Day Trippin', Yeah!

I've taken several day trips lately. I've discovered a profound enjoyment in these brief escapes, so I'm sharing three of them in the hopes I can inspire others to indulge in this activity.

Cumberland Island.  A long-time friend and I spent one breezy Thursday exploring the historical side of this magical place. Steve has spent hundreds of hours on the island - all at the northern end with his classes as they explored and catalogued the wild flora and fauna for the science classes he teaches at a local high school. I'd been to the island about a dozen times back when I was teaching. neither of us had been in a several years.

He gave me a copy of Will Harlan's biography of Carol Ruckdeschel, Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island to prepare me for the changes since I had last visited. The book fascinated, repulsed and angered me simultaneously; I couldn't put it down!

As we walked up from the dock remarking on the damage done by Hurricane Matthew, we turned right onto the path (animal track) leading off into the thickets. We strolled, chatting and side stepping to view water's edge scenes. When we arrived at Dungeness, Steve was silent; then he turned, hugged me and said, "My God, it's breath-taking. I've never been here before!"

We spent four hours reading every sign, finding every spot mentioned in the guide pamphlet. The island healed both us - working its magic as it always has. Odd, though, that I took no photos of the ruins, instead, I captured the day in critters and trees!


The Jacksonville Zoo. An environment nearly as diverting as Cumberland Island. I love a good zoo, and this area has one of the very best. We spent nearly five hours wandering around. The only animals I didn't re-visit were the tigers and the Komodo dragon. I was succumbed to the enthrallment of the Asian Bamboo Garden, I could spend hours watching the koi swim and the branches wave while soothed by the sounds of water falling. Sigh.

Letreze and I treated Jean to the Zoo for her birthday. Our day began with a chuckle - as we stood before the Lego Tower to determine our ticket price...we all had to the "tall person" price - unusual for Letreze and me, not so much for Jean. We all enjoyed the day. Jean got to feed a giraffe!

I adore that I can walk up to birds and they just pose. They are such hams!

This successful day offered three women who spend hours together a different venue for talking, reminiscing, speculating, laughing, investigating and sharing interspersed with periods of silence. All in the name of "let's do something a little different."

St. Simon's Island. This is an annual trek for me as my aunt and uncle from Indianapolis come every February so Uncle Paul can golf and they can escape the mid-west winter. This visit was enjoyable as Aunt Marion and I got so wrapped up in going through family photos, recipes, letters and documents, we totally forgot to eat lunch!!!

When Paul returned from his day on the links, we got into a discussion of smart phones and I showed him how to take a selfie - his first ever!

I relish this small window of time that allows me to have Marion and Paul all to myself. Selfish as that is, I am so glad these people are in my life!


I encourage everyone to take a day trip. Getting away for few hours gives you a renewed sense of adventure and re-connects you with people you see nearly every day in a different atmosphere.