Many of us love thunderstorms and lightning — as long as we are in a safe place to witness the spectacle! Storms are beautiful, humbling, awe-inspiring, exciting, comforting, and they can create an …

When I was a kid, playing in the yard meant running around with friends, rolling down hills, or hopping on the tree swing. We played hide-and-seek, kickball, freeze tag, capture the flag, and climbed …

Well, it looks like I can’t have everything. Bucko and I can’t leave home for weeks at a time and still have a functioning garden, or so it seems. Back in April I wrote a column extolling the …

One of my favorite things about Amelia Island is the flowers. Each flowering plant has its season to shine, and if we pay attention, we will witness a colorful display. In the summer, I look forward …

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30, 2026. In recent years, we have been warned of above-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic due to increased global ocean …

Often Bucko and I like to escape the hubbub of busy times in Fernandina Beach by driving a bit less than two hours up to Darien, Georgia. Over the years, we have seen this town transform from a …

Egans Creek Greenway was recently renamed and dedicated to Ron Sapp, former mayor and city commissioner. Ron Sapp was instrumental in securing the 2001 Open Space bond issue, which provided $6 …

Another piece of Old Florida is disappearing this weekend: Chiappini’s Gulf Station in Melrose, Florida — not really a gas station at all, at least not for years. Thirty years ago, when I lived …

The city of Fernandina Beach can be proud of the history of the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway. City officials and residents in the 1990s had a grand vision. They worked hard to achieve a noble goal of blending …

I recently visited the Treaty Oak in Jessie Ball DuPont Park near downtown Jacksonville. This tree is a Southern live oak and has reached truly massive proportions — standing 70 feet tall, …

Bucko and I recently took a trans-Atlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona with a few stops along the way. Spain was new to us, and we happily signed up for a few-hour tour of Cartagena while we were …

It is difficult to miss all the clamming activity in Cedar Key, Florida, if you keep your eyes open, like I do. Unlike the clamming activities Bucko participated in as a youth in Blue Point, Long …

It’s been eight months since we adopted Melina from Cats Angels and she has made her personality clear to us. At barely 2 years old she is more active and personable than we remember our last years …

There’s a lot happening in the world of Amelia Island ospreys right now, and my inbox has been following two parallel stories. This is the time of year when ospreys start setting up their nest for …

OK, folks, are you ready for a great day’s outing right in our neck of the woods? Here’s one for you. The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Garden and Fort Caroline , part of the Timucuan …

It’s been a year since I’ve visited Cedar Key on the other side of Florida, once a place Bucko and I have gone to a number of times a year. We used to enjoy walking around the little town, having …

If you are looking for a fun place to spend the night on a Florida mini-road trip, check out The Lodge in the Wakulla Springs State Park. Although you can use Interstate 10 and get there in about …

Plant City, the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World,” is more than four hours away from Fernandina Beach. But it was the start of their 10-day Strawberry Festival, and my friend Betty …

Lauri Holton deGaris was a force of nature who passed peacefully on February 21, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. She lived with grace, purpose, and deep compassion for the world around her. Whether on …

The right whale calving season is ending on a positive note. As of this week, 22 right whales have been born in the warm waters off the Southeastern U.S. Coast.