Jacksonville, Fla.
Adventure Central
By Claire Northcutt
Cumberland Island is one of the most magical places on earth.
From the unbelievable trees to the pristine beaches, there are so many wonders to explore. I was fortunate enough to get to spend three months on the island working to restore trails for visitors with the Georgia Conservancy, the National Park Service and volunteer groups. It was truly an experience of a lifetime.
Each day brought new adventures and experiences. One day in particular, I took a quick morning run to the beach and watched the sun rise (which is always breathtaking) and then went out and hit the trails with the trail crew. That day, we took a lunch break on Grand Avenue, found tons of shark teeth and I got to hang out with the best park-trail maintenance group around.
After a busy day, I went down to Dungeness Dock, watched a group of manatees, and took a night walk under the stars. The best part is that every day was like that. Never a dull moment, and so much nature to enjoy! I’ve missed waking up on the island and taking in the beauty all around, but I’m looking forward to going back soon.
- Claire Northcutt is a former Cumberland Island intern for the Georgia Conservancy.
More Folklore
A Funeral for Blues Boy
Elizabeth Sims got a call a few weeks ago that she didn’t expect: Could you come to Indianola, Miss., to help with B.B. King’s funeral? Sims is a marketing and media-relations pro in Asheville — and a lifelong B.B. King fan. Her personal account of the final laying to rest of Riley “Blues Boy” King is a great addition to our Folklore Project.
Read On
Still in Peaceful Dreams I See
Julianne Hill is a born-and-bred Clevelander who now lives in Chicago. But in 1985, she married into a Georgia family. Her essay is a deep and beautiful account of how the pines and rivers of Georgia helped her put things back in place as the family's heart was broken — and then broken again.
Read On
My Daughter, Shot Girl
Good parents try to be understanding and accepting of their children’s choices. That’s exactly what Scott Gould did when his daughter decided to take a job as a “shot girl” at a sports bar — a job that involves dressing “sexy not slutty” and selling alcoholic gutbombs with names like the Leg Spreader, the Dry Hump and the One-Night Stand. This is a hilarious story about navigating the obstacles of parenting while getting bad advice from a next-door neighbor with a pet raccoon named Buckshot.