Friday, April 10, 2026: After a couple of long work days, we decided to hang out at camp. Beth spent most of the day working through her current Beth Moore Bible Study. Kevin and Drew, from the Legacy RV Resort, spent the day putting together a new playset for the campground. We did come together around noon for a lunch break midday.
Living the dream rarely puts us apart. As a couple, we may not do everything together, but we are always together. We may be doing our own thing and may go hours without speaking, but we are together. This day was rare, and we both expressed that we had missed each other. Maybe a break is good sometimes, but for us, these days are rare.
Friday night, we ordered out from Fox’s Pizza Den. Garlic knots, pizza and salad was the simple quick choice. As always, the food did not disappoint. For a chain, this location consistently serves good food.
Saturday, April 11, 2026: Time for another “Second Saturday” in Darien, GA. Each time we visit, there are different vendors in attendance, and this time there were several more. Fresh baked goods galore, fresh produce, handmade crafts, imported specialty items, and more are always available. We may not have mentioned it before, but everyone that is set up appears to be genuine with a greeting. They are not trying a sales pitch. They are simply welcoming you to the event. Sometimes we talk more about the event, the weather, or the area than we do about what they are peddling. For those who enjoy street festivals, this one happens once a month, and you surely will make a great find.
Some of the items being sold are commercial in nature like imported artisan bags, hats, and crafts. Some setups are independent consultants for skin care, jewelry, and scented items. Today, we saw an item that would be a great gift at the Scentsy tent. We use melts daily, and you might say we collect them since we have a small tote full.
Today, we spent some time conversing with Angela West and her husband, each of us again having our own conversations about everything but the products. We found the couple sharing their own story with us. Garland told that he was planning on attending the “Blessing of the Fleet” in Darien for the first time since 1983. He left the area to serve our country (thank you, Garland!), and now that they have retired, they are back in the area. We talked about his wife’s cooking and good places that we have eaten. Darien has many selections for good food. We both offered a couple of new selections. Local networking typically results in great finds. Angela shared her favorite scents with Beth and also expressed that being “new” to the area was a bit of challenge. Maybe events like this will grow local friendships. We each ended up making separate purchases before moving on through the event. Just another example of good people enjoying the local community. If you need Scentsy products here is the link to Angela’s site. Scentsy | Shop the Best Fragrance, Home Décor & Scent Products
When we first entered the event, we noticed a group of Scouts gathering. The pack leader was handing out discount cards. We like a good discount card! Since they were getting their instructions, we waited until they were walking the festival selling the cards. As we were finishing our purchases, a couple of Scouts approached. They were shy, but we knew what they were up to, so we asked,” What are you selling?” All three of them started answering. The leader prompted one to take the lead, and we listened. We asked then how the money raised would be used. Again, all three began explaining they use the money to reach their adventure goals. Since we love adventures ourselves, we are now the proud owners of a discount card for a great cause!
We decided to spend the day on St Simons Island. For lunch, we headed back to Southern Soul BBQ. Pig Sandwiches for both with an extra side of baked beans. We got there just in time as the placed filled very quickly. Another excellent meal, hanging out listening to the planes take off and land.
After lunch, we rode around the island and were going to visit the pier, but the Village was packed. We watched traffic and people as we maneuvered in and out of Pier Village. Circling back around to a small shop across the street from Southern Soul BBQ, the Tabby House had a wide variety of items. From household items to gifts, the selections are packed in tight. We found some things we wanted and headed to check out. This is where we met the owner of the shop, Judy Shadron. At 81 years of age, she knows the shop well. She can cite vendors and other related items with ease. I guess working here for 37 years, she has a good grip. Judy worked for the prior owners until their death. She was able to purchase the shop but not the building, and she loves what the building means. She talked about the beams, the floors, and the walls. She did not care much for the improvements on the outside such as the pavement and roof. She wants the building that was built in 1805 to keep its own character.
Back to camp, we both agreed that visiting St Simmons on a weekend was not nearly as relaxing as being able to enjoy the area during the week. Since we appear to be on island time, we can come back soon.
Sunday, April 12, 2026: Another day for island adventures on Jekyll Island. We had scheduled a Ranger Walk with the conservation team. This is the same group that hosts the Gatorology and Snakes of the Southeast sessions. Since the walk did not start until after lunch, we took advantage of being on the island and went to Founder’s Social. On the walk to lunch, we passed Vickey who was doing another Millionaire Tour. She was surprised to see us yet again on the island.
