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Americana
These iconic destinations—each unique, regional and U.S. to their core—are
See page 76 for credit information.
Summer
places where time seems to slow down, yet slip away as you lose yourself in
vacation mode. Now is your chance to embrace the sun, the sand, the lodges,
the mountains and America’s many charming Main streets.
San Juan Islands
Washington
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July 2011 deltaskymag.com
Nantucket
Massachusetts
Gunnison/Crested Butte
Colorado
Saugatuck
Michigan
St. Simons Island
Georgia
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Left page: Kayaks in Friday Harbor on
San Juan Island. This page, clockwise
from left: Sheep at Turtleback Farm;
Children playing during low tide at
Fishing Bay on Orcas Island; Wine
tasting at San Juan Island Winery’s
new Friday Harbor location; Caramelized sea scallops, fingerling potatoes
and greens at Allium.
San Juan
Islands
Slow and serene are watchwords here,
on the rugged islands off the coast of
Washington State.
By Melanie Haiken
America’s
Iconic
Lodges
—Jason Oliver Nixon
64
/ Photos by Charity Burggraaf
Hotel del Coronado, Coronado, California
Built in 1888, the “Del” still astounds visitors with
its iconic, sand castle-like architecture, not to
mention the myriad activities: Biking? Check.
Surfing? Check. Golf, activities for the kids and
yoga? Check, check and check.
Reserve a room in the Victorian
Building and soak in some fun in
the sun. hoteldel.com
July 2011 deltaskymag.com
The San Juan Islands have an odd mix of rugged rural beauty and trend-savvy sophistication. The
lively towns of Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Eastsound
and Lopez Village are filled with colorful art galleries,
quirky shops, luxe day spas and restaurants dedicated to
the region’s rich farms and fisheries. But five miles outside
of town, you might find yourself on a deserted bluff, surrounded by wildflowers or deep in tall evergreens.
It’s easy to spend a whole day without moving far from
the porch of your woodsy cabin. But you can find excitement in the San Juans, too: On a whale-watching expedition
with Deer Harbor charters, you can watch a pod of shiny
black and white orcas flipping almost clear of the water
from 100 yards away, then marvel over your videos while
drinking Malibu-rum mojitos on the deck at Allium, a new
temple of farm-to-table food. (Poached-pear and goat-cheese
tart, caramelized scallops and cake accompanied by Bavarian cream flavored with local rose petals—wow!) In fact, you
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia
Retreat to this historic, newly refreshed
resort and experience Dorothy Draper’s
color-packed décor. Head to the golf
course or spa, try your hand at off-road
driving, then dine under crystal chandeliers before viewing a first-run film
in the cinema. greenbrier.com
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island,
Michigan
We love the color-rich accommodations of this 1887 hostelry, overseen
by designer Carleton Varney (he also
oversees the décor at The Greenbrier
as the head of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc.), the massive
Esther Williams swimming pool and the luxuriant gardens—
not to mention kids’ activities, tennis and golf. grandhotel.com
can eat your way around the San Juan Islands; order another
unforgettable meal of applewood-smoked local oysters and
savory bread pudding rich with spinach and ricotta at Duck
Soup Inn, a farm-stay bed-and-breakfast on San Juan Island,
where the focus is on fresh and local produce and food.
Spend another memorable day on less-visited Lopez Island, where you can rent bikes from Village Cycles and pedal around the quiet country roads before tasting wine from
Lopez Island Vineyards at its new tasting room in the village. Then covet the gorgeous crafts at the brand-new Lopez
Co-op of Fine Craft Artisans, where the region’s jewelers,
potters and photographers showcase their creations. Before
getting back on the ferry, cool down with locally produced
gourmet ice cream at Just Heavenly Fudge Factory.
The San Juans are only three hours by car and ferry
from Seattle, even less by floatplane. By turns rural and
rocky, each island has its own personality, with small villages and clusters of houses punctuating a total of 375 miles
of coastline. Just three miles from busy Roche Harbor on
San Juan, you can be sipping cold chardonnay at bucolic San
Juan Vineyards, where a historic white clapboard schoolhouse sits among the vines. And just above lively Eastsound,
you can climb 2,400-foot
Mount Constitution in
Moran State Park on Orcas
Island to marvel at the
360-degree view from the
top. If you stay at Turtleback Farm Inn on Orcas
Island, you have access to
80 private acres of fields, meadows and forests surrounding
this vintage-1800s clapboard farmhouse.
