Today has been our windiest day in Jekyll Island so far. 18 mph now, with gusts to 28 mph. Many boats are in the anchorage and marina waiting for the blow to calm. Walking the Southern portion of the beach this morning, we could see Cumberland Island and the choppy surf in the Sound. Very sunny though, and a nice day for our third day of walking and biking. Our bodies are very glad to be getting back to some form of leg-stretching exercise, although Paula still is biking at Grandmother speed.

When we revisited the beach we found it was nearly deserted, likely due to this being a Monday plus the wind, which whipped the sand into undulating patterns at the top of the beach and was strong enough to push against us as we walked North. We saw crowds of Black Skimmers (feature picture today) in addition to the birds mentioned yesterday.

Another portion of the bike path took us past the manicured golf course, set amongst the pin oaks and Spanish moss. There were alligator warning signs by the water hazards.

Gardeners with utility trucks outfitted with cranes were beginning to decorate all the trees’ twisty limbs with Christmas lights in anticipation of the holiday season.

We stopped for lunch at the Irish “Wee Pub”, and explored Jekyll Island’s museum. It details the Island’s sale to men of influence in that time, who included Rockefeller, Pulitzer, and Vanderbilt. These men transformed it from a pristine undeveloped wilderness to a retreat for hunting, bathing, fine dining and family vacations.

Back to C Ghost just in time to engage in conversation with the crews of the boats docked adjacent as to the weather and wind forecast for tomorrow and comparison of departure plans. Looks as though at least three of us, two DeFevers (41′ and 44′) and ourselves, will be leaving tomorrow morning just around slack tide. Unless of course, the forecast changes for the worse or actual conditions at time of departure are unfavorable.

We then rested, while the breeze swept through the cabin and C Ghost rolled and swayed at the dock. Paula practiced a new line throwing technique with fair success. Tom got to enjoy the affectionate attentions of a strawberry blonde… the Norfolk terrier whose portrait was featured yesterday.

Tonight’s dinner was galley-prepared lamb shoulder chops with Chipotle mustard, snap peas and lemon-spice quinoa.

Tomorrow should be exciting. We plan to cross St. Andrews Sound, make progress in our advance towards St. Augustine, and find out who the next President will be.