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Adventure Caravans Fabulous Florida Guided RV Tour-Days 37 thru 42-St Augustine & Jacksonville-EP378

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Summary of Days 37–42: St. Augustine → Jacksonville (and Amelia Island) – Adventure Caravans “Fabulous Florida” RV Tour

Overall wrap-up (final video of the 42-day tour)

  • This is the final wrap-up of seven videos covering what happens on a 42-day Adventure Caravans Fabulous Florida guided RV tour.
  • The trip culminates in St. Augustine and ends in Jacksonville, with additional highlights on Amelia Island (including a river cruise and time exploring on their own).

Day 37 (Mar 31): Guided highlights in St. Augustine (motorcoach day)

Key tip from the guides

  • Tour earlier (first day or two) so you can decide what to return for during your free day—otherwise you may miss things and want to come back.

Historic area & major stops

Castillo de San Marcos Fort

  • Highlights include its long history and construction details.
  • Uses coquina stone (Spanish for “small shells”)—a sedimentary rock that compresses and absorbs impact better than typical stone.
  • Cannon placement/engineering trivia was discussed, with humor about whether testing actually happened.
  • National Parks Pass tip: valid for the pass holder plus up to three additional adults (16+); 15 and under are always free.
  • Quick walk-around time: ~25 minutes outside viewing.

Lady of La Leche

  • Described as the oldest shrine in the U.S., designated a national shrine in 2019.
  • Believed first mass on North American soil celebrated here in 1565.
  • Current chapel built in 1918; pilgrimage significance includes prayers related to pregnancy.

Historic district landmarks

  • Aviles Street: presented as the oldest continuously used street in the U.S. (mapped in the 1580s).
  • References to Tolomato Cemetery, Henry Flagler’s hotel, and Flagler College.
  • Louis Comfort Tiffany: described as an interior decorator who worked with stained glass (with a note that bulletproof material is used today for protection).

Afternoon guided tours (and walking time)

  • Walk/find time for lunch in the old section.

“Love Tree” stop

  • Two trees growing together; tradition says kissing under it prevents separation.
  • Included humor with playful “rules” and exaggerations.

Lightner Museum (in the former Hotel Alcazar)

  • Flagler’s gilded-age resort hotel described as having wellness-focused facilities:
    • steam room, massage parlor, sulfur baths, and the “world’s largest indoor swimming pool” (as presented in the video).
  • Building history:
    • Hotel closed in 1931, sat empty for years, then purchased by Otto C. Lightner in 1947.
    • Museum opened to the public in 1948.
  • Gonzalez-Alvarez House: described as the oldest house (built ~1723) and believed to be the oldest surviving house in St. Augustine.

Fountain of Youth

  • Peacock sightings mentioned.
  • They sample the “fountain water,” with comedic commentary about how it changes prescription-glass strength and noticeable belt/weight feel after drinking.

Day 38 (Apr 1): Free day beach time + chocolate tasting in St. Augustine

Anastasia State Park + beach

  • Beach day with fellow travelers.
  • Walk along the shoreline, including a humorous moment about tracking shoe piles using a “line and arrow” method.
  • Birds seen lined up like they’re “following instructions.”

Dining & chocolate stop

Lunch: Rendezvous Restaurant

  • Recommended specifically: the Reuben.

Whitestone Chocolates

  • Presented as iconic.
  • An evolution from a home kitchen (starting 1967) to a large wholesale operation.
  • Big brands mentioned as past partners: Nestlé, Hershey’s, Mars.
  • Includes a guided tasting with multiple samples.
  • Playful comedic moment during tasting with “trying on” accessories.

Social time back at the RV park

  • Hosted drinks at night:
    • margaritas and a wine slushy
  • Games:
    • gambling bingo and birthday-style sweets (including brownies and ice cream).

Day 39 (Apr 2): Travel day from St. Augustine → Jacksonville

Driving/logistics notes

  • Leave St. Augustine; Jacksonville is the final destination (about 3 days there).
  • Two route options mentioned:
    • A1A scenic route (then reconnect to the route into Jacksonville)
    • Interstate/alternative route via I-295 (as referenced)
  • Advice emphasized:
    • Be patient because many RVs are arriving around the same time.
    • Check-in timing matters, especially when everyone is nearing the destination.

Arrival & group social

  • Arrive, relax, walk around, and socialize.
  • Adventure Caravan-hosted pizza party
  • More games and social bonding.

