Luxurious Interlude And Wildlife Adventures For The
Underloved And Overworked By Penelope Penn

Feeling under loved and overworked like most women today, I strongly believed I was entitled to a nervous breakdown, fully intended to take it, and would schedule it - first chance I got. And, like most women, not presently having the time I decided to embark on a wildlife vacation instead, and would like to offer readers the chance to live vicariously through my adventure. So kick back, put on some nature, mood music and travel with me to Jekyll Island, Georgia.

It was the second day of my arrival on this beautiful, historically significant, secluded resort. As usual, I awoke at 5:30 a.m. and I mechanically went over to the custom-made mahogany desk, oblivious to the plush décor of my restored, nineteenth century room….and checked my email. I had 36 messages. I felt the adrenaline begin to pump and a slight foreboding. Desperately wanting some good news, I quickly scanned down through the sender's addresses to see if any were in reference to this midlife - I mean wildlife adventure.

I had learned that the concierge could quickly and easily advise me and schedule every aspect of my unique, southern Georgia safari vacation. Like so many who had come to the island, fell in love with it and stayed, she could tell me exactly when and where I could experience the appreciation of wildlife and delicate ecosystems to escape the hectic life and work I had left back home.

I had chosen the Jekyll Island Club as my home base to conveniently explore these Golden Isles, home to blue herons, wild turkeys, frolicking dolphins, and abundant wildlife that thrived on this naturally clean coast, efficiently filtered by the bordering salt marshes. Formerly, this was an elite hunting club for a reported one sixth of the wealthiest men in America, who had spent steamy nights and splendid days in this very room. According to H.W.S. Cleveland in 1886 this prosperous group needed to "escape, not only from the cares and perplexities of business, but equally from the conventionalisms".

The period furnishings and unique architecture ranging from Shingle-Style to Queen Anne to Italian Villas and Tabby, made it easy to fantasize of the glorious escapades that must have taken place here. The sprawling old Live Oaks, so named for their evergreen property, draped with Spanish Moss that adorned the island added to the romantic ambiance of this historic Club. Once only accessible to the very wealthy, this 240 acres on which it was situated now offered commoners like me the rest and relaxation that I found was becoming increasingly important.

Jekyll, on-going in it's pursuit of historic restoration, is unique in it's abundant wildlife and lavish accommodations, offering the hospitality one would expect from a Bed and Breakfast experience. It was as if I had stepped back into the antebellum south, with all the southern charm of Tara. Upon leaving your suite, it becomes quickly apparent that the protected wildlife is uninhibited on these barrier islands. When I arrived the evening before, a raccoon was dining, and deer had been contentedly grazing outside my window, oblivious to the quiet conversations of courtin' couples walking by in the warm, sultry, Georgia night.

This would truly be a fantasy come true as I envisioned myself as "Charlotte of the Jungle" by day, and my "Rhett" and I sipping Mint Julips by the Georgia coast, watching the sunset over the marina by night. We would don the khakis for canoe and pontoon explorations of this coast's six natural and distinct ecosystems with trained Biologists, then I'd slip into silk to be pampered in the elegant Grand Dining Room that evening. Everything is within easy walking distance, whether you choose the hotel or one of the mansion-type cottages.

The Club is located in the middle of the Jekyll historic area and it's a simple matter to hop the tram for a tour after a morning of dolphin watching at sea with Master Captain John McCleskey and Master First Mate Troup Nightingale. One of my first, wildest of wildlife adventures, would be seeking alligators and the mysterious white pelican by kayak with Coastal Adventures. This group specializes in educational programs and exploring beach and marshes, imparting new knowledge and respect for this unique, yet delicately balanced ecosystem.

Just as the memory of a morning commute into the city was beginning to fade, it was unfortunately revived by a passing car, but quickly put into perspective as I viewed a film about their protected sea turtles at the museum, a short walk from the Club. There, I learned that thus far this year, there had been 57 Loggerhead Sea Turtles that had come ashore, dragging their heavy, cumbersome bodies up through the sand to deposit 100 or more eggs on the ominous, thundering beach in the middle of the night.

This process was being monitored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and was reported to be a record year for the turtle, offering me a good chance of experiencing such a momentous occasion on my turtle walk, which was scheduled for 10:00 pm the next evening. Since the ping - pong ball size eggs hatch every sixty five days, I had a good chance of seeing the hatchlings scurry into the water from their natural, sandy incubators.

Suddenly, I was brought back to harsh reality and cyberspace from my fantasy of wildlife and whimsy, as my computer quickly flashed an impending shutdown. Ironically, it had prolonged my blissful adventure and with no alternative, I happily slipped onto the adjoining sun porch, sheltered by huge magnolias, to enjoy the view of the water and sip my tea.

As for the emails? Frankly Rhett, I don't give a darn.

Penelope Penn will make a donation from proceeds of future articles to the "Adopt a Loggerhead" program for a "Charlotte and a Rhett Turtle" at Coastal Encounters Nature Center on Jekyll Island. Recently, due to a sudden, unexpected transfer of "Mr. Rhett" to another state, she was forced to resign positions including Editor of a parenting magazine and "women in sports" writer for Sports Journal. Presently she plans to pursue freelancing, travel writing, and "turtle walking" whenever possible - as should we all. She can be reached by email at "redhenwriting@juno.com"