Posted on RedOrbit.com: Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 18:00 CDT

By DAVID BAUERLEIN

Coping with higher gas prices used to mean finding other places to shave expenses on vacations — preparing some meals in a hotel kitchenette, for instance, instead of eating out.

But with gas fast approaching $4 a gallon nationwide, tourism officials increasingly see travelers adjust by choosing destinations closer to home.

“We understand that people may be cutting back on their vacations because of gas prices, so we’re really going to be focusing on local residents,” said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman.

Visit Jacksonville has been running a “Residents Can be a Tourist in Their Own Backyards” publicity campaign that features discounts from local businesses through June 10.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort on the Northside has been using the same backyard catchphrase in its local advertising. High fuel prices “have really put a strain on our industry,” said Michael Fisher, marketing director for the resort. Still, he said people aren’t going to give up on their vacations.

“They’re still going to use their RVs but they’re not going to go as far,” he said.

Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Johns County will give gas cards to Florida and Georgia residents who visit at least two nights in July.

The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council decided to tap its reserves to spend an additional $100,000 on marketing in the Jacksonville area. Gil Langley, managing director for the council, said Jacksonville, Atlanta and Orlando have always been the biggest markets for visits to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.

Even with high gas prices, he said he’s optimistic people are going to take their family vacations, he said.

“There are certain things in life that you hang onto no matter what, and I think people will always hang onto that,” he said.david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4581TIPS FOR A GREAT LOCAL GETAWAYVacationing close to home might not seem like a break from everyday life. Here are some ways to boost the vacation experience:DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT. “We have people from all over the world come to the First Coast for vacations,” said Gil Langley of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. For instance, AAA gives its highest five-diamond rating for lodging to nine properties in Florida. Two are in Northeast Florida — The Ritz- Carlton, Amelia Island and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.PLAN YOUR TRIP THE WAY AN OUTSIDER WOULD. Part of a vacation is the anticipation that comes from scouring guidebooks and putting together a daily itinerary. One advantage of vacationing close to home is you can do some advance scouting. For instance, you can see whether the bed-and-breakfast or beachfront rental home is really as nice as it sounds in the promotional material.REWARD YOURSELF FOR SAVING TRANSPORTATION MONEY. Eliminating tanks of gas and plane tickets will help your everyday household budget. But take at least some of the savings and upgrade your vacation memories by treating yourself to accommodations, meals, or vacation activities whose cost would usually make you think twice.UNPLUG YOURSELF FROM WORK. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com found 25 percent of workers expected to stay in contact with the office even while on vacation. Breaking fee of the e-leash is a good goal no matter where you’re going. But if you’re close to home, those workplace obligations will make it harder to feel like you’ve gotten a clean break from the usual routine.STAYING NEARBY10.5%The increase in the percentage of Floridians who vacationed in-state during the first three months of 2008 as compared to the same period last year, according to Visit Florida. That increase represented 1.2 million in-state trips.FOUR GREAT BACKYARD VACATIONSTo explore these tourist destinations along the ocean coast from Jekyll Island, Ga. to St. Augustine, you won’t need a full tank of gas.

JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.

This barrier island’s tourism roots go back more than 100 years, when wealthy Northeastern industrialists made it their playground. The island has 10 miles of ocean beaches, extensive bike trails, and a historic town center.

In the tank: 150-mile round-trip from Jacksonville. Gas would cost $28.50 at 20 miles per gallon.

Deep pockets: AAA gives three-diamond ratings to Jekyll Island Club Hotel ($189-$453).

More affordable: Quality Inn and Suites ($129-$179) and Days Inn and Suites ($120-$220 for “June Sizzling Rates”) both get two- diamond ratings.

Dining: Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating system cites five restaurants, led by the Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three stars. Others are Blackbeard’s and The Surf Steakhouse (each with two stars), and Zachry’s Seafood and Latitude 31 (each with one star.)

Eco-tourism: Jekyll Island Campground ($20-$31) has 206 spaces.

