Investopedia
Top 9 Vacation Destinations For Wall Street Geeks
Friday July 18, 12:22 pm ET
Tara Struyk

Renowned investor Peter Lynch came up with this his best investment ideas not by studying in his office, but out on the street, where he could see the value of companies/products in action. No matter where he was or what he was doing, the wheels of investment analysis were always whirring quietly in his head.If you’re geeky about Wall Street and investing, it may not matter whether you’re placing trades with your broker or standing in line at the grocery store - the world of finance is never far from your thoughts. So, rather than try to leave your investor- think behind when you go on vacation, why not embrace your obsession by taking a trip that will please you and your family - and appeal to your inner geek. Here are our top picks.

1. Financial District, New York City
   Assuming you don’t work here already, you’ll want to visit Wall Street, the heart of the U.S. financial system. This lower Manhattan area is the original home of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), one of the world’s largest exchanges, and the headquarters of many of the largest American brokerages and investment banks. You can also visit the famous Wall Street Bull, a 7,000-pound bronze animal, whose flaring nostrils are often rubbed by traders for good luck.While You’re There: Although the NYSE, and many of the other institutions on Wall Street, are closed to the public, you’ll be within walking distance of hundreds of other major museums and attractions, including the Museum of American Financial History, at 26 and Broadway.
2. U.S. Bullion Depository (Fort Knox) - Fort Knox, Kentucky
   According to the U.S. Treasury, the “Gold Vault”, located at Bullion Boulevard at the intersection of Gold Vault Road, houses 147.3 million ounces of the U.S. gold reserves. It is a classified facility that does not allow visitors on the premises - a presidential order is required to gain access - but you can get a good view by traveling along US 31.While You’re There: Visit the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor, one of the largest in the U.S. Army Museum System (”Guide to U.S. Army Museums” (1997) by Cody Phillips)
3. Home of Warren Buffett - Omaha, Nebraska
   If you’re obsessed with investing, you might want to check out the birth place and hometown of the richest man in the world in 2008. Omaha is where Buffett earned his first dollars delivering newspapers, bought his first piece of land and where he still lives in the modest house he bought in 1958. It’s also where the headquarters of his company, Berkshire Hathaway are located.While You’re There: Buffett is known to be very down to earth, and still dines in local restaurants. Hang around long enough and you could catch a glimpse of this investing superstar, or at least absorb a little bit of his Midwestern, common-sense approach to investing.
4. Mount Washington Hotel - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
   This regal historic building, open since 1902, is where the Bretton Woods monetary conference took place in 1944, leading to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Stories about the hotel’s ghosts also abound, so although the Bretton Woods agreement was signed more than 100 years ago, you could bump into one of its signatories along one of the hotel’s passageways.While You’re There: The hotel is open for business year-round and attracts visitors for its championship golf courses. The Mount Washing Resort is also New Hampshire’s largest ski area.
5. Caymen Islands
   Located 480 miles south of Miami, this island country is one of the world’s largest offshore banking centers, according to a 2006 report by the Bank for International Settlements. The Caymen Islands are also known for giant turtles. As you watch these creatures lumber up the beach, you may not be able to help but ponder the billions of dollars that are slowly accumulating tax-free gains.While You’re There: Snorkel or scuba dive off the islands’ many beaches and soak up some sun.
6. Bre-X Minerals Mining Area - Busang, Indonesia
   If you’re looking for some adventure, head to the dense and humid jungles of the island of Borneo. It is deep within these jungles, in Busang, Indonesia, that Bre-X Minerals claimed it had found huge gold deposits. The claim turned out to be a fraud, leading to the company’s collapse. An April 1997 article in Nothern Miner, stated that locals panning for gold in the nearby river came up empty-handed, but even if you don’t stumble across a gleaming hunk of ore, the jungle is likely to leave you feeling like anything’s possible.While You’re There: Getting to this remote part of Indonesia is difficult. In addition, ongoing ethnic and religious tensions in the country can result in violence and unrest, so check the U.S. Department of State’s International Travel Information before visiting this region.
7. Jekyll Island, Georgia
   This 12-mile-long island along Georgia’s Atlantic Coast became a part of U.S. financial history when, in 1886, it became a private club for some of the country’s richest capitalists, including J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller and William Vanderbilt. As such, it was on this island that a secret group of the country’s financiers met in 1910 to discuss the establishment of what would become the Federal Reserve banking system.While You’re There: Check out Jekyll’s National Historic Landmark District and get a sense of how those 20th century “robber barons” lived.
8. The Louvre - Paris, France
   This Museum in France’s famous capital is the home of the Code of Hammurabi, which includes what may be the first official laws governing relations between creditors and debtors. According to an article by Tonietti Alphonse, which appeared in a 1928 edition of Credit Monthly, the code makes a distinct effort to protect debtors from creditors while also holding the debtor legally responsible for meeting his obligations. The sixth king of Babylon’s (now part of Iraq) reputation as a lawmaker is evident in the U.S. as well, as depicted on several U.S. government buildings, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the Supreme Court building.While You’re There: In Paris, you can enjoy the French lifestyle, sample some world famous cuisine and find just about any activity you can think of to fill your time.
9. Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia
   This group of Pacific Ocean islands make up the least Westernized state of the Federate States of Micronesia and is best known for its famous stone money, called “rai”. These giant, donut-shaped stone disks can measure between three inches and 12 feet in diameter, and are valued both for their size and their history. Islanders only use the money for ceremonial purposes - tourists will be happy to learn that the U.S. dollar is used for everyday transactions.While You’re There: Relax! This tropical island boasts relatively low rates of tourism and is known for its beaches and scuba diving.

