3/11/2024 to 3/21/2024 Jekyll Island to Toogoodoo Creek

3/11/2024

When we arrived at Jekyll Island, we took the Marina loaner bikes out for a ride. This Island is very small and bikes or golf carts a perfect modes of transportation (both loaners from the marina). We couldn't get the loaner golf cart on the first day so we settled on their bikes.

We rode our bikes around the Historic District (an area of 240 acres). Although the island has an extensive history dating back to 1510 it is most notably recognized for its most current history form 1888 to 1942 when it became known as the Jekyll Island Club. It accommodated some of the world's wealthiest people including Joseph Pulitzer, William Rockefeller, JP Morgan, William K Vanderbilt and Marshall Field. The club opened every January for the winter season when the gnats and no see ums were hibernating. Members and their families enjoyed activities such as biking, hunting, horseback riding, croquet and tennis, and frequented the north beaches. The families were required to have dinner at the club house nightly and the women being of stature could not be seen in the same dress while on vacation. Therefore, they brought over several trunks of clothing to accommodate 90 dinner dresses !!
At one time the club’s members represented one-sixth of the world’s wealth; their influence meant momentous things took place within the club's confines. They were on the line for the USA's first transcontinental telephone call in 1915 and this was the location of secret meetings to outline plans for what would eventually become the Federal Reserve System.

The club house which housed many of the wealthy consisted of hotel rooms and apartments

Croquet still played on the front lawn

Some of the wealthiest members built their own "cottages", mansion-sized residences that are mostly still standing in the 21st century.

We rode our bikes past a marshy area and encountered deer and this alligator

On the bike, surrounded by the oak trees that grow every which way - on the right side those are branches from the tree on the left. You are not allowed to trim or cut the trees.

The dock at night

3/12/2024

We took a historic tour of the 240 acres - mainly talking of the Jekyll Club Era. It included entry into the Faith Chapel - a non denominational church. The two stained glass windows were exquisite.

This was made with almost 4000 pieces of stained glass

This was made with Tiffany Glass

After the tour Nancy and I secured a golf cart to explore the other end of the island.

This was a home built in 1736 of Tabby by Major William Horton the first English resident of Jekyll Island. He was a trusted officer chosen for important missions. He soon became the commander of military forces for the Colony of Georgia.

We continued on our ride to the Driftwood Beach. These trees have died off and lay scattered along the beach. The eroded soil on this side of the island became increasingly unable to support the trees, which then fell and decayed gradually over time.

We continued on to the site of where the Wanderer had landed. This was the last documented ship to bring an illegal cargo of enslaved people from Africa to the United States. Although the ship had carried 800 men, women and children only about 400 survived the journey. It was a six week Atlantic Ocean journey reaching Jekyll Island in Nov., 1858. Here they were unloaded to be sold as slaves in Georgia.

We got back to the dock, Nancy and I got the bikes and rode to see the alligator but it was the smaller one we were greeted by.

We left at around noon and headed to Fort Frederica on St Simon's Island. We anchored and were able to visit the ruins just before closing.

This is the only remaining part of the village. The rest of the grounds are plots of land with bricks surrounding - designating that a building was there.

Our boats anchored - we thought we were far enough apart but in the early morning hours (about 2AM ) I was greeted by this site of their boat. Matt pulled our anchor up to pull us away !!

3/14/2024

We pulled anchor and headed to Crescent River 2 to anchor for another night. We dropped our dinghys and headed up the Sapelo River to The Fish Dock Restaurant - locally owned and operated for 30 years. In 1986, Mike Phillips opened Pelican Point restaurant at the corner of Sapelo River and Rosco's Cut. After fishing and shrimping the local water for nearly 20 years, Mike turned over the operation of the boats and seafood docks to his son Charlie who began serving fresh seafood to crowds from Jacksonville to Savannah and beyond.

You could get lost with all the inlets

A truly old fisherman's restaurant

3/15/24

We were heading to Cane Patch Creek when we made a stop at St Catherines Beach. The 11 mile stretch on the east side of the island is only accessible by boat. On June 23rd, 2000 lightening struck one of the trees and caused a fire that destroyed over 1000 acres of land. The interior areas of the island are used for scientific, ecological, educational, literary, and charitable purposes and can only be accessed under permit. St. Catherines Island boasts a wide variety of wildlife species including wild hogs, white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, and ring-tailed lemurs, as well as various birds including American oystercatcher, least tern, Wilson’s plover, painted buntings, and wood storks. The island is also home to Gopher Tortoises and Loggerhead Sea Turtles. We were not greeted by any of the above wildlife just jelly fish - we were hoping to see more !!

A jellyfish on the beach - there were lots both dead and alive

Some of the trees still trying to survive after the fire

Part of the beach as seen from our boat

A quite sunset while anchored at Ossabaw Island-Cane Patch Creek. A thunderstorm with lots of rain and lighting passed thru during the night !!

3/16/2024

A few more beautiful homes along the ICW heading into Savannah

An aluminum NOAA boat - the agency is charged with forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, charting the seas, conducting deep sea exploration, and managing fishing and protection of marine mammals and endangered species in the U.S.

Soon this sailboat will no longer be visible and a potential threat to cruising boats.

Got into the Isle of Hope Marina to late to head into to Savannah for their St. Patrick's Day parade. We were told there were 400,000 people at the parade and it took 4 hours from start to finish. We were glad we missed the crowds. Nancy and I took the loaner car to Sam's Club and Walmart.