Activities: Summer Waves ($16-$20), Georgia Sea Turtle Center ($4- $6), 63 holes of golf (some hotels include 18 holes in their room packages).

Learn more: www.jekyllisland.com or (912) 635-3636

Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, jekyll island beach, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Bird Watching, Camping, Diversions, History comes Alive, Just for Kids, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, On the Water, Press Releases, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

Remember the Turner South network? Well they had this series called, “3-Day Weekend,” and they did one about Jekyll Island! Check it out!

Tags: , 3-Day Weekend on Jekyll Island, georgia coast, jekyll island georgia, jekyll island vacation
Posted in Beach Bummin', Bird Watching, Camping, Churches, Diversions, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, Just for Kicks, Just for Kids, Kayaking & Canoeing, Nature Connection, On the Water, Serve it Up, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

Would you rather surf the ocean or the World Wide Web? Watch a movie or a campfire? Which do you think your children would choose? A Nature Conservancy-funded study showed that many of us would likely choose the movie or the Web. We’re more removed from nature than we have ever been in history. As a nation, we’re becoming more “indoorsy”, and that’s not a good thing.
The study reports that visits to U.S. national parks have been declining since 1987, after having risen for the previous 50 years. Researchers said that video games, home movie rentals, going out to movies, Internet use, and rising fuel prices explained almost 98 percent of the decline. The drop in attendance comes as our use of electronic media has risen - something that researchers call “evidence of a fundamental shift away from people’s appreciation of nature.”
“When children choose TVs over trees, they lose touch with the physical world outside and the fundamental connection of those places to our daily lives,” said Steve McCormick, President and CEO of The nature Conservancy.
Jekyll Island is an ideal place for you and your family to reconnect with nature. It has been and always will be a place of natural beauty and conservation because 65% of the island will always be in its natural state. Everything you need to reawaken your inner Thoreau is here-nestled safely and conveniently on Jekyll Island.
“We demonstrate our values in the way we allocate our time,” said Patricia Zaradic, an ecologist with the Stroud Water Research Center who worked on the study. “Research indicates that children who experience nature with a mentor develop an appreciation of nature as adults.”
Children who are led by their parents to experience nature firsthand also learn habits that support a healthy lifestyle. Spending time engaged in the natural world is far preferable to spending time parked in front of a television screen.
So leave your laptops for another day. You need not give up your video games for good. But you can unplug from this 21st century world, and give your attention to the beautiful, great outdoors and the diverse creatures living within it. Jekyll Island promises something special for every member of your family, regardless of age or interests. How many video games can say that?
Come and see what’s outside on Jekyll Island!
With 10 miles of unspoiled beaches, beach lovers have plenty of space to sunbathe, swim, walk or search for shells. You’re sure to see many live creatures as well, including hermit crabs and sand dollars. Preserve the Island’s shoreline environment by leaving these interesting beach dwellers just as you find them and take only a few of your favorite shells.
As a barrier island, Jekyll Island’s beaches are unique and ever-changing.