Celebrate your inner financial geek by unwinding at one of these destinations. If you’re inspired along the way, it could mean many happy returns.

Tags: coastal georgia, georgia coast, jekyll beach vacation, jekyll island, vacation destination
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After helping to educate more than 30,000 4-Hers and Jekyll Island visitors about wildlife conservation, Dylan the sea turtle moved from the Jekyll Island 4-H Center to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in November 2005. While there, another 4.6 million people were able to see her and learn more about conservation.

See the UGA web page about Dylan . . .

Tags: Dylan the Sea Turtle, jekyll island, sea turtles, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, the university of georgia, tidelands nature center
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And here’s the link they had on their website to learn more about Dylan!

Tags: Dylan the Sea Turtle, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, sea turtles, the georgia aquarium
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Reprinted from The Brunswick News

By Anna Ferguson

An iconic figure will wave goodbye to the Golden Isles soon, leaving behind a longtime home to make her way in the world on her own. Dylan, the media darling loggerhead sea turtle, will be released from Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Monday. The release is being hailed as one of the island’s biggest media events, with camera crews and news outlets from across the country, including ABC morning news show “Good Morning America,” converging on the center to cover the release. A decade ago, Dylan was rescued as a hatchling from the Jekyll Island beach and housed at the Tidelands Nature Center. From there, she was sent to Atlanta to be a staple at the Georgia Aquarium when it opened in 2005. She was later transported back home to Jekyll in 2007 when the center opened.

Dylan’s travels throughout Georgia have long been tracked by the public eye, and the turtle has developed a true celebrity persona, said Michelle Kaylor, an aquarist with the sea turtle center. “She’s really a diva,” Kaylor said. “She loves to splash visitors when they aren’t watching her.” Having been with the center since it opened a year ago, Kaylor and her fellow staffers have worked with Dylan to ready her for her inevitable release back to the ocean.

