Jekyll Ryding

From the bike trail along Jekyll Island's shoreline, we could see our boat anchored in the channel.  We noticed with disbelief that another boat had snuggled itself in and anchored much too close between Velsignet and the Jekyll Island Bridge.  WHAT?!?  NO WAY!!   A bit out of sorts for the privacy we now wouldn't enjoy, we turned in our borrowed bikes and dinghied back to the boat.  Our attitudes made a 180-turnaround when we recognized MV “Miss Adventure,” (Port:  Hot Springs, AR) with captains GG and Mark (whom we met at the St. Augustine dock Looper gathering).  We were delighted with the prospect of seeing them again (which we did).  "YES!" we said to each other, "This is GREAT!!"

We bid an early (7:30 am.) St. Augustine farewell (and waved to Dave and Penny in “Southern Cross” as we passed by) a couple of days ago.  Our plan was to cruise 53 miles on the ICW to the Fernandina area, but the plan changed when we learned Steve and Kathy, MV “Red Pearl,” would be anchored another 24 miles up the coast (…and Kathy had a pot of delicious vegetable beef soup to share!).  Upon our arrival at 5:30 pm, we “rafted” onto Red Pearl and enjoyed the reunion.

Yesterday, Red Pearl and Velsignet parted ways at Jekyll Island, GA.    

Jekyll Island is a beautiful destination and may be most noted for “The Jekyll Island Club,” which was established in an era whereby many elaborate “cottages” were built by the rich (examples:  Astor, Vanderbuilt, Goodyear, Vail, Gould).  Today, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel remains open for business and the cottages are offered for rent or have been adapted for museums, art galleries or bookstores.  Jekyll Island is one of Georgia’s many barrier islands (entirely owned by the state; residents rent the land upon which their homes stand), measures 7 miles long by 1.5 miles wide, and has flat beaches and extensive biking trails (we rarely put our wheels on a street).  The island was once under Spanish rule, then the English before the U.S.  

Waving to GG and Mark, we lifted anchor at 9:00 am this morning.  A high tide of almost 7 feet will peak at 10 am, easing our minds going through the ICW to reach our next destination which is just 10 miles away by water:  Brunswick, Georgia. 

To the left, you may recognize Red Pearl by its red hull.  Red Pearl is also a Mainship 400; our similar boats and our common mission to complete America's Great Loop give Kathy, Steve, Mike and Brenda much to talk about
as all four of us are constantly learning!

The bike trails on Jekyll Island were paved, flat, and extensive.  We biked the outside of the island, as well as the commercial and historical districts.

In 2018, Jekyll Island was designated the 11th most beautiful places in the US.  We believe it!  The Spanish moss from the live oaks laced above us on the wooded trails.  The landscaping was beautiful and varied.  The wildlife is said to be plentiful (signs re: alligators; were told it hosts the larges rehabilitation center for sea turtles).

This is Mike on the bike trail on the Atlantic Ocean (east) side of the island.  The sand dunes are protected and the beaches are wide and hard enough to ride bikes on!

Here's Mike in front of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.  It's as beautiful and ornate inside as it is outside. 
When the Jekyll Island Club existed, membership was limited to 100 to preserve its exclusivity.   
Some of the wealthiest members built their own "cottages."

On the grounds in front of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel was a serious game of cribbage being played.

This is one of the "cottages" built during the Jekyll Island Club era (1886-1942).
Most of the mansion-sized residences are still standing.

Another "cottage." Even the wealthy suffered during the Great Depression and the club had financial difficulties.

This "cottage" had landscaping that was a breathtaking as the home itself.  When the US entered WWII, the government ordered Jekyll Island to be evacuated, ending the era of the Jekyll Island Club. 
The State of Georgia purchased the island when WWII ended.

This is the Jekyll Island Wharf which once welcomed the yachts owned by the Jekyll Island Club members.  It is now a restaurant and center to purchase tour tickets.  This picture was taken at low tide and if you look to the left, you can see how the channel is affected by it (Velsignet is anchored about 1/2 mile from here).

This is taken from The Jekyll Island Wharf dock, which is located on the west side of the island.