Cumberland Island

Summer Wind anchored

Saturday April 17th we untied from the dock shortly after 7am. It was great timing for us because the tide was running very slowly and getting on our way would be easy. Our destination today was Cumberland Island anchorage. This was a new adventure for us, we had planned to stop here in the fall but the weather didn't cooperate. The trip down was lovely, the sun was shining and the seas calm, we enjoyed a great day travelling. Shortly around 4pm we anchored down and enjoyed a delicious and quiet dinner on board. After our almost two weeks of being with friends it was very peaceful with just the two of us.

Sea Camp Ranger Station

Sunday morning we rose lazily,and prepared for our adventure on Cumberland Island. For those that don't know Cumberland Island is a Federal Park and rich with history, wild horses and great beaches. We prepared our dinghy to land ashore, we were very excited about this new adventure. We timed our landing for the Park Ranger tour around Dungeness, however we were a little early so we decided to explore on our own. The Park Ranger gave us a map, made recommendations about the route we should take and told us the horses were not "Flicker". They were indeed wild horses and would bite or stampede if provoked.

Well the route the Park Ranger gave us was about 4-5 miles and we walked the whole thing. It took us through the natural forest, then through Dungeness with the ruins around to the Beach and then back to Sea Camp where we began.

 Each area was a contrast and wonder. Our first encounter were the large oaks and heavy foliage with Spanish Moss, absolutely beautiful. Believe it or not our first critter of wonder was the Armadillo. There is an Ice House museum with history of the Island, very interesting. We followed the path and came to Dungeness. As we were walking we came across several hikers asking, "Did you see any horses?" Well our answer was typically, No not yet but we know they are on the Island." Dungeness, although in ruins gave us an idea about how immense and affluent the Carnegie family were at the time. We had walked to the most southern part of the Island before the Salt Marsh and decided to go for a little lunch.

Armidillo

Wild Horses

Even though there were signs (manure piles) that horses had been roaming this island we haven't seen any other evidence at this time, until there was this loud neighing coming from the Salt Marsh. I (Elle) told Dick I could hear this neighing and walked back behind the Dungeness. The sound was louder but I couldn't see any horses. All of a sudden four horses came bounding up the back and braying loudly as if to say , "Clear the way" and we did. We stood back in awe and watched these four beautiful horses come to a pipe that was leaking fresh water. Obviously this was the herds normal routine. We remembered what the ranger saying, these aren't Flicker and gave them a wide berth.

Cumberland Park Trail

Dungeness Entrance

Dungeness Ruins

The Back View of Dungeness

After that we sat down to a lunch we brought with us. Now for those that have never been to this Island whatever you bring in way of garbage, you take with you. Even the restrooms do not have garbage bins. But the restrooms did have some interesting historical pieces.

After lunch we explored the beach, beautiful soft looking dunes surrounded the beach. Crossing the dunes off the advised path is not wise, we were told there are snakes and biting bugs in the white sand. There are paths where people can walk and explore. The beach is wide and flat and goes for about 5 miles.

The beach leads back to the Sea Camp park where we began. There is a grove of Mangroves that provide a canopy away from the pelting sun. We were exhausted when we finally reached the dinghy dock but thoroughly enjoyed our adventure. We made notes to visit this island again because in the northern part there is a church that John F. Kennedy Jr. had married in and Plum Orchard a mansion to be explored amongst the natural setting of the park.

Cumberland Beach

A Canopy of Mangroves

Playing in the Sand

Miles of Dunes

Before we reached the Summer Wind we noticed a boat out in the anchorage. It was Diamond Girl, so we went over to say hello. That evening we went aboard for cocktails, and conversation. Great catching up with Bud and Elaine, thank you so much!

Diamond Girl