Crooked River State Park – Cumberland Island National Seashore
1/27/2010 – 1/29/2010
A trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore requires a ferry ride from the quaint town of St. Mary’s, Georgia. Although camping is allowed on the island, the ferry is passenger only, so we decided to camp at the nearby state park instead. We stayed at Crooked River State Park which is a gem in and of itself with several miles of trails, a wooded campground and frontage along the Crooked River. Especially appealing is the bird life and the various observation areas set up in the park for avian viewing.
Campsite #15 at Crooked River State Park
Observation Tower along the Bay Boardwalk Trail
Wild boar
Crooked River at Sunset
We hopped on the 11:45 boat to the seashore for a day trip and had plenty of time to explore the southern end of the island before the 4:45 return journey. There have been various private residences on Cumberland Island, most notably the Dungeness mansion, a former Carnegie home. This particular house and outbuildings are presently in ruins, although there are other well-maintained privately owned homes throughout the island. We took a loop out to the beach, traversed the salt marshes, and walked among the live oaks shading the center strip of the island. This quiet yet wild island is exemplified by the wild horses roaming the trails and beach. Cumberland Island offers a glimpse into the golden days of southern entertaining as well as conservation and private ownership working in concert.
Wild horses on Cumberland Island
Dungeness ruins
Oyster beds in the salt marsh
Seashore
Seashore
Parallel Trail
Cumberland Lady ferry
Lastly, if you want to wet your whistle, there is no finer place than Seagle's Saloon in St. Mary's. Look forward to some hilarious trash talk and sass from the colorful Miss Cindy.
A trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore requires a ferry ride from the quaint town of St. Mary’s, Georgia. Although camping is allowed on the island, the ferry is passenger only, so we decided to camp at the nearby state park instead. We stayed at Crooked River State Park which is a gem in and of itself with several miles of trails, a wooded campground and frontage along the Crooked River. Especially appealing is the bird life and the various observation areas set up in the park for avian viewing.
Campsite #15 at Crooked River State Park
Observation Tower along the Bay Boardwalk Trail
Wild boar
Crooked River at Sunset
We hopped on the 11:45 boat to the seashore for a day trip and had plenty of time to explore the southern end of the island before the 4:45 return journey. There have been various private residences on Cumberland Island, most notably the Dungeness mansion, a former Carnegie home. This particular house and outbuildings are presently in ruins, although there are other well-maintained privately owned homes throughout the island. We took a loop out to the beach, traversed the salt marshes, and walked among the live oaks shading the center strip of the island. This quiet yet wild island is exemplified by the wild horses roaming the trails and beach. Cumberland Island offers a glimpse into the golden days of southern entertaining as well as conservation and private ownership working in concert.
Wild horses on Cumberland Island
Dungeness ruins
Oyster beds in the salt marsh
Seashore
Seashore
Parallel Trail
Cumberland Lady ferry
Lastly, if you want to wet your whistle, there is no finer place than Seagle's Saloon in St. Mary's. Look forward to some hilarious trash talk and sass from the colorful Miss Cindy.
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