Amelia Island Weekend: Butterflies, Jazz, Athletes

As Amelia Islanders stepped out of their homes this morning, it’s likely we were thinking the same thing --- a collective “aaaaahhhhhh.” The air was noticeably cooler and dryer for the first time in ages, here in northeast Florida. Like the joy of seeing an old friend after a long absence, the cooler weather is greeted by many here with open arms. The humid days of summer may not reappear for another seven months or so, and I, for one, won’t miss them (at least for awhile). While today’s high will still reach in the low 80s, it was quite apparent this morning that the big “H” was missing. The dog walkers I passed on my route all commented on the delightful, cooler air.

BUTTERFLIES GALORE NEAR GREENWAY, AMELIA ISLAND

This morning along the Egans Greenway on Jasmine Street, an abundance of butterflies fluttered about the flowering vegetation. It’s an excellent spot right now to bring the young ones with their butterfly nets and critter keepers, to catch a temporary pet. Catching and releasing butterflies is one of the simple, but special activities parents can do with kids. It’s easy pickings on Jasmine Street where you’ll find a butterfly corridor about one-third of a mile long. How long they’ll stay, I don’t know…

OCTOBER GETS MY VOTE FOR ONE OF THE BEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR

Early fall weather on Amelia Island, namely October, is usually fantastic. I always tell my friends up north when encouraging them to visit, that April and October are my personal favorite months here on Amelia Island, for the ideal weather conditions. Typically lots of sunshine, mild temps, and most importantly, lower humidity. A great time to be outdoors and enjoy coastal nature around Amelia Island, whether you’re boating or kayaking on the waterways, playing golf, hiking or camping in Fort Clinch, bike riding around the island, or sightseeing in the historic district. I wouldn’t mind a “pub crawl” tour myself one of these upcoming autumn evenings (this is a new historic tour being offered by the Amelia Island Museum).

Even visiting the beach in October on Amelia Island still offers warm days and opportunity to swim in the Atlantic at water temps that likely surpass northeastern beaches at their summer peak. (I do remember the cold ocean water at the beach up on Cape Cod, the Vineyard, and even on Long Island.) For example, the surface water temp of the Atlantic Ocean here in Fernandina Beach, Florida still hovered near 80 degrees F this past week. (Doing the “polar bear plunge” in the winter ocean waters of Amelia Island is not nearly the feat of jumping in up north, although I wouldn’t do it here, either.)


AN ISLAND OF ATHLETES THIS WEEKEND

This weekend is the Atlantic Coast Triathlon “Half Iron” distance here on the island, and the “Ameliaman Olympic Distance” event. Most of us can only imagine what it takes to be able to bike 56 miles, run 13.1 miles and swim 1.2 miles all in one day (there’s plenty of us who don’t do that in a year’s time). Incredible athletes will be here on Amelia Island this weekend, and we wish them well in their competitive challenge. See the first wave hit the water 7:15 am at Main Beach Park in Fernandina on Saturday, October 3rd.


SOUNDS ON CENTRE, FREE JAZZ CONCERT OCTOBER 2

Take advantage of the spectacular weather and spend this Friday evening (October 2) enjoying a free outdoor concert on historic Centre Street in Fernandina, near the harbor front. Enjoy the last free “Sounds on Centre” concert of the 2009 season, here on Amelia Island, from 5 to 8 pm (note it is starting an hour earlier at 5). Jazz lovers are in for a treat with the Les DeMerle band performing in downtown Fernandina to kick off the start of the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, a week long event held here annually. Another free concert will be performed Sunday, October 4, “Jazz in the Park” from 2- 5 pm at Amelia Park’s town square. If you haven’t heard, David Sanborn, a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, is the festival headliner this year, performing on Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, October 10 with the Midnight Blue Band . Get tickets online for a rare opportunity to hear one of the top Jazz musicians in the world, right here on our little island. Visit www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com for further info and tickets (all premier seats sold out but $40 general admission tickets still available). W. B. L.