“If you are visiting here, consider yourself lucky. If you live here, consider yourself blessed!”
That was a phrase once shared with me by a “local” when I was skiing out in Vail, CO. And like Vail, St. Simons Island is an outdoor mecca for visitors. The July issue is filled with wonderful suggestions for shopping, dining, real estate, and outdoor activities to keep you busy from sunup to way past sundown. In keeping with the July theme, I thought I’d offer a few tips on how to be a “local” while you’re here enjoying your summer vacation. Slow down! You’re on Island Time now. When you cross over the Frederica Bridge onto St. Simons, your BP drops, and a feeling of relaxation should start to come over you. You have nowhere to be and no hurry to get there so R-E-L-A-X.
Rent a bike or a golf cart to get around the island. You’re only 10 minutes away from most everything and you won’t have to deal with traffic. If you do rent a golf cart, be sure to pull over occasionally and let cars behind you pass.
Pub Letter Photo July22
The best times to enjoy a walk on the beach are 6:30-8:30 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Lots of locals enjoy watching the sun rise while walking on the beach. Also, dogs are not allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., so walking your pup early in the morning while it’s cool is a good idea. Bringing a bottle of wine, some snacks and a beach chair to the beach after 7 p.m. is the perfect way to end the day!
IMPORTANT TIP: Be aware of rip currents when swimming in the ocean. If you find yourself in a rip current, swim sideways parallel to the beach and you will get out of the rip current. And do NOT swim or walk out to the sand bars. The tide comes in FAST and it’s easier than you think to get stranded.
Another great way to end the day is to watch the sunset on the pier in the Village. There are plenty of park benches and great restaurants right there so you can watch the sunset and then walk to dinner.
A great time to shop at our many wonderful retail stores is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Folks are at the beach, so you can get the best deals! Some retail stores have extended night hours during the summer, so it’s fun to stroll after dinner and find that perfect gift.
So, in short, slow down, eat, drink, and play. Enjoy your time here and remember: if you’re visiting here, consider yourself lucky; and now that you’re a “local,” consider yourself blessed!
