December 29, 2011

Karen and Test

Tim and I became adoptive parents today. . .of two sea turtles.  After catching a free shuttle trolley to Jekyll Island’s historic district, we visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  What a wonderful facility.  The center is Georgia’s first sea turtle rehabilitation, research and education facility and provides state-of-the-art emergency care to sick and injured sea turtles.

Turtle Stepping Stones
The exhibits are well done and informative, but my favorite part was actually watching the sea turtle patients being treated in the hospital.  We could also visit the sea turtle rehabilitation pavilion which contains tanks where turtles are recovering from their injuries.  

Treating a New Patient

Shhh...
The center has an adoption program, and two sea turtles that had been at the facility since last summer still had not been adopted.  Their stories were so sad, but their recovery was going so well that Tim and I decided to adopt both Karen and Test.  We’ll be able to follow their progress and hopefully see them released back into the wild.  We haven’t yet told Kitty that she now has a half sister and brother.

Karen

Test
Jekyll Island is really a fascinating place.  It’s a beautiful barrier island off the coast of Georgia, with lovely beaches and an amazing historic district.  The Jekyll Island Club was established in 1886 as one of the most exclusive social clubs in the United States.  Members included the Astors, Vanderbilts, Pulitzers, Morgans and McCormicks, and these families built “cottages” to enjoy during the post-Christmas season.  Here, members could relax and enjoy the "country life" in their seaside resort.
 
Moss Cottage

Indian Mound Cottage

Sans Souci

Club Cottage
Although the houses are certainly grand, they are simple in comparison to the members’ houses in Newport.  The setting is as magnificent as the buildings, with massive live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.  Many of the houses also have views of the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Most of the Cottages Are Located Along Riverview Drive
 
Stately Live Oak Tree

Jekyll Wharf
The state of Georgia purchased Jekyll Island from the club in 1947, and most of the houses have been preserved and are open to the public.  The club house now operates as a hotel.  It’s a lovely place to wander and soak up the atmosphere.

Jekyll Island Club Hotel
 
A Game of Croquet on the Lawn in Front of the Hotel

We Couldn't Leave Georgia Without Feasting on Peel 'n' Eat Shrimp at the Rah Bar


4 comments:

  1. I have to read for a while tonight. We have had a house full for Christmas and it is back to normal tonight. I did not get to get on my computer for a while so I had to read a few posts. I love everything you are doing and going and eating, especially the eating part. When you come to San Diego you can have your own little appartment here at our house, It is just a room, but we will keep you as busy as you want. And eating great food too. Kitty can stay too! I will be able to keep up now for a while as we are not expecting any company for a while. Keep blogging. Love A

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  2. Congratulations! Your two new additions are quite handsome. Boy, that shrimp looks good too! LV

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  3. A, We are so pleased that you are back to following us on the blog. It sounds like you had a wonderful and busy Christmas. We are looking forward to visiting you in San Diego sometime in the spring. I still remember the wonderful food at the Ramona Cafe, and the pie in Julian. Sarah

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  4. LV, Thanks you. We also think our adoptees are pretty cute. And, yes, the shrimp tasted even better than it looks. Sarah

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