Things I love about living in Georgia: springtime flowers in Savannah, warm temperatures, and sunshine!

When we started our adventure, I noticed that a friend was saying the name of Sapelo the way the islander’s say it. Sapelo with the ending being short and snappy.

I thought, You know what you are doing. Have you ever heard someone from Tennessee say the name of that state? If you have you understand, it is an entirely different way to pronounce the name. That’s the way it is with Sapelo: there is another dialect—one that I find beautiful and worthy of never losing. But that is what is happening to the culture of this island, it is fading. As the children grow up, they are leaving and with each one goes the potential of losing something very important to each one of us—history and the ability to remember what matters most.

If you visit Sapelo Island, more than likely you will meet Yvonne Grover and one of her sons. They work for the state of Georgia but they also are the ones, who are committed to preserving the history of the island.

She took us to her church: St. Luke’s Baptist. There are two churches on the island but this is the one that she attends and the one that is the newest. It was founded in 1874!

A bench located near the island’s store is a gathering place.

And this clay jar outside the R. J. Reynolds mansion (Reynolds Tobacco) is one of the few remaining relics of the sugar plant. At one time, sugar cane grew in the fields of Sapelo Island, but this is not the case today. Cotton fields also blanketed the island but those are gone, too.

The beaches are still there and beautiful. They leave you speechless and wondering what it would be like to be there at sunset.

The temperature was much too hot for my friends from Pennsylvania. They found a prime spot in the island’s only shelter overlooking the beach. I took photos and walked along the beach with those who had traveled to the island with me and occasionally looked back to see if they were okay. They would throw up a hand and wave as if to say, “Have fun. We’re just happy to be in the shade!” (smile)

I have visited Sapelo Island before. In fact the last time I was there, Yvonne Grover was my guide as she was again this time. Since my last visit, the lighthouse has been completely restored. Once hidden among island trees and under growth, it is now visible and very accessible. The ferry ride over takes about 30 minutes and is just plain fun! Every kind of Atlantic sea bird follows the boat diving into the water with the hopes of coming away with some coastal delicacy.

Good news: once you are on the island, you travel from location to location with a group of people, which is a good thing since the wildlife is quite visible. It is different than being on Cumberland Island where you get off a ferry and are free to wander around the island visiting the beach and the ruins of old houses. Sapelo remains residential in its own way. Families live and work there and are quick to welcome strangers. I always find being on the island is both fascinating and intriguing.

When you have a few extra minutes, please watch this video on this very special place: Sapelo Island.

It was hard to past this view and not stop and linger long—very long.

There’s not too much to say or add to this photo except that I didn’t want to leave. Both were taken at the Jekyll Island Club.

The live oaks in Savannah are losing their leaves and new ones are appearing. It is springtime in coastal Georgia!