Amelia Island: Pirate Paradise in North Florida

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One night, I lay in bed looking out the window at the black sheet of sea and sky, punctuated only by a thin silver line of surf breaking on the shore. I listened to the rhythmic crashing of the sea against the sand. I wondered what it’s like to sleep on a boat in the middle of the ocean on a calm night. There is no light at all. As I lay lost in thought, listening to the surf melt in my ears, I slowly became aware of a faint glow on the horizon.

Fire at Sea

I sat up. A bright orange light flared brightly and started to spread. I was alarmed and thought I was watching a boat or ship catch fire at sea. I went out onto the porch and continued to watch. Then it suddenly became clear that the fire, instead of ravaging a vessel, was the moon climbing up from the other side of the world. I smiled. People talk about sunsets, but this moonrise was just as breathtaking.

Amelia Island Marsh Sunset

The sun does not set over the Atlantic on Amelia Island. It sets on the dunes or the marsh.

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And the sun never sets on Jonathan Livingston Seagull’s dreams of freedom.

The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness. And for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.

1984 by George Orwell

Not for Jonathan.