Historical St. Simons Island

It felt like home. Maybe it was the ocean all around me, serenity in the air, or both. Just before 2pm my car passed Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island greeted us.  Another 15 minutes found me standing in line at registration for the King and Prince Hotel. My first tour was in less than ½ hour with the Light House Trolley and 9 other travel writers here for the press trip to the island. Cap Fendig was our tour guide.

As far back as 1870, tourists have “swarmed” to St. Simons with the coming of steam travel. In 1924, the F J Torras Causeway opened to bridge both Brunswick and St Simons Island.

The Georgia coast is 90 miles long. St Simons is the most western island on the eastern seaboard.  It is the largest barrier island in a sequence of 13 and said to be the same size as Manhattan (population between 18k and 21k).  Producing the most seafood due to the marshlands, this island has over 50 restaurants.
The Echo Lounge is the newest and only restaurant with an ocean view at The King and Prince Hotel.

The tides here, at St. Simons are the highest on the East Coast. It’s typical to have 10 – 12 foot tides. Each tide releases nutrients which wash down from Georgia’s rivers.  This gives the ocean a different shade of blue than normal.

“There are two major icons on St. Simons: the St. Simons Lighthouse and The King and Prince Hotel,” says Curt Smith (lighthouse historian). “Both of them have gone under some heavy duty restoration and reconstruction this year. Fortunately the King and Prince have always kept in mind its legacy of architecture and style. The hotel still looks stunning like it did in 1930 when it began. ”

St. Simons Lighthouse

In 1811, James Gould of Massachusetts built St. Simons first lighthouse. It [lighthouse] was later destroyed; by the confederate army. This guaranteed no one could use the lighthouse as an ATON (Aid to Navigation) or blockade.  Not even the union navy. They believed it would be better if they took the lens out of the lighthouse and blew it up.

In 1872, Charles Cluskey designed the second lighthouse. Charles died before the lighthouse and keeper’s dwelling were finished. Pierre Fresnel designed the current lighthouse. He designed the lens that not only reflected light but refracted light.  When finished, this lighthouse was painted solid white; stands 105 feet tall, and has 129 steps up with 6 landings.  It does not have an elevator. Today, the lighthouse is totally automated; comes on at dusk, runs all night long, and produces one beam per minute. The Coast Guard in Jacksonville maintains it. The Coast Guard Auxiliary visits St Simons Island, every Thursday to clean the lens and make sure everything runs as it should be. The Coastal Georgia historical society owns both the lighthouse and the keeper’s dwelling. As of this writing, both were under renovation.  In 2012, the lighthouse tower was finished.  Heavy rains closed the lighthouse tower to tours.

“We have a ghost,” says Curt, “his name is Fred. The assistant keeper murdered the main keeper in 1886, I believe. He got away with it.  Some people say it was over a chicken, but rumor has it it was over a woman. People claim they can still hear the ghost in the lighthouse. We have people who can smell his pipe, hear his dog.”

You can see the light on the lighthouse 23 miles out to sea. The channel is marked and lit 12 miles out; dredged to 40feet deep at low tide. It silts up quickly so they have constant dredging going on. To pass the channel safely just line up the lighthouse in the center of the two range beacons.

The King and Prince

In the 1930’s and 40’s there were few places to stay on St. Simons island. When the war broke out naval personnel used The King and Prince Hotel for their living quarters and radar training school. Then as the navy returned dead sailors they brought the bodies to the port of Jacksonville, FL (70 miles down the coast). Because there weren’t any places for the families to stay in Jacksonville, the King and Prince reserved rooms for the families; of those deceased sailors heading home for burial.  “My dad was about 16 when the ships were sunk,” says Cap Fendig, “and rode out to help rescue a few survivors and bring in some of the dead.” Since then the hotel was home to the G8 under George W. Bush.

Today, The King and Prince is both family and pet friendly.  Your pet must be well-behaved.  Weigh 25 pounds or lighter.  Current id tags.  And, veterinarian certificate of up-to-date shots.  The King and Prince hotel is in the National Register of Historic Places.  It is the only beachfront hotel. This is due to a zoning ordinance since 1920 that says no one can build beyond the tree tops or higher than 45 feet.               Read the rest of this entry »

Have You Checked Your PFD Lately?

