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Cumberland Island, Georgia Part I....National Sea Shore's Wild Horses

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Julie Chapman Broker BK3273954

Cumberland Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia is larger than Manhattan Island, but never has more then 300 visitors per day.  Cumberland is the southernmost barrier island on the Georgia coast. The island is  over 36,000 acres, 17.5 miles  long and approximately 1 ½ to 3 ½ miles wide. There is no causeway or bridge to the island so most of the visitors to the island take the Cumberland Ferry from Saint Mary's, Georgia. 

cumberland ferry

 Cumberland Ferry

  historic district

Leaving the mainland on the Cumberland Ferry, you have a view of historic downtown Saint Marys. Upon arriving on the island, you are greeted by park rangers that are both personable and well informed.  The first impression my husband and I had of this island were the horses grazing just beyond the dock where we exited the ferry.  So Part I on Cumberland Island is dedicated to the feral horses of Cumberland.

feral horse

The horses are not wild, but descendants of domesticated horses that belonged to the Carnegie family in the 1900's.  

feral horse

There are many foals on the island and we were able to photograph this foal, the first foal of this season.

foal

This foal is very young and is staying very close to its mother on the edge of the dunes in the marshland.

foal

The horses are often seen on the 17 plus miles of pristine undisturbed beaches (even if my husband and I couldn't get a photo).

beach

Look for more posts on the history and beauty of this incredible National Seashore. 

Golden Isles Blog

Thanks to my wonderful husband Conrad Unnerstall (and Associate Broker at Chapman Realty) for going with me to Cumberland.  He is responsible for the photos that turned out well. 

Posted by

Julie E. Chapman

DR Horton

Central Florida

Phone/Text 404-831-2111


 

 

 

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All photos and written content were produced by Julie Chapman Copyright 2007-2018 - All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain Re-blogging, without express written permission of Julie Chapman or DR Horton, Lennar, KB Homes or any other entity as applicable

 

 

C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Julie, what incredible views. Thank you so much for sharing this. Love, C.

Aug 17, 2008 05:10 PM
Carol Judd
New Star Real Estate - Vernal, UT
Vernal Utah Real Estate

This looks like an interesting place to visit.  Georgia is on my list of places to see.

Aug 17, 2008 07:36 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Julie, I am ready to make my reservations to go. Thanks for the post...

Aug 17, 2008 08:33 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Carolyn,

Thank you for visiting while on your vacation....

Carol,

Most people think of Georgia and they think Atlanta.  Coastal Georgia is one of the most beautiful places on earth....I have traveled extensively and lived in California - which is beautiful - but when you factor in the "no rat race" factor and our way and cost of living, Coastal Georgia wins hands up every time. 

Michael,

If you go to Cumberland, you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance and should for this trip.  I can go anytime by jet ski but the visitor count is controlled by the park service and it is good to have reservations.

 

Aug 17, 2008 10:27 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Julie,

Even tho I am not one for the salt water, I think that I would like to walk this beach.

Aug 17, 2008 11:24 PM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Don,

It is the most amazing clean beach with beautiful dunes, white sand, blue wate and no commercial development....it is protected national sea shore.......

Aug 17, 2008 11:31 PM
Conrad Unnerstall
Chapman Realty - Brunswick, GA
Associate Broker, Homes Brunswick Georgia 912-280-0088

I had a good time. and wait until everyone sees part two of the Cumberland Island series!

Aug 17, 2008 11:40 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Julie, this is beautiful. I had heard about the horses but I thought they were the same ones that are on the Outer Banks - descended from the Spanish, I think. There is so much development there now they are endangered in many areas such as Duck and Corolla. But here the horses are still perfectly safe which is great!

Do they have anything like Pony Penning Day (rounding up ponies from Assateague Island and taking them to Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia to sell to thin the herd)?

Jan 09, 2009 07:06 AM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Sharon,

These horse are feral (not wild) so I don't believe can be endangered as long as there are horses anywhere.  Lucy Carnegie released her domesticated horses (in her will) and through the years they have become feral.  This is another great story - you must purchase a book or just go online and read the background.  It is so interesting. 

Jan 09, 2009 07:59 AM