On this Sunday, Father’s Day, I’m grateful for my Dad….my family….and the wonderful times we have celebrating each other! Here’s one of my favorite’s from Samuel Barber to listen to and relax on this special day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzLox9HD22g
“We can never have enough of nature.” – Thoreau, Walden
Southeast Adventure Outfitters has pioneered the waterways of Coastal Georgia since 1994. Since its opening, the company has prided itself in guiding residents and tourists of the Golden Isles on explorations to see the Golden Isles’ sequestered, edenic landscapes. These tours are led by individuals that are undoubtedly knowledgeable of the local area and its plethora of wildlife. Employee Gentry Pruett stated, “The majority of our guides grew up in this area and have a strong passion of wanting to share our area’s charm.”
Local resident, Kathryn Bonds, enjoys one of Southeast Adventure Outfitter’s many kayak tours.
S.A.O. offers numerous kayak tours daily. The “Marshes of Glynn”, Village Creek Landing, St. Simons, and the Cathead Creek Loop Kayak Tours are the most popular trips that the company invites. The “Marshes of Glynn ” Tour commences at the company’s private dock off of Highway 17 in Brunswick and leads guests through the scenic marshes of the Saint Simons Sound. The group’s Village Creek Landing Tour launches from the northern part of St. Simons and extensively explores the hidden marsh creeks. Starting East Beach, the St. Simons Tour, explores both the beaches and marshes on the southeastern part of the island. The Cathead Creek Tour goes through the narrow rice canals and the cypress swamps of the winding Altamaha River.
The company also offers scenic nature boat rides, kayak and powerboat fishing, and stand-up paddle board excursions. The company’s headquarters, located by the St. Simons Pier, also has merchandise from top outdoor brands, including The Northface, Mountain Hardware, Kavu, Eno, and Teva.
For more information on Southeast Adventure Outfitters, please visit www.southeastadventure.com or call the company’s island location at 912-638-6732. Southeast Adventures is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m..
On June 15th families across America will spend the day celebrating fathers everywhere! I always have a difficult time deciding what to get my Dad. And I know I’m not alone! Here are some ideas from shops on St. Simons Island that might strike your fancy!
At Two Friends in Redfern Village there are ties and more ties….brightly colored or in summer pastels. Bird Dog Bay and Marti’s newest line of ties “Collared Greens”…love the name!
You’ll also find this fun Mason Jar cocktail shaker….what a great idea!
Love this cocktail bag!
AND, for the Dad who has everything….this innovative gift that allows him to freeze the “stopper”, place it in a bottle of his favorite brew, sip through the top and never have to drink warm beer again!
At Wine Body & Soul I found several gifts for the Dad who loves to tend bar….love the mini stainless bartop trash can and cocktail shaker. And the Flask Tie….that’s a new one for me, but certainly unique! You’ll find a great selection of wines, barware and other gifts as well.
If you’re looking for a wonderful scent to give AccentsMarketplace just across Frederica from Redfern Village has this line of men’s toiletry items.
And…last but certainly not least this fabulous leather chair for Dad to relax in….what more could he want? AccentsMarketplace is the where you’ll find it!
Most of all tell your Dad you love and appreciate him. I think that really has to be the greatest gift of all, don’t you! Cheers to a fabulous Father’s Day weekend!
There are many, many artists in our area using oil paints, acrylics and other mediums. Today I am posting about Marion Snyder, who creates with oil paints, but her work with pastels is what caught my eye. Marion has been involved with art since childhood. Raised in Augusta, Georgia, she placed in art shows during her early school years, studied fine arts in college and realized that portraits are what she really loves to do.
Her portraits of both children and beloved pets are so lifelike, Mr. T. actually thought this one was a photograph.
Marion continues working and studying to perfect her skills as a portrait artist. She recently attended a workshop with Marc Chatov, the well known artist, whose work combines classical realism with Russian impressionism. Marion shared her experience working with Marc Chatov when we met. In his workshops Mr. Chatov encourages students to reveal the unseen, to show their passion through their work, to make visual what may seem hidden by capturing the light within the subject matter.
In Marion’s work you can see this influence. Her portraits glow with an inner light that brings them to life. Whether she is working in oil, which she does in many of her animal portraits or the pastels she uses to create her portraits of children, Marion captures the inner essence of her subject matter masterfully.
Left Bank Art Gallery represents Marion Snyder. Her work can be seen on display at the gallery as well as through her site: Marionpsnyder.blogspot.com.
Portraits remain a very important part of the art world, a part photography cannot replace. When Marion Snyder creates a portrait, she gives a family an irreplaceable heirloom to be treasured and enjoyed for generations to come.
To contact Marion Snyder for commissioned work please call Left Bank Art Gallery at (800) 336-9469 or (912) 638-3017.
I am pleased to welcome Angela Wigger today! Angela is the Director of Tourism in St. Mary’s, Georgia. Please enjoy her post on a wonderfully historic town!
Historic St. Marys, Georgia offers picturesque streets lined with centuries old live-oaks draped in Spanish moss and the restorative beauty of pristine waterways and marshes. Quaint shops, charming restaurants, and comfortable lodging options await you in this very captivating water-side community. The city prides itself on a diverse blend of residents and has sustained a rich and varied history through the prosperity of the railroad, shrimping boats, and the paper mill and through the arrival of the National Park Service and the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. With numerous Bed & Breakfasts, hotels and rental houses to choose from you can find the perfect location for your needs whether it’s a military reunion, family vacation or romantic get-away. To learn about the lodging options visit http://www.stmaryswelcome.com/lodgingV2.html.
Bird blind at the Crooked River state. Park Photo credit Georgia DNR
St. Marys is the eco-tourists dream with biking, kayaking and bird-watching in areas like the St. Mary River, Crooked River State Park and Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Photo credit Up The Creek Xpeditions
St. Marys is a real water lovers paradise. For a real close-to-nature experience visit Up The Creek Xpeditions at www.upthecreekx.com. With advance reservations, you can take a tour and visit the flora and fauna of the St. Marys harbor, Crooked Rivers’ Cherry Point, Cumberland Island, the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge and more.
History timeline in welcome center
The St. Marys Welcome Center offers an experiential environment, with a history timeline of the area, a coastal marsh scene mural and a scavenger hunt for the kids. Guests can also take advantage of free wireless internet serves or even use a guest computer in the center.
St. Marys Film Museum exhibit. Photo credit St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau
The St. Marys Welcome Center is also home to the St. Marys Film Museum which offers a free admission display room housing some favorite pieces of memorabilia from Sea Biscuit to Royal Pains.
During your visit, make time for our antebellum house-museum called Orange Hall, the Oak Grove Cemetery, and the St. Marys Submarine Museum, where the history and sacrifice of the submarine force are highlighted within 5,000 square feet of displays featuring shipboard equipment, a control panel and a working periscope.
Shopping is fun and unique with spots like Market on the Square, The Golden Pineapple, ORCA’s and Lulu’s Redstar. You will find several bookstores and two antique and collectible’s mall’s to ensure you come away the perfect item.
Great dining options abound with many options to choose from. Options, like The Blue Goose Wine and Coffee Shop with its comfortable indoor and outdoor seating options, are perfect any time of the day and there are some great coastal cuisine picks where you can get the best in grouper, shrimp and scallops.
You may decide to relax with the locals in our local saloon where everyone is always welcome and you may find that you get a bit of “southern sass” from our favorite bartender.
Pauly’s Café is a quaint spot that specializes in American and Italian. Great spot for lunch or dinner while in town.
Plum Orchard Mansion on Cumberland Island
Of course, St. Marys is the “Gateway to Cumberland Island.” The ferry departs St. Marys to take you the 45 minutes by passenger ferry to the Cumberland Island National Seashore, now in its 40th year as national seashore. There are no shops or restaurants on the island. This is Nature and Adventure in its purest form. Bring a day-pack and a lunch and enjoy walking the island or sign up for the motorized “Land & Legacies” tours. These guided “north end tours” are given by park service staff and allow visitors to cover much more of the island than what they could see hiking on their own for a day trip. Sites may include Plum Orchard, the First African Baptist Church and the Stafford Plantation site. The tour begins once you arrive on the island, at 9:45 a.m., lasts approximately 6 hours and space is limited. Cumberland Island was listed as one of the “Best US Southern Islands” by Travel Channel in January 2013. Advance reservations a strongly recommended for the Cumberland Island ferry and the Lands & Legacies tours. Visit www.nps.gov/cuis for reservation information.
