We got up this morning to sunny blue skies, so got going early and loaded both bikes into the dinghy to go ashore. This was the first time we’ve left the boat alone AT ANCHOR, and Cathryn was anxious about it the in days leading up to knowing we would do this, but by the time we took off, the boat had been there almost 24 hours, the anchor was clearly secure, so she was no longer worried about the anchor slipping and returning to find the boat gone or grounded ashore – another milestone event!
We headed south on the island, riding five miles down the one-lane, tree-shaded road made of packed sand and crushed shells. It was level terrain, so an easy ride with spectacular forest of pine, oak, palm and other under-story we can’t identify as we aren’t familiar with the trees and shrubs here.
Along the way we passed one of the few private homes remaining on the island. It was quite a nice “winter cabin” with a grass airstrip across the road to make access just a little easier than either private boat or use of the public ferry, the only way to get to Cumberland Island as there’s no road access.
After traveling 5 miles on the road, we set off on a side-road to the east side of the island on the Atlantic Ocean, crossing dunes and passing a campground where people can get permits to backpack in and camp. We walked the beach where we saw no one other than a mother and her child.
On arrival back at Plum Orchard we returned to the mansion and and sat on the porch to eat our picnic lunch, before walking to some nearby ponds looking for alligators, reportedly residents here, though we saw none.
Not finding any alligators. we decided to walk around to the other side of the mansion to get a better understanding of the size of the mansion. What we described yesterday as “not very architecturally interesting” surprised us!
This "simple house" consisted of 21,724 square feet after the 1906 additions were made. Those additions included wings on both the East and West ends. The East wing houses a 12-foot deep swimming pool filled by artesian water and a squash court with viewing balcony. The Park Service reports the basement has 6,022 square feet, the first floor 7,209, the second floor 5,493, and the attic 3,000 square feet. Wow!
1 comment:
You described so much of our life experiences....things often look different when you explore from all sides! Cumberland Island is such a wonderful place much of it as nature intended. Just reading your notes and seeing the pics brings fond memories to the forefront. So glad the animals welcomed you.
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