Our trip to Jekyll Island

I decided to take a trip to the ocean before the weather gets too hot. We left at daybreak and got there around 9:30 am. (This is the condensed version of the trip with only a fraction of all the photos I took.)

I love driving over that bridge - Below is the entrance to Jekyll Island.





The first place I stoped was the Visitor's Center to read up on the wildlife and climb up on that look-out tower (carrying Gizzy) to enjoy the view.

I saw miles and miles of saltmarsh wetlands and in the distance the bridge I drove on.

A friendly gentleman with a cannon of a camera was kind enough to take a photo (with my puny digital) of Gizzy and me for my blog. As you can see, it was kind of windy up there.

When we walked back to the car to drive on, I saw this topiary of a bush near the building that was just covered with the biggest dog gone bumble bees that I ever did see. At first glance I actually thought those were smaller sized hummingbirds buzzing around those blossoms, but NOOOOooo, those were hummers of bumblers...I know you can't tell in the photo, but I was so impressed with them, I want to post a picture anyway. If I had to guess, I'd say their wingspan was a good three inches. They also had those bottle brush trees/bushes growing there that I've not seen for a while.

I stopped at one of the picnic areas from where you could walk over the dunes towards the beach.

... and that's when I did what I came here to do:

We walked further towards the beach, Gizzy being ever so hesitant since he's not fond of big bodies of water as is evident by the tucked in tail. (I know, call the SPCA - it's doggy abuse.)

But, me being the determined mommy that I am, pressed on towards the water. As I started to look for seashells, I excitedly found a sand dollar, no wait, a smooth piece of glass and just as I was about to lift it up with my bare fingers, something inside of me said "use your cane" and when I touched it gently with the tip of my cane, it was soft. I'm not familiar with jellyfish, but I think that's what it was.

Being mostly accustomed to Southern California's beaches, I've never encountered a jellyfish. This is a whole different environment. In fact, I saw two of those guys buried in the sand, which knocked the wind right out of my sails about wanting to walk barefoot on the beach.



I stayed for a while longer, being very careful, looking out onto the calm waters:

and decided to scribble in the sand while Gizzy looked on:

It was fun, but this is what Gizzy thinks about the whole beach scene:

Back over the dunes and into the picnic area

for some rest and refreshments. We sat for a little while, watching people fish, but the gnats were so bad that we had to leave.

It was still early, so I decided to take a ride to the Historical District. I love those gnarly, old  oak trees with their branches way to the ground, seemingly supporting themselves on their "elbows."  Gizzy's sitting pretty on "our" rollator/walker where he was the talk of the town. Many people commented about him having a good life and being a cute dog. (That always makes a mom proud!)

I love looking at those old mansions imagining how life must've been way back then - strolling through this district gives me a true sense of the old South. I saw people getting horse and buggy rides and families enjoying yet another beautiful day outside.

I saw a couple of feisty squirrels chasing each other around this old tree that has plants - not moss, but actual plants, growing on top of its bark - amazing! Look at the little squirt on the foot of the tree standing upright and his friend is clinging to the side of the tree where I have marked the spot...

It started to get quite warm and after I got an icecream cone from the Sweets Shoppe, I decided to drive back home. I stopped at McDonalds for Gizzy's McDouble (plain, no cheese, hold the bun) and after he ate, he pretty much snoozed all the way home...

...and he's sleeping still. Poor boy, I wore him out, but I had fun and I think he did too. I love taking him places to give him something to dream about, since he sleeps a lot now that he's getting older.

Hope you enjoyed our trip!