For a livelier getaway, most people choose Friday Harbor
on San Juan Island, where you can book a room at Rosario Resort & Spa or Friday Harbor House for easy access
to everything from golf to cycling to sailing. At Lakedale
Resort, you can go “glamping” in luxurious fully furnished
canvas cabins or stay warm in the lakeside log lodge, where
a hearty breakfast is served on the deck overlooking glassy
green water. Two must-dos on San Juan Island are hiking
in Lime Kiln Point State Park, one of the best places in the
world to see orcas from shore, and picnicking in Sculpture
Park, a 19-acre preserve of meadows and coastal paths dotted
by crazy modernist constructions of metal, stone and glass.
Outfitters make it easy to find adventure around the
islands. Kayak among whales and dolphins with Sea Quest
Expeditions and explore remote, untouched Sucia Island
State Park with Outer Island Expeditions. Zip San Juan has
eight different ziplines that cross a dramatic landscape of
lakes and wetlands and through a canopy of red cedar and
Douglas fir. Time moves slowly here, but you’ll need every
hour of the long summer days to experience it all.
More Pacific Northwest Getaways
Vancouver Island:
On Vancouver Island in
British Columbia, the
surf haven of Tofino
is a well-kept secret.
Take lessons at Pacific
Surf School with the
all-female instructors at
Surf Sister, then feast
on fresh-caught salmon
at the Wildside Grill and
fall asleep to the surf at
The Wickaninnish Inn.
wickinn.com
Westport, Washington: This seaside town
isn’t just for anglers. Yes,
you can still head out with
58-year-old Deep Sea
Charters, but you can
also bike the dune trails
leading to Grays Harbor
Lighthouse and finish
with a glass of awardwinning gewürztraminer
from the new Westport
Winery. A development
of beachfront condos,
Vacations by the Sea
lures young families with
its old-fashioned vibe
and multisport options.
vacationbythesea.com
Manzanita, Oregon:
The beachside hamlet of
Manzanita on the northern Oregon coast has
all the charm of Carmel
without the crowds;
start the day with baked
orange-brûléed French
toast from Bread and
Ocean, then climb Neahkahnie Mountain before
soaking up the sun on
seven miles of uninterrupted beach and ending
the day with a massage
at Spa Manzanita.
spamanzanita.com
Gunnison/
Crested Butte
Clockwise from left:
Nantucket Harbor;
Beachgoers walk
past the Compass
Rose Mural at
Gardiners Corner
in Nantucket town;
Pedestrians cross the
town’s cobblestone
streets. Lower right:
Contemplating the
golden aspen near
Crested Butte.
Colorado
The cowboy vibe is alive and well here, along with
the alpine beauty of craggy peaks, untamed rivers and
azure lakes.
By Melanie Haiken
Your first impression of Crested Butte may be of a Wild West ghost town
set incongruously in the Swiss Alps. But today, at least in summer, the living
couldn’t be easier. Strung along Highway 135 as it climbs 9,400-foot Mount
Crested Butte, the hamlets of Gunnison, Almont and Crested Butte have all
the old-timey vacation staples, from ice cream parlors to knotty pine cabins.
But new businesses also offer everything necessary for the care and feeding
of savvy urbanites, from Camp 4 Coffee, where the Sledgehammer blend is a
local favorite, to the EastSide Bistro, where chef Ben Baehrend serves a scallop
chowder that’s not to be missed—and neither is the room’s to-die-for view.
Still a working cowboy town, Gunnison provides the perfect entry point to the
area, with plenty of affordable motels and lively family restaurants such as Garlic
Mike’s, where old-style saucy pasta is served on a patio spectacularly situated
overlooking the river. From Gunnison, there’s easy access to nearby Blue Mesa
Reservoir, with 92 miles of fishing-friendly shoreline, and the Black Canyon of
the Gunnison, one of the country’s newest national parks. Stop in for a rodeo
oatmeal stout at Crested Butte Brewing Company, which just expanded into a
12,000-square-foot brew house and tap room with live music.
