It seems as if almost the entire east coast of the US is steeped in historic events but it is really where it all started from : the early European explorers, the founding fathers, the civil war - then everyone starting heading west opening up the plains, killing the indiginous indian population, outlaws and lawmen, Wells Fargo, the pony express, the ten gallon hat.......

William is an ol' Buckaroo and I think we have watched more cowboy movies on this boat than we've had hot baths!

Everything from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood but most of them are good fun films and Paint Your Wagon has seen more than a few re-runs on Alexia! The definition of how good any particular film actually is depends on how soon we fall asleep whilst watching......

So here we are arriving at Jekyll Island - one of the sea islands off the coast of Georgia which was home to a different kind of 'cowboy' - the high stepping, monied elite of the nation's leading families, including the Rockefellers, Pulitzers, Morgans, Astors and Vanderbilts. they flocked to Jekyll Island to revel in luxury from the early 1900's to the mid 40's..

The picture above is of duBignon Cottage - owned by John duBignon who bought Jekyll Island in 1886 selling it on a few years later to his wealthy buyers.

The onset of financial ruin during WWII brought the Island to its knees and by 1947 the island was condemned. It was taken over in the 50's by the Jekyll Island Authority who were charged with its restoration and repair.

The houses and grounds were restored and many interior fitments rescued - old drapes and furniture of a a bygone era still looking like new.

The island is a huge visitor attraction - ten miles of beach, campsites, hotels, golf course, turtle centre, museum, nature trails - and all so beautifully arranged that you hardly see another person!

The trees are most stunning - all over the island great oaks, some as old as 350 years, draped with Spanish moss. Dont touch the moss! it is home to little red bugs that bite, crawl all over your body and leave itchy, firey whelps.