One of my recent excursions took me to historic and quaint Jekyll Island, Georgia and I couldn’t believe I have never been here. I’ve lived in the great state of Georgia since I was 6 years old, but somehow I never made it to this part of the Georgia coastline. Savannah, yes and all points north, but not to Jekyll. It’s so quaint and special on this little plot of sandy soil and the Jekyll Island Club is amazing to see.
The Jekyll Island Club hotel is a Georgia National Landmark and after seeing it, I definitely see why. It’s a throw back to the olden days of the wealthy coming South for the winter, where it flourished in the 1930’s.
We didn’t get a chance to go inside (not enough time), but I was happy to at least take some photos of this beautiful place. You can imagine the ladies and gentlemen who have walked on this green lawn.
What a special resort it is and I can’t believe I’m just now seeing this place.
What I love about coastal Georgia, South Carolina and Florida is the Spanish moss that drips from the trees. Part of my childhood growing up, mossy trees are so pretty and unique to the Southern coastline.
There are several cottages along the drive to the Jekyll Island hotel and I can’t imagine how beautiful these must be inside.
Moss Cottage, 1896, what a treat. I didn’t grow up in the wealthy class, so this would not have been part of my young years.
Goodyear cottage, from the Goodyear family.
Another pretty cottage along the driveway.
Those dripping oak trees get me every time.
Even though it was cloudy this day, it was still so serene and peaceful.
Yet another cottage.
These trees were like sculptures, with their bending limbs, touching the ground and moss hanging and blowing in the breeze.
I imagine that these trees are quite old.
And they are abundant on this little barrier island of Georgia.
See, I can’t get enough of them, touching and rooting in the ground.
I’m not sure what this building is to the side of the Jekyll Island hotel, but it sure is pretty.
That mossy green color is right up my alley.
We also took time between rain drops to take the beach walk out to the beach behind our hotel, the Hampton Inn. It’s right on the beach, but you have to go along this pretty beach walk to get there.
I love boardwalks to the beach, don’t you?!
That’s my friend, Lucy, taking pics on the beach.
We took time to check out the beach and so glad we did.
The back of the Hampton Inn, looking at the pool. I can imagine what a peaceful vacation could be had on Jekyll Island, a quaint and perfect little place in Georgia. I hope to have the opportunity to go back one day.
Beautiful. I get tickled at what you call cottages. Here in California, a small, charming home would be a cottage; those places you’ve shown would be mansions. Also am loving the Spanish moss, which we don’t have. Is that the same as kudzu? I really don’t know what that is, but I’ve read of it in novels and picture it like the Spanish moss.
Hi, Jeanie, yep those are definitely big cottages, but I think that is what they are called on Jekyll. No, Spanish Moss and Kudzu are 2 different things. Kudzu is green and leafy vine and grows all over everything here in the South. It came from Japan originally and now it’s prolific in the south. It will cover up a house in no time!
This is breathtaking! I love spanish moss hanging from the old at least 100 years old. Just magnificent. Now I need to put JI on my bucket list!!! XO, pinky
I discovered Jekyll Island way back in 1965. We would rent a cottage every summer when my kids were little. The island is State owned, so no one is allowed to buy land there, only a 99 year lease. So all the small homes and cottages are built on rented land. It’s truly a beautiful place; however, when the sun goes down, watch out for the mosquitos coming off the Marshes of Glynn.
Oh Rhoda! This place looks magnificent! As beautiful as the cottages are, I have to say I’m totally in love with the trees. They look amazing and are a true work of art.
You always get to go to the best places. I’m so jealous!
We love Jekyll Club and stayed there many times before it became so pricey. Now we just go for special occasions, anniversary, etc. One year we went for Christmas and they had a home tour of the cottages, very interesting! BTW, the wealthy back then called those big houses “cottages” since they were used to larger more elaborate homes! The movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance with Matt Damon, Will Smith (and Robert Redford was the producer/director) filmed several scenes there. You must go back and spend more time there! You’ll love it! Thanks for sharing the pics, makes me want to go back again!
Katherine
As a south Georgia native now living in Alabama I haven’t been to the coast in years. Thanks for the wonderful reminders, great pictures! What many may not know is all that beautiful moss is actually a type of fungus on the trees and is filled with chiggers or red-bugs, very itchy little bugs that literally get under your skin and reek havoc!
Rhoda, thanks for sharing your part of our country with this Texas girl….I can’t wait to visit!!
I’ve been vacationing on Jekyll Island for the past 30 years and we love its beauty. That large green building beside the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is part to the hotel. It also has beautiful rooms you can stay in. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi, I thought this post was so cute, we reposted to I Dig Dixie’s Facebook page, a new site containing all things travel and all things Southern! Please visit and “like” our site!
https://www.facebook.com/Idigdixie?fref=ts
I’ve been to this island many times while we were stationed at King’s Bay. Raised my kids on this beach and loved every minute of it. Georgia was good to us and I miss it so.
Although I am New England born and bred, I, too, love the southeastern coastline and would so enjoy visiting Jekyll Island. We have vacationed often in South Carolina and have visited the Savannah area, all I can say, is, that it was love at first sight. I love the beautiful beaches, the architecture, the cuisine, vegetation, weather, and so much more. (One of the reasons I was drawn to your blog – Southern hospitality.)
I love all the pictures of Jekyll Island…I would love to vacation there someday. I love all things Southern, especially this area ! Thanks so much for sharing.
What a FANTASTIC spot! May just have to visit some day soon 🙂
I love how Spanish moss looks too. I first fell in love with them while I was running a marathon in Albany. The course was lined with beautiful palms and trees dripping with Spanish moss. Your pictures have made me want to go back and visit Albany and Jekyll Island now. Haha! Thanks for sharing, Rhoda!
Got to spend several weekends there a few years back since hubby’s company Christmas party was held there two years in a row! Beautiful, beautiful resort.
Ms. Rhoda, you brought back memories! My husband and I honeymooned on Jekyll Island and stayed in the green building next to the hotel. It is a beautiful place.