Sunday, March 23, 2014

Jekyll Island, etc.



Jekyll Island is a lovely place. It’s a barrier island, separating the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. Georgia has several Sea Islands, Jekyll, St. Simon’s, Cumberland (as to South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, etc.). Each has its own ambiance and character.

The hotel and cottages that comprise the Jekyll Island Club Hotel were built by some of the nation’s wealthiest men in the late 19th Century as a place where they could go in the winter to hunt and relax. They came by yacht and train. One claim to fame is that the Federal Reserve system was set up by five of these titans of industry in a room at the hotel.

As the world changed, the buildings fell into disrepair. The island was eventually bought by the state of Georgia and is now a Georgia State Park. There are private homes and businesses on the island. People can own the buildings, but they have 99-year leases on the land. Only 30% of the island can be developed, so the only new construction can happen on a previously used site. It’s a very laid-back place to visit and a fairly pricey place to stay.

But it is gorgeous! The azaleas were just about to bloom when we were there. There is nothing to compare with the age-old live oak trees with their swooping branches, festooned with Spanish moss. It’s definitely worth at least a day trip.  (Again, sorry, this program is not letting me post pictures.)

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John bit down on something at breakfast Thursday morning and cracked a tooth? We called his home dentist (endodontist) and he has an appointment Monday morning. But we also asked the coordinator to find him a dentist to see in Brunswick, just to be on the safe side. That dentist didn't want to actually DO anything, but did say it should be okay until Monday, just to be careful with it. He says he's not hurting too much, so he'll be seeing his doc tomorrow morning.

When I skyped with Jean today, she showed me a boo-boo on her neck. She had had a thyroid punch biopsy Friday. She saw an endocrinologist who felt some nodules on her thyroid and did the biopsy. She probably won't hear anything for a day or so.

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