Our last morning in Florida began with a beautiful sunrise. We left Fernandina Beach at 9:15 and stopped at Florida Petroleum for fuel. They deal with mainly commercial fishing boats, but will sell to individuals. That was our first pleasant surprise of the day.
With taxes included the final price was $1.91 per gallon. Much better than the $4.60 per gallon we paid on the first day of our trip.
We crossed over the Georgia state line when we entered the St. Mary’s River. Current was strong, but we were traveling with it and made good time to Cumberland Island. We were anxious to explore Cumberland Island, we had heard so much about. 85% of the island is owned by the federal government. There is one hotel, the Greyfield Inn, and a few private cottages passed down through several generations.
We rode the dinghy ashore to the Visitor Center and began exploring the beautiful island.
We walked through heavily covered trails
across the island all the way to the expansive beach.
It was a real treat to come across the wild horses. We walked by them while they were grazing and they were completely undisturbed.
Revolutionary War Hero General Nathanial Greene purchased land on Cumberland Island in 1783. Following his death, his widow constructed a four-story tabby home that she named Dungeness. Thomas Carnegie and his wife Lucy began building another Dungeness on the original foundation in 1884. The Carnegie’s Dungeness burned in 1959 and today only the ruins remain on the site. Dungeness was a 59 room Scottish castle.
They also built pools, a golf course, and 40 smaller buildings to house the 200 servants that worked at the mansion.
What remains of the servant’s quarters
and the carriage house.
The small, private chapel on the island was the site of the September 1996 wedding of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. It only seats 40 people.
It was a beautiful day on Cumberland Island and we are so glad we made the stop here.
The Great Loop 
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