My last day on St. Simons Island, GA put me on the shrimp boat Lady Jane. Before heading out I questioned the crew as to whether or not to bring my own life jacket.

Now some of you will think that’s crazy, but those who have boated with me know I err on the side of caution. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on boats where life jackets were still in the cellophane. Others were so moldy you couldn’t touch them for fear of a disease. This led me to buying my own.  I knew I wanted the suspender type, what I didn’t know was that one size does not fit all; at least, not comfortably.

Here’s what I learned:

— Life jackets come in different colors and sizes. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean a woman’s jacket will fit. The same is definitely true for men.

The length of your back determines which jacket fits best. For example: though 5’5″, I  have a long torso. This makes a woman’s suspender type jacket totally uncomfortable for me. I felt like my shoulders were hanging by the straps. Yet, when I tried on a man’s jacket, it was a better fit.

There are two basic types of life jackets (aka Pfds); inflatable and inherently buoyant life jackets.

1.  Inflatable* (type lll and V) contain inflation devices that either:

— Must be inflated orally by blowing into a tube,
— Manually by pulling a cord by whomever is wearing it, or
— Automatically inflates when immersed in the water. This causes a small cartridge to disintegrate when it gets wet, and then activates the CO2 cartridge to inflate the device.

Read the rest of this entry »

Facilitation of a Rescue at Sea

According to Alan Sorum, an unreformed Alaska harbormaster and a member of the USCGAux, there are quite a few things that could happen during a rescue. Basically, you’ll call the Coast Guard or another authority and ask for help.   The most direct method is for the boat in distress to make a May Day call on channel 16  and communicate directly with the Coast Guard. That’s one way.

When placing a May Day call you always start off saying the May Day message three times and then the basic information about your situation. Like this:

May Day, May Day, May Day– then you give the name of your boat, number of people on board, where you’re located, and the nature of your distress.

The Coast Guard should now come back and talk to you. They’ve actually have an entire script where they’ll go through the whole situation with you and nail down all the information they need. The key is to get that first conversation started.

This person answering the phone is known as a watch standard or depending on where the call is received, a search and rescue coordinator that picks up the call. Not a Coast Guard member out on the boat.  Patience is definitely a virtue here because whoever answers the phone will be asking a lot of questions.

The reason for so many questions is in case they lose contact with you or something fails later. The point is to load the conversation with as much information as they can about the boat, the situation, where you’re at, etc. Knowledge is definitely safety in that situation. Again, you just have to be patient – take a deep breath and answer as many of the questions as you can.

Be aware of your surroundings   Read the rest of this entry »

Valentine’s Day Specials – Saybrook Point Inn

Book your Connecticut vacation package today for exceptional rates.
Valentine’s Keepsake Package
800-243-0212 TO BOOK

VALENTINE’S KEEPSAKE PACKAGE
Our Valentine’s Keepsake Package is available February 13-22 and includes:
• Overnight accommodations for two
• A box of delicious gourmet chocolates
• A bottle of sparkling wine, and two Saybrook Point Inn keepsake flutes
• $100 dinner voucher towards our four diamond restaurant, Fresh Salt
• A full breakfast in Fresh Salt the following morning
Valentine’s Romance and Spa Package
800-243-0212 TO BOOK

VALENTINE’S ROMANCE AND SPA PACKAGE
Enjoy our Valentine’s Romance & Spa Package any night between February 13 and 22, it includes:
• Overnight accommodations for two
• A box of delicious gourmet Chocolates
• Six long stem roses
• A bottle of sparkling wine, and two Saybrook Point Inn keepsake champagne flutes
• $100 dinner voucher towards our four diamond restaurant, Fresh Salt
• A full breakfast in Fresh Salt the following morning
• A couples massage in Sanno Spa, or 1 facial and 1 massage per person

Looking for a Romantic Place to Stay?

