The 'tide goes out' on our last day on the barrier islands of Darien, GA- Eagle Island - as we await Andy's arrival for our final half-day adventure and then release onto the mainland.
These Island Estates of Andy Hill's have allowed us a place.....
...to disconnect from the mainland and reconnect to the land, nature, and our souls.
...to disappear for four days into the back islands and marshland and reappear full, present, and reminded.
...to dislodge from the hustle and bustle and allow the rustic elegance of Eagle Lodge to pamper us.
...to de-stress and dissolve into the rhthyms of the island and the natural habitat of long ago to better handle our daily stresses and know there 'is a place' to settle in when our hearts tell us 'it is time.'
It is our last day of respite and retreat.
It is our final walk on the dock to disappear again onto the waterways visiting our last destination point – May Hall Island. May Hall, a 'paradise lost and found.'
Even the
Bald Eagle, whose nest tops the elm tree outside of the lodge like a star on a Christmas tree, comes out to say goodbye to us.
He swoops out over the yard with his mate not far behind him.
He watches, he listens, he knows - the island is returning to the sounds of nature only and the
whispers, oohhs, and aaaahhhs of the visitors will quiet for a while.
Our
last sunrise, our last breakfast, our last view from the lodge porch. Until next time Eagle Island, until next time.
Let's pack it up…move it out…..the day still holds mystery, intrigue, and awe as our
curiosity is peaked on today’s final tour of May Hall.
Andy is sharing another dream with us. A dream that started one way and has turned out completely different.
May Hall and the patience of a man.
(A Little History: Andy purchased May Hall in Jan of 2001. 2000 acres of marsh and six islands. The King of England deeded the property to General McIntosh in 1774. The Kings grant allows ownership of the marsh. The islands are May Hall Island, Little May Hall, Grassiefield Island, Mick Island, Jagger Island, and Five Moon island. The home was originally built in 1970 and after 8 years is still being remodeled. May Hall will be open for rental in 2010, with the other islands available for Five Moon Camping in January. - can you even resist? )
Stumbling upon the hidden and deserted partially built 3 story home on May Hall was like finding a buried treasure.
Once overgrown with hedges, bushes and a muddy-slope the only entry to the island. stands the house on May Hall Island.
What began as a get-away house for a group of individuals turned into a financial mistake and therefore deserted in the middle of construction.
It stood with only walls intact. The windows were broken, the skylights unfinished allowing rain to soak the interior. The island seemed impenetrable, until………….. the perseverant Andy Hill, with painstaking care and genuine love for the island, developed an ongoing relationship with the owner of the property.
Years went by as Andy waited for the owner to sell, checking and stopping by on a regular basis showing his desire to be caretaker of the island. The time finally came………….the offer was on the table……….the sale finalized………….work began.
Andy's vision is flourishing and we can see the final product taking shape.
Since the island was one of 5 working sawmills ‘in the day’ – sawpits are still on the island and Andy works ‘with’ the history rather than removing it.
Andy, the
‘King of Reclaiming’ was just a call away when homes were being torn down and hotels were selling goods and furniture – all part of the grand scheme to make May Hall a historical treasure.
The
blue stone reclaimed was used to build benches and patios.
Brick for the patio is reclaimed from another area in Union from a torn down building. 120,000 of the brick claimed from an old hotel in Brunswick.
An 800 year old armoire stands in the living room owned by Robert Gregory who previously owned and sold this home to Andy.
The
master bed is 1000 year old (at least) Indonesian hand-carved nesting bed – a rare find as now they are not allowed out of the country.
The roof, better known as the
‘Full Moon Pad’ provides a view of the entire island and overlooks the Sound. It is just like being dropped into a Hollywood Movie Set such as Survivor or Lost.
The natural plant life and historical remnants of saw mills still remain. The pond is loaded with thousands of goldfish and the home will be sided with old and reclaimed ballast stone.
As we walk through the island trail, Andy gives us a running report of the future of this island, as he sees it. The cleared area full of palmettos is for 20x20 cabins, a vision soon to be developed.
The
550 foot boardwalk, where not a sound but the breeze can be heard, leads to the other islands for camping and hiking.
The boardwalk, just about 2 football fields long, connects the 3 islands –
Little May Hall, Grassie Field, and May Hall and will be used for jogging, biking, or just walking to the other islands. The future plan is to have chicki pads with huts and camping sites available for variety and intrigue.
Yes, May Hall is an excursion.
In ‘the day’ rafts formed a walking bridge carrying lumber to and from the island – it was a busy area, Doboy Sound to the coast at Darien, and it is busy once again.
The island's dense entrance along with the entire island is loaded now with
Sago Palms and....
natural plants such as this pineapple plants grown from merely plopping the top of a pineapple into
Mother Earth and allowing her to nurture her.
Yes, quite a day; quite a man; quite a dream.
We reluctantly respond to the 'all aboard' call as we speed through the Sound once again.
Back
'on the hill' we go.
'On the Hill, you ask?'
Just an old nautical term used referring to the 'mainland.'
Such a unique term, and one Andy wanted to preserve. So, in honor of his father and mentor and to coin the phrase, Andy, the Old Salt, named his St. Simon's office space and event location using these combined terms -
Charlie's On The Hill! and that's where we are headed -- back 'on the hill.'
Land ho! but not an end. We will renegotiate our highways and share and remember these days.
But, before we leave, Andy tours us through his two 'retreats on land' for those times when Eagle and May Hall are booked or the overflow is perfect for a mainland location, or taking a step back into sweet neighborhoods and plantation style living -- The Coastal Maritime Lodge and The High Tide Cottage await.
Coastal Maritime Lodge, is my dream house. Two story plantation style home with your choice of bedroom style and furnishings.
Andy, being the eco-friendly born naturalist, showcases an assortment of reclaimed articles and turns them into home accessories, furniture, cabinets, and chandeliers. An example is the heart pine floor and furniture.
The home has 4 bedrooms and four and a half baths and media room. Five, that's right, 5, fireplaces. (Four of them the originals.) King size beds in each room and a queen apartment with room for kids.
The upstairs rooms are out of a Eugenia Price novel. The master has a balcony with a romantic, curved wrought iron railing. The master bath is large enough to have a party with a little bunk room off of the master for 2 more couples or 4 kids.
This area is a 'boaters delight' opening up the waterways and the mainland for a combined experience.
Andy provides complete customized packages to everyone. He is your on-call concierge and aims to please you.
As another choice for out-of-towners, you can fly in to Brunswick with Delta commuter, and Andy will pick you up and drop you to the location of your choice - Eagle, May Hall, or Coastal Maritime.
If this house is larger than your needs or pocketbook, across the street with the same attention to detail and even a little closer to the water, stands The High Tide, formerly known as the DeSoto House.
The High Tide Cottage is an adorable 2 bedroom, with basement, country cottage. It is a perfect romantic get-away location and just about as cozy as it gets. Off of the back patio and next to the lighted gazebo is a cute little bunk house. Next to the bunk house is a summer kitchen with an oyster steamer and grill.
With all these choices and all of this hisrory -- 'let your imagination run wild.' Customize your retreat, reunion, get-away, boot camp, anniversary, or honeymoon.'
Will we see you soon? Call!
Either way, we rocked the house. Many of the ladies were up dancing and swinging their boa's with Lacy Alexandra, our wonderfully talented belly dancer from Renaissance Healing Center. 
We hope more will be joining us in the fun.
