JEKYLL AND CUMBERLAND

       The past few days have been spectacular. After a few days without propane or showers, we stopped on St. Simon's Island on Wednesday for a few hours to obtain these commodities. After much needed showers, we ended up walking about 6 miles round trip to get propane. It was a very long six miles. We stopped at a restaurant to get waffles, so all the walking was all worth it. That afternoon we headed to Jekyll Island.
     Shortly after anchoring in the Jekyll River, we struck up a conversation with a local guy who had a boat next to us. He ended up giving us a little tour of the island in his truck; mom in the cab and my dad and I in the bed of the truck. We drove all over and learned a lot about the island.
      The next morning we rowed in to shore and walked all over the island. This island was once home to the famous Jekyll Island Club, a highly exclusive resort reserved for the wealthiest of the wealthy. The Carnagies, Melons, Vanderbilts, and Morgans were all members here in the club's heyday. Jekyll has since become accessible to average people, such as the lowly Langworthys. We walked through the Historic District and gaped at all of the historic mansions surrounding the former Club, which is now a fancy hotel. After getting quite lost, we managed to find our way to the beach. The beach was very large, and mostly deserted. It was fabulous. After a long day, we walked back to our dinghy and rowed ashore.
      The next day was one of the most perfect days imaginable. I woke up early and made pancakes, which were absolutely scrumptious if I do say so myself. After cleaning up, we rowed to shore and walked two miles through the island's beautiful forest bike paths to a bike rental place. We rented three one speed bikes, each equipped with a delightful little bell that I was constantly ringing. We rode all over the southern end of the island, weaving through both the magnificent forests and roadside bike paths. 
      We stopped at a beach on the Southeast part of the island, tucked behind a large swath of dunes. I found a half dozen sand dollars and had a great time doing cartwheels at the water's edge. The weather was absolutely splendid and we had a great time making sand sculptures and going for walks.
      We pedaled onwards to a beach on the Jekyll River, which was also very lovely. A short way from this beach we found a rope swing suspended from a high branch of a Live Oak. The reckless teenager within me enjoyed swinging as high as possible, undoubtedly causing my poor mother unnecessary worry. It was SO much fun. All three of us tried it and greatly enjoyed it.
      After that, we biked back towards the center of the island by way of various woodland paths. I really felt like I was exploring untouched rainforest, except for the very well maintained trail that we went on. We returned the bikes and walked up to the IGA, where I purchased a much needed Butterfinger bar and fruit punch. We walked the two miles back to the boat where we had a nice dinner and a quiet evening. It was the best day ever.
      The next morning we splurged for laundry and shower services at the Jekyll Marina. After one and a half weeks without doing a load of laundry, having clean jeans was a spectacular feeling. The shower was luxurious, especially after a nice soak in the marina's hot tub. 
      We motored to Cumberland Island where we anchored by Plum Orchard, a Carnegie mansion that is now a state park. We spent the following morning getting a behind the scenes tour of the mansion from a friendly National Parks guide. My dad even ended up rescuing a snake from the basement. It was an extremely nice house, those Carnegies sure knew how to live. That afternoon we trekked through winding woodland trails to a pristine, untouched beach on the ocean side of the island. It was absolutely magnificent. That night we had a picnic on the porch of the mansion with a fellow on a nearby boat. Again, absolutely magnificent.
      The next day we went a few miles south and anchored at the Southern end of Cumberland Island. We did some more hiking to deserted beaches, as well as visiting the ruins of another Carnegie mansion called Dungeness. The island has many wild horses, which were wonderful to watch as they chased each other around the extensive yard of the crumbling castle. There were scores of armadillos that could be seen rooting around for insects in the dry grasses and bushes of the island. I thought they were the cutest things ever. They never cared that I got close to them either, I could have reached out and petted one if my mom had let me.
      We left Cumberland a few minutes ago and are currently motoring to St. Mary's, Georgia, which is about 5 miles away. There is a special 'cruiser's Thanksgiving' there every year, so we will spend the holiday among dozens of other boaters and share a massive potluck dinner. I'm looking forward to eating good food and meeting new people!
      Happy Thanksgiving everybody!