Oh, I've been to an island with horses with no names. Cumberland Island is the southernmost coastal island in Georgia and a true gem. It is administered by the National Park Service and I highly recommend you visit if you get the chance.
We had reservations for the 11:45 ferry and the 45 minute ride from St. Mary's was pleasant. Upon arrival we were met by a ranger who guided around the southern tip of the island. There are no facilities there except for bathrooms and water. You have to bring anything you care to eat or drink and plenty of bug spray and carry out all your trash. Bicycles can be rented and ridden on the main road only and there is wilderness camping and beaches. The northern end of the island has an exclusive "inn" and a church where John Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married.
The island was originally inhabited by native Americans and then a gift to Nathaniel Greene, a patriot. He and his wife built a mansion on the island and it later fell into ruin. In the late 1800's the Thomas and Lucy Carnegie family bought the island and built their mansion, Dungeness, on the ruins foundation. Today you can see some walls and chimneys and it is truly impressive. The Carnegies bred horses for polo, and their descendants run loose on the island today. The palm and pine trees make the place beautiful and the many live oaks covered with Spanish Moss wave gracefully in the breeze.
Our ferry back was at 2:45 and it was enough for such a hot day, but we will return. Later we rested and relaxed and Jeff led another campfire after dinner. The end of our wonderful trek.
We had reservations for the 11:45 ferry and the 45 minute ride from St. Mary's was pleasant. Upon arrival we were met by a ranger who guided around the southern tip of the island. There are no facilities there except for bathrooms and water. You have to bring anything you care to eat or drink and plenty of bug spray and carry out all your trash. Bicycles can be rented and ridden on the main road only and there is wilderness camping and beaches. The northern end of the island has an exclusive "inn" and a church where John Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married.
The island was originally inhabited by native Americans and then a gift to Nathaniel Greene, a patriot. He and his wife built a mansion on the island and it later fell into ruin. In the late 1800's the Thomas and Lucy Carnegie family bought the island and built their mansion, Dungeness, on the ruins foundation. Today you can see some walls and chimneys and it is truly impressive. The Carnegies bred horses for polo, and their descendants run loose on the island today. The palm and pine trees make the place beautiful and the many live oaks covered with Spanish Moss wave gracefully in the breeze.
Our ferry back was at 2:45 and it was enough for such a hot day, but we will return. Later we rested and relaxed and Jeff led another campfire after dinner. The end of our wonderful trek.
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