Active/Former Military Members: Hike Ft. George Island to Kingsley Plantation

This is a Sierra Club Military Outdoors event - a joint Sierra Club Northeast Florida and YMCA outing - FOR ACTIVE AND FORMER MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES ONLY.

We'll start at the famous Ribault Club on Ft. George Island and hike to Kingsley Plantation. Along the way, we'll:

• Learn about the local Timucuan settlements
• Learn about the Ribault Club heydays
• Climb Mount Cornelia (elevation 64 feet), the highest point in this coastal region
• Talk about the mysterious "Oddball" discovered nearby by the Betz Family (see the WJCT podcast on "Oddball")
• Visit the once-busy port of Point Isabel.

We'll spend an hour or so visiting historic Kingsley Plantation, then return. Total distance is about four miles of flat, easy trails.

Preview this hike on our virtual tour found at:
https://youtu.be/gNAE7U2LzkY

After our hike, we can go to the local Sand Dollar for lunch. The address is
9716 Hecksher Dr.

Bring water, bug spray, and sunscreen. No pets (service dogs OK). OK for older kids who can keep up with adults.

You will need to register and sign a liability waiver.
Here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/yeetrzbw

Directions:
Meet in the parking lot of the Ribault Club at 11241 Fort George Road, Fort George Island, Florida.
From Jax, take I-295 East Beltway north. After crossing the Dames Point Bridge, exit right to Heckscher Drive/Rt 105. Drive for about 9.5 miles. The entrance to Fort George Island is on the left shortly after the Mayport Ferry.
After turning on Fort George Road, at the fork bear to the right towards the Ribault Club. Drive about 1.5 miles until you see the Ribault Club on your right. Park in the lot on your left.

Cancellation Policy: Event may be cancelled in case of rain or if weather threatens safety. Check Meetup for current status before traveling to the event. Events may need to be cancelled at short notice.

Help the environment by following these tips:

• Bring your water in a reusable container instead of a single-use plastic bottle
• Use sunscreen free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals are extremely harmful to coral reefs, as well as being hormone disruptors in humans.