She is now strong, healthy and able to eat and hunt on her own, proving she is ready for the release, Kaylor said. Though the staff admits to being sad to see the turtle go, they are also equally as excited. Releasing her back to the ocean is much like watching a child go off to college, Kaylor said. “It’s bittersweet,” she said. “We’ve been working hard to get her ready, and now she is there. It’s time for her to go.” But, Kaylor adds, this isn’t the last the center will be hearing of Dylan. A tracking satellite placed under the skin will enable the center to keep tabs on her. “We’re hopeful that she’ll come back when she’s ready to nest and lay her own eggs here,” Kaylor said. Dylan’s release will come with the fanfare befitting a shelled superstar and will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the sea turtle center, said Eric Garvey, marketing director for the Jekyll Island Authority. Public events scheduled for the weekend include the release of two other turtles Saturday and a celebration at the center. All the merriment will lead to the release of Dylan on Monday, when a crowd of spectators is expected to flock to Jekyll’s beach to say good-bye and good luck. “A lot of folks have been following Dylan and want to take this opportunity to say good-bye,” Garvey said. “It is a little sad, but mostly, it is a very exciting time.” The sea turtle’s plight has paralleled the turtle center’s rise to the forefront of public attention, Garvey said, as it has gone from a small grass roots organization to a full-fledged facility with a highly praised mission of turtle education, research and rehabilitation. Dylan, too, has brought a spotlight to Jekyll’s enduring goal of environmental preservation and awareness. “We have a very strong mission for conservation, and it is something that we have been striving to carry out for a long time,” Garvey said. “The island is an environmental destination, known for its goals of conservation. Dylan has brought that mission into the public eye and made even more people aware of our conservations efforts.” As Dylan makes her exit from the center, several new turtles will be making their way in, including Joey, another sea turtle from the Georgia Aquarium. Garvey anticipates that Joey will be brought to the center some time in the coming week. BREAKOUT To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Sea Turtle Weekend will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various locations on Jekyll Island. Crafts, games and activities will be held at the center from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Dylan’s release will be 8:30 a.m. Monday, departing from the island on the beach behind the convention center. Attendees are asked to arrive early. For more information, call 635-4444 or visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.

Tags: Dylan the Sea Turtle, sea turtles, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island
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by Robert Painter

Reprinted from TravelLady Magazine

You won’t run into Ray Charles, but if you head on down to Woodbine, Georgia, you can take in some great country and bluegrass music on the weekend. Friday night at the Woodbine Opry a lot of the local folks will be gathered around to listen to some pretty good acoustic Bluegrass and Gospel and when they come back on Saturday they might just pull the old guitar out of the closet to join in on some of their favorite country

It’s not the Ryman Auditorium, but neither does it cost $50 for a front row seat.  For about eight dollars you have a fine country dinner before the music starts.  The music is free but you can buy a ticket for the homemade cake raffle or make a donation if you’re so inclined.  All in all it’s a terrific evening of good clean family fun.  And dinner for the kids is only four dollars so bring everyone.

From Woodbine you can take a short drive down to Kingsland which is a good starting point for those wishing to venture a bit west into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuse and Wilderness Area. Or go a few miles east to the delightful little town of St. Marys. Be sure to visit the Oak Grove Cemetery.  Remember to ask someone about the resident ghosts.

If you’re ready for a bit of exercise and looking to find a few dolphins you probably ought to hook up with Up the Creek Xpeditions for a half day kayaking trip on the St. Marys River.  And, if you’re really adventurous they can even arrange a night trip into the Okefenokee to spot alligators with your headlamp.  If you haven’t kayaked before don’t let that stop you.  They’ll give you excellent instruction and the equipment is first rate.

It’s time to turn a bit north and travel up the coast to Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia.  If you’re getting hungry for some fresh shrimp your next stop should be the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat. This is a real shrimp boat that has been refurbished and Coast Guard certified for passengers.  The good news is that it is still a shrimper.  It’s rigged to troll the waters in a nice, calm protected area (don’t even think about getting seasick) and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the authentic operation.  The net pulls up a lot of creatures. Different kinds of fish, crabs shrimp and even the amazing horseshoe crab. You can even help sort the shrimp and toss the horseshoe crabs back into the water.

The real treat comes when the fresh shrimp are cooked and served right on the back of the boat.  All you can eat, fresh and delicious!

As long as you’re in the neighborhood you wouldn’t want to miss the famous and historic Jekyll Island Club.  It’s a wonderful place to overnight and walk around the grounds to view the historic district.  You’ll recognize some of the names of the early club members. Marshall Field, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Frank Goodyear, William Rockefeller are but a few on the list.  The grounds are meticulously cared for.

 A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center found here will both entertain and educate you. Injured and ill turtles are cared for in a state-of-the-art facility and you can actually watch the staff in action.  The staff will introduce you to some of the patients and you can learn much about the several varieties of turtles in the facility.

A short walk from the Center you will discover the unusual and scenic Driftwood Beach.  It’s not really “driftwood” but rather trees that have been uprooted by the changing tides and left in place to be polished by the water.  The shapes are beautiful and if you forget to bring your camera you’ll regret it later.

One of the biggest surprises on the island is an enormous colony of wood storks.  Don’t miss them.  I doubt if you’ll ever find a group like this again.

From Jekyll Island and Brunswick it’s an easy two hour drive on up to Savannah, unless you make a few stops along the way.  Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island and Harris Neck and Sapelo are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries you might want to visit.

Savannah is a perfect city for walking.  There are scooters, segways, trolleys and even a GPS tour for the trendy techies.  I like to walk and you can pick up a good map for your tour around the city.  The trolley is an on and off vehicle so you can stop wherever you want and catch the next one when you’re ready.

You may know that Savannah was Georgia’s first city. You may not know that people were free to worship as they pleased.  Excluding Catholics, however.  At first, rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden.  I wonder what they had against rum.

It could be that the first Sunday School started here.  A fellow named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin at a nearby plantation in 1793 and in 1912 Juliette Gordon Low formed a little organization called the Girl Scouts.

Savannah has many faces.  America’s Most Haunted City has a wonderful river walk with plenty of restaurants in which to sample the local southern cuisine and enough bars to keep you from getting too thirsty.  There are lots of interesting shops including the typical tourist places on River Street.  And, if you don’t like “tourist shops” stop in a couple of them anyway.  You might stumble upon one pulling taffy or making that delightful southern treat, pralines.  And, don’t miss the City Market in the heart of the Historic District.

If you’re a shopper you’ll discover the many antique shops, galleries and gift shops with lots of local hand-crafted items and folk art that you will find nowhere else.

Savannah is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are 22 squares that are experienced by millions every year.  The beautiful sprawling oaks trees decorated by nature with the lacey Spanish moss contribute to the antebellum look of the city along with the restoration of many Colonial, Victorian, Georgian and other architectural gems.

An important part of the history of Savannah is its Black heritage. There are numerous monuments, homes, parks, churches and institutions marking this cultural aspect.  I remember walking past a monument and stopping to read the inscription.  I was surprised to read that the young drummer boy grew up to eventually become the King of Haiti. The oldest standing brick building in Georgia is the First African Baptist Church, built by slaves, for slaves, in the evenings following a full day of work in the fields.  I’ll leave it to you to discover more about the Gullah culture when you visit.

If you haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I would recommend you give it a look before your trip to Savannah.  It might just make you curious about some of the people in this enchanting city.  There is probably a festival of some sort every month so show up and join in the fun.

A couple more hours up the road and you’ll discover Augusta, another Georgia treasure. You’ve probably heard of Augusta National Golf Club, official site of the Masters Tournament, but you may not know about the National Science Center, also in Augusta. It was created by law to promote science and math education for all ages nationwide. It is a fascinating place.  Take your kids or go without them, but whatever time you allot for the visit plan to tack on another hour or two. The interactive displays and hands-on exhibits may just make you forget about looking at your watch.

