williams house owners try out windward sunset sail

Deborah’s daughters were staying at the Williams House this week and her older daughter, Jaime led a scrapbooking retreat.  While they were here, we took the group out on a sailing adventure with Windward Sailing for a sunset cruise in the Amelia River.  It was a beautiful evening with a nice sunset, calm seas and warm temps.  We took along some subs from our local Fernandina Deli on 8th street and a few beers and wine.  We enjoyed seeing fort clinch from the river side, shrimp boats at the docks, Cumberland Island, porpoises( or dolphins ) and learning a bit from our experienced captain about sailing.  He even let Deborah steer the boat for a while as he rigged the sails.  We’ve had several guests take this private sail and all have enjoyed it.  We can now add our own reccommendation for a fun experience and a great calming end to a day.

all-aboard for sailing in Fernandina Beach

shrimp boats rest in Amelia harbour

fort clinch guards river entrance

deborah and daughters relax as we sail

deborah's daughters hang on in a turn

Beautiful view of Cumberland Island from sailboat

Deborah takes a turn steering

Sunset on the harbour near fernandina beach

The sailboat's american flag highlighted by sunset

Beautiful sunset nears end on amelia island

An artistic shrimp in front of local bookstore

Cities throughout the US adopt a particularly animal to signify heritage or local wildlife and Amelia Island is no exception.  In our case shrimp were chosen as this island was the beginning of the commercial shrimp industry in the US.  We already have the annual eight flags shrimp festival the first weekend of May each year, and this is another  step in honoring the local heritage of shrimping.   Businesses on the island purchased the shrimp figures and then local artists did the decorating and art work.  They are scattered around downtown and in front of businesses around the island.

Some are humorous, some nostalgic and some just plain fun!  We appreciate the efforts of many local businesses and the artists involved in adding to the character, charm and local culture of this beautiful island!

Fort Clinch Aerial view from their website

There are many unique attractions for guests of the Williams House to enjoy while visiting Amelia Island.  One of the favorites is Fort Clinch State Park.  It is named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, a prominent figure in the Second Seminole war that began in 1847.  The fort was built at the mouth of the St. Mary’s river to protect the natural deep-water port of Fernandina Beach, the eastern most link in Florida’s cross state railroad that connected with Cedar Key on the western shore.  It was one of many masonry forts built between 1816 and 1867 called the Third System Fortifications.  It was never fully completed but served as a military post during the Civil War, Spanish- American War and World War II and became one of the earliest Florida state parks in 1935.  The Civilian Conservation Corps started restorations and building of roads and campgrounds in 1936-1937.

Today, visitors see life as it might have been in 1864 via restored barracks, blacksmith shop, points of defense including cannon, headquarters and jail.  Soldiers are present in uniform of the period and explain to visitors the rules of life in that time and the hardships and challenges before electricity and indoor plumbing.  Reinactments occur monthly with troops overnighting at the fort. 

Live Oaks shade the drive from entrance to fort

Access to the beach, beautiful views of Cumberland Island, picnic and camping facilities, hiking trails, wildlife, visitors center and gift shop are all available through the fort site.  Many of our guests that elect a picnic take it to Fort clinch and enjoy both a tasty meal and a fascinating look back into history.  It is also a nice bike ride of about four miles from the Inn to the actual fort.  Visitors also visit the beach in search of Sharks teeth from this northern point of the island.

View of the headquarters building from the tunnel entrance

Beach view from near the fort