Trails of Hats'n Hospitalitea

Jekyll Island is amazing come, I’ll tell you about it;

Orb’s of Jekyll Island

Every January and February, Jekyll Island transforms into the ultimate game of hide and seek. Originally started in 2002, this annual treasure hunt allows visitors to discover parts of the Island.

During this two month event, Jekyll Island staff hides our treasure-artesian glass orbs throughout the Island. If you stumble upon one it’s yours for keeps. New batches of these glass orbs are hidden daily throughout the historic district, golf courses, sandy beaches and wharfs.

These glass orbs mimic glass floats once used on the nets of fishermen in the early 1900′s. The floats would soetimes break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep.

Collecting these glass floats became a hobby in the 1950′s when commercial fishing industry began using plastic and styrofoam floats, making glass floats very rare and highly sought after and valuable Island Treasures.

Driftwood Beach
Not sure this is all wood that was adrift, however the shoreline has depleted and eroded leaving this graveyard effect of nothing but barren trees all up and down the beach. Breathtaking with a feeling of land after time as you walk the beach winding your way over and under massive oak trees that have laid still for 400 years.

 Driftwood Graveyard

Orb beach, I think I see an orange one in the photo, yup I do

I think I may visit again just to see this tree and paint a picture of it

This is coming onto the beach we hadn’t seen the graveyard yet

 I guess by now you can tell I like trees

My favourite of all pictures

 Imagine the size of this tree under me

Then it gets better, after we had lunch with a perfect breeze I notice a sand path almost hidden by the trees

Winding down the path was an open area and a large swing rope just waiting for me 

The path keeps going

Winding and leading us deeper

All while we are still searching the island for orbs 

orbs that could be hiding anyplace 

Then we head on down the road and discover yet more interesting spots

This ruin was built in 1742 by Major William Horton, named the Horton House made of  Tabby construction
   This is one of only two 1700 homes still standing in Georgia.  William Horton left from Europe had paid well for an exchange of land on Jekyll Island. He left his wife and 2 children behind for 5 years until he went for them. He came by boat with 20 slaves and had 10 years in which to improve the land until it prospered crops. During this time he not only had plenty crops but looked after the people and fed  St. Simons Island.

Tabby construction is built of sand, water, oyster shells, and lime

Truly an amazing little island and a must see if you are heading South

There is so much more, a turtle museum, shops, golf, and oh I almost forgot about the red bugs, fun little things. This concludes our tour of Jekyll Island however we are already talking about making another stop over on our way back to Jennifer’s it has a camp ground and is about our half way mark.

We are heading towards Jacksonville and exploring before heading onto Orlando.

“Enjoy your days they are limited”  

cindy, xoxo

We missed the Chili Cook off on Jekyll Island just by a skip and a jump, but I was able to get the recipe of an award winning Smokehouse Chili.
5 lbs ground beef
1 lb pork sausage
small chuck roast in 1/4 inch cubes optional
2 tbsp oil
1 cup diced onions
4 to 5 cans of chicken broth
2 cans beef broth
2 tins green chilies
3 cans Bush’ Chili Beans
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
6 tbsp chili powder
6 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp pepper
1 1/2 tbs garlic powder
brown sugar

1. Add oil and brown all the meats. Drain, do not rinse and set meat aside.
2. In a large pot, bring to boil 3 cans of chicken broth, then add onion, chilies, diced tomatoes, 1.2 can tomato sauce, 3 tbsp chili powder, garlic powder, 3 tbsp cumin, pepper and 2 tbsp brown sugar.
3. Cook until onions are clear then add the meat to the pot.
4. Add 3 tbsp chili powder and 3 tbsp cumin, beans and the other half of the tomato sauce.
5. Add additional broths to achieve consistency.
6. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes
7. Uncover and cook on low until you have achieved the thickness you prefer.
8. Add brown sugar and cumin to taste.

So for my Canadian friends who make homemade chili and have never bought a can of Bush’s Chili Beans, substitute rinsed canned red kidney beans.