March 17,1824 was the first public St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Bishop, John England of Cork City, Ireland addressed an Irish gathering of Catholics and Protestants in front of St John the Baptist Church. Later they marched to the City Hotel accompanied by a band playing the Irish national air and carrying a flag displaying the Irish Harp with Shamrock border.

3/17/2024

We headed into Savannah and took another hop on hop off historical tour. We stayed on until the end and then walked backed to the square where all the monuments were located. It was still crowded downtown but not the 400,000 that we were told had been there the day before.

Artillery (now a bar) erected in 1896 is located where the Georgia Hussars’ armory once housed the cavalry's artillery. Automobiles were able to enter and exit through the small doors.

Lots of green fountains for St Patty's weekend.

The cannons were found in the basement - so they decided to mount them at the entryway.

A few movie sites in Savannah:

The guys got tired of walking around and sat on this bench near Chippewa Square where Forest Gump spoke his famous line "Life is like a box of Chocolates."

Known for the real-life events involving Jim Williams, this house was filmed in the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Julia Roberts’ character in the 90s movie "Something To Talk About" boosted Six Pence Pub into the spotlight, and visitors still look for it and its iconic English phone booth today located on Bull Street.

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist was a stunning backdrop to the opening scene of Disney’s 2019 rendition of "Lady & The Tramp."

Getting back to some history:
The Pirates Bar was a rendezvous for sailors and pirates

For all our Chicago City Workers - this is the statue to honor General Casimir Pulaski (who gives you a day off work LOL)

The River District is an area of history, restaurants and shops. Something for everyone along the riverfront. JW Marriott remodeled a previous power plant. Inside the lobby - the JW is set up like a combination of a natural history museum, an art gallery, and a rare gemstones exhibit.

The history : A massive 45-ton crane and its system of pulleys that hang from the ceiling (they were in use when the property originally operated as a power plant)

A chrome dinosaur skeleton measuring 135 feet long. Not sure if the lights on it are always green or just for this weekend.

The Art Gallery: This was multiple rocks cut in half and fitted into a frame and then back lit to highlight the rocks layers.

Rare Gemstones: Amethyst geode half, Brazil. This large geode contains deep purple amethyst and large calcite crystals (stunning in person)

St Patty's weekend brings out the many characters:

Yes that is a live snake !!

This statue was of Florence Martus waving a white cloth greeting passing ships. A welcome to strangers entering the port and a farewell to wave them safely onward. It was claimed she had agreed to marry a passing sailor. He promised to return but never did - she waved the flag in hopes that her fiance would be onboard. He never returned for her !!

We walked out of downtown area and headed towards a neighborhood. We found the little Burrito Company, ordered an appetizer and grabbed an uber back to the boat.

3/18/24

Left Savannah and bypassed Hilton Head felt there wasn't enough to see and I left my golf clubs at home (HaHa). We headed to Bull Creek, where we would anchor for the night.

3/19/2024

Headed into Beaufort which is the 2nd oldest town in South Carolina. We docked at the Safe Harbor of Beaufort for the next few days.

These cruise ships seem to be on the same route as us (except its not costing us upwards of $4,000.00)

We headed into town to celebrate Dave's Birthday !!

3/20/24

Took a horse carriage historical tour around the town.

Afterwards we grabbed a quick lunch. The guys headed to the boats and Nancy & I continued to walk around.

There are nearly two dozen bench style swings on the waterfront positioned to take in the cool sea breezes. A great spot to sit and relax for awhile.

The old post office - converted into a cafe

A Carnegie Library, built 1917-18 and was one of 14 built with funding from Carnegie Corporation. After union soldiers confiscated the the library collection in 1862, leaving Beaufort with no permanent library until this facility opened.

The Beaufort Arsenal was home of the Volunteer Artillary commissioned in 1802.

Inside the Arsenal was a Historical Museum. This stove was used in Mather School, which was established by Rachel Crane Mather in 1867 to teach young Freed women to read, write and learn a trade. As you can see several irons are stacked on the stove so each women could have her own.

In 1893 one of the deadliest hurricanes to ever strike the US swept over the Sea Islands Killing 2,500 people. The storm destroyed homes, businesses and wiped out crops. It took Beaufort decades to recover. Clara Barton led the 1893 hurricane relief efforts undertaken by the Red Cross.

Probably the most noted historian of Beaufort was Robert Smalls. Born into slavery, he freed himself, his crew and their families during the American Civil War by stealing a Confederate transport ship he had been working on. At 3 am they stole the ship and headed to Union Naval Fleet. Upon arrival he provided the Union Naval Fleet with war secrets of the Confederates. He eventually moved back to Beaufort and was able to buy the home he had lived in as a free man.

While back at the boat, another boater picked Matt up in his dinghy and Matt helped him repair some issues on his boat.

03/21/2024

In the morning Nancy , Dave and I took an uber to the Port Royal Cypress wetlands. The Port Royal Cypress Wetlands serves two purposes: it not only provides a valuable habitat for the birds and other wildlife in Old Village Port Royal, South Carolina, it also provides a place for storm water runoff from the surrounding neighborhoods to collect and naturally remove pollutants before entering the local waterways. In an undeveloped landscape much of the rainfall is transferred back up into the atmosphere by the trees and other vegetation, but this doesn’t happen in a town or city where buildings and pavement replace the natural landscape.

Upon entry into the wetlands - your greeted by the metal alligator filled with lots of plastic to remind you to put your plastic into the garbage and not the water