Augusta is filled with beautiful homes, parks, gardens and monuments.  Spreading oaks covered with Spanish moss and antebellum homes.  A delightful Riverwalk and a great canal that used to be used to haul cotton and other goods. Some of the old mills have been restored and converted into businesses and residences.  You’ll want to visit the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson and learn a bit more about life during the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

I hope you manage to visit the Augusta Museum of History and see The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit.  It is the first major exhibit dedicated to James Brown and will be at the museum through May 2011.  James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.  He grew up in Augusta and used his fame to be a positive advocate of peaceful race relations in the south.

The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy located in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great way to spend part of your day in Augusta. The mission of the Academy is to promote environmental stewardship through education, research and public outreach with a goal of seeking solutions to healthy and sustainable natural resources.  You’ll love the boardwalk and you’ll see waterfowl and maybe even an alligator or two.

I had a great time visiting this time and yes, Georgia is still on my mind! Now, I want to see the rest of the state. I’m planning to return, but just don’t know when – maybe I’ll see you there.

Keep on traveling!

Story and Photos by Robert Painter: rpainter2006@comcast.net

Photo of James Brown courtesy of Frank Christian

When You Go:

Woodbine Opry: www.woodbineopry.com

Kayaking & Canoeing info: www.upthecreektrips.com

Lady Jane Shrimp Boat: www.credlesadventures.com

Jekyll Island: www.jekyllisland.com

Savannah. There’s a lot more to this story: www.jekyllisland.com

Augusta. And, there’s more here than golf: http://www.augustaga.org

Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, georgia vacation, jekyll island, jekyll island history, jekyll island vacation
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http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155389201/bclid1232414644/bctid1607358259

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island erosion, jekyll island revitalization. georgia beach vacation
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What: 

Dylan, a loggerhead sea turtle - one of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s first patients - will return to the ocean.

When:

Monday, June 30, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. – Dylan will depart the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and arrive on the beach at about 7:00 a.m.

All times are subject to change

Where:

– Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Nat’l Historic Landmark District, Jekyll Island, GA

– Beach behind and slightly north of the Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, GA

Why:

Dylan, a straggler hatchling who was rescued on Jekyll Island almost 10 years ago, has been a local ambassador for sea turtles. Visitors to the Tidelands Nature Center, Coastal Encounters, the Georgia Aquarium and, most recently, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center have enjoyed watching Dylan for many years. Now that her carapace is over 50 cm long, Dylan is big enough to return to the ocean according to standards set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Since May of 2007, when Dylan returned to Jekyll Island from the Georgia Aquarium, she has been learning the skills needed to return to the wild. She will be fitted with a special satellite transmitter so Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) researchers and visitors to the GSTC and Georgia Aquarium Web sites can monitor her activities and movements.

Activities:

Sunday, June 29, TBD – Final preparation and satellite tag fitting (GSTC)

Monday, June 30, 7:00 a.m. – Arrival at beach and subsequent release at the beach behind and slightly north of the Jekyll Island Convention Center

All times are subject to change

Tags: Dylan the Sea Turtle, sea turtles, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island
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Along the golden isles of Georgia where marsh and ocean meet,

Lies a jewel of an island, for those who come and greet.

Her beauty unsurpassed, with sheltering oaks and pines

Where Spanish moss is draped around branches shaped by time.

A canopy of trees surround, bringing life within its midst.

Providing natures wildlife with a haven to exist

Its golden sand and rising seas peacefully come and go,

And natural dunes and driftwood form along the beaches row.

Its from this unspoiled beauty many have graced her shores

The Timucuan Indians, Horton’s, DuBignon’s and much more

From Rockefeller, Morgan, Pulitzer, Gould and Macy

Whose cottages remain today to keep alive their legacy.

And the richness of her history still captures us today.

The aura of an era gone by; when the rich would come to play.

But from this golden age in time, we know and understand

That Jekyll is ‘a jewel of isles’ where all would wish to land.

