Feb. 8, 2023 Cumberland Island

 Wed. Feb. 8, 2023  Cumberland Island.  

Slept in a bit, breakfast and then unloaded the dingy off the flybridge.  I was hoping it would start up without much difficulty after sitting unused for several months. Also concerned as it had endured a few very cold nights well below freezing while at Osprey.  But once in the water with a few priming pumps on the fuel bulb and she started right up.  Hooray for us!!  When entering the anchorage we saw the vessel Zora Neale. It's a Marine Trader that is identical to our Loop boat and I had communicated with the owner numerous times in the past. They are based out of Fernandina but have done a bunch of traveling with it.   In fact, we passed each other last year while on the Chesapeake but just couldn't ever arrange to meet personally.  So, it worked out great that when they got ready to leave, they came by and rafted up for a visit.  We got to tour each other's boats and finally got to meet in person.  Can't believe we didn't take a single picture.  Bad on us!!

Once Zora Neale left we jumped in the dingy and headed to the dock at Cumberland Island. About 85% of the island is owned by the National Park service. Nature lovers have the maritime forest, endless beach, wild horses and other wildlife, beautiful marshes, and rustic campsites.  History lovers have the ruins of Dungeness - the home of Lucy Carnegie. Before her it was the plantation estate of Catherine Greene.  Both strong women who's husbands died early leaving them to run the island.   

Armadillo hunting for grubs as we started our walk

Boardwalk through maritime forest leading to beach

Boardwalk out to the beach

Upon our arrival the ranger gave us a map and suggested the 4.5-mile loop hike around the south end. The map showed a much more reasonable to us .5 mile hike each way to the beach side of the island.   But once we got to the beach, we decided to stroll down it a bit.  After all, we had been sequestered on the boat and not touched land in over a week.  A little exercise would do us good.  Once down the beach we were at the point of no return so decided, despite our gimpy knees already hurting, to continue on.  Down the beach, over the dune trail, through the marsh walk, past the old cemetery, across the ruins of Dungeness, and finally onto the river trail before making it back to the ranger station. Some 3 hours later with knees, shins, and calf's burning we were done.   Can you tell we don't get out and exercise enough.  Again, Bad on us!!  

All smiles as we start our walk down the beach.
We didn't look quite so smiley by the time we finished.

Found this while scavenging along the beach. 
Decided it was just a bit too big and heavy to bring back with us.

Birds doing a bit of easy fishing during low tide in the marsh 

The ruins at Dungeness - back side facing the marsh.
Destroyed by a suspected arson fire in 1959.

The grand front entrance - guarded by a lone wild turkey today

Cumberland island is known for their wild horses and during our last visit a herd of them was grazing on the grounds at Dungeness, so we were a bit surprised to only see 2 all day walking by the marsh.  They clearly inhabit all areas of the island as manure piles litter every trail creating a constant mine field.  Back to the boat, dingy back up on the flybridge - continuing to get better and faster with that task, then some Aleve, a beverage, and another night of grilling out to end a wonderful day. Tomorrow we make way for Florida.

Our only wild horse sighting of the day

As You Wish riding comfortably at anchor while awaiting our return from shore leave