For your convenience, public showers and restrooms are located at several sites and picnic areas.
Here is a bird lover’s paradise. A vast variety of birds make the island home. In addition to those, the island serves as a resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species on the Atlantic Flyway. The island has been designated an “Important Birding Area (IBA)” by the Georgia Audubon Societies. It is one of 18 sites along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail and boasts several significant birding sites: near the Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island Causeway; at Clam Creek on the northern side of the island; and at the “Glory” beach near the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex. New birding platforms are scheduled for construction at Driftwood Beach and the St. Andrews picnic area.
With 206 campsites available on 18 wooded acres, Jekyll Island has something for everybody– from tent sites to full hook-up to pull-through RV sites. The campground offers a long list of amenities, including restrooms, showers, pay phones, laundry and a full-service store with food, ice, bait, propane, supplies and bike rentals. Daily rates are available year round. For guests wishing to stay a bit longer, the campground offers a week-long special: stay six days and the seventh is free. Monthly stay rates are available November through March. Other times, a 14-day camping limit may apply.
The Georgia 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers hands-on exhibits for the kids as well as guided nature walks and kayak or canoe tours. Guided activities include nature walks, Historic District Landscape Tours, and Turtle Walks (from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center), offered from May through August).
On a guided nature walk, you will spend a couple of hours to walking the beach, maritime forest or marsh with an experienced naturalist.
Explore the area by kayak or canoe on a three-hour guided tour of the local salt marshes and estuarial waters. Learn about wading birds, fiddler crabs, marsh grass and dolphins. There’s no better way to observe birds, fish and other coastal creatures in their native habitat.
Both canoe rentals and kayak tours are available March through October. Sea Kayaks, a more maneuverable and stable relative of the traditional kayak, also are available for saltwater excursions. Rentals, instruction and guided tours are available by calling (912) 635-5032.
Jekyll Island is perfectly suited for travel by bicycle. With more than 20 miles of paved trails, you can explore a broad range of scenery, from beaches to forests to Jekyll Island’s own Historic Landmark District and campgrounds. Free trail maps are available at the Jekyll Island Welcome Center.
Jekyll Wharf and Jekyll Harbor Marina are two points of access to the many water activities along coastal Georgia. Spend a day sightseeing, dolphin spotting or on a sailing tour.
For the fishermen, the island’s knowledgeable fishing captains know all of the best spots to catch a variety of fish, including Tarpon, Whiting, Red Drum, Sea Trout, Triple Tail, Spotted Sea Trout, Striped Mullet, Sheepshead, and Black Drum, just to name a few. Loggerhead sea turtles have found safe haven on Jekyll Island. Their nests, tucked among the dunes of Jekyll Island’s beaches, have made the island a major site for conservation and education. Sea turtle nests are marked and monitored by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. From May through August, female loggerhead turtles swim ashore, dig their nests and lay their eggs.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a $3 million center, includes a learning center, rehabilitation center and veterinary clinic, is the first of its kind in Georgia. The Center officially opened June 16, 2007. For more information about the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and related programs, visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
Jekyll Island has been a golf destination since 1898, when Jekyll Island Club members added the first course on the island near the present-day airport. Today, Jekyll Island boasts 63 holes of golf on three 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course, earning Jekyll Island the bragging rights as Georgia’s largest public golf resort. During course design of Pine Lakes Course, Clyde Johnston incorporated “Family Friendly” tee boxes, making this the only course in America that allows players of all ages to compete evenly.
Boasting 13 clay courts (seven of which are lighted), the Jekyll Island Tennis Center earned a spot among Tennis Magazine’s “25 Best Municipal Tennis Facilities” in the country. The Jekyll Island Tennis Center hosts six USTA-Sanctioned tournaments annually, as well as junior camps throughout the summer. Ongoing adult programs include clinics and round-robin tournaments, which are offered between October and March. The Center’s staff can arrange pick-up games for single players, as well as offer private and group lessons. Also available are rental racquets and ball machines, as well as equipment repair. Weekly, monthly and annual single-person and family memberships can be purchased as well.
For a totally different perspective, saddle up and experience Jekyll Island on horseback. Guided tours originate from the Clam Creek picnic area on the island’s north end, make their way though maritime forests and along the salt marshes, then return along beautiful Driftwood Beach. Reservations are required and can be made Monday through Saturday (weather permitting) at Victoria’s Carriages and Trail Rides at the Island History Center on Stable Road.
There are plenty of ways to unplug and unwind on Jekyll Island. If you need some ideas, just check out www.jekyllisland.com or our Welcome Center on the Jekyll Island causeway!

