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One Tank Trips From Jacksonville, FL – Horse Stamp Inn
Destination: Horse Stamp Inn
Address: 2418 Horsestamp Church Road; Waverly, Georgia 31565
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-95 north; take Exit #22/Horse Stamp Church Road. Head west for 3.5 miles.
Details: Nestled on a secluded tree-covered property with expansive green fields, rustic horse barn and a fresh water pond, this Southern mansion has been restored and allows people to escape their troubles for a peaceful getaway.
Family Friendly: Yes.
Cost: Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week from 10 am-6 pm with Sunday tours starting at 11 am.
Contact: 912-882-6280
WAVERLY, Ga. is a coastal Georgia town that is home to the Horse Stamp Inn. The bed-and-breakfast is nestled on a secluded property that houses dramatic trees, expansive green fields, a rustic horse bar and an artesian fresh water pond.
It was the dream of owners Kris and Tom Hutcheson to one day own a bed-and-breakfast inn. Once the sprawling property became available, the couple jumped at the chance to transform it into a getaway for those looking for a quiet getaway.
Said Tom: “It’s very serene, tranquil and peaceful,” he said. “It’s close enough to cities like Jacksonville, Savannah, and Atlanta to be one-day trips.”
The Horse Stamp Inn offers five bedrooms along with a full Southern-style breakfast that is made with fresh eggs straight from the chicken coop. Opening the inn has been a labor of love for the Hutchesons. Kris and Tom attended to every detail when they were getting it ready for its debut.
During a tour of the lodge, Kris pointed out the features of the B&B.
During a tour of the Sea Biscuit room, she said it is the largest room in the inn and, “is the only one with access to the top veranda,” adding that it provides a place for guests to “relax, have fun and reconnect.”
The owners said they hope their inn provides some peace of mind to guests who visit.
“Life can be busy and if we can take some of that load (so that a guest) feels like they’ve really relaxed and leave here with a good feeling and feel ready to go back out and hit it again then we’ve accomplished our job,” Tom said.
Jacksonville Bucket List
My husband and I have been settled into our new home in Jacksonville, Florida for almost 2 years now. However, we still have not seen nor experience everything there is to love about Jax. So with that thought in mind we compiled a bucket list of things that we wanted to see and do in this beautiful place we call home.
1. Go to a Jacksonville Jaguars game
2. Go to a Jacksonville Sharks game
3. Go to a Jacksonville Suns game
4. Go to a Jacksonville Giants game
5. Visit the Jacksonville Zoo
6. Visit the MOCA museum
7. Go Parasailing
8. Rent a Jet Ski
9. Fish Jax
10. Ride the skyway tram
11. Take a sunset cruise
12. Spend the night at the Crowne Plaza Riverfront
13. See the Blue Angels Air Show
14. Go to the Greater Jacksonville Fair
15. Go to JazzFest
16. Play with the dolphins & manatees
17. Go snorkeling
18. Explore Huguenot Memorial Park
19. Ride the St Johns Ferry
20. Attend some of the local festivals
21. Take a tour of the Budweiser Brewery
22. Visit the MOSH museum
23. ????
I know that there is so much more to this great city that I am over looking some things. So if anyone have any great ideas on what to do and/or see in Jacksonville, FL drop me a comment. We would love to hear from you. Thanks!
One Tank Trip From Jacksonville – Graham Swamp Mountain Bike Trail
Destination: Graham Swamp Mountain Bike Trail
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-95 South; The trail is located on Colbert Lane at Flagler Beach in the Graham Swamp Preservation Area, about half-way between SR100 and Palm Coast Parkway
Details: Just a few short miles from beautiful Flagler Beach lies one of Florida’s premier mountain biking destinations, Graham Swamp. Situated on The Graham Swamp Preservation Area, it provides nearly 7 miles of intermediate singletrack littered with advanced features including everything from sweet drops, nasty climbs, and double jumps to tight switchbacks, log rides, and gnarly rock gardens.
Family Friendly: Yes
Cost: Free
When you think of mountain biking, you probably don’t think of Florida. But we found a place that’s a hidden gem on this one tank trip.
Before hitting the trail. Who better to talk to then local bike shop about the best place to ride.
“Palm Coast has gone in the direction of make it the cycling capital of Florida,” said Tony Libretti of the Bicycle Doctor. “It’s become a place to bring your bike, ride the trails, see the scenery, stay the night. We actually have rolling hills, tough decents, and everything out here.”
Flagler county offers miles and miles of trails. The one that came highly recomended was the Graham Swamp Trail. The best thing about it is it’s free. Just bring your bike and your helmet. Volunteers carved out this challenging single track out of the landscape.
One Tank Trips From Jacksonville – iFLY Orlando
Destination: IFLY Orlando
Address: 6805 Visitors Circle • Orlando, Florida 32819
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-95 South to I-4 west. Turn right on International Blvd. Exit at Visitors Circle.
Details: You can experience human body flight! Indoor Skydiving at iFLY Orlando is safe for kids, challenging for adults, exciting for teens and realistic for skydivers. No experience is necessary, great fun for all ages, three and up.
Family Friendly: Yes
Cost: Contact the center at (800) 759-3861 or visit iflyorlando.com
Located off of Interstate 4 near International Boulevard, IFLY Orlando is one of only 24 facilities in the world where adventurers can
skydive indoors. The facility is a vertical wind tunnel that looks like a spaceship from the outside. From the inside, the adrenaline starts racing as you hear the roar of the engines.
The attraction uses five airplane engines that suck air into the tunnel, which creates the lift for your sky diving adventure. Starting at $54.99, an experienced instructor, like our guy striker, will walk you through instructions
Thrill-seekers receive two flights for 1 minute each. And while that may not seem like a lot on paper, it actually feels a lot longer while inside the wind tunnel. No experience is necessary and the only age restriction is that participants be at least 3 years old and in decent physical shape.
