GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA

As I stepped out of my beachside cottage, draped moss from century old oak trees surrounds me. Brushing this organic curtain aside, I found myself engulfed in a light breeze and beaming Southern sun. My eyes drank in the textures and hues of the tranquil sandy beaches, opulent trees, riotous gardens and the vast marsh grasses. The Golden Isles of Georgia glowed with life.

It was hard for me to imagine that it had only been a few hours since I had taken a flight from New York to Brunswick, Georgia. Strolling through the aged moss, I was transported to a positively charming region. I rode horses on the beach each morning, feeling impossibly serene and free. I soaked in the peacefulness of the Cloister’s solarium each afternoon, sipping sweet iced tea. Overlooking a luscious garden, I read in a room with bright birds as my only companions.

During the flourish of the early 1920s, vacationing urbanites journeyed to the Golden Isles, seeking solace in its charm and beauty. Vintage photos fill several local establishments, portraying elegant and refined characters savoring all the treasures of St. Simons Island, Seas Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island and historic Brunswick. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby come to life on Georgia’s Coast.

On my final day, I explored the region by bike. Leisurely pedaling along the river, I understood why people return year after year- intoxicating, semi-private, and lush, a beauteous and poetic nature defines the Golden Isles. Wistfully, I daydream of lace flapper gowns, jazz and champagne-filled evenings, stumbling upon a local favorite. The scent of nostalgia and romance drew me into Café Frederica, where I indulged in warm cinnamon rolls, flakey biscuits and traditional grits.

With my senses sated, my head clear and a sun-kissed face, I was ready to return to New York. And I know this won’t be the last time I would roam the Golden Isles.

~Tracy Goodwin

2013