Tueday April 3

Greyfield Inn

Cumberland Island Beach

We cruised a short 20 miles arriving on Cumberland Island at 9:00 am.  Cumberland is a designated National Seashore, and, as such, is preserved and protected from development.  The daily visitor rate is limited to 300 persons, ensuring a tranquil setting for the island's  "famous" wild horses and other native species.
 The story of the wild horses is an interesting one.  The Carnegie family started purchasing land on the island in the late 1800's, eventually owning 70% of the island.  They built several mansions for various family members - some remain, others are in ruins.  Upon Mrs. Carnegie's death in the 1930's she requested that all her horses be set wild on the island and they roam freely to this day.  We enjoyed a land and legacy tour provided by the park service, then proceeded to the beach and collected a few shells.

Wild horses of Cumberland Island

 Our day ended tied up to the pier of the lovely Greyfield Inn.  Following a brief tour of the Inn, we enjoyed a four course gourmet dinner.  This Inn was originally built for one of the Carnegie daughters - old school, old money.  A very charming place - it certainly takes you back in time.  ( JFK Jr. & Carolyn were married here - successfully keeping the event private.  That's how remote and laid back this island is - a welcomed reminder of how all the Atlantic barrier islands started out,  before becoming so over- developed.)