Sunday, September 20, 2015

Georgia's Coastal Gems

St Mary's GA - September 19, 2015
I'm spoiled.  I admit it. No shame. Packing for a hotel trip was not fun.  I've grown accustomed to packing just a few clothing items to replenish the camper each trip; for this weekends' hotel trip to Jekyll Island I had to remember to pack the deodorant, toothpaste, bicycle helmet . . . you get the picture.  I forgot tennis shoes, beach towels, sunscreen. The well-stocked SolAire is mighty convenient!

Despite the "inconvenience" of packing and driving separately (the Chief attended a conference most of the week), the trip was worth the effort.  Island life is so pleasant this time of year - cooler temps, a breeze, and great entertainment.  The annual Shrimp & Grits Festival brought life to the historic district with bands, artisans, and plenty of food. Someone oversold the parking, so our Trooper buddy told us.  I've never seen bumper to bumper traffic on Jekyll like I did morning, afternoon and evening yesterday. Glad we had our bicycles!
Bumper to bumper traffic in the roundabout on Jekyll Island
Friday evening we wandered down to the festival grounds to grab some dinner and catch the band's last set.  The last rain shower of the week had soaked the island just prior to my arrival, so the puddles were full and the grass a bit soggy.  We followed that with a nighttime walk on the beach; the tide was coming in and the strong breeze blowing was a tad cool.  

We awoke early in hopes of witnessing a beautiful sunrise.  Clouds threatened to derail the plan. What I photographed was gorgeous, even if it wasn't a fireball.  Sunday's sunrise was more like what I was expecting, and I was thrilled to capture the rays.
Sunrise - Jekyll Island, GA - Saturday, September 19, 2015
Morning twilight - Jekyll Island, GA - Sunday, September 20, 2015
This fella stopped to pose for his portrait.
  While the Chief finished his business at the convention center Saturday morning, I checked out the new shops in the recently completed village.  If you haven't been to Jekyll recently, you need to plan a trip.  Much progress has been made in the last few years; a new convention center, shopping village, new and restored motels & hotels.  The historic district has been restored, too.
Sidney Lanier Bridge
Browsing became buying when I discovered Caroline's.  She had some things I've been contemplating buying for a while, so ....  Now I have that Nantucket basket for my bicycle - deep enough & strong enough to hold my camera and some Amazing Grace wind chimes for the SolAire (almost got the Big Ben, too, but couldn't justify two sets in one day).
Fun morning of shopping at Caroline's in the village on Jekyll Island.
I also picked up a pair of FitKicks; not sure if I'm far behind on fashion or on the cutting edge - these were new to me. Quite honestly, they're ugly, but the package showed all the things you can do in them - like bike riding.  I had forgotten to pack my tennis shoes and I knew that we would ride bikes to the festival after lunch and I didn't want to walk the festival in my bicycle clips, so this was a perfectly necessary purchase.  They are comfortable; I've had them on ever since.  Like wearing Spandex socks with a plastic sole.
Evening twilight at St. Mary's, GA - Saturday, September 19, 2015
We headed off the island Saturday evening in search of a new adventure.  We discovered music in the park in St. Mary's and a picturesque sunset.  We returned by way of the Kings' Bay Naval Base, my chauffeur hoping to show me the submarine at the base's entrance.  No lights!  Left us wondering whether the lights were in need of repair or the government is saving a few dollars on electricity.
Hoda Kodbe & Jenna Bush Hager announced on Labor Day that one sunset picture is all you should post on Facebook - more is overkill, but I figure anyone who's read this far doesn't mind how many sunset photos I post, so I've loaded up some of my best shots from the weekend.  Enjoy!
Sunrise - Jekyll Island, GA - Sunday, September 20, 2015

Monday, September 7, 2015

Lazy Days for Labor Day

Thursday evening we loaded the SolAire and headed south to our favorite beach spot.  After stopping for dinner in Bainbridge and picking up some groceries at Wal-Mart, we were on our way.  As the sun went down, Jamie noticed the tail lights on the trailer weren't burning. Yikes!

We pulled over. My mechanically minded, ever-prepared husband discovered a fuse had blown.  No problem; he had a spare.  {There are lessons in this:  1) keep some spare fuses and 2) travel with a mechanically minded, prepared person}

Fortunately, we're quite familiar with our camping spot in St. Joe Beach, so arriving at 10:30 PM wasn't a problem.  We backed into our spot -  we meaning he - backed in, while I radioed "c'mon back" until the trailer was strategically placed in reach of the electric hookup.  We use radios to communicate while situating the trailer; otherwise, the neighbors would hear us hollering.

Since it was late and we didn't want to wake the neighbors who are caretakers for this property, we opted to forego the rest of the setup until morning.  We had enough water in the tank for the night. So, Friday morning, we finished the setup, leveling the trailer, attaching the water hose and unhitching the truck.

Our Labor Day weekend was extra long -- we gained an extra day of relaxation when my employer gave us Friday off.  For years, I have felt that I need a two week vacation two weeks into the school year to recuperate from the opening of a new school year. An extra-long weekend -- close enough. How nice to wake up at our destination on Friday morning!

The weather was pleasant on the Gulf.  The wind blew just enough to keep us comfortable while we basked in the sun.

On Game Day, the first day of the season for college football, rain showers ensured we caught some football on television; otherwise, we would have been more tempted to spend the afternoon in the sand watching the waves crash on the shore.

I fiddled with my new Nikon camera and captured a few shots.
I watched a flock of these birds for hours.  Incredible fishermen!
Eye on the Prize - beak open!
Just about there!


Got him!

Beautiful Creature

Funny guy

I captured so many views of the sunset that selecting one favorite was impossible.  So, I'm breaking the one-sunset-picture-rule that Hoda & Jenna shared on Friday morning television.

I just love a colorful sunset.
"Isn't this what the models do?" he asked as he splashed water.

These sea oats remind me of a beach adventure with my parents years & years ago.
This camping trip was not about the adventure, but rather, it was about the rest and relaxation.  We lazed around for four days, doing as much or as little as we pleased.  We had no pressure to sight-see or venture.  Just what we needed.

And just one more sunset.