Beach Haven
Jekyll Island is a haven for the weary, a beach home-away-from-home for budget-minded folks from Florida to Canada and points west. The island boasts attractions running from the wet and wild Summer Waves Water Park to the beauty and serenity of Driftwood Beach to the historic majesty of the Millionaire's Village.
And all points are connected and readily reachable by the system of bike trails that criss-cross Jekyll Island like arteries in a circulation system., carrying the life-blood of this quiant barrier island - you, your friends and families, and fellow adventurers.
There are several types of bike trails you can explore.
1) The Paved Trails -
Most of the bike trails are paved, and wind all around the island, leading to and penetrating through most areas of interest.
You can bike with your kids for miles along a beach trail overlooking the Atlantic. Stop off at Blackbeard's Restaurant for a snack and a cool drink.
Explore the South Loop, and make a point to explore Glory Boardwalk, and the beach where the civil war movie "Glory" was filmed. This section will also take you past the aforementioned Summer Waves Water Park.
Seek out hidden spots, shops, and restaurants as well as view the historic cottages of millionaires past on the maze of trails within the Historic District. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is located here, as well as Jekyll Island's temporary Convention Center (serving conventioner's needs while their new state-of-the-art Convention Center, due for completion in 2012, is under construction).
The Golf Course Loop takes you past Oleander, Pine Lakes, and Indian Mound Golf Courses, as well as the Jekyll Island Tennis Center.
Zip along the Intra-coastal Waterway, visit the Horton House ruins, and check out Driftwood Beach from the North Loop Trail.
2) Off-shoot Trails -
These trails cut off from the paved loops, opening up additional opportunities for fun and discovery.
The Mid-Island Forest Trail cuts cross-country from Ben Fortson Parkway, through maritime forest, past isolated salt marsh and pond environments (where you might spot an alligator or a king fisher), before ending at the Historic District. Rest up at Cafe Solterra, and renew your energy with a Big Cookie.
Another woods trail runs from the back of the Horton House ruins and ends at Old Plantation Road. It's a little-known trail where you navigate a sandy track through forest that's habitat for deer, raccoon, squirrel, and rabbit - maybe even Sasquatch.
Shark's Tooth Beach Trail can be accessed at the trail head just to the left of Summer Waves. The trail is about a mile long, and winds through open spaces surrounded by salt marsh and treed hammocks to wind up on the river side of the island, where, at low tide, you can search for sharks teeth.
3) Create Your Own Bike Excursions -
You don't have to stay on established trails. Jekyll Island's streets are flat and invite easy riding. There are also a few more cut-throughs, sandy short cuts from Riverview Drive to Beachview Drive, along the South Loop.
Or, if you want, ride your bike along the beach. You'll need your own bike for this, as rentals aren't allowed on the beach. Be sure to wash your bike down with fresh water after your ride.
Bring your dog - Jekyll Island allows dogs on the beach if they're leashed and under a responsible owners control. This means picking up after your pooch, too.
You can rent all kinds of bikes, from cruisers to kid's rides to four-seater surreys, as well as accessories. Try area hotels, the Bike Barn adjacent to the Jekyll Island Mini-golf Course, or Wheel Fun Rentals, located at the Days Inn and Suites.
It's fun to explore Jekyll Island as a family. Whether tooling along a sandy beach, lazily winding among ancient live oaks, or riding through a salt marsh paradise, Jekyll Island is the perfect place for that perfect family vacation - brought to you by bicycle!
(c) 2010, Rick Freeland
Rick Freeland is a registered landscape architect and an avid Jekyll Island enthusiast. You can find more about his families adventures on Jekyll Island at http://www.jekyll-island-family-adventures.com/.
You can find more articles by Rick on landscape and garden subjects, as well as other interests, at http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/richardsfreeland.
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