As you begin to plan a visit to historic St. Marys or to Cumberland Island, contact the St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau for travel assistance and information. We can be reached at 1-866-868-2199, info@stmaryswelcome.com or www.stmaryswelcome.com.
I lived on Jekyll Island for a couple of years. It is quiet and serene, almost like going back in time to a much simpler life. If you drive north on Riverview Drive, you come to Horton House. The ruins of a home that once stood as a symbol of wealth now stand, preserved in time. Built by Major William Horton, who was second in command under General James Oglethorpe during colonial time, Major Horton cleared the land at the north end of Jekyll and built this structure.
He also cut the first road across Jekyll Island, creating a sandy lane that can still be traveled today.
When the Spaniards invaded southern Georgia, Horton House was one of their targets. In 1742, when the invasion occurred, many structures were burned on both Jekyll and St. Simons Island. Horton House was constructed of tabby which is a mixture of oyster shells, that are burned down to create lime. The lime is mixed with broken shells, sand and water to create a sturdy material for building. The house and barn were burned in the attack, along with other structures, leaving nothing but Tabby Ruins.
The DuBignon family rebuilt Horton House. Sea Island cotton and other crops were grown on the Horton Plantation for decades. In 1886 the property was bought by The Jekyll Island Club and became a part of the playground for the ultra rich and powerful.
The DuBignon graveyard is across Riverview from Horton House. The graves sit peacefully within tabby walls on the edge of the marsh, the epitaphs still readable, etched in the heavy stone markers.
This past Saturday the 7th annual Horton House Living History Event took place, where participants got a look back in time, a time when Jekyll Island played a huge role in the British survival in Georgia. This annual event gives a glimpse of what life was like for settler’s in colonial Georgia.
Jekyll Island continues to provide a relaxing place to get away, vacation, ride on the extensive bike paths and experience its very important history. For more information on Jekyll Island visit: www.jekyllisland.com.
And at the end of your day, make your way to the wide veranda of the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel for a soothing mint julep while you watch the sun go down on beautiful coastal Georgia!
Sharing one of my favorite piano pieces by Schumann: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8bQ3uoPy5A
I love gardening, as I have mentioned in other posts. My raised bed is set to grow with everything necessary for a delicious cutting board salsa, ratatouille or other summer veggie dish.
In the front yard I started from ground zero almost four years ago. Mr. T and I worked side by side, digging, planting and planning what to put where.
Not sure of how things grow in Georgia, I took it slow, planting one garden on the side of our yard just to try things out. Caladium bulbs have begun to grow again….something I love about the South!
Then I wanted to expand but wasn’t sure what to put where. Our sandy soil makes a beautiful yard of grass difficult. We defined the space we wanted to use and began to prepare the soil.
Instead of putting thousands of dollars into the new space I transplanted from what was already growing well in the original garden.
Then friends began to give me cuttings and offshoots of plants from their gardens.
What has resulted is an overflowing garden filled with lovely plants and flowers that constantly remind me of the friends who gave them to me.
My friendship garden, as a neighbor refers to it, will grow and change just as my friendships will…the memories will always remain.
The Farm at Oatland North is a retirement community of sorts. But it’s not for guests of the human species. This is a place for animals who have been rescued to live out their lives in an utterly beautiful natural setting. They are cared for, loved and assured that here is where they will stay for the rest of their days.
I met Natalie Murrah at the Farm to tour the area and learn about this wonderful place. The country road that leads back to the property is a winding, one lane drive, canopied by oak trees. As I drove further back off the main highway I first saw two horses wandering on the grounds, comfortable and happy to be basking in the morning sun. One of them took a dirt bath, rolling over and over in the dirt near the stables. Horse heaven!
Jack Pot and Starfire
There are seventeen horses in retirement on the farm at this time. One of them, Jack Pot, was actually born on the farm. His mother, Starfire, was rescued and brought to the Murrah’s. Both horses are thriving and enjoying their life.
