I have yet to write about the beach on Cumberland Island. It is a wonderful, serene place to be. For the majority of the eighteen miles of shoreline, there is very little evidence of a human footprint on the island. The shore remains mostly untouched of man-made structures, and the actual presence of other people on the beach is very sparse. On the southern end of the island, you have the view of the paper mill across the sound in Fernandina Beach, but that's really it. All of the buildings on the island are behind the dunes themselves, so when standing on the beach, you can imagine what much of the Southeastern coast (St. Simon's, Jekyll, Hilton Head to name a few) might have looked like before they became developed. The further north you travel you may pass a vehicle or two on the beach (either national park or an Islander- someone who still has a private home on the island) but the chances of you passing an actual person is very rare. You can see what I mean below:
Desolate Beach
Beach Ducks
Flock
Searching in the Sand
Since living here, I have yet to wake up early enough to see the sunrise on the beach, but I hope too soon. It is spectacular. I know because about two and a half years ago on my first camping trip to Cumberland, Greg and I woke up to see the sunrise and I still have this picture of us in that beautiful, morning light. I love this picture of us. I had never imagined then that someday live here. Funny how things turn out. :)
