Off to the Beach--Rain or Shine

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It is decidedly rare when packing for a getaway inside the Sunshine State that I ever take much more than sundresses and strappy sandals, but this weekend I was throwing sweaters and scarves into my case--and not just for fashion reasons either. I was off to Amelia Island, which is about as north as Florida gets before treading into Georgia territory, and this cold and rainy weekend it really did feel Northern. As the temperature dropped to a high of 52 (eek!) I braved Amelia Island Plantation's (aipfl.com) stunning 3-½ mile stretch of gusty white-capped beach and wow did I feel the better for it. Call me crazy, but I actually relished the departure from lazy Florida tropics for an invigorating hike along the wind-swept dune ridge followed by a morning kayak through the salt marsh. I could feel the chill in the air and even see my own breath as I climbed up the wet wooden lookouts that peek out over the property's thick tree canopy to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Right Whales that swim along the coast every winter. Besides, how else could I justify having the warm salt stone massage and lavender steam shower at the Plantation's holistic spa? That certainly warmed me up nicely. Not to mention the Red House grouper in sauvignon blanc sauce and Amelia mud pie I had at the Verandah restaurant that night.