The Remnants of the Rich

Making our $17 per person reservations to board the ferry boat to Cumberland Island National Seashore, Melanie and I prepared for the trip.
Cumberland Island is the Southernmost barrier island along the Georgia coast. In the 1800's, it was the home to the Carniege family, with their sprawling mansion named Dungeness by Mrs Carniege.
Today, all that remains are the stone and brick walls along with several outbuildings, arbors and other rusting relics fro
a bygone era. In the small cemetery overlooking the marsh is the gravesite of Henry Lighthorse Lee, father of Robert E Lee, who died and was buried at Cumberland, later to be removed to Washington.
With Melanie still in her recovery, we opted to take the half day tour, from 9:45 to 4:45.
Arriving in St Mary's an hour in advance, we sat and admired the renovated waterfront with a park.
A festival was in progress so more people than expected were in town.
At the check in, we were told we had to pay the $4 park entry fee. At about noon, we were given instructions about the trip over and back, then our large group boarded the Cumberland Queen. We had a cart so we sat on the stern of the boat. You could sit on top, inside or along the sides.
The ride over takes about 45 minutes through the mouth of the Crooked and St Mary's river.
Riding into the wind was quite cold. Disembarking, we ate lunch at a picnic table set up just off the oak lined shell road.
We took the half mile walk to Dungeness, where we spotted several of the ferel horses on the island.
I also spotted two monarch butterflies. We walked about, thinking what it would have been like to live in this era when the ruins were new.
To imagine the horse drawn carriages, the servants about.
From Dungeness we took an arduous walk to the ocean, a mile of hilly sand dunes.
Melanie did well, keeping up and not faltering.
We did stop often to take in the scenery. On the beach, which extended well
over 500 ft to the Atlantic, we spread out a blanket and enjoyed the gulls and martins.
We watched our time closely as to not miss our ride back to mainland.
Making it back to the dock, we sat and watched three horses and eight turkeys feeding in the meadow behind the museum.
Finally, the boat arrived with already many in tow. Standing roo
only, we were able to take our same stern seats back.
We watched a submarine being towed to Kings Bay Base by a tugboat.
Last off boat, we walked down to the seafood restuarant on the water at the end of the park.
We saw the sunset as we ate shrimp, scallops and talapia.
We walked through the park then to the car, which upon cranking, shuttered and the engine light came on.
Getting gas in kingsland, the light did not come back as we prayerfully returned from a great day.
We made it home to set the time back, enjoying another hour of the day at Cumberland island.