners of War

The Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died here. Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history.

11 Nov 2013

It was an honor to spend Veterans Day here at this hallowed site. The sacrifices made here should never be forgotten. We had a great Ranger lead discussion that helped us understand both sides - North and South of the events that lead to the deaths of over 13,000 men. To say it was one sides fault or the other would be wrong as both played key roles. After a taking in the Stockade, we headed over to the Cemetery to pay our respects to those lost here. It was then on to the POW Museum. A very emotional Museum covering the Prisoner of War story. 

NPS Website

Our 94th NPS site

Andersonville Veterans Cemetery

We will have to do some research to see if this is family on My wife's side

A small section of rebuilt stockade

Living conditions in the stockade

The water supply for 25,000 + men 

Looking back to the rebuilt stockade section, this place was huge.