Jekyll Island, GA
Oct 1-3, 2008
Looking for a new locale to visit, close to home, we traveled to Jekyll Island, a little over 2 hours away. This was an opportunity to try out our new Bedouin tent--we decided to downsize from our pop-up and get closer to nature (and to the ground!)
This island is owned by the State of Georgia, and is mandated to be 65% undeveloped. So there is plenty of native vegetation, marshes, birds, and water.
Our first stop, and one of my favorite places, was the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a rehabilitation center for rescued sea turtles.
Below is Gale, a Loggerhead rescued after being injured by a passing boat. In process is the installation of a tracking device on its back. Upon release into the sea, they will be able to study his/her travels. A towel is held over its head to help keep him/her calm.
Post-transmitter placement
Below is Golden Boy, a Loggerhead successfully released July 2007, on Jekyll Island
This turtle (Griffin), also injured by a passing boat, is being taught how to use its flippers to dive for food
A reproduction of the head of Archelon, a fossil bone skeleton. The live weight of an Archelon ischyros is estimated at more than 4,500 pounds and over 70 million years old
Our main physical activity this trip was bicycling....Jekyll Island is a cyclist's paradise with over 20 miles of bike trails all over the island. We cycled the periphery and got lost trying to traverse the island in between. The majority of the trails are automobile-free; only in connecting portions must we share the road with a car. It was grand!
Near Driftwood Beach, North end of island
Bike trail along the Atlantic Ocean
One of the historical sites we stopped at on the bike trail was Horton House, constructed of tabby, home of the first English resident of Jekyll Island (we could tell you more, but we want to leave you something to learn when you visit!)
