We made a great journey yesterday, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of
Fernandina Beach and Florida, crossing the state line into Georgia, and
stepping back in time. We arrived at Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest
barrier island, which is completely undeveloped and maintained as it existed
in yesteryear.
Our journey was about 2 nautical miles.
To compare and contrast Amelia Island and Cumberland Island is very funny.
Fort Clinch State Park was very cool, and it has the fort, the fishing pier,
and nice paved roads. But Cumberland Island has immense hardwood growth,
dripping with Spanish moss, unpaved sand roads (fun for riding bikes) and
today we’re going to tour the ruins of the mansions left behind by the
Carnegie family. Both islands are about the same size, but Cumberland
doesn’t have a road leading to it, the only way in is by boat or ferry. The
RV campgrounds on Amelia are replaced by “backcountry” campsites, where all
your supplies must be carried in on the ferry. It’s easy to see why our
friends Myron and Dena love this island and keep coming back.
Last night after the last ferry left, Sabrina and I sat in rocking chairs at
the ranger station watching a thunderstorm sweep across the area. A little
later we moved down to the museum area and sat under the covered awning
watching wild horses and wild turkeys roam a grassy area. We raced the next
storm back to the boat as deer crossed the sand covered road in front of us.
Worlds apart, but only 2 miles away.
This afternoon, we plan to head back out into the ocean to head north to
Hilton Head to visit our friends Brett and Jen.