May 2006
In Georgia we were fortunate to discover Jekyll Island and stay for a day to be tourist. Jekyll Island was originally an isolated island near the coast and a Yacht Club was established here by the ultra rich of a bygone era. This included the Carnegies and the Goodyears amongst others. Around the yacht club these reclusive families built summer ‘cottages’ and there was docking for their various motor yachts which were big even by today’s standards for super-yachts. None of the cottages had kitchens because all meals were taken at the yacht club. Separate housing was built for servants of which there must have been many...
The Yacht Club has been preserved as a huge hotel complex today and remains quite splendid, complete with croquet lawn along one side.

Lady tied up at the Jekyll Island Marina
Spanish Moss - an air plant - draped from the trees is typical of Georgia and the Carolinas
The front part of the Yacht Club nearest the wharf
The notice explaining about the yachts which visited
The side of the Yacht Club with the croquet lawn - the players did not seem to understand the vicious nature of the game!
A cottage
Another cottage
Lion belonging to demolished cotatge
The other lion belonging to demolished cotatge

Most of the other cottages had also been preserved although some were in a state of disrepair and awaiting more funds to be restored. There was a building that contained a covered tennis court but that is currently unsafe to enter.
One building had been demolished by the owners after a tragic family event and little remains except the stone lions by the road up from where they had their private dock and some other stones and ornaments. There was a large Club Wharf on the waterfront that now houses restaurants and tour boats.

Yet another cottage
A further cottage
Yet a further cottage
Cottage with mate on bicycle - always a hazardous adventure...
The chapel with very gothic gargoyles

Many of the buildings were being used for weddings on the day that we visited and there groups of stylish young ladies being photographed with much merriment. Tables were laid out for banquets but very few guests were evident anywhere.
We borrowed bikes from the marina to tour the island and many areas were prohibited for cars.

The marina we used had a loan car - quite a common arrangement in remote areas - and this enabled us to organise a major restocking of the refrigerator and fruit nets before we headed to more remote parts. We debated a sea passage but the forecast was uncertain so we stuck to our plans.
At the end of this day of exploration a giant, shallow draft cruise ship ties up in the marina. They use the ICW to visit historic sights while feeding their guests gormet meals along the way. Thank goodness we never met one of these except tied up at a dock. They take up a lot of room! This was a rare break on the trip north and we really enjoyed it. We will return in the future and explore further.

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