House, which was featured in the book and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and was the actual home of the real life Jim Williams, the accused murderer in the non-fiction book. After passing Moon River and entering Skidaway Narrows near Pigeon Island, boaters pass under one of the last two drawbridges remaining in Georgia. A new high span bridge is under construction on Diamond Causeway (most likely completed by the time you read this), and within a few months Skidaway Narrows Drawbridge will pass into history. It will be a sad day when the drawbridges are gone. Each seems to have its own personality, and there is something special about hailing the At Possum Point, on the Vernon River, we turned into Burnside River running between Skidaway and Burnside islands. We passed the picturesque riverfront homes of Vernon bridge tender by radio and seeing the mas- View, each with its own private dock, and just to the east of Burnside Island encountered sive roadway rise to allow your sailboat to the confluence with the Moon River. pass underneath. For a brief moment, you know all eyes are on you and time seems to stand still. attractions by car or organized tours. The helpful staff will The next 10 miles of the ICW follows Skidaway River as take overnight guests to nearby bus stops, and a loaner car is the waterway passes between Skidaway Island to the east also available. The marina also provides complimentary bicyand Isle of Hope to the west. Isle of Hope is home to the cles. Visit its website www.iohmarina.com, or call (912) 354Wormsloe Historical Site and many picturesque coastal homes overlooking the waterway. Wormsloe was the colo8187 and ask for Charlie for additional information. nial plantation home of Noble Jones, one of the original setPast Isle of Hope Marina and Burntpot Island is tlers of Georgia along with Gen. James Oglethorpe, the Runaway Negro Creek and Skidaway Institute of colony’s founder. Wormsloe was purchased by the state in Oceanography (SkIO). SkIO is also home for R/V Savannah, 1973, and now most of the original plantation is a state park. a state of the art oceanographic research ship, which proBy car, visitors enter a mile-long drive lined with live oaks vides her crew of scientists a platform for conducting and begin to recognize the lane as the location of another oceanographic studies in estuarine and continental shelf iconic scene from the movie Forrest Gump where Forrest and waters throughout the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Jenny were walking home after school when they encouncoasts. SkIO was founded in 1967 on land donated by phitered bullies. Who cannot remember the line from the lanthropist Robert Roebling who was a prize cattle breeder movie when Jenny yelled, “Run, Forrest, run?” and the great-grandson of John A. Roebling, the designer of Isle of Hope Marina is a First Choice Active Captain the Brooklyn Bridge. facility located conveniently on the ICW near Mile 590 and in John A. Roebling was an engineer who emigrated from the heart of the island’s Historic District. Many boaters Germany in 1832 and became a pioneer of suspension choose to stay at Isle of Hope and visit Savannah’s many bridge technology. He built the Niagara Suspension Bridge,
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October 2013
SO U T H W I N D S
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