Are You Looking for a Romantic Place to Stay?
Here’s 5 Bed and Breakfast recommendations.

There are many places to stay between Massachusetts and New Jersey. These five places are either on or walking distance to the ocean. Each place offers a fireplace in their rooms, whirlpools, spas, and gourmet breakfast.

Get Romanced in Provincetown, Massachusetts

1). Crowne Pointe Historic Hotel, Inn & Spa located in the heart of Provincetown is a classic 140-year old Cape Cod Sea Captain’s estate. From the minute you walk through the door till the time you leave, you’ll be wrapped in both warmth and luxury. Each guest room and suite is unique and everyday you’ll feel like a king or queen with all it’s complimentary extras plus a hot breakfast cooked to order.

Rates range from $109 to $627 based on double occupancy. Be sure to check out their romantic packages as well.  82 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 ~ 508-487-6767

Or visit their sister property (The Brass Key Guesthouse, 67 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 ~ 508.487.9005) 100 steps away between April and December.

2). The Brass Key Guesthouse is known for being one of many romantic spots in the gay community; straights love it also. The mini-suite adds a touch of home with a nautical decor, books and teddy bears up on the shelves of what looks like a loft and soft classical music playing on the Bose. Each night they leave a turn-down letter on your bed.

It sits on a corner lot and is literally a walk or bicycle ride away from all the shops, restaurants, and beaches of the infamous “P-Town”.

Rates range from $130 – $729 a night depending on room/suite size. Specials include weekends with a wine menu. Unfortunately, it’s not open during the winter months; reopens in April.

Newport, Rhode Island

3). Marshall Slocum House, 29 Kay Street, Newport, Rhode Island 02840 ~ 401-841-5120, was built in 1855. This guest house has 5 rooms on the second and third floors with private bath, down comforters, terry cloth robes and king or queen size beds. Each room is warm, comfortable, and decorated with light colors. Owned by Chef Mark and Dana Spring, the couple puts their years of experience working in 5-star hotels (and Mark’s training at Johnson and Wales) to good use.

In the evening make yourself at home in the living room with a good book, glass of wine and/or conversation with other guests.

The Marshall Slocum House is walking distance to shops, marinas and Truro Synagogue.

Or a short drive to the mansions.

Prices range between $79 and $275.

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

4). Two hours between Boston and New York, you’ll enjoy Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Two Bridge Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475. Phone 860-395-2000.

Celebrating 25 years and the winner of many designated green certificates, this Inn and marina 50 percent off the grid and in 2007 was the first energy star hotel in the state of Ct. Owned by Stephen and Viola Tagliatela, they walk the talk with their green car and two complimentary vehicle charging stations.

This “hotel” offers luxury suites with views of Long Island Sound and/or the Connecticut River, private balconies, whirlpool tubs and working fireplaces.  Smaller accommodations open up to residential views, have a queen or king size bed and sitting area.

On site there is a spa, health club, restaurant, shop, meeting rooms, and marina.  Across the street is another structure called “3 Stories”. This is under construction. Once finished the guest house will offer many of the same luxuries as Saybrook Point Inn including full access to the fitness club, dining, and spa.

This site also offers award-winning marina to accommodate vessels from 12 to 200 feet.

Be sure to check out their special packages, including Valentine’s Day. Room prices begin at $269.

Spring Lakes, New Jersey

5).  The Evergreen Inn, 206 Route 71, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762 ~ 732-449-9019

Just 1 hour from New York City, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia, this inn has a spa, ten rooms and suites on the second and third floors, each with a theme by owner, Laurie Carloni. Most rooms/suites offer fireplaces, private en-suite baths. 

The Mistletoe Suite offers floating fireplace, double whirlpool tub, private bath with electric fireplace and tv, queen sleigh bed. The floating fireplace is designed so you can watch the roaring fire while lying in bed.

Many of Laurie’s guests come back year after year for her delicious, ‘award-winning’ fresh homemade breakfast. Be sure to check out The Evergreen Inn’s specials here.

Prices start at $179