Just across the bridge from Brunswick and a few miles down the Jekyll Causeway is Jekyll Island, “The Nearest Faraway Place.”  There are more than 20 miles of bike and walking trails, ginormous sandy beaches, hotels, four golf courses, convention center, shops, an historic district and all that touristy stuff.

We did a lot of walking today, starting with the historic district.  We walked around the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel and the cottages and shops, and the Jekyll Historic Wharf.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel

Down the road from there we found one of the walking trails.  We walked for a while through the beautiful Spanish moss-covered tree-lined trail.  It was so pretty.

Bike and Walking Path

The Horton House was built in 1746 by Major William Horton, an aide to General James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia.  It is built of tabby, which is crushed oyster shells, sand, lime, and water.

Horton House, 1736

Oh no! Santa has been eaten by a shark!  We proceeded around the island and did more walking.

The Shark That Ate Santa!

Driftwood Beach

Bike and Walking Path

After all that walking we sat in the car for a while with the doors open to cool off since it was sunny and warm, and were having a snack when this little squirrel came calling.  I told him to go find his own.

Hello Squirrel

We left Jekyll Island and went back to Brunswick for a late lunch.  We happened upon the Twin Oaks BBQ restaurant, a local place off the beaten path.  Bernie had the bbq pork sandwich which was excellent, and I just had to have the Brunswick Stew… seeing as we are tourists, and we are in Brunswick.  It is reported to have originated in this town, but there is some controversy about that.  Anyway, I loved it!

We were too late for the Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee Brunswick Stew cook-off which was on November 10.  The waitress said they came in 6th out of about 35 competitors.

Brunswick Stew

Off to look for Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island.  Sculptor Keith Jennings carved these faces into oak trees.  They are meant to represent sailors who drowned on ships made from St.Simons trees.  We found a cluster of them in an empty housing development.  There are more throughout the rest of the island.

Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island