May 28-30, 2014
We pulled anchor on our Cumberland Island experience (had it not been so absurd,
it would have been funny) Wednesday, the 28th, around 11:30 a.m. and motored
toward Jekyll Island, arriving 1:30 p.m., a brief two-hour cruise. The
dock layout of this Jekyll Harbor Marina
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| Dry storage is popular |
imitates the past few in that the
transient dock runs parallel to the ICW, (over-)exposing us to wind, waves,
current, et
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| Marina cat on duty! |
al. Our check-in revealed a rather rural location
with a
restaurant/deck overlooking a small pool which beckoned us to swim then shower
at the adjacent bathhouse...which we did.
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| The main Jekyll Island Club Hotel |
|
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| Another cottage |
When
deciding to do the Great Loop, Clay assumed the responsibility of cruise
director, planning and transacting the details of our two-year cruise...heavy
duty! But, he loves the research and the connections he has made in the
process! And, he is quite good at it! He has acquainted himself with marinas
and waterways, currents and
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| One of the "cottages" |
tides, on-site amenities, anchorages, bridges and
bridge heights using such resources as Active Captain; forums of MTOA, AGLCA
and Mainship; and words of wisdom from fellow Loopers. The one inconsistency is
the communication...or lack thereof...to the first mate! And trying to get
advanced info or a heads-up from the captain is like pulling teeth! I'm getting
quite good at jumping when he says jump and waiting for 'it' to happen,
whatever 'it' happens to be and whenever 'it' finally does happen.
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| Crane Cottage dining area |
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| Sally in front of Crane Cottage |
The
on-site marina restaurant at Jekyll Marina was handed a two-thumbs down by the
locals, but consistently recommended was Crane Cottage on the Jekyll Island
Club Hotel grounds. With little advanced warning (time only to quickly shower
and literally throw on clothes), we found ourselves aboard the Jekyll Club
Hotel van being shuttled to the early bird special at Crane Cottage. (Now, when
was the last time you heard the Clay Logans dining at the early bird special?
But it was a terrific way to afford the luxury of this fine dining experience!)
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| Sally at the hotel |
Thursday
we had a choice of left or right along the bike path out of the marina on our
morning walk. Choosing right took us beach-bound, but the walk was more than
disappointing. The path bordered the main road until it turned deep into the
'woods' of yet again lush vegetation, mosquitoes, and creepie crawlies. At
first chance, we gained access to the main road and risked being hit by cars as
opposed to being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Won't do that again! Clay and I are
both going to have ruts in our skin from continual scratching. And perforations
from the frequent bites!
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| Jekyll Island bridge at sunset |
Late
morning we checked out cruising bikes from the marina (one gear, brakes on the
pedals, wide handlebars, big tires), realizing we were accidents in the making.
I've not ridden this type of bicycle in years. Tally ho, off we go! We turned
left out of the marina along the bike path and found much more pleasant
conditions; the path paralleled the main road until it turned toward the ICW on
a boardwalk bridge. Such fun hearing the clackety clack of the wheels on the
rough boards. We found lunch at Cafe Solterra, a delightful offering of menu
items which were healthy and nutritious and even appealed to Clay. (I get the
pickles; he gets the chips.)
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| Lunch spot |
The
3 p.m. historic train tour originated at the Jekyll Island museum, so we opted
to put our monies toward the tour to benefit our knowledge base and the
historic preservation efforts. Glad we did. There is so much history behind
this parcel of land, probably far more than was presented in the 'brief' 1.5
hour tour which took us around the Jekyll Island Club grounds and into two of
the cottages (interior). Amazing that so much of the world's wealth was
concentrated on this island during those winter vacation/retreat months in that
period of history.
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| Sally at "High Tea" |
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| Formal dining room |
Following
our train tour, we circled the Hotel's front driveway then climbed the front
porch stairs past a number of folks gently rocking in the old wooden rocking
chairs. Upon entering, we immersed ourselves in the era of the early 1900's,
viewing the hotel's elegant and palatial interior with its beautifully
carved woodwork. Clay laughingly posed me in line for high tea for a quick
photo op; I was dressed so not appropriately for high tea (and when he handed
me his straw hat...well, that was the icing on the cake)!
We
biked back to the marina, chatted with fellow dock mates, then stoked up the
grill for a pork chop dinner aboard the SaSea Sally. Clay continued into the
later hours of the day, researching the next ports of call while I cleaned up
the kitchen (no dishwasher except manual labor in Sally's galley, mind you) and
called it an early night, leaving Clay in charge of the post-10 p.m. time
period.
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| The Boat House at Jekyll |
Our
stay at Jekyll Island ended as we departed Friday morning just prior to 10 a.m.
and without seeing the beach here. There are limitations with only feet for
travel! We can walk, and we can bike. So, the beach, which we have heard to be
beautiful and bikeable, will have to wait for another time! We are Brunswick
and St. Simons Island bound at this juncture.
Look
for our next installment as we bring May to a close on St. Simons Island, GA!
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