..............MERRY CHRISTMAS from me, and of course Duncan and Brie.  This was taken in the Historic District of Brunswick, a short drive from St. Simons Island.  I absolutely fell in love with Brunswick.  It was my kind of town.  But I'll save those photos and info for another post.  We also went to Jekyll Island yesterday and I found that quite interesting as well, which I'll share with you today.

You drive across a six-mile causeway bordered on both sides with salt marshes.  Arriving at the greeting station, a three dollar cost is collected  which supports conservation and the natural resources of the island.  Overnight parking in public places is not allowed and speed limit is 35 mph.

65% of the island has been owned by the State of Georgia since 1947 and will remain undeveloped. 

In 1886 some of America's wealthiest and most influential individuals created the Jekyll Island Club.  JP Morgan, the Rockefellas, and the family of Crane Stationery were some of the ones that built mansion-sized "cottages" and a grand clubhouse for their families.  Sounds like a who's who of the rich and famous back in the day.  And for 54 years club members enjoyed the mild winters and lush beauty of Jekyll Island complete with golf courses and tennis courts. 

It's a truly gorgeous area and I was captivated with those stately and gorgeous "cottages."  There are 157 guest rooms and suites available for visitors to now stay at.  Here's San Souci and a plaque in front gives some information...........

And here's the Jekyll Island Club, which is now a hotel..........

I suppose if you were fortunate enough to be born into one of these illustrious families it must have been a grand time spending your winter in such an upscale environment.  Even today the air has a certain posh quality to it as guests play croquet on the front lawn.

This is the duBignon cottage.  The ancestor and patriarch,  Le Seur Christophe Poulain duBignon and his bridge, Margaret, sought a land of liberty and fled the French Revolution.  He was a seafaring captain and acquired full title to Jekyll Island in 1800.  Many generations later, the duBignons moved to the mainland.

A horse-drawn carriage ride will take you around the island on a tour...........

And this is the lovely chapel on the island..............

And adding to the festivity of Christmas, a Scottish bagpiper strolled the grounds beginning at 4 p.m. playing Christmas caroles on his bagpipes.  I thought Duncan would be quite impressed to meet one of his ancestors, but I was wrong.  When the bagpiper walked past, Duncan took one look at that outfit and wouldn't stop barking.  Ah well, guess he wasn't interested in his heritage.............

The bagpiper made his way to the stunning Crane cottage............

The garden area at Cranes Cottage was filled with beauty and elegance and as you can probably tell, the day was superb with lots of sunshine and temps in the high 60's..............

Scattered throughout the Historic District were various shops for browsing and gift buying.  It was a pleasant place to stroll around with the dogs and I can see why the rich flocked here during the winter months. 

I'll end today by sending warm Christmas wishes to you.  May your day be filled with all that you wish it to be.  See you here tomorrow with more from the St. Simons area..................