Judging from the experience recently by several kids who were at the center, the experience is a blast. As for the ride itself: One word, thrilling.
One Tank Trips from Jacksonville – Kayak Amelia
Destination: Kayak Amelia
Address: 13030 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-295 north towards the airport; Take the SR-105 N exit, EXIT 41, toward Blount Island; Merge onto Heckscher Dr.
Details: Northeast Florida offers thousands of acres of tranquil inland marshes that can be explored via a variety of tours offered by Kayak Amelia.
Family Friendly: Yes
Cost: Ranges from $32-64 and daily hours are from 9am-5 pm.
Contact: 904-251-0016
One Tank Trip to Amelia Island, a peaceful resort that offers an urban getaway. “People can’t believe this is here in Jacksonville,” said
Ray Hetchka, owner of Kayak Amelia. “We are actually in the city limits. It’s peaceful.”
Kayak Amelia is an easy 30-40 minute ride from downtown Jacksonville. Located in Talbot State Park, it’s close to a major city and feels like another world — especially on the miles of tranquil inland marshes. Adventure seekers can go by themselves or take family and friends.
Prices range from $32-64 and the attraction is open from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. daily. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, bug repellent and a zip lock bag for phone and valuables. Supplies can also be purchased at Kayak Amelia. There is plenty of wildlife but not alligators — they don’t like the salt water. Kayak Amelia is a good place to experience northeast Florida.
One Tank Trips From Jacksonville – St. Augustine Winery
Destination: San Sebastian Winery
Address: 157 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Directions from Jacksonville: Take I-95 south towards Daytona Beach; Take the SR-16 exit towards St. Augustine/Green Cove Springs; turn left on SR-16E; Turn right on N Ponce de Leon Blvd.; Turn left on W King St.
Details: San Sebastian Winery was founded in 1996 and is in a part of the state considered to be the birthplace of the American wine industry, dating back to 1562.
Family Friendly: Yes, for winery tours.
Cost: Complimentary winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week from 10 am-6 pm with Sunday tours starting at 11 am.
Contact: 904-826-1594
According to historians, St. Augustine is the birthplace of American wine, an industry that dates back to 1562. 
The San Sebastian Winery is keeping that tradition alive. Company officials consider themselves pioneers in the development of table, sparkling and dessert wine. Their facility has over 18,000 square feet of space inside, 40,000 gallons of wine storage capacity and houses an automated bottling line that allows them to bottle 1,250 cases of wine per day.
The wine is all made from hybrid and muscadine grapes. In addition to producing wine, the facility offers tours and wine tasting.
Don’t want to do the tour? Check out the cellar upstairs for music and drinks on the rooftop deck. The location provides beautiful views of the city with appetizers. And the best thing about the winery is that it’s free. It’s open 7 days a week, followed by a tasting. Visitors who want to avoid driving can catch a trolley that has convenient stops right in front of the winery.
The Perfect (Colorado) Storm
3:00PM EDT 6/30/2012 BISHOP GEORGE DAVIS
Unfortunately, many of our friends in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area, as well as many in portions of the southeast United States, have recently experienced the proverbial “perfect storm.”
With the recent wildfires that have devastated Colorado and the rash of tropical storms in the southeast, many have found themselves learning to trust God at a much greater level. They have been forced to depend on Him through the most difficult circumstances.
The perfect storm is the convergence of a multitude of challenges at the same time and it is intended to reveal what a person will do when the winds of controversy, disappointment, delay, grief, pressure and distraction all hit their life at the same time. The good news in it all is that just like Jesus was there in the boat with the disciples in Mark chapter 4, He’s with us as well to help us win through all the storms of life.
Like any natural disaster, there is an understood list of dos and don’ts if one expects to survive. One key element of victory is to slow down long enough to listen for the voice of God. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He always has a word of direction to lead us back to the still waters.
The problem is, in the midst of a storm, it takes work to settle our soul down enough to actually hear the still, small voice of the Lord. Though it requires work, it is necessary and it pays big dividends! To act before we’ve gained direction from God is a recipe to make matters worse. He is Jehovah Jireh—the God Who sees in advance and makes provision in advance. In other words, He’s not surprised by the storms we face and He always has a way for us to win if we’ll take the time to hear His voice.
Jesus said in John 14:27, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The Amplified Bible says it this way, “Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.” Wow…pretty strong words!!
“Stop allowing yourselves … do not permit yourselves …” Jesus clearly leaves the impression that we have something to say about the peace that we’re able to experience, even in the middle of a storm. We must make a conscious decision to not let the stormy circumstances define who we are or define our expectation for the future. God is always a good God, and He is always a faithful God. So, as long as He is on our side, there is reason for hope and confidence that better days are still ahead.
So, for those who may be experiencing multiple challenges at one time, causing you to feel alone in your struggle, know that you are never alone. Jesus is there with you and there’s a host of other members of the body of Christ who are determined to pray for you until you see victory again. Things may be dark today, but with Jesus on your side, there is hope for tomorrow. So, settle into your secret place in God, release your authority by declaring what His word says concerning you, and ride out the storm until you see the daylight again!
Bishop George Davis is the author of Passing the Tests of Life. He is also the senior pastor of Faith Christian Center in Jacksonville, Fla. For more info about George Davis Ministries visit http://www.fccjax.com
Source: http://www.charismanews.com – © Copyright 2012 Charisma Media, All Rights Reserved
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Sending You Much Love & Many Blessings from Jacksonville, FL … Happy 4th of July EV1 & Be Safe :-), the Porter’s
Picture is of the Firework Show Downtown Jacksonville, FL
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