Many people told us that Cumberland Island was a great stop. On the way down though it was so *&%$# (darn) cold that we zoomed right by. This time we anchored off the park dock for a couple of days and discovered that they were right. Almost the whole island – 20 miles long – is a National Seashore park. The walk to the beach takes you through a stunning forest of live oak garnished with spanish moss and then opens up into beautiful rolling dunes. When we got to the beach it stretched out farther than you could see and without a single building in sight. And hardly a soul on it, since it is only accessible by boat. The water was very friendly with good waves that would crash without pummeling you into the sand each time. It was the perfect walk along the beach in the water place, and so we did. Later we talked with a ranger and Christopher asked a lot of questions. She awarded him with a badge as a Junior Park Ranger.
The island is also steeped in history and we dinghied down to another dock where the museum is, where Christopher got absorbed in all the dates and when people died and when the buildings burned down etc. A ranger lead us on a guided walk and told stories about the days that were. And then over by the ruins we saw a few wild horses, which are famous on this island. Being spring they were quite frisky running around, making whinnieing sounds and acting like horses running free. There were also many armadillos here digging around in their armour. One came right up to my bare toes. Apparently they don’t see too well. Maybe they don’t smell well either??
Speaking of armour, another thing we were told to look out for was the comings and goings of nuclear submarines – which are heavily guarded when they come in. On our way here we watched nervously as five coast guard boats came racing towards Tiffany Rose with men poised at the machine gun stations. They turned away and headed out towards the inlet. Then this morning we got to watch a sub go by. It was much bigger than we expected. Quite a contrasting image to the peace and serenity of the island. Can’t help but wonder where it has been and what it may have been up to in its life time. Not sure I want to know.
The island is also steeped in history and we dinghied down to another dock where the museum is, where Christopher got absorbed in all the dates and when people died and when the buildings burned down etc. A ranger lead us on a guided walk and told stories about the days that were. And then over by the ruins we saw a few wild horses, which are famous on this island. Being spring they were quite frisky running around, making whinnieing sounds and acting like horses running free. There were also many armadillos here digging around in their armour. One came right up to my bare toes. Apparently they don’t see too well. Maybe they don’t smell well either??
Speaking of armour, another thing we were told to look out for was the comings and goings of nuclear submarines – which are heavily guarded when they come in. On our way here we watched nervously as five coast guard boats came racing towards Tiffany Rose with men poised at the machine gun stations. They turned away and headed out towards the inlet. Then this morning we got to watch a sub go by. It was much bigger than we expected. Quite a contrasting image to the peace and serenity of the island. Can’t help but wonder where it has been and what it may have been up to in its life time. Not sure I want to know.
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