Tags: beach vacation, biking, georgia coast, golf vacation, golfing, jekyll island, nature conservancy study
Posted in Beach Bummin', Beachscape, Bird Watching, Camping, Diversions, History comes Alive, Horseback Riding, Kayaking & Canoeing, March 2008, Nature Connection, On the Water, Serve it Up, Two Wheelin', Wild Georgia Golf | No Comments »

P1011967

Originally uploaded by larissatharris

by Margie Richards

Posted in Nature Connection, Two Wheelin' | No Comments »

Bike Riding on Jekyll Island is one of our favorite things to do! We get exercise, family fun time, and we get to see the historic district, the beach, and some of the most beautiful sites in nature. We rented a “surry” from Jekyll Island Bike Rentals so we could take a video camera with us to try and share how wonderful the ride is with all of you! Forgive the bumpiness. It’s not the trail–it’s the videographer!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4193207826829148229&hl=en

Tags: beach vacation, georgia coast, jekyll island, virtual bike ride
Posted in Just for Kids, Two Wheelin' | No Comments »

Georgia’s JewelAs very good fortune, indeed, would have it, the first cool spell in many months arrived on the same morning that we found ourselves camped out on the Georgia coast in Crooked River State Park. A short drive later and we were ready to launch on one seriously beautiful trails ride around Georgia’s Jekyll Island. The causeway approach to the island, carpeted on both sides with fabulous wildflower stands that seemed endless, let you know that you were nearing something very special and the view from atop the last bridge onto the island revealed the magical crowns of very old timber. (more…)

Tags: bike ride, georgia coast, georgia's jewel, jekyll island
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This is what the travelers on Yahoo think about Jekyll Island… Maybe you should post your own!

Live, Love and Enjoy!!
Last Visit: July 2004
Great for: Beaches, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

Jekyll Island, Georgia is the island for me. This is a great vacation place. The beaches are not crowded. The scenic view is fantastic and your family can enjoy their family time together without worry.

You can enjoy looking for shells in the morning, fishing at the pier and then touring the homes of the rich and famous. At night, the island is so beautiful and you can ride in your car and see deer standing beside the road. The deer are so tamed that you can pull up beside them and they will just look right at you. At night, the marina is an enjoyable place to go watch the ships come in and the oysters at the bar are great.
The kids loved the Water Park and, if you spend the day there, by night all you want to do is lay on the beach and watch the waves because you are so tired. We always enjoy staying at the Jekyll Island Inn because it has the best pool and a bar close by the pool so we can watch the children.

But the best of all is going to Soccer Complex and taking the boardwalk to the beach. It is so nice on that side of the island. Not a lot of crowd and my husband and son can fish while my daughter and I enjoy the sum. We can go shrimping on the side and watch the shrimp boats come by. Also, we love to see the dolphins.
Jekyll Island is the place to relax especially when you only get one vacation a year and it is a place where you can live, love and enjoy the relaxing side of life.

“What A Wonderful World”
Last Visit: March 2005
Great for: Beaches, History/Culture, Nightlife, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

In January of this year (05) my sister and I decided to take a mini vacation. We had no where special to go, so we just pointed the car south. After a few stops and a few disappoints, we landed at Jekyll Island.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagine the beautiful experience we were about to have staying at Jekyll Island. The spacious beach, the promising sunrise, the peaceful sunset are all a soul needs to see what a wonderful world Jekyll Island is! One last note, 6 weeks later…the car was returning to my Jekyll Island sanctuary!

A Geeat Place for a Honeymoon!
Last Visit: September 2005
Great for: Beaches, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

My husband and I went there for our honeymoon because my sister had recommended it to us. She had told us all this great stuff about it and she was defitinately right. The beach was amazing and we pratically had the whole beach to ourselves. We went the week of Labor Day and it was so uncrowded. We rented a 2 bedroom duplex through Parker-Kaufman that ended up being cheaper than a hotel room. We will defitinately be visiting again-only this time our three children will get to experience the beauty of Jekyll Island!

Jekyll Island Family Vacation
Last Visit: July 2005
Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

This was the first year that we as a family went on a family vacation. My husband and I were celebrating our 4 year anniversary, and the kids being teenagers (18 & 16) all loaded up in the truck and headed to Jekyll Island. The whole experience was something wonderful.