Day 40 (Apr 3): Jacksonville motorcoach day + WWII/naval museum + candy class

Downtown Jacksonville tour

  • They tour downtown en route to Navy Pier.

USS Orleck (Gearing-class destroyer)

  • Guided in groups.
  • Explore ship sections and learn operational details (humor included, such as a “toaster” joke).
  • “Pro tips” and ship layout observations, with jokes about staffing and efficiency.

Sweet Pete’s Candy Company

  • Highlighted as the largest candy store in the Southeast.
  • Includes:
    • factory tour
    • later a candy bar-making class
  • Class notes (as presented):
    • fill molds with candy to create a custom candy bar
    • focus on correct temperature/consistency (temperature checked without a thermometer, with lots of back-and-forth humor)
    • named flavor includes a mix featuring pineapple pieces, cashews, and one coffee espresso bean (including corrections about “pecans” vs “cashews”)

Extra purchases / odd soda tasting

  • They sample unusual drink items (examples: “ketchup soda,” “toothpaste,” “bubblegum grass soda,” etc.).

Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

  • Mentioned as the final stop:
    • “survey style museum” with art across time periods
    • plus three gardens, described as huge (scale emphasized with people for reference)

Day 41 (Apr 4): Amelia Island river cruise + museum + farewell dinner

Amelia River Cruises (Amelia Island)

  • Departure point:
    • Fernandina Harbor Marina in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.

Cruise highlights

  • Views included boats/pirate-boat imagery, wind/sails, and attempts to spot dolphins/shrimp boats.
  • Comedic “wrong thing to look at” moment: the crane.
  • Knowledge points included:
    • Fort Clinch (constructed 1847; unfinished but served in multiple wars; restored by CCC; opened to public 1938)
    • Cumberland Island (Georgia’s largest barrier island)
      • accessible only by boat/ferry (~45 minutes each way)
      • NPS limits daily visitors to 300
      • 18 miles of undeveloped beaches
      • feral wild horses; history traced to settlers bringing horses as working animals, later abandoned
      • mentions “Carnegie family” connection and a notable Gilded Age mansion ruin still standing
      • mentions an all-inclusive luxury historic hotel setup on the island

Lunch and museum

  • They find lunch on Amelia Island.

Amelia Island Museum of History

  • Located in the former Nassau County Jail.
  • Described as spanning ~4,000 years of history:
    • Timucua people, Spanish/French explorers, British era, pirates, Victorian residents
  • Claim referenced: “Isle of eight flags”
  • Prison exhibits referenced with a humorous “this table would be cooler…” chocolate-fudge blending explanation.

Farewell dinner

  • Held at a brew house, described as festive.
  • Emotional emphasis on farewells: heartfelt sharing, memories, and some people getting teary.

Day 42 (Apr 5): Final day—“hitch-up, hugs, and everyone departs”

Last-day logistics

  • Grab-and-go breakfast with the group (Wagon Masters site)
  • Last goodbyes, then everyone pulls out.

Final wrap-up

  • This is the “hitch-up, hugs” conclusion for the 42-day Florida tour.
  • Next tour teased: Great River Road Mississippi starting September 2026.

Notable locations, products, and people mentioned

Locations

  • St. Augustine: historic district, Castillo de San Marcos, Lady of La Leche, Lightner Museum, Gonzalez-Alvarez House, Aviles Street, Fountain of Youth
  • Jacksonville: Navy Pier area
  • Amelia Island / Fernandina Beach: Amelia River Cruises, Fort Clinch, Cumberland Island, Amelia Island Museum of History
  • Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
  • Anastasia State Park (beach)

Products / food

  • Sweet Pete’s Candy Company (candy bar class)
  • Whitestone Chocolates (tastings + shop)
  • Rendezvous Restaurant (recommended Reuben)
  • Fountain water tasting (comic reaction)
  • Drinks: margaritas, wine slushy
  • Weird soda items (examples mentioned: ketchup soda, toothpaste, bubblegum grass soda, etc.)

People (speakers / organizers)

  • Mark (video host/narrator) and Sue (featured companion/guest)
  • Wagon Masters: Tracy and Dick
  • Tailgunners: Polly and Mike
  • Candy maker: Jeff (Sweet Pete’s)
  • USS Orleck guide contact: Joe (plus Dave/Amy referenced)

Ships / museums

  • USS Orleck (Gearing-class destroyer)
  • Amelia Island Museum of History (former Nassau County Jail)
  • Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Original video