St.Mary's / Cumberland Island - Part 3

When we last saw our heroes they were dehydrated and facing certain death from exposure on the Cumberland Island dunes. They had but three options. One - backtrack 1.5 miles to the Dungeness to retrieve forgotten water canister. Two - proceed 1.5 miles in the other direction to the Sea Camp Ranger Station. Or Three - drink from one of the other two water canisters they had in reserve. Hey, Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat.

Hydrated, we finish our trek through the dunes and eventually reach the beach. Cause one thing leads to another. Hey! If this is up then I'm up, but you're running out of sight. You've seen your name on the walls. And when one little bump leads to shock, miss a beat. You run for cover and there's heat, why don't they... Sorry, I felt we could all use an 80's Fixx.

Anyways, we finally reach the beach. And since most folks who visit the island tend to stick to the trails, we had the entire beach to ourselves. Miles and miles of deserted beach. Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Speaking of leaving a trail - after about a mile, we saw hoof prints in the sand.


Which we followed...


By the time we reached the access point for the campgrounds we were more than ready for a break. The path leading to the campsite has an amazing oak cover. Check it:


After we'd emptied our shoes of beach sand, had us some snackage (note to self - tell Paula to pack her own damn Cheez-Its next time), and hit the bathrooms, I sucked some air on a nearby picnic table.


Gaining our second wind, we crossed through the campgrounds and followed the Parallel Trail north. It was on this trail that we realized armadillos are Cumberland Island's squirrel. They're everywhere! At one point Paula had to caution me to slow down because I was about ready to step on one of the lil' buggers.

My speed bump:


We followed the Parallel Trail up to the crossroads for Greyfield Inn. If you're unfamiliar with Greyfield, it's "a grand and graceful mansion located on Georgia's Golden Isles on the state's southernmost coastal island, Cumberland Island." Yeah... yeah... yeah. All you really need to know is that rooms go for $400-$600 per night and it can't be seen from the road. Unacceptable! So...

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Determined to catch a glimpse of Muffy and Biff partaking in afternoon tea, Paula and I go cross country. Nothing! Nada! Zip! That freakin' inn is more hidden than the fine print on a Michael's coupon!


Deflated and dejected, we head back towards the dock in order to catch our return ferry. Along the way we take two slight detours - one by way of the Sea Camp Ranger Station and the other through the Ice House Museum. With about fifteen minutes left before our ferry arrives, we take a seat under some oak trees along the shore. As we're relaxing and reliving the days' activities, our last wild horse strolls into view. Beautiful.