The best image that shows the serenity we enjoyed!

We had such a great time at Port St. Lucie, we couldn’t wait to start our journey up to Virginia where we would stay in the RV for a month to watch our grandson while his mom returned to work.  Bill does the research on what routes to take and what sites to see. Usually, we have no idea what we are getting into, that is why we say we Adventure Travelers!   Nothing could prepare us for the serenity and fantastic history we enjoyed on Jekyll Island.  We just heard of it, but nothing about it.  We hope to return one day as this is now one of our favorite vacations spots!

We learned something interesting about Georgia.  First of all, the state owns the island and thus the only campground!  The campground would be what we would describe as a bit primitive, after staying in the two resorts so far!  It was very wooded, but it had something about it that reminded us of our daughter’s 14 years at Indian Resort Campground in Sandbridge, Virginia – where my parents owned a RV (trailer) and had a membership.  The worst part about it was that it is very wooded and thus the mosquitos were out!  We had to spray as the state doesn’t spray the island!  Here is a gallery of the campground:

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We both really enjoy history and this island is just a fascinating little piece of early settler history.   The first recorded claim staked was in 1510 by Spain; in 1562, an explorer claimed it for France but lost it soon back to Spain in a battle; between 1663–65, England established grants to land stretching southward from their Jamestown colony to an area below St. Augustine, Florida; but it was General James Oglethorpe from England who established Georgia as a colony in 1733.  Jekyll Island was named shortly thereafter by Oglethorpe in honor of his friend, Sir Joseph Jekyll.  This history was not really showcased, but historical sites still exist from the late 1730s.  General Oglethorpe appointed William Horton to set up a military post in the area to protect Fort Frederica on St Simon’s Island. By 1738 Horton had set up permanent residence on Jekyll Island, near what is now called DuBignon Creek.  At his residence, Horton established a plantation prosperous enough to supply the population at Frederica with beef and corn.  We enjoyed touring the remnants left from the plantation.

The most spectacular and showcased history was when it was developed into a luxury resort for the privileged starting in the late 1880’s.  For this history, which starts on the official website:  http://www.jekyllisland.com/history.  It was so easy to see why this serene island was used by the privileged!

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We decided we needed to experience everything the island had to offer, so we then took a Sunset Dolphin tour.  We did enjoy the boat ride and the sunset…but sadly, we were a bit disappointed in how they find the Dolphins.  We really had to hunt for them and it looked like we wouldn’t see any as we headed back and then we finally saw a lot of them…but as you will see, they were hard to see as none really came close to our boat.  We have had a better Dolphin tour so need to remember to not do one of these again!  lolAs you may know, we love the beach!  while the water wasn’t that inviting, the park area at the beach was fabulous and the beach was worth lots of long walks!

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We can’t wait to return!  More than likely, we will just enjoy the beach!  The only place we were bothered by mosquitos was at the campground at dusk.  There is a driftwood beach we didn’t visit.  Looking forward to it!

So here is how Colin has grown since we last saw him when he was two weeks old!  Here he is on October 2 – 4, 2013,  at six weeks old:

Psalm 127:3-5  “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”