Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11. While Bob’s cousin Frank Malone was cheering his UNC team on to victory at the ACC Basketball Nationals, Bob and I were enjoying his hospitality and the comforts of his gracious, lovely home. We were delighted when fellow Looper Gerry Clare, whose home port is Amelia Island, offered to show us around the island on Saturday. Having recently retired as a realtor, Gerry was a superb tour guide, filling us in on the history and particular points of interest and beauty of Fernandina Beach and the historic Old Town areas. Each area has its own charm and personality. Historic Victorian homes, livable beach houses, an array of galleries, shops, restaurants, luxury resorts and inns, miles of sandy beach – no wonder this is such a popular destination. We were especially enthralled with the tall, sprawling live oak trees found throughout the island, all draped with Spanish moss. While plenty of tourists can be found, there is more of a feeling of community than we’ve seen on typical coastal islands. We met Gerry’s husband Tom for a tasty lunch at a beach restaurant called Fins (formerly Sandy Bottoms). Bob and I will look forward to meeting up with the Clares later on the journey.

Frank returned home on Sunday night, and we spent the evening looking at photos and catching up with each other’s lives and that of other family members.