Last week after ordering our food, we stepped down to the outdoor seating where there are several bench style tables that seat 6 or 8 people. Being just the two of us, we chose one of the small tables for four slightly in the sun for Beth with just enough shade for Kevin. Great little table. Just before our food came, the staff came and asked us if we could move because the band wanted to setup in the space where our table was. No problem at all. This week, we went on Sunday. Same table was open so we sat. Just in a few minutes, here the staff came to ask us to move. Another group needs to set up to sing. Again, no problem. Maybe next time.
We decided to share a Chicken Schnitzel sandwich and each got our own side dish. Once again the sandwich did not disappoint. Beth loves the simple cucumber salad they make, the real reason for the trip. Another great meal to fill up before heading out on the Ranger Walk.
Over to 31-81, a shop on the island where you can find great apparel and gifts, to meet with our ranger for the tour.
These tours are great information, cost very little to attend, and are good way to get to know more about the island. Like Gatorology, we were the only ones scheduled for the walk and got a personal tour with our host. Also like Gatorology, Emilee was our ranger. The knowledge she can provide is impressive. We certainly can tell this is more than a job for her. Conservation is her passion.
We started the walk along Crane Trail, named after Richard Crane Jr, plumbing and hardware manufacturer, who also owned Crane Cottage we saw last week. As we started down the trail, Emilee told us to be on the lookout for snakes and gators since the sun was bright, and the weather was very warm. Sweet!!! Our first stop along the trail was to learn about the Cabbage Palm tree. Did you know that the heart of a cabbage palm is edible and has the consistency/taste of a water chestnut?? She said it could be found commercially – something to try. One issue with harvesting the palms is that you have to cut the tree at the base. The replacement tree could take anywhere from 12-20 years to reach harvest maturity. The tree in the photo is about 15-18 years old.
Next, we were told the difference between a cabbage palm tree and the cabbage saw plant. While this one has parts that are edible, they are mostly used for medicinal purposes. They also have saw teeth on the stalk.
Next up was the wax myrtle tree. The leaves are very aromatic and when crushed and rubbed on the skin, it can be a natural pest deterrent. With that said, Kevin rubbed his arms with the leaves as Emilee stated it might cause allergic reactions. We will see. On down the trail, we could see where woodpeckers had been working the bark making rings on the trees causing sap to run which would attract bugs for meals.
Still no snakes since we were in a shady part discussing bamboo, oak trees, and everything nature. We ran across many edible plants on this part of the walk. The wood sorrel plant has three heart shaped leaves and looks a lot like a clover. It is edible and tasted like a green apple. Very good taste and good to know we could survive on salad if the need came up. The next snack was the red bay evergreen whose leaves can be used like you would normally us bay leaves.
Moving into the full sun along the marsh, we were back on the hunt for gators and snakes. We also found another snack that looked like asparagus. Glasswort grows near salt and will pull the water in to feed itself and would expel the salt back into the wetlands. The top of the plant is not nearly as salty as the bottom of the stem. Beth can tell you from experience, take small bites to sample so you don’t get the full dose of salt! The dark red near the base would be the highest concentration of salt.
Near the marsh was our first pond to seek out some gators. Emilee says there are about 14 juvenile gators that use this pond. First findings were turtles lounging on the logs. Three or four were scattered around the pond. Then we started spotting the gators hanging out in the pond. One the far end one of the gators appeared to be nibbling on the legs of one of the turtles. Course of nature.
The last stop of the walk brought us to the best viewing spot for a set of nesting eagles on the island, through a scope; no photos of the nest except for the one below. While we did not see the parents around the nest, seeing the site was very cool. There were two eaglets born recently, and Emilee thinks one has left the nest. We thought the other had, too, but one last look toward the nest, we saw the not-so-little fella sitting on a branch in the tree close by.
No snakes today and no allergic reaction to the glasswort, thankfully!
With the exception of the behind the scenes tour at the turtle center, we have now completed each tour on Jekyll Island and highly recommend taking the time if you are in the area. We learned a lot about the island, nature, and random bits of history that have shaped the world in which we live. Time to cool off with some ice cream before hitting the road back to camp.
Excellent day for sure.
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Wow!!!