On the beach at Cumberland Island

We had to walk down the beach approximately 2 miles then cut back across the sand dunes and to a ranger station where the ferry picked us up and took us back to St. Mary's. I would have liked to visit the part of the island where JFK Jr. and Caroline Bisset were married but it is privately owned.

Headed for the Beach

We saw a lot of these little fiddler crabs about the size of a quarter. They would all march in one direction until something or someone got in their way and then they would all turn and march in the other direction. It was fun to watch them.

The salt water marshes
We had to walk over the sand dunes and were told not to wander off the paths
At last! We see the beach ahead!

Cumberland Island

This tree, which must be a palmetto, with it's odd looking bloom was in front of the Carnegie home. The rusty remains of automobiles that belonged to the Carnegie family.
We landed on one side of the island then walked toward the back. Our walk took us past the Carnegie home, over this little board walk, through the marshes, then the sand dunes, and eventually the beach. The island is approximately 18 miles long. Our part of the trip on foot was about 3 1/2 miles.

The Dungeness and Wild Horses

This is Dungeness, the remains of the home of Thomas Carnegie (brother and partner of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie). The home was built in 1885 and was partially destroyed by fire in 1959.

Approximately 80% of Cumberland Island is owned and managed by the National Park Service. We were briefed several times by a park ranger on the rules and what to expect on the island. He told us there were approximately 250 feral horses and to not bother them since we were the intruders and not them. They roam freely and can be seen at times running on the beach. We were not fortunate enough to see them on the beach but they say it is a beautiful sight.

Just arrived on the Island

This is where we started our walking tour of Cumberland. (no that is not us in the picture) If you've never seen Spanish moss before it's the gray stuff you see hanging on the trees.

Cumberland Princess

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. It is only accessible by ferry or private boat. This is the ferry that took us about 3 miles off shore last Tuesday when my daughter and I visited the island. I'll be showing pictures of the island off and on mixed with other things so as not to bore you too much. The ferry leaves from the port at St. Mary's, Georgia. Just want to mention that St. Mary's is known as the second oldest city in the United States.
There are no facilities on Cumberland Island—no restaurants, no stores. All of your food must be brought in and garbage packed out. That includes cigarette butts!

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