Tags: georgia beach vacation, jekyll island history, jekyll island poetry, Licia Chenoweth
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By ANNA FERGUSON, reprinted from The Brunswick News

Swimming circles in an aqua-blue tank at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Dylan appears unaware of her celebrity sea turtle status.

Does she know she is one of the most famous reptiles in America? Does she know that fans flock to her tank daily just to catch a glimpse of her?

From the depths of her tank at 214 Stable Road on Jekyll Island, Dylan appears oblivious to her own popularity. But then, she pops her head from the water, gives a flick of her fin, and swims a bit faster.

Her actions leave no room for doubt. Indeed, Dylan has a very real inkling what a super star she actually is.

Come Friday, when Dylan is released back into the wild, her shining star will fly even higher as camera crews and local, regional and national media head to Jekyll Island to cover the celebrated event.

“Dylan has become well known worldwide,” said Stefanie Ouellette, education director at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. “A lot of folks have heard his story and have followed it closely. There will be a lot of people here to watch her release. It’s become a national story.”

A decade ago, Dylan was discovered as an abandoned hatchling on the Jekyll Island shores. Tidelands Nature Center adopted the baby Dylan, housing her there until she outgrew the facility. Dylan swims in her tank at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island as admirers watch her progress. Dylan was found as an abandoned hatchling on Jekyll more than a decade ago. She will be released into the Atlantic Ocean on Friday. (Michael Hall/The Brunswick News)

When the Georgia Aquarium opened in Atlanta in 2005, Dylan moved to the big city for life in the fast lane.

But the city proved to not be the right fit for the Jekyll native, as she grew into her own and became a bit too fiery for her own good.

“She became a little too interested in the other animals in the tank,” Ouellette said. “We all thought at that point, she was ready to go back into the wild.”

To prepare the turtle for her attempted release back to nature last May, Dylan was sent back south to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. As it turns out, the flippered critter wasn’t as prepared for the real world as was initially thought.

“She was terrified of crabs, and that’s what she would need to eat in the wild,” Ouellette said. “So we had to break her of that fear.”

Now, a little more than a year later, Dylan has overcome her fear of pinching crabs and is ready to be one with the wild waters of the East Coast.

Dylan’s adventure through captivity will come to an end Friday when the center releases her back to the wild.

“She’ll escape her walls and go back home,” said Ouellette.

It’s unknown what exactly will happen to Dylan once she leaves the center, but Ouellette and her co-workers, like any eager parents, are anxious to find out.

A rice-sized tag has been implanted under Dylan’s skin so researchers at the center can keep track of her adventures in open waters.

Scientists are hoping to gain additional insight on the lives of endangered sea turtles for further research from the tag, Ouellette said.

“We have no idea where she’ll go, but it will be interesting to find out,” said Ouellette. “We’ve broken her ties and dependency on humans and we’ve prepared her as much as we can.”

Standing outside Dylan’s tank on a recent day, Ron Murray marveled at the vivacious nature of the oversized turtle.

This wasn’t the first time Murray, a volunteer at the Georgia Aquarium, had become acquainted with Dylan. But while on vacation to the Golden Isles, he made a point to say hello to his old friend.

“She sure has more personality than any turtle I have ever seen,” Murray said. “At the aquarium, she’d swim right up in the glass and look at the visitors, while the other turtles would just stay near the top of the tank.

“This Dylan, she’s something else. Everyone loves her.”

Tags: Dylan the Sea Turtle, Georgia Coast Beach Vacation, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, jekyll island, sea turtles
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Posted on RedOrbit.com: Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 18:00 CDT

By DAVID BAUERLEIN

Coping with higher gas prices used to mean finding other places to shave expenses on vacations — preparing some meals in a hotel kitchenette, for instance, instead of eating out.

But with gas fast approaching $4 a gallon nationwide, tourism officials increasingly see travelers adjust by choosing destinations closer to home.

