3/12/21 to 3/23/21: Jekyll Island and Isle of Hope

After our memorable stay at Cumberland Island, we were pumped for more gorgeous Georgia. I should note that many boaters bypass Georgia waters and go outside because of two supremely inconvenient shallow sections of the ICW. For a boat our size, Little Mud River and Jekyll Creek are impassable at low tide. If you choose to boat through Georgia, you pay close attention to the tide charts and are prepared, depending on timing, for either a very early start to the day or an overnight stay on anchor or in a marina to ensure safe passage. The upside of taking the extra time is enjoying a very beautiful part of the country.

We spent a night at Jekyll Island Marina so we could traverse Jekyll Creek the next morning on a rising tide. Shallow spots notwithstanding, we had a delightful time exploring this very popular barrier island. Similar to Cumberland, Jekyll Island drew the rich and famous in the early 1900s --  names including Vanderbilt, Morgan, Rockefeller, Pulitzer -- who built summer "cottages." Several of the homes are still standing and during non-covid times are available as hotel accommodations. We used the marina's complimentary bikes to explore and also made a stop at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a highly regarded research and health center that cares for several species of sea turtle that call Georgia home.

A bit further up the ICW, the charming, small Isle of Hope Marina is a boater favorite, and for good reason. It's sited a few miles from Savannah in a historic, Spanish moss-draped neighborhood. The ruins of Wormsloe, the first Georgian settlement for the intrepid colonists seeking fame and fortune, is nearby. The marina provided a courtesy car for brief forays. We made a quick trip to Wormsloe and another into Savannah, long enough to see azaleas in plentiful bloom and to buy too many Byrd's cookies. 














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