First Field Trip of the Year

The second grade took their first field trip of the year on Friday.  We went to Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island.  This is a barrier island just like the one we live on in Atlantic Beach - except our island is unnamed.  Fort Clinch is across the St. Mary's River from Cumberland Island in Georgia.  The fort was created to protect the river entrance and the Cumberland Sound.  It was built with bricks from Georgia and from Pennsylvania.  Construction as started in 1847.  The fort was instrumental during the Civil War.  It was a Union fort - Crazy, right?  A Union fort in Florida?!? But that's where the part of it being on a barrier island played an important role.  It was a base of Union operations in the area during the war.

Sissy and some of her friends.  All three of these girls were in class together last year.  Abby isn't in class with Sis and Arabella this year but we were all in the same group for the day.

Arabella is also a gymnast.  They were in class together last year too.  These two have become pretty close this year.

We took a hike on the Willow Pond Trail through the hammocks with large Spanish moss draped live oaks.  We saw alligators, lots of spiders including black widows, frogs and big beetles.  

The fort is double walled and right along the shoreline.  It's a pentagon shaped fort.

Half of the second grade together having fun!

This flag was HUGE.  It looked so patriotic.

Lots of cannons were used in protecting the fort from the confederate army.

Afterwards, we left early instead of eating lunch at the fort.  Sissy was happy to ride home with her friend Gabriella and have a play date until their big brothers were finished with school.  She had a great day!  Those two buddies aren't in the same class this year and they really miss each other!  It was great to let them have some play time together.