We got the invite from the Cayces and the Pyrons to accompany them out to Cumberland Island for Easter weekend. So we drove down to the Georgia coast, hopped a ferry and found ourselves on a quiet little paradise. The island has big, beautiful beaches, that transition to rolling dunes, and then, suddenly “live oak” forests. From inside the forests, the entire sky is a canopy of limbs……really neat trees. We brought a cooler (with steaks no less) a grill (had to be able to cook our bacon and eggs) and plenty to drink with us. Said cooler weighed approximately 1.2 tons….but it was worth it.
When you land, they have carts you can use to wheel your stuff to your campsite, so we did just that, making the 1/2 mile trek in just in time to settle in and head over to the beach. Here we are approaching our first view of the ocean
and here are some of the live oaks I was referencing.
I loved the way the light filtered through the live oaks. Really cool.
Just amazing. Also, the ground was dense with sawgrass palms (except for the pathways and the campsites) which made for really private campsites. Oh, also worth mentioning we had showers (cold) and toilets, so roughing it wasn’t quite as “rough” as it could have been.
Aaaaah, yes, the steaks (and spuds).
So, apparently I double as a jungle gym. Interesting, maybe it’s actually “Jungle Jim” and Jungle Jim was a guy that kids used to grab a hold of and swing on. I’ll google that later
Here we are on the beach at sunset that first night, bothering crabs.
Sunrise the next morning was gorgeous…..Lillis missed it.
You might think this was Lillis sleeping in. Nope, this is Lillis after she woke up, ate eggs and bacon, then lay back down for a nap at 10AM. She is really really good at relaxing when we’re out in nature. I’m glad.
We schlepped the kayak out to the campsite and I was able to catch a few waves. Not pictured is the body surfing. Lillis was a champion, and not just because she has giant feet for the wave to push against. She has text book body surfing form. I’m not even kidding. I was totally stinking it up until she worked with me some. Now I can body surf in public without shame. What a gal.
Oh, yeah, so there are wild horses all over this island. That’s pretty cool when you’re out on the beach and this guy comes up with some straw between his teeth like uncle Goober.
There were also a couple of young colts on the island. I thought that was pretty cool to see the little wobbly-legged horses roaming around following their mothers.
Other “critters” we saw….a GIANT horeshoe crab, a couple of racoons, an armadillo and a possum who was completely unaware that he should be afraid of us. Actually, come to think of it, the armadillo didn’t run either, he just sat there, assuming if he didn’t move I couldn’t see him (like a T-rex). Apparently there are no higher level predators on this island, b/c most of the animals are pretty stupid.Funny story. So, that next day (Saturday) happened to be my birthday. It was also Colleen’s birthday. So, everyone knew it was Colleen’s bday, but they weren’t aware it was mine. When everyone had mentioned before the trip that it was Colleen’s bday, I never really brought mine up, b/c 36 isn’t exactly special or anything….so no one else knew. So, it occurs to me the night before, that Lillis might not remember my birthday. No watches, computers, calendars or phones…..out in nature. I just figured there was a chance. So, 7am, she wakes up, but still groggy. No happy bday. 9am, she’s focused on eggs and bacon. No happy bday. Noon, we’re wandering around the island. No happy bday. Afternoon at the beach. No happy bday. But, I thought for sure, she’d remember when we had Colleen’s bday dinner. Nope. What about when we get out bday cupcakes. Nope. What about when we SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER? Nope. So, some time towards the end of dinner, I mention it’s my bday, too. Needless to say, Lil is totally embarrassed, but we all have a good laugh, and I now have a free pass to forget an anniversary or something later in our lives together. Win win!
Here’s my beautiful wife walking up from the water on Sunday (not my birthday). : )
And a small team photo.
And the compulsory headstand
And another beautiful sunrise on our last day there.
We had a really really great time. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place, and we can’t wait to make it back there again!
oh, and here’s a link to the rest of the pics. enjoy!
