Scott Fais, Florida On A Tankful
Just before you reach Georgia, there is a real "peach" of someplace special to visit.
Travel over the Buccaneer Trail Bridge and find a world away.
"It just feels old and it seems relaxed, compared to Daytona," said Kelly Popwell, a visitor.
Popwell would know. The Daytona Beach resident is happy to slow down and stay on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.
"I decided it was a place we could come for three days," Popwell said.
Most folks head to the flower-lined Centre Street upon arrival on the island north of Jacksonville.
The aroma wafting from Fantastic Fudge makes one confectionary a first stop.
"They'll say, ‘I couldn't wait to get here! We stopped here before we went to the hotel,’" said Steve Colwell, the owner of Fantastic Fudge.
Colwell is the candy man here.
"You're looking at 20 pounds of molten fudge,” Colwell said.
After 20 years at the same place, Colwell's skill beating chocolate is now legendary.
"Throw it up in the air and have some fun with it," Colwell said.
Folks pull out their cameras to catch the flying ribbon of chocolate goodness.
"Sometimes I get a little bit too crazy and toss it too high," Colwell said.
And so do I. It ended up all over my shirt.
But, I didn't know when to quit.
Straight down the street, you’ll find a beach combers paradise.
"Every nook and cranny has something," said Carol Elefterion, the manager of the Ship's Lantern.
The Ship's Lantern is a treasure trove of nautical decor.
From authentic lobster buoys to wheels whose final voyage set sail years ago to even recovered lights from old vessels, many of the items here look like the decor you'll find gracing the pages of Coastal Living magazine.
"Anything from locally made hand crafts to Florida artists, you can find it,” Elefterion said.
Ask nicely and you may be able to feed the fish out front.
Before you fly away, the Last Flight Out is a sure bet for Florida and aviation decor. Manager Kevin Kasser explains the vibe here.
"Having a good time and getting away from everything. End of the work week, you're ready for your last flight out," Kasser said.
They even have a wide selection of Florida on a Tankful shirts. At this point, I need a clean one.
For more travel adventures with Scott Fais, go to Central Florida On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 300. Select Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
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Centre Street on Fernandina Beach
What:
Nautical and Florida-themed specialty stores, quant patio café’s, candy stores in a relaxed and slow paced atmosphere.
Where:
Fernandina Beach
Nassau County
Hours:
Most stores are open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Daily Admission:
Free access to Centre Street
Info Lines:
Toll Free: (800) 226-3542
Visitors Center: (904) 261-5821
Last Flight Out: (877) 321-0510
Ship's Lantern Gift Shop: (904) 261-5821
Fernandina's Fantastic Fudge: (904) 277-4801
Address:
218 Centre Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Longitude & Latitude:
(30.672264244479183, -81.4637303352356)
Parking:
Free parking along Centre Street and in lots downtown
Web site:
Amelia Island: http://www.ameliaisland.org/
Fernandina's Fantastic Fudge: http://www.fantasticfudge.com/
Last Flight Out: http://www.lastflightout.com/
Central Florida Directions:
Expect about a 3 hour drive when using downtown Orlando as a reference point.
For Orlando, Sanford and Kissimmee area travelers, jump onto Interstate 4 East.
From downtown Orlando, expect to travel for 45 minutes. You’ll go 46.6 miles.
East coast residents can hop onto I-95 and begin heading north.
For Orlando, Sanford and Kissimmee area travelers, take the exit on the left onto I-95 north. Follow the signs towards Jacksonville. Drive for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Expect about 113 miles for this part of the trip.
Be ready. This part of I-95 is full of tight and narrow road construction. Scott Fais reports his GPS device “went nuts” and began recalculating and requested he exit at places that no longer exist.
Next, take exit 373 for FL-200/FL-A1A. Signs will read toward “Fernandina Beach/Callahan”
Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Yulee/Fernandina Beach. Merge onto FL-200/FL-A1A/East State Rd 200. Continue to follow FL-200/FL-A1A. Travel for about 25 minutes.
Go 14.4 miles total.
Turn left at Centre Street and you have arrived!