Posted By: Pam Baggett
Georgia On My Mind - 06/07/01 05:07 AM
Georgia on My Mind
More specifically Tybee Island, Cockspur, St. Simons and Sapalo Island Lighthouses.
As with every trip I take, it has a story. Not unlike any of the rest, this story begins with a long weekend, but this trip took a lot of planning and plenty of problem-solving, as I will explain……….
Knowing that Georgia has 4 beautiful lights that I wanted to see, I researched where they are located, the times open and what I had to do to see them. I needed to see all the lights in one day. All of this could be accomplished but only with perfect timing.
I could reach all of these lights in a day, climb the ones open, get plenty of pictures and still have time. Tybee, St. Simons and Cockspur presented no problem. But Sapalo proved to be the most difficult to include in the plan. Sapalo, the one noted as a "Must See", was one that I didn't want to leave out so I would have to overcome some obstacles to see this one.
The problem solving begins…………….
Problem: Planning the exact timing for viewing all the lights in one day.
Solution: Cockspur is not open to the public so I was able to go to it first early in the morning get pictures and travel 30 minutes to Tybee which opened at 9am. I could get there just before opening and get a few pictures with no one at the top (I don't like people in my pictures if I can keep from it). Climb it and then drive 2 hours to St. Simons. On that Sunday St. Simons didn't open until 1:30pm. Again this was great timing. I could get there before anyone could climb it. I would have plenty of time to admire St. Simons and meet the 4:30 ferry that would take me to Sapalo.
Given the times of operation and drive times it seamed that this was a perfect plan until it came to Sapalo itself.
Problem: Sapalo is a private island and you must be invited to the island by one of the residents.
Solution: some of the residents rent out small rooms and cabins for just such purpose. After talking to the Sapalo Island Visitor's Center attendant he told me to contact The Banks family. I did that.
I am making progress and at the same time running into more obstacles.
Problem: they were not going to accept any guests that weekend because they were going to be gone all day Sunday. They would not be home to prepare or cook for guest.
Solution: I explained what I was trying to do and that I desperately needed a to see this lighthouse and have a place to sleep for the night. They agreed to have me late that afternoon to spend the night if all I would require was to see the lighthouse and would bring my own food
This problem solved through persistence and compromise.
Problem: The ferry that takes you to the island would run on Sunday and get me there but would not be making a return trip until Tuesday. This left me with no way back to the mainland Monday.
Solution: Mr. Banks said he could locate a boat to take me back.
That seamed easy enough but wait.
Problem: the price of the boat trip back to the mainland would cost $75! (which was just too high).
Solution: In hopes that the ferry information was wrong I called the Sapalo Island Visitors Center once again to verify the ferry schedule. Pat Carson answered the phone. I told her of my situation and in jest asked her if she wouldn't want to come and get me. To my complete surprise and disbelief she said she would love to!!!!! She and her husband would be boating about that Memorial Day and would enjoy meeting me and helping me to make my trip a success.
Just by asking I was able to get a ride back on Monday morning!!!!
Due to planning, persistence, begging and some wonderful people ALL PROBLEMS SOLVED.
Well almost…. I now have the problem of deciding on the next place to go and which lights to see.
More specifically Tybee Island, Cockspur, St. Simons and Sapalo Island Lighthouses.
As with every trip I take, it has a story. Not unlike any of the rest, this story begins with a long weekend, but this trip took a lot of planning and plenty of problem-solving, as I will explain……….
Knowing that Georgia has 4 beautiful lights that I wanted to see, I researched where they are located, the times open and what I had to do to see them. I needed to see all the lights in one day. All of this could be accomplished but only with perfect timing.
I could reach all of these lights in a day, climb the ones open, get plenty of pictures and still have time. Tybee, St. Simons and Cockspur presented no problem. But Sapalo proved to be the most difficult to include in the plan. Sapalo, the one noted as a "Must See", was one that I didn't want to leave out so I would have to overcome some obstacles to see this one.
The problem solving begins…………….
Problem: Planning the exact timing for viewing all the lights in one day.
Solution: Cockspur is not open to the public so I was able to go to it first early in the morning get pictures and travel 30 minutes to Tybee which opened at 9am. I could get there just before opening and get a few pictures with no one at the top (I don't like people in my pictures if I can keep from it). Climb it and then drive 2 hours to St. Simons. On that Sunday St. Simons didn't open until 1:30pm. Again this was great timing. I could get there before anyone could climb it. I would have plenty of time to admire St. Simons and meet the 4:30 ferry that would take me to Sapalo.
Given the times of operation and drive times it seamed that this was a perfect plan until it came to Sapalo itself.
Problem: Sapalo is a private island and you must be invited to the island by one of the residents.
Solution: some of the residents rent out small rooms and cabins for just such purpose. After talking to the Sapalo Island Visitor's Center attendant he told me to contact The Banks family. I did that.
I am making progress and at the same time running into more obstacles.
Problem: they were not going to accept any guests that weekend because they were going to be gone all day Sunday. They would not be home to prepare or cook for guest.
Solution: I explained what I was trying to do and that I desperately needed a to see this lighthouse and have a place to sleep for the night. They agreed to have me late that afternoon to spend the night if all I would require was to see the lighthouse and would bring my own food
This problem solved through persistence and compromise.
Problem: The ferry that takes you to the island would run on Sunday and get me there but would not be making a return trip until Tuesday. This left me with no way back to the mainland Monday.
Solution: Mr. Banks said he could locate a boat to take me back.
That seamed easy enough but wait.
Problem: the price of the boat trip back to the mainland would cost $75! (which was just too high).
Solution: In hopes that the ferry information was wrong I called the Sapalo Island Visitors Center once again to verify the ferry schedule. Pat Carson answered the phone. I told her of my situation and in jest asked her if she wouldn't want to come and get me. To my complete surprise and disbelief she said she would love to!!!!! She and her husband would be boating about that Memorial Day and would enjoy meeting me and helping me to make my trip a success.
Just by asking I was able to get a ride back on Monday morning!!!!
Due to planning, persistence, begging and some wonderful people ALL PROBLEMS SOLVED.
Well almost…. I now have the problem of deciding on the next place to go and which lights to see.