Fri, Mar 31 2017 - Cumberland Island (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Ann, Ralph Howard Participants: Joannah Cook, Ann, Ralph Howard, Rick D, Eileen F., Debbie H, Ryan, Jim

So, let's break it down.  Friday started with loading gear and heading north to Hunt Camp.  Cara driving the truck and Ann in the Mystery Machine.  Well, it's named the MM because you never know when it might decide to break down, and it did.  With some pushing we moved it off road and piled into the truck with Cara.  We setup camp and enjoyed a beautiful sunset which included the horses and a foal giving us some spectacular photos.  We finished off the evening with a fireside rest.  The next day we completed trail maintenance along the 1.9 mile Ashley Pond Trail.  Rick swung a mean rake, Eileen and Ryan took on the clippers, everyone else was lobbing or on pickup detail.  We cleared palmetto, vines, small trees and move dead wood.  Everyone developed muscles, sore muscles.  Finishing early we hiked to a picturesque marsh view along Table Point Trail, then we toured Plum Orchard, and after that Cara was kind enough to take us to Little Greyfield Beach for some beach time.  We admired Rick for his brave swim in the ocean.  Ryan found her horsehoe crabs.  We all felt the sand and water massage under our feet.  Next, we headed back to camp for joyful hot showers, food (Jim's BROWNIES!!!), fire, and good company.  The critters entertained us this weekend:  horses, racoons, possums, armadillos, skinks, lizards, turkeys, deer .... all that Cumberland has to offer.  On Sunday, we said goodbye to half the group and the remainder stayed to complete the moving and installation of six signs along three trails (which meant we got in some hiking).  Rick left on Sunday afternoon.  Leaving behind his toiletries (um, enough said).  And Deb left her toiletries behind on Monday (see the pattern).  We also all left footprints, signage, cleared trails, ticks (not forgetting the ticks), Cara (our Georgia Conservancy hostess with the mostest).  We took with us shells, knowledge about camping, probably some ticks, and very good memories.  A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!

Pictures from Cara: