Leaving Jekyll Island

One week ago today was pretty sad as we left our little home at Jekyll Island Campground to move further south. We loved our stay there.

We had a lovely, large site:

There was even room, and trees, to hang our hammock.

You can learn more about this campground at the Wheeling It blog where Nina wrote an excellent review which was our inspiration to visit Jekyll. Thanks Nina.

It was great fun discovering the special features of Jekyll:

The Driftwood Beach

This beach is created as the ocean slowly claims the sand from this area of the island and moves it to the other end.

The Secret Pond

Which serves as a rookery for the local birds who come here to spend the night.

Bird Viewing Station

To see the most birds it is best to come here just before sunset, which we did. Behind the trees you can see the club house for the golf courses. This pond is behind the driving range and should be accessed from Riverview Drive.

And then there were Jekyll Island's more well known features - you can learn all about them on the Jekyll Island website.

Our favourite was, of course, the golf courses.

Four of them. And no crowds and therefore no wait for tee off times. Our favourite was the Great Dunes Golf Course - a 9 hole course that was VERY tricky. I found this description on line:

In 1926 "Old Man" Walter Travis, the leading golf course architect of the time (and winner of the 1919 US Open), was summoned by Mr. Rockefeller and the wealthy members of the Jekyll Island Club to create the, "Best course money could purchase" His vision did not disappoint and had the club members golfing along Coastal Georgia's beach, swept with oats, natural sand barrier of the coastal dune system and the unique coastal terrain. Still in its original condition and designed BEFORE cars or carts were invented, the Great Dunes golf course highlights the alternating simplicity and difficulty that only the "Old Man" could accomplish - a direct descendent of all modern American Ocean Links courses. Don't be surprised by the smallness of the greens, for that is a remnant of the old style of golf, and gives real meaning to having a good "up and down" game. Bring your persimmon woods and hickory shafts and see how you match up to the "Old Man."

And the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival was pretty special:

And the social activities were amazing. Some organized by our fellow campers: potluck suppers, a Christmas party, ladies lunches, games nights, a meet and greet to welcome newcomers, men's coffee, etc. and some more casual - like stitch and chat - I went to chat and ended up learning to knit a pair of clog slippers from a certified knitting instructor. Thanks Consuelo!

Incidently, Consuelo is teaching a course "Lets Knit Socks" for the Jekyll Island Arts Association if you are there in the new year and want to learn from a very patient teacher.

And thanks to Linda Strid for having the patience to teach a few of us how to play Mah Jongg. Hope the lessons are going well. This is a very tricky game and a lot of fun. I am now looking for a used Mah Jongg game on line so I can continue to learn to play.

But the very best part of this campsite was the people. From Ronny, the campground manager, the campground hosts, the women in the office to our fellow campers, they were the best ever. Friendly and welcoming from the minute we arrived. Thank you all.