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In northeast Florida, travelers can experience a novel way of exploring nature trails—riding Segways with EcoMotion Tours in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve on Fort George Island. What's a Segway? It's a two-wheeled, battery powered vehicle that a rider stands on upright.
Getting Trail Ready
Before the tour begins, the owners of EcoMotion Tours, Maren and Greg Arnett, give a 15-minute training session. Along with four other riders, we learned how to get on and off safely, turn, accelerate and stop. Operating a Segway is surprisingly easy. To go forward, you lean slightly forward. To stop, you lean slightly back. To turn left, turn the handle control to the left. To turn right, turn the handle control to the right.
The first time that riders step onto the platform, they may experience some rocking. I did. But the rocking stopped as soon as I got the feel of it. Maren is adept at putting nervous participants at ease with gentle, one-on-one instruction. After everyone got on his Segway, the six of us practiced cruising on a grassy field and weaving around traffic cones.
On the Trail
Helmets on and earphones in place, we followed Greg on sandy trails under a canopy of maritime pines, oaks and palms. Along the route, he told stories about the area's history, the Timucuan Indians, gopher tortoises and native plants—all easily heard through earphones. And when there was a change in terrain or a difficult turn, he told us what to do beforehand. Maren rode rearguard, guiding anyone who strayed off course.
With big, cross-terrain tires inflated to only 4 psi, these Segways give a smooth ride, even over tree roots. Plus their footprint, zero emissions, and quiet, battery-powered motor have minimal impact on the environment.
Kingsley Plantation
EcoMotion Tours offers both one-hour and two-hour rides. The longer tour includes a stop at the Kingsley Plantation, which grew sea-island cotton and indigo in the 1800s. Ruins of slave cabins made of tabby (oyster shell construction) and Zephania Kingsley's home still stand on the National Park Service site. Unlike most planters, Maren told us, Kingsley permitted the slaves to keep their African names. A garden displays plants grown at that time: indigo, sugar cane, okra, gourds, and sea-island cotton, which was valued for its long silky fiber.
Flora and Fauna
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a visual feast for birdwatchers. During our tour in early December, we saw pelicans and ibises roosting in trees, ospreys flying with fresh caught fish in their talons, and roseate spoonbills feeding on a riverbank. The Arnetts have also spotted bald eagles when leading tours.
Endangered gopher tortoises also inhabit the area. Riders may see one sunning on a sandy knoll outside its large burrow. (We only saw the burrows.) Some 300 species, Greg said, are dependent on the gopher tortoise burrows for their survival.
The Arnetts are residents of Fort George Island and highly knowledgeable about the area's history and nature. They're happy to answer questions about their backyard, so we asked away.
Who can ride Segways?
EcoMotion Tours has had riders in their 90s and more than 60 percent of their clientele are age 55 and older. The only age requirement is that you be at least 13 years old.
There are a few physical requirements. You must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. And you need to be able to perform such tasks as going up and down stairs without assistance, and without using a handrail. You must also be able to operate the steering control with your left hand and be able to stand on the Segway's platform for the length of your chosen tour (either one hour or two hours).
Location:
Fort George Island and the Timucuan Preserve are located 10 miles from Amelia Island and 16 miles from downtown Jacksonville. Fort George Island and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve are close to any RV parks and accommodations in northeast Florida.
During our stay in Jacksonville, we camped at Flamingo Lake RV Resort, whose location at I-295, Exit 32 made it convenient to explore downtown Jacksonville and northeast Florida attractions.
For more information about Segway tours:
Visit EcoMotion Tours.
RV Site Review:
Read our
RV Site Review of Flamingo Lake RV Resort in Jacksonville, Florida.
Area Attractions:
Find out about the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and attractions in
Jacksonville and northeast Florida.
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