B.A.R.K. Ranger status: Badges earned December 31, 2021! ⭐

Hike review: Excellent! This site comprises both the Timucuan Reserve and the Fort Caroline National Memorial. Elements of both of these can be explored on the trails, including the local ecology, and reconstructions of the history. Trails were wide and gentle, with good variety of scenery. A few blind trail corners due to the dense forest and underbrush meant that we needed to stay alert for other dogs. At the outdoor interpretative center, there was the opportunity to learn about the Indigenous inhabitants, and their arts and engineering. Fascinating!

Fort Caroline was the last coastal French colonial outpost in the present-day United States, rival to the Spanish Fort Matanzas farther south, and the English Fort Frederica at the Florida/Georgia line. Fort Matanzas (“slaughter”), so named because of the destruction of Fort Caroline, put an end to the French occupation of the coast, and French interests moved inland to the Gulf, Mississippi, and Great Lakes. The fort has been reconstructed using old maps and plans, as nothing of the original remains. Meanwhile, the Timucuan Reserve protects wetlands, dunes, and even stands of hardwood forest just outside of Jacksonville. Remarkable and unique, and a great place to walk the dogs! Bring bug spray.