This is Frazier. He’s a thoroughbred racehorse….what a beauty!
Four goats are in residence. Tunsis was the first goat to join the other animals at the farm and Natalie then bought three baby goats a year ago to keep Tunsis company. I never knew goats could be so sociable. Perry, one of the year old babies, took a liking to me. I’ll be going back to visit him now that we have struck up a friendship!
Two cows, Panda and Amanda live in bovine luxury. Plenty of hay,water and attention keep them happy. Skylar loved getting in the pen with the cows, carefully, and giving them a pet.
Grandpa is a rescue rooster, found behind the famous “Bennie’s Red Barn” restaurant here on St. Simons Island. He literally rules the roost now, overseeing 12 other chickens. What a character!
21 cats and 16 dogs round out the current tenants…..but more animals will be coming for the tender loving care they receive at this special place.
Plans are underway for a learning library, a learning center and a place for the arts where painters can join together to paint the animals in this natural setting.
Barbara Murrah has made The Farm at Oatland North her ongoing project for 10 years. She went back to work as a nurse to fund the farm and keep it in running order. Sadly, Barbara was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is currently undergoing the first in a series of chemotherapy treatments at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Now unable to work, her ability to fund this valuable project has come to a stop. But the farm received non-profit status last November and fund raising events are being planned.
http://www.oatland.org/Photo_Gallery/Oatland.htm
This property dates back to the 1700’s when it was Oatland Plantation where the owner, Dr. Grant, raised cotton and rice. The original buildings no longer stand, but the trees echo tales of a bygone time if you stand quietly and listen. There are stories on the wind and memories one can sense that tell of history, the rich history of St. Simons Island.
The Murrah’s have made this a family business. They all pitch in to clean out the stables, feed and care for the animals and see to the everyday upkeep of the farm. You can read more about the farm here: http://www.thefarmssi.com, or visit their Facebook page, The Farm at Oatland North. There is information on how to make a donation to help support this worthy cause on the site. You can also find out how to volunteer. Extra help is always welcome, but please call ahead to arrange for your visit.
The Farm At Oatland North – 3370 Lawrence Road – St. Simons Island, GA 31522 – 912-580-6774
Gullah what? You ask. Gullah Geechee. This is the formal way chosen by a group of African Americans to describe their language and culture. Actually, the Gullah are descendants of slaves who inhabited both the South Carolina and Georgia coasts. Geechee is the language they speak. Together, Gullah Geechee creates the thread that weaves the history of these people through the fabric of the South and its history.
Saturday we attended the Sea Island Folk Festival where people gathered to celebrate their heritage, share their art, their food and their culture.
The weather was slightly warm with a cool breeze making our time under the huge oak trees pleasant. The air was filled with the aroma of Southern barbeque, curry and other tasty treats.
We tasted the delicious baked goods from Henrietta’s Art of Baking. Her Coconut Strips have been featured nationally and are the hallmark of her brand.
Intricate works of art by Gene Threats that he creates with colored pencils fascinated me.
Marjorie Washington, known as our “Maya Angelou” spoke of “The Weeping Time” with poignant eloquence. The Weeping Time occurred on the second and third days of March in 1865 when 436 slaves were torn from their families and taken to Savannah to be sold. Their owner, Pierce Mease Butler wracked up a high gambling debt and suffered great loss on the stock market. Thus the time of weeping when loved ones were separated from the land and the people they loved and sold to owners all over the South.
Brightly colored clothing and crafts reflect the brave hearts and the determination of these people. Their lives have been a struggle and many have known defeat. The spirit of these people is as intense and dynamic as the colors woven into fabric for bags, belts and all sorts of wearable items.
This folk festival is a tribute to the history and the legacy of a group of people who helped to form the South into a place that blends the culture of so many different races and religions. It preserves and shares the rich soul of the South, passing it down from generation to generation through food, song and dance. The thread continues, weaving its way through the hearts and minds of those who share in this yearly celebration. The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters provided song and dance for all to enjoy. I listened and heard the deep spiritual content of the music and the sadness as well as joy it portrays. I’ll be returning and connecting with these people and the feeling of pride they share….memories of a very special Saturday remain.
