Activities In The Georgia Colony

The Georgia colony of the 1700s was largely based around the coastal plain of the Atlantic Ocean. On the north the border was the Savannah River, while the southern boundary consisted of the Alatamaha River, which is located near present-day Brunswick. Also included in the original colony were most of the Georgia islands, which stretched from St. Simons to Tybee. Today, the old Georgia colony provides outdoor enthusiasts with a host of activities along the scenic coastline and tidewater areas.

History

In 1733 Georgia was first established as an English penal colony run by a man named Colonel James Edward Oglethorpe. The original intention of the 18th-century settlement was to create the land south of the Savannah River, as a reprieve for English prisoners, who were imprisoned for financial losses---a controversial but legal practice in the early 1700s. By 1778, Georgia had ratified the Declaration of Independence and became part of the original United States.

Visit Skidaway State Park

Skidaway is a Georgia State Park located very close to the historic district of Savannah, Georgia. It is a good escape from the city that offers campsites and many short, level hiking trails that wind through old groves of moss-covered live oaks. Bird watching is also a productive activity here as the nearby salt marsh provides habitat for many types of herons, egrets, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Unfortunately, the park pool is closed to swimming.

Golf

Georgia's warm climate provides golfers a year-round chance to improve their game. Golf courses in the state range from the world-famous Augusta National on down to less challenging greens that can be enjoyed by the less skilled. In the Brunswick-St. Simons-Jeckyl Island area, golfers will find numerous places to practice their game and enjoy the warm climate of Georgia's tidewater area. Visitors to the area might want to try the Jeckyl Island Golf Club, which is the largest public course in the state. Here, you will find three 18-hole courses, plus a specially inviting 9-hole Dunes Course.

Biking in Savannah

Since Savannah contains the largest historic district in the country, you might want to explore the area on bicycle. The best way to this is by following the bike route laid out by Chatham County, which runs through the historic downtown. This route will give the cyclist plenty of opportunities to explore the city center that was designed and constructed by Colonel Oglethorpe in 1733. There will be many places along the way, where you can stop and visit a park, architectural site or restaurant.

Marsh Kayaking

The Coast Guard Station on St. Simon's Island south of Brunswick is now home to the Coastal Encounters Nature Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the natural history and preservation of the coastal area. One of the many programs offered by the nature center includes guided kayak tours of the nearby marshes. More adventurous kayakers can sign up with a tour that might take you to one of the nearby barrier islands such as Blackbeard, Sapelo or Cumberland. Or you can join a float trip up the Alatamaha River, the original southern boundary of the colony. Some of the more prevalent outfitters include Southeast Outfitters and Barry's Beach Service.