“We understand that people may be cutting back on their vacations because of gas prices, so we’re really going to be focusing on local residents,” said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman.

Visit Jacksonville has been running a “Residents Can be a Tourist in Their Own Backyards” publicity campaign that features discounts from local businesses through June 10.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort on the Northside has been using the same backyard catchphrase in its local advertising. High fuel prices “have really put a strain on our industry,” said Michael Fisher, marketing director for the resort. Still, he said people aren’t going to give up on their vacations.

“They’re still going to use their RVs but they’re not going to go as far,” he said.

Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Johns County will give gas cards to Florida and Georgia residents who visit at least two nights in July.

The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council decided to tap its reserves to spend an additional $100,000 on marketing in the Jacksonville area. Gil Langley, managing director for the council, said Jacksonville, Atlanta and Orlando have always been the biggest markets for visits to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.

Even with high gas prices, he said he’s optimistic people are going to take their family vacations, he said.

“There are certain things in life that you hang onto no matter what, and I think people will always hang onto that,” he said.david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4581TIPS FOR A GREAT LOCAL GETAWAYVacationing close to home might not seem like a break from everyday life. Here are some ways to boost the vacation experience:DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT. “We have people from all over the world come to the First Coast for vacations,” said Gil Langley of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. For instance, AAA gives its highest five-diamond rating for lodging to nine properties in Florida. Two are in Northeast Florida — The Ritz- Carlton, Amelia Island and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.PLAN YOUR TRIP THE WAY AN OUTSIDER WOULD. Part of a vacation is the anticipation that comes from scouring guidebooks and putting together a daily itinerary. One advantage of vacationing close to home is you can do some advance scouting. For instance, you can see whether the bed-and-breakfast or beachfront rental home is really as nice as it sounds in the promotional material.REWARD YOURSELF FOR SAVING TRANSPORTATION MONEY. Eliminating tanks of gas and plane tickets will help your everyday household budget. But take at least some of the savings and upgrade your vacation memories by treating yourself to accommodations, meals, or vacation activities whose cost would usually make you think twice.UNPLUG YOURSELF FROM WORK. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com found 25 percent of workers expected to stay in contact with the office even while on vacation. Breaking fee of the e-leash is a good goal no matter where you’re going. But if you’re close to home, those workplace obligations will make it harder to feel like you’ve gotten a clean break from the usual routine.STAYING NEARBY10.5%The increase in the percentage of Floridians who vacationed in-state during the first three months of 2008 as compared to the same period last year, according to Visit Florida. That increase represented 1.2 million in-state trips.FOUR GREAT BACKYARD VACATIONSTo explore these tourist destinations along the ocean coast from Jekyll Island, Ga. to St. Augustine, you won’t need a full tank of gas.

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.

This barrier island’s tourism roots go back more than 100 years, when wealthy Northeastern industrialists made it their playground. The island has 10 miles of ocean beaches, extensive bike trails, and a historic town center.

In the tank: 150-mile round-trip from Jacksonville. Gas would cost $28.50 at 20 miles per gallon.

Deep pockets: AAA gives three-diamond ratings to Jekyll Island Club Hotel ($189-$453).

More affordable: Quality Inn and Suites ($129-$179) and Days Inn and Suites ($120-$220 for “June Sizzling Rates”) both get two- diamond ratings.

Dining: Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating system cites five restaurants, led by the Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three stars. Others are Blackbeard’s and The Surf Steakhouse (each with two stars), and Zachry’s Seafood and Latitude 31 (each with one star.)

Eco-tourism: Jekyll Island Campground ($20-$31) has 206 spaces.

Activities: Summer Waves ($16-$20), Georgia Sea Turtle Center ($4- $6), 63 holes of golf (some hotels include 18 holes in their room packages).

Learn more: www.jekyllisland.com or (912) 635-3636

Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, jekyll island beach, jekyll island vacation
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