There are many reasons to visit Crested Butte in high summer—in addition to
Nantucket
By Jason Oliver Nixon
/
Founded in the 17th century as a whaling outpost,
Nantucket has morphed into a glittering, preppy island
retreat favored by tony East Coasters. The island sits well off
the coast of Cape Cod—some 26 miles—so unlike close-toshore Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket requires a commitment
to reach its sandy shores (aka, time and money): Hence, it
has a heightened air of exclusivity about it, a sort of Hamptons vibe in whale-patterned pants and blue blazers.
Still, summertime on Nantucket sees plenty of folk who
jam the car ferry from ports in Woods Hole, Massachusetts,
or fly in, so if you plan to visit, consider renting a bike or a
Vespa to tour the 105-square-mile isle and its 80 miles of pristine beaches (favorite strands include Fisherman’s and Cisco).
To escape the Southsider set, there’s nothing better than
the seven-mile, flat bike ride out from Nantucket town to
the shingle-clad cottage community of Siasconset. Wander
along the charming byways before lunching at the chic
Chanticleer or beachside at The Summer House. As you bike
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back to town, you’ll pass atmospheric Sankaty Head Lighthouse as well as moors, farms, a golf course and cranberry
bogs. Back in town, explore the Nantucket Whaling Museum with its rooftop observation deck, candle factory and
sperm whale skeleton. Then wander along the cobblestone
streets to shop for antiques and design wares as well as classic Nantucket Reds pants at Murray’s Toggery Shop.
Nantucket offers myriad hotel options, from the elegant,
harbor-facing White Elephant and the historic, brick-clad
Jared Coffin House, both in town, to the resortlike, expansive and expensive Wauwinet, minutes from the hustle
and bustle. For a boutique experience, book a room at the
intimate, in-town Vanessa Noel Hotel or its sister property,
the eco-chic Hotel Green. Both offer contemporary flourishes with bohemian opulence. If proximity to the water is
key, the bright and airy Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin are
smack on the harbor and perfect for families (and dog lovers).
Come nightfall, Nantucket sparkles as a dining destination: In town, the elegant Company of the Cauldron offers a
set menu that might include a pan-seared Maine Jonah crab
cake with whole-grain mustard followed by slow-roasted
duck breast with “foie” grits and roasted mushrooms.
American Seasons is a perennial favorite thanks to its
bustling dining room and covered patio and chef Michael
photos: (Harbor, cross walk) Carl Tremblay; (Around the horn) jarrod mccabe;
(Colorado) Weaver Mutlimedia Group/Matt Inden.
Massachusetts
As the classic, circa-1902 limerick goes,
“There once was a man from Nantucket . . .”
And what a lucky man, indeed!
/
LaScola’s inspired cooking. There’s
also The Pearl, a chic setting for innovative coastal dining, and Corazón
del Mar for colorful Latin fare, such
as crispy pork carnitas and avocado
tempura tacos.
Postprandial activities can be
found at The Club Car, a vintage
Nantucket Railroad train car, where
the piano plays favorite show tunes.
If you’re looking for more raucous
doings, The Chicken Box offers live
music and pool tables and attracts
locals and visitors alike.
More New England Getaways
Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard: New Englanders flock to hook-shaped, historic Cape Cod for its stellar beaches and rolling dunes, boating, charming villages
and clambakes. But thanks to its proximity to Boston, the Cape fills up quickly. We
suggest plunking down in quaint Chatham (reserve at the Chatham Bars Inn) or
anything-goes Provincetown and making day trips via bike or scooter. Or escape
to Martha’s Vineyard, some five miles off Cape Cod, and rub elbows with moneyed
Bostonians and current presidents and past along with the Hollywood set (book a
room at the elegant Charlotte Inn in Edgartown). chathambarsinn.com,
charlotteinn.net
Maine: From southern Maine with its sprawling outlets offset by charming hostelries and eateries (think The Tides Beach Club in Kennebunkport and Arrows
restaurant in Ogunquit), follow U.S. Route 1 north. Enjoy Portland’s culinary masterstrokes (Duckfat, Cinque Terre, Hugo’s) then head to the Casco Bay Islands via
ferry (we are smitten with the Chebeague Island Inn). Spend an afternoon in
Freeport and feast on lobster at the Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co., overlooking the town’s harbor. From there, venture on to Mount Desert Island to explore
Acadia National Park, and finish off your visit with massive popovers at the
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Jordan Pond House. tidesbeachclubmaine.com,
chebeagueislandinn.com
Left to right: A view of
picturesque SaugatuckDouglas Harbor from
the top of Mount
Baldhead; Celebrating
the Fourth of July in
classic style.
cerulean skies, warm temperatures and air so clear you
can see across the state. A favorite is Cattlemen’s Days,
a 10-day festival in Gunnison (July 8-17), where you can
see real, live cowboys and cowgirls rope steers and ride
bucking broncos, but also recite cowboy poetry and croon
country tunes into the wee hours at local honky-tonks.
