| Heading to Jekyll Island for spring break? You might | | | | to gain confidence. Before long, you'll feel as if you've |
| want to try horseback riding on the beach. | | | | been riding all your life! |
| Victoria's Carriages and Trail Rides offer several | | | | Soon, the trail exits the maritime forest and travels |
| excursions at reasonable prices. All are on a | | | | alongside a virgin salt marsh. Watch for the wood |
| per-person basis. Enjoy a one-hour beach ride for | | | | storks roosting in the scattered trees, and listen to the |
| $58.00; a 1/2 hour ride for $38.00; a 1 1/2 hour ride for | | | | song birds hidden in the branches. Raccoons and deer |
| $78.00; or wait till evening and try their Sunset Ride, | | | | make their homes in the area, and it's not unusual, on a |
| which costs $68.00. | | | | soft-walking horse, to walk right up on some of these |
| There are only a few rules you'll have to abide by. | | | | animals as they pick their way through the marsh |
| First, you have to be at least 8 years old. Weight's a | | | | grasses and fringe edge environment. |
| factor, too. Two hundred forty pounds is the limit for | | | | The horse trail winds along, and soon you'll find yourself |
| horseback riding on the beach. | | | | following your horse's nose out onto Driftwood Beach. |
| Your trail rid will begin at Jekyll Island's Clam Creek | | | | Ride along the beach and enjoy the salty sea breezes |
| picnic area, on the northern end of the island. Victoria's | | | | and the sight of the "boneyard" trees that gives |
| Carriages and Trail Rides has set up one of their | | | | Driftwood Beach its name. These huge oaks and |
| horse camps there, under the shade of ancient live | | | | pines were undermined by erosion, and fell into the |
| oaks festooned with Spanish moss. | | | | sea. Wind and salt water have done their thing and |
| The island horses are gentle stock - you should have | | | | transformed these trees into beautiful driftwood-gray |
| no trouble mounting and following your guide down the | | | | organic sculptures. |
| trail at an easy walk. If you've never ridden a horse - | | | | Enjoy the wind in your face as your horse splashes |
| or experienced horseback riding on the beach - rest | | | | through the surf. |
| assured. Victoria's Carriages and Trail Rides | | | | Make sure you bring a camera, because you'll want |
| professional staff will introduce you to their docile island | | | | pictures of Driftwood Beach - one of the most |
| horses and help you overcome any fears you might | | | | photographed beaches in the United States. |
| have about riding. Before you know it you'll be a | | | | As you ride down the beach, you'll spot the St. Simons |
| semi-accomplished rider. | | | | lighthouse across St. Simons Sound. The lighthouse is a |
| Jekyll Island's horseback riding trail starts at Clam | | | | favorite subject for photographers, and another great |
| Creek, in the horse camp across the road from the | | | | photo op. |
| picnic area. The first leg of your ride is thorough a | | | | But all good things come to an end, and soon your |
| maritime forest environment, where the sound of the | | | | beach horseback riding adventure is over. Your guide |
| wind through the live oaks, the clop of your horse's | | | | will lead you across the Clam Creek bridge and back |
| hoofs, and the creek of saddle leather will lull you into a | | | | to your starting point at the horseback riding camp. |
| fine state of peace and relaxation. | | | | Horseback riding on the beach can get in your blood. |
| Before long, you'll adjust to your horse's gait. Rocking | | | | Take solace in knowing that you can always return for |
| easily to the rhythm of your walking horse, you'll start | | | | another Jekyll Island horseback riding adventure! |