About me

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My husband Mike and I love to travel and have been throughout the 50 US states, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are still on our destination list, but we've visited all the other continents save Antarctica, which is a tad too cold for our tastes.

We've both worked in the software industry, in telecommunications and banking, and Mike enjoys writing fiction. Mike speaks Spanish fairly fluently, which helps on our travels, and he can speak a bit of Mandarin, Russian, French, and German. Right now is is learning Dutch.
IconMember since: January 2018
IconSpeaks: English, Spanish, Chinese , Russian, French, German, Dutch
IconLives: Atlanta, GA, United States

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What is Jekyll Island

There is a saying that once your feet touch Jekyll's sand you will always return. If you have never been to our golden island this is your guide to learn a bit about us. It is a place of history and a place for set aside for Georgia residents and Georgia visitors to enjoy.Our other guides describe

Nature abounds on Jekyll

The entire island is a Georgia State Park. Jekyll Sandpiper Vacation Renters will be surrounded by nature, with opportunities to see birds, dolphins and alligators. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will give you a chance to be up close with the turtles. And Tidelands Nature Center gives visitors a view

Historic Sites of Jekyll Island

Beaches, abundant nature and outdoor recreation are among Jekyll Island's Attractions. But Jekyll Sandpiper Vacation Renters will find the island also offers our visitors a rich history and a view of our nation's past. Visit a tabby house ruin from the 1740s. Or spend an afternoon touring

Posts (105)

Where to Eat Jekyll Island?

Where to Eat Jekyll Island?

What restaurants to you recommend we visit on our stay at Jekyll Sandpiper? One of the questions most frequently asked by upcoming visitors to our home. We've written a Jekyll Restaurant guide and several reviews of specific establishments. But these are our favorites. Of course we know you might disagree. Share your favorite Jekyll Island dish and the restaurant you frequent to purchase it. I promise to try it on our next visit to the island!

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Conventions and Weddings at Jekyll's Beach-side Convention Center

Conventions and Weddings at Jekyll's Beach-side Convention Center

The only beach-side convention center south of New Jersey on the east coast of the US. Jekyll's convention center opened in 2012 with a modern coastal feel. Big glass windows and high ceilings sitting right next to the shore. Great place to host your wedding. I'd certainly be up for scoring a convention at the beach! Hotel space is sometimes an issue during the bigger gatherings. We've hosted several groups of convention attendees and wedding parties that realize a home is such a great alternative to a hotel.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

·1 min read

Luxury Group Vacation Rentals at the Beach

Luxury Group Vacation Rentals at the Beach

Is work life taking too much of your days and weeks and months? Are you longing to visit friends that have moved to another town? Maybe your travel itch just needs to be satisfied with a long weekend getaway! How about meeting up at the beach on the east coast of Georgia. Gather up a few friends and head to Jekyll Sandpiper. Read our full article for information about Jekyll's best restaurants, beaches and activities.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Jekyll's Giant Swimming Pool - Summer Waves

Jekyll's Giant Swimming Pool - Summer Waves

Enjoy a fun filled day of water slides, floating in the lazy river or swimming in the Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool at this Jekyll Island amusement park. Adults who just want to relax might enjoy renting a cabana. And there is a whole area just for the little ones in your party as well. Read our full article for Summer Waves 2018 hours and coupons.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Car Carries, Shrimp Boats and More that Ply Jekyll's Waters

Car Carries, Shrimp Boats and More that Ply Jekyll's Waters

As you walk the beaches of Jekyll Island you will see many ocean going ships and boats in our waters. Jekyll Sandpiper visitors may wonder what they are carrying. The biggest are car carriers coming into and out of the Port of Brunswick. The shrimp boats also make beautiful sights, as the birds and dolphins are often close behind.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Alligators, Rattlesnakes and Bobcats - Top Predators

Alligators, Rattlesnakes and Bobcats - Top Predators

Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) employs people to monitor the island's ecosystems. Our naturalists tell us the top predators are important for keeping the balance. Jekyll Sandpiper visitors may never see these animals as they tend to remain hidden. Although you can often catch a glimpse of an alligator at the Horton Pond viewing platform.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Alligator Viewing Stand at Horton Pond - Tupelo Trailhead

