FTJ, Entry 149: St. Marys...and Night Visitors

A few days ago we drove south to the historic town of St. Mary's. (Its strategic location just above Florida led to its involvement in several of the major military conflicts in U.S. history. For example, troops were sent from New York to the area during the American Revolution. And it was captured by the British during  the War of 1812. In addition, Union gunboats shelled its waterfront buildings during the Civil War.)

Also worth noting, from St. Marys you can take a ferry to Cumberland Island (where JFK Jr. got married). We will have to do that sometime. But the day we spent in St. Marys was quite pleasant. 

Naturally, Beau especially liked visiting the Submarine Museum.

 

 

 

There is a beautiful waterfront park in town.

But you don't have to leave St. Simons to find beauty and history. We stopped at the Fort Frederica National Monument a bit north of where we are staying, and spent an afternoon in the ruins of a town and fort built by Oglethorpe (the founder of Georgia). The fort was a major defensive site against the Spanish. The official explanation:

In the early 18th century, the land lying between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida was known as the "debatable land." This land (today's Georgia) was the epicenter of a centuries-old imperial conflict between Spain and Britain. Fort Frederica was established in 1736 by James Oglethorpe to protect the southern boundary of his new colony of Georgia from the Spanish in Florida. Colonists from England, Scotland, and the Germanic states came to Georgia to support this endeavor.

There is not much left to the Fort Frederica development other than some foundations and a portion of the fort's magazine. But it is so beautiful and peaceful there. What a nice outing.

Jack-- this shirt is for you!!

 

A few other images from our island:

I just liked the look of this place. Reminiscent of Tara. Nice coach, Scarlett!

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, lived on St. Simons in the 18th century. This is a memorial to him and other members of his family. There are a lot of Methodists here!

 

Dunno what this palm is, but I like it.

The bottom of the St. Simons lighthouse is planted with gorgeous spring flowers.
The lighthouse was completed in 1872.

A Family Visit - YIPPEE!

We were so thrilled to have Beau's sister Irene and her husband Tom stay with us for a night on their way to Bermuda. We had not seen them for seven months, and it was great being able to spend quality time together, plus show them the beautiful Golden Isles during their short (too short) stay. They are a super couple and lots of fun.

Awwww, the siblings together again.

At the St. Simons fishing pier.

Tom and Beau, longing for a boat?

A "shaded" quartet having dinner at Mullet Bay, on the verandah. Nice!

Irene and Tom under the majestic live oaks downtown in front of the Visitors Center.

A Year in Georgia

We are hoping more of our friends and family come to visit, now that we are going to be here for the next year. Yup, we signed a lease on a furnished condo and are going to give living on this beautiful island a try. Why not? If the summer is just too hot and/or the winter too cold, we can pack up the old RV and head out again next July. But for now, we need a home base...

...and it will look like this (our landlords say they are replacing the dining table and the living room couch):

It is a truly lovely townhouse with great views of the vast expanse of marshes. And it is in a terrific location -- although you are not far from anything on the island. The beach and town, for example, are just a few minutes away.

OMG - we are excited...and nervous.

Tanks, Panky