The Marshes of Glynn

<- Sunset over the marshes of Glynn and the Sidney Lanier bridge








Affable live-oak, leaning low,--
Thus--with your favor--soft, with a reverent hand,
(Not lightly touching your person, Lord of the land!)
Bending your beauty aside, with a step I stand
On the firm-packed sand

Free

By a world of marsh that borders a world of sea.

From "The Marshes of Glynn" by Sidney Lanier (1842-1881)

Sidney Lanier traveled to many places in the US and to Europe. He was a schoolteacher, poet , musician, and he fought in the civil war. For all his work, and the places he saw, his most famous poem is "The Marshes of Glynn", a poem describing the beautiful spot where we are now camped on Jekyll Island. A marker commemorates his poem and life near the edge of the Marsh in Brunswick. The beautiful bridge crossing the Brunswick river, the longest bridge in Georgia, is named for him. Streets on Jekyll and in Brunswick are named for him. Yet he spent little of his life here. What he did spend was apparently inspiring.

We've now decided to try for a 3 month reservation here on Jekyll in the winter of 2009, quite a departure from our travels so far. Making plans for a long stay allows Consuelo to sign up for craft classes that take several weeks. It may be chilly at times, but not unbearable. And we can drive to Naples in a day if we want, spending time with Consuelo's family down there.

We like Jekyll because there is a pleasant mix of convenience and history here. Since it is a Georgia state park, some effort is spent to keep it clean. We find ourselves walking and biking more here than anywhere. The park, though relatively large, is well run and the winter residents are friendly. We've even thought about buying a house here.

Right now here, spring breakers are flowing in and out like the tide. The weekends fill the campground with kids and boy scouts. Once and a while the teens get noisy. It doesn't trouble us. In fact, I kind of like having the younger generation around some. Many places we go are filled with old folks, like us.

We spend one more week here, then head for the hills. A month has gone by pretty fast. Sign of a good time.