TOUR AMERICA, 2021: INLAND HARBOR RV PARK, GEORGIA

Friday, April 2, 2021

Temperature 54 Degrees

Back To Doing What We Love To Do

Well, when we woke up this morning we knew for a fact we were no longer in Florida. The first clue was the fact that the temperature was at 41 Degrees. A peek out the window offered further proof when I saw those walking their dogs were wearing winter coats, gloves, and wool hats!

But no matter we were going sightseeing! Neither cold, nor lack of sleep, nor whatever was going to keep us home today. So, a bowl of oatmeal for Ms. Barbara and a bowl of grits for me and we were ready to get on the road.

This was our objective for today. Doing a little research I discovered the following about the island:  Jekyll Island is a Georgia State Park, and maintains a strict conservation clause which limits future development to preserve wildlife and protect the scenic beauty that is home to a variety of animal species and magnificent Southern Oak trees with Spanish moss draping from their branches. Sixty five percent of Jekyll Island will always remain natural and wild, ensuring that this unique getaway will continue for generations to come.

The gateway to the island. A little further down there is a toll booth where you need to pay an entrance fee unless you have an annual pass.

This is what you see on either side of the road as you drive toward the island itself. Marshland as far as the eye can see. It’s said that when the sun hits this just right in the evening it appears as if you are looking at a field of gold.

The actual bridge which once you are over you are actually on the island.

As we so often do when we visit a new area, we first take a tour of the area to see what is there and what we might want to go back and see later. That is what we did today. Now, the tour today was supposed to be in an open air trolley so we came prepared with all the winter clothes we could find. Guess what? They decided because of the weather to use a bus with a heater instead. No complaints from either of us.

One of the first things we learned is that, yes, there are private homes on the island. However, you own your home but not the land that it is on. The homeowner leases the land from the state of Georgia. Remember, this whole island is a state park.

There is also an RV park on the island which I knew of. I passed on coming here both because of the heavy tree cover – meaning no DISH, and no HallMark – and the price of the sites. I believe we are much better off where we are all the way around.

This is Camp Jekyll which is a 4-H Center. It is a huge and sprawling complex that is larger than probably five or six football fields. Each year hundreds of kids from all over come here for summer camp. The camp offers environmental studies at the beach, a wilderness challenge week, and various activities that promote and teach leadership skills.

This section of the island is known as Millionaire’s Village. This 240-acre section of the island contains 33 historic structures, including the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and surrounding cottages that were once home to some of America’s most wealthy and prominent citizens, including the Crane family, the Pulitzers, Morgans, Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Goodyear clan to name but a few. These privileged few used Jekyll Island as a hunting and golf retreat, spending lazy summers here and building these historic homes that have been lovingly restored to their former glory.  We intend to come back here to tour some of these restored homes.

For avid bike riders there are numerous bike paths that go in all directions all over the island.

OK, that is just a part of what we saw and did today. More to come in future blogs.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. Despite the cooler temperatures we’re back to doing what we love to do, and why we’re traveling far and wide across this country. It may be a bit chilly right now but we’re not going to let that slow us down. We’ll get the blankets back out and let Tiny Tim do his thing and we’ll be fine. Yes, we’re loving life and enjoying this wonderful world that God created for us. Life is good.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!