The people were so nice! And the weather was sunny and hot, just the way we wanted it! We stayed in a duplex on the beach, and was up before the sun every morning looking for shells, then watching the sunrise. That was so spectactular! Renting bikes for the day and riding around the island looking at the sites, and the beaches that surround Jekyll Island was a wonderful treat. Then in the middle, when its hottest, we would go in and nap where it was cool for a couple hours. Then we were back at the beach. At night fall we would watch the moon rise, absolutely breath taking.The kids and I had never been to the ocean before, we had the best time ever. I happy my husband wanted to share his childhood memories with us while we were there, this is where he spent many summers with his family.Go and enjoy, make some special memories of your own.

One of my favorite vacation destinations
Last Visit: September 2005
Great for: Beaches, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

I have been vacationing in Jekyll Island for many years. It’s a nice, quiet, and relaxing small island.
If you are looking for a touristy beach with lots of shops, resturaunts, and large resorts then this place is not for you. But, if you’re looking for a beach that’s never crowded, smaller hotels, and smaller local resturaunts then this is the place for you!

The scenery is beautiful. You can find your own corner of the beach during the off season and never see another person all day. They have horseback riding, bicycle rentals, dolphin and fishing cruises, nature walks, a great historic district, and much more. I’ve stayed at a few of the different hotels as well as the campground, and was very happy with the places I stayed. They also have house and condo rentals as well. There are also several other islands to visit near by, including St. Simons and Cumberland islands.
Jekyll island is located about 1 1/2 hours south of Savannah, and about 45 min north of Jacksonville.

Beautiful
Last Visit: June 2005
Great for: Beaches, Family Vacations
This is the place to go if you dislike crowds and glitter. It is simple,down to earth and peaceful. You can enjoy your entire visit because it is so laid back. If you are really looking for R&R then this is the place. The surroundings are beautiful. Clean, safe, uncrowded.

IDEAL day trip if you live in GA, FL, SC
Last Visit:
May 2004
This is maybe the best kept secret in Georgia. I found this place while on a business trip, browsing travel brochures in a hotel in Georgia. I went there because I’d never heard of it. It’s a bit of a pain to get there by car, and as you cross the bridge it looks like the standard golf course/dog and pony show that draws suburbanites in the summer. The real treasure here is the historical grounds, where you see the country estates of the Vanderbuilts, Rockafellers, etc. Jekyll Island in the early 20th century was used as a hunting resort for the extremely privilaged, and much of the history has been restored over the years. It’s a great getaway for an afternoon or weekend.

WONDERFUL VACATION
Last Visit: July 2007
Great for: Beaches, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Budget Travel, Family Vacations

MY FAMILY AND I ENJOYED OUR RECENT TRIP TO JEKYLL ISLAND.WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME,WE WILL DEFINATELY VISIT THERE AGAIN.IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO VACATION WITH THE FAMILY.JEKYLL ISLAND IS VERY PEACEFUL,A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN FLORIDA.WHAT I LIKED THE MOST;IT IS FAMILY SAFE&FRIENDLY.NO BAR OR NIGHT CLUB ON EVERY CORNER.IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NICE VACATION THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO.BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE DOLPHIN TOURS.

Beautiful
Last Visit: May 2005
Great for: Beaches, History/Culture, Family Vacations
My husband and I visted Jekyll Island in May of 05 for our Annivary. Great place. Enjoy the carraige rides and walks on the beach.Very peaceful. Will return again this year!!!!

Tags: beautiful, carriage rides, dolphin tours, family friendly, family vacation, feedback, honeymoon, peaceful, secret, vacation, visitors
Posted in Beach Bummin', CU@SummerWaves, Two Wheelin' | No Comments »

Bike Riding on Jekyll Island, March, 2007

Tags: bike path, cycling, kids, riding
Posted in Just for Kids, Two Wheelin' | No Comments »