Florida and Fort Clinch, Here We Come
It’s that time of year again - spring break, Florida, adventure…raccoons, armadillos, lizards, swamp oaks, crabs, dolphins, pelicans, whales, alligators, the path of doom. And various and sundry other things that come with this annual trip.
I love this trip. There’s something that’s almost magical about it. I’m not sure exactly why it feels this way to me, but it does. It’s unusual for me to be so sentimental about things like this. I mean, frankly, because we always camp when we go there, it’s really a lot of work - packing, setting up, cooking outdoors, unpredictable weather, sand, bugs, and a lot of other inconveniences. But nevertheless, it is a truly magical time for me.
My son, Sean, actually discovered this Florida State Park back in 1998. My husband was taking the whole family along on a business trip to Orlando. We decided to camp to cut down on costs. We were taking our time getting down there, enjoying some much needed family time. Sean found a brochure on this state park. Since Fort Clinch is an old pre-Civil War site, it held great interest for him as he’s a Civil War buff. We’ve been going there ever since.
In the beginning, it was just our family - my husband Keith and I and our three sons, Sean, Kyle, and Connor. This may have been the “magical feeling” beginning. The two years before had been quite traumatic for us. We had moved to Northeastern Ohio, leaving behind family and friends. My husband was diagnosed with hepatitus C a year after that while I was pregnant with my third son, a big surprise. We were unsettled, frantically busy, and dealing with several-times-a-week treatment for the Hep C. Our oldest son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and our youngest son was showing signs of a similar disorder. Keith had also just started his own business. Frankly, we needed a break.
The first year was truly a wonderful time with our boys. We discovered the “path of doom” - a mysterious path that wound its way through the swamp oaks and spanish moss - and only traveled at night by Dad and his boys. It was wonderful and terrifying. One of those precious family memories. The boys saw their first dolphins and hunted for crabs on the beach. We caught lizards, saw alligators on the alligator walk, went into town every night for ice cream. We spent several afternoons at the beach. We built a fire every night, and Keith told scary stories. The boys, in return, made up ones of their own, giving their first efforts to storytelling in the McCallum tradition. The boys were still young enough that they still went to bed at a decent hour. Keith and I would then spend the rest of the evening reading and talking. It was wonderful.
All three of the boys, to this day, have a special connection to Fort Clinch. Being with them there once a year is like taking a snapshot - a visual sound bite - of their lives. I find myself remembering previous years and what they were like, what they talked about, what they were interested in. And then comparing it to what I see in the present. It has been fascinating.
I remember Sean as on 8-year-old, with his curly hair, his fascination with anything having to do with the civil war, his heavy interest in marine life. But he loves Fort Clinch not only for these things, but for the sense of tradition is now represents to him. He loves to revisit the same places we have in the past, do the same things we’ve done before, and spends a lot of time reliving previous visits. “Remember in 2001, Mom, when we…?” “Remember in 2004 when Dad…?” Sean has an incredible memory.
When I feel like time is moving so rapidly I can’t slow down, Sean has that ability to bring history and tradition to bear. He is an anchor, profoundly loyal, and increasingly precious. I’ve watched him grow from this fearful, rigid, and even bitter boy to a grateful and loving adult. I remember my fears and concerns for him as a young adolescent. I have watched him struggle and battle through things that the average boy doesn’t have to deal with and come out on the other side with a strong faith in God and a real concern for others. I am looking forward to seeing what God will do with this unique guy.
I remember Kyle as a bright-eyed, funny 7-year-old, speaking with a southern accent, pretending to be a captured Confederate soldier. He and Sean would run around the Fort, pretending they were fighting a battle, trying to stay in character. Then I remember him as a 12-year-old, just barely into adolescence. The “coolness” factor had just begun to matter to him. And yet, at Fort Clinch, that younger boy would peek out of his eyes, show himself in little ways. It was in Fort Clinch that I got the first glimpses of his strong personality, his need to lead, and his desire for a loyal group of friends. But mostly I began to see the man he would become. It was breathtaking. Still is. Of my three boys, he’s the most independent.
Next year at this time, he’ll be a college freshman, an adult, the first to leave home. This is our last year with our family all together. It’s both sad and joyous.
And then there’s our Connor - our gift from God. He was just 2-years-old the first year. But from the get-go, he has been our special light. Warm, funny, emotional, and loquacious. He’s so much younger than the other two that at times he’s been almost like a pet to them. He’s our emotional one - he holds relationships to be of primary importance. I offered to pay him $5.00 once if he would stop talking for 5 minutes.
He
said, “I’d rather talk.” That’s our Connor. He and Sean are best friends. If Connor could become Sean, I think he would. They are such a provision for one another. I see it most in Fort Clinch. There’s Sean out investigating, appreciating nature, commenting on pollution and global warming, and who’s tagging along right at his heels? Connor. Who quotes Sean like he’s some sort of wise old sage? Connor. They look so much alike, we often call them Me and Mini-Me, although their personalities are polar opposites. But at heart, they are soul brothers.
This will be Connor’s last year as a little boy. Next year, he’ll be a teenager. I can’t believe it. And the thing I am concerned with most is - will his heart stay tender? Or will the world batter him into callousness? I don’t know, but I pray about it a lot. God has done amazing things with the other two and I trust He will do the same for Connor. But one thing I do know. This trip to Florida every year helps cement the memories and solidifies relationships.
Several years ago (I can’t remember the exact year) we began to take friends with us to Florida. The first time we did this, we took one of Kyle’s friends with us. The next year, a few more families joined us from NEOXenos. Since then, we’ve grown to almost 40 people camping out at the River Campground at Fort Clinch. It’s become a highlight of our year. It’s time for us to bond as friends, build memories together, pray together, and just have a riot. I can’t wait.
I have to admit - the thought of getting ready to go is daunting. It is so much work! The packing, planning, getting the van and camper ready to go. Whew! But…once we are all in that van heading to Florida on I-77 - it’s an adventure. One I wouldn’t miss for anything. I wonder what memories we’ll bring back with us?