Alligator Viewing Stand at Horton Pond - Tupelo Trailhead

This is a hidden place on Jekyll Island, GA. No signage points in this direction. Jekyll Sandpiper visitors should head north on Beachview Dr you will see the entrance to Villas by the Sea on your right and an unmarked street on the left. Turn left. A short distance down the path is a small parking area. The Horton Pond viewing platform is just steps away. If you are looking for a walk through a maritime forest then try the Tupelo Trail.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

·1 min read

Horseback Rides on Jekyll's Northern Beach

Horseback Rides on Jekyll's Northern Beach

Jekyll Sandpiper renters are sure to enjoy a ride atop these friendly horses. A sunset tour departs from the Three Oaks Farm horse corral almost every day. Carriage rides through the historic district and beach horseback rides should be booked in advance.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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How to Travel to Jekyll Island Georgia USA

How to Travel to Jekyll Island Georgia USA

Find Jekyll Island by driving north or south on I-95, the exit is 29 miles north of the Florida boarder. The closest airport to Jekyll is the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, with daily flights into Atlanta - Hartfield Jackson Airport. Jekyll Sandpiper renters might also want to check on flights to Jacksonville International Airport, which is only a bit farther from Jekyll and connects to more cities.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

·0 min read

Jekyll's Many Eras - European Settlement, Plantation Era, Millionaire Retreat, State Park

Jekyll's Many Eras - European Settlement, Plantation Era, Millionaire Retreat, State Park

These folks share some of the same reasons for visiting Jekyll Island. A playground filed with activities and sites for all to enjoy. One of Jekyll's nicknames is the Nearest Faraway Place, as Jekyll Sandpiper visitors cross onto the island they leave the rest of the world behind. Entering into a place for both relaxation and fun filled activities. Learn a bit about Jekyll's history, then visit us to make history your family and friends are sure to cherish.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Mini Golf and Playground - Across from Jekyll Beaches

Mini Golf and Playground - Across from Jekyll Beaches

Jekyll's Miniature Golf complex offers two 18-hole options, with one course being a bit more difficult than the other. Both courses are decorated with island themes, such as Faith Chapel, a Georgia Bulldog, a Florida Gator and a St. Simon's Lighthouse. Jekyll Sandpiper guests will pass the complex as the drive to our cottage. Behind the golf is a public playground, with swings, a slide and mini-rock wall.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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The Willet - Sandpiper that visits our Beach

The Willet - Sandpiper that visits our Beach

Jekyll Sandpiper visitors will find artwork in our home that depicts our namesake; paintings and sculptures. A short walk to our beach, we like to call it Sandpiper Beach, will likely present our visitors with these live examples of birds from the Sandpiper family. The Willet feeds along the shore line often in groups, but sometimes singlely. This sandpiper has a brown appearance while feeding, but when it takes to the air its wings are stripped and it makes a cute pep pep pep sound.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Hollybourne - The Bridge Builders Cottage

Hollybourne - The Bridge Builders Cottage

This unique cottage is one of the first built during the Jekyll Club Era and like Horton House, from and age before, it is built of tabby. The Maurice family were attached to Jekyll. There at the beginning and fighting to the bitter end to maintain control of their home. Jekyll Sandpiper renters who get the chance to tour this home will learn how a bridge builder influenced the architecture of his home.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

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Tsunami - Sea Turtle Rehabbing on Jekyll Island

Tsunami - Sea Turtle Rehabbing on Jekyll Island

Meet Tsunami, a loggerhead sea turtle that is recuperating at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. Our Jekyll Sandpiper visitors have only a short drive to visit the center, which is a working sea turtle hospital as well as a museum. Once Tsunami is well she can participant in a Jekyll Sea Turtle Release and perhaps you could be there to wave her farewell.

Mike And Lara
Mike And Lara

·0 min read