Murals in the Circus Room at RJ Reynolds' mansion-
from Ossabaw Island to Sapelo Island, GA
N 31 26.391 W -81 17.537
32 miles, 5 hours
We're stuck here in the Georgia sea islands- too beautiful to leave. We think we'll stay at Cumberland Island for a few days- that's the last one- and then head out along Florida to Key West. Today we join a tour of Sapelo Island, as that is the only way to visit. There are some residents grandfathered in here, but no tourists. Most of it is saltmarsh. A lot of these islands are off limits to the (human) public, which makes them all the more beautiful.
The tour took us to the only town on the island, Hog Hammock. People still living here full time (about 50) are descended from slaves. Kids take the ferry to school in Darien, and the people left here are mostly older ones. They work for the state of Georgia and rent out rooms to tourists.
Sapelo was owned by a series of tycoons, the last of whom was R.J. Reynolds. We roamed around his mansion, which you can rent out for house parties- many bedrooms. Fabulous decor, last updated in the 50's.
On Thansgiving morning, one of the local kids took us around on a private tour. So we saw historic buildings/ ruins, beaches, and favorite hunting spots. These guys love to hunt! Here they have wild cows, raccoons, possum, and the occasional coyote. All were on the menu at his grandma's that day, except the coyote. When we said we were having lamb, he was really interested- 'Yeah? what's that taste like?'
