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

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.

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

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

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

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).

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.