Life on Paws and Wheels

Simba and I visited and explored Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, Florida — a fascinating historic site where one of Florida’s most famous legends overlaps with Indigenous history, Spanish colonization, and centuries of archaeological discoveries. Most people know this place because of the legendary Fountain of Youth and its association with Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. But the story beneath the property is much bigger than magical water. Long before Europeans arrived, Indigenous people lived here. In 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established the first Spanish settlement of St. Augustine at this location within the Timucua village of Seloy. Archaeologists have since uncovered evidence of that settlement and later Spanish mission activity. Today, the 15-acre waterfront park brings all of these stories together with archaeological exhibits, reconstructed structures, demonstrations, beautiful views, and plenty of colorful peacocks wandering...

Simba and I visited and explored Beluthahatchee Park in Fruit Cove, Florida — the former home and retreat of writer, folklorist, journalist, and civil-rights activist Stetson Kennedy. Hidden among the woods beside a quiet lake, Beluthahatchee feels worlds away from the development surrounding much of modern Northeast Florida. Kennedy purchased this secluded property in the 1940s and transformed it into his home, workplace, and gathering place for writers, musicians, activists, and friends. The peaceful surroundings also stand in fascinating contrast to Kennedy's often controversial and confrontational work. He spent much of his life documenting Florida culture, exposing racism, collecting folklore, advocating for social change, and challenging powerful organizations — most famously by infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan. Today, Beluthahatchee preserves both his unusual life story and a beautiful piece of Old Florida. 🌿 Welcome to Beluthahatchee Stetson Kennedy acquired the property duri...

Simba and I visited and explored Amelia Island in Fernandina Beach, Florida — a beautiful barrier island where Atlantic beaches, maritime forests, historic neighborhoods, and more than four centuries of recorded history come together along Florida's northeastern coast. Known as the "Isle of Eight Flags," Amelia Island has one of the most unusual histories of any place in the United States. Nations, colonial powers, revolutionaries, and short-lived governments all competed for control of this strategically located island near the Florida-Georgia border. Today, that remarkable history shares the island with miles of beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, Victorian architecture, waterfront scenery, and some of Northeast Florida's most beautiful coastal landscapes. Exploring Amelia Island with Simba gave us a little bit of everything we love finding on a road trip. 🏝️ Welcome to Amelia Island Amelia Island is one of the barrier islands lining Florida's Atlantic Co...

I visited Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach, Florida — a beautiful and historic burial ground whose roots stretch back to Florida's Spanish colonial era. Its name translates from Spanish as "Beautiful Woods," and it's difficult to imagine a more appropriate description. Massive live oaks stretch over weathered gravestones while Spanish moss hangs from their branches. Cedars, magnolias, palms, and thick vegetation add to an atmosphere that feels far removed from the modern world. Dating to around 1798, Bosque Bello is among Florida's oldest surviving burial grounds and preserves more than two centuries of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island history. 🌳 “Beautiful Woods” The name Bosque Bello comes from Spanish and translates to "Beautiful Woods." Walking through the cemetery makes the reason for that name immediately apparent. The grounds are filled with: - Massive live oaks - Spanish moss - Cedars - Magnolias - Palms - Dense native vegetation - ...

Simba and I visited and hiked Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, Florida — one of the few remaining largely undeveloped barrier islands along Northeast Florida's Atlantic Coast. With more than five miles of natural beach, maritime forest, ancient sand dunes, salt marshes, and tidal creeks, Little Talbot Island preserves a remarkably wild stretch of Florida coastline. Unlike many beach destinations lined with hotels, condos, restaurants, and other development, much of Little Talbot Island remains protected in its natural state. Hiking here gave Simba and me the opportunity to experience several completely different coastal environments within a single barrier island. 🏝️ One of Northeast Florida’s Undeveloped Barrier Islands Barrier islands form a natural line of protection between the open Atlantic Ocean and the mainland. Over time, wind, waves, currents, storms, and shifting sand continually reshape these narrow islands. Little Talbot Island is especially remarkable ...

Simba and I visited the Jean Ribault Monument in Jacksonville, Florida — a historic landmark commemorating French explorer Jean Ribault and his arrival near the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1562. Standing high atop St. Johns Bluff, the monument overlooks the broad river, surrounding marshes, and the North Florida landscape that Ribault and his expedition encountered more than 460 years ago. Although the impressive stone column standing here today isn't the original monument erected by Ribault, it commemorates one of the earliest French expeditions to what would eventually become the United States and connects directly with the dramatic story of nearby Fort Caroline. ⛵ Jean Ribault Sails to Florida In 1562, French naval officer and explorer Jean Ribault led an expedition across the Atlantic Ocean to explore the southeastern coast of North America. France was searching for territory, strategic opportunities, and potential locations for future settlement. On May 1, 1562, Ribault...