Most people, though, come to play outdoors. The
mountain biking is world class—the Mountain Bike Hall of
Fame is in Crested Butte for good reason—and the oldest
mountain biking event in the country, the world-famous
Pearl Pass Tour, is held here every September. The Red
Lady Express will take your bike to the single tracks at the
top of Crested Butte Mountain Resort; if you’re not ready
for an epic technical ride, start with a wider, gentler trail,
such as Luge or Painter Boy. Or you can opt to savor the
view on foot. Luckily, you don’t have to hike all the way; the
Silver Queen chairlift covers the first part, leaving you to
summit on your own.
Outfitters offer everything from trail rides to class
V rapid runs, making it possible to spend more time on a
bike, on horseback and on the water than with your feet
on the ground. Saddle up with Fantasy Ranch Horseback
Adventures and ride to Aspen, looking for bear and other
wildlife in the aptly named West Elk wilderness along the
way. You can overnight there or return the same day by car
or plane. Float the Gunnison Gorge with Wilderness Aware
rafting, braving class II, III and IV rapids between towering
rock walls. There’s even a brand- new zipline adventure
at Mount Crested Butte, with five adrenaline-boosting
ziplines, an “Indiana Jones Bridge” and a net climb.
Accommodations in the area run from rustic to luxe.
The classic Three Rivers Resort is named for its site
at the confluence of the East and Taylor rivers, where
they join to form the thundering Gunnison. The riverside
cabins can house the largest of families, outfitters on
site can take you rafting or fishing, and an old dance
hall serves as a rec room with games and even the
occasional bingo night. Eight miles outside of Crested
Butte in Gunnison National Forest are the even
woodsier Pioneer Guest Cabins, which live up to their
name with stellar stargazing. No need to rough it if
that’s not your thing: The Elevation Hotel & Spa at
Mount Crested Butte has luxury rooms, an indoor pool
and an enormous spa with soaking tubs, steams and
treatments galore.
To take advantage of Crested Butte’s happening
vibe, stay downtown at the quaint and intimate Ruby,
where you can sleep under 1,000-thread-count sheets
and wake up to a generous country-style breakfast that
can be prepared vegan or gluten-free. Cruiser bikes are
provided gratis and dogs are welcomed with cozy dog
beds, blankets and homemade treats.
For more info on
these destinations:
» visitsanjuans.com
» nantucket.net
» gunnisoncrested
butte.com
» visitsaugatuck.com
» explorestsimons
island.com
photos: (City Hall) Weaver Mutlimedia Group/Matt Inden; (dancing) Denise
Chambers/Weaver Multimedia Group; (Saugatuck) Erin K. Wilkinson.
Left to right: A local resident bikes past Crested
Butte’s historic City Hall; Visitors enjoy traditional
square dancing in Crested Butte.
Saugatuck
Michigan
Michigan continues to offer a coveted mix of
fresh lake waters, rolling hills and towns with
local flavor.
By Tamara Warren
/
Just outside of downtown Saugatuck, a windy
road runs along the Kalamazoo River and leads to a secluded
peninsula, home to Ox-Bow, an artists’ colony steeped in
art-world lore. Gaze over a lagoon and a meadow and contemplate the avante-garde works inspired by the greenery.
Sculptor Claes Oldenberg and puppeteer Jim Henson are
among the celebrated resident artists who made work here.
Covering 115 acres, Ox-Bow is a whimsical journey into
the past, comprising 40 buildings largely constructed by
the artists who inhabited them in the early 20th century.
And on a few Friday evenings in summer, studios doors are
opened and visitors can wander the bucolic campus. Artists give glass blowing and metalworking demonstrations,
and patrons sip wine under a tent in the meadow and bid
on artwork in a modest auction. This is the insular vibe of
Saugatuck, an artist’s haven to the core.
Several of the beach towns that line the western coast
of Michigan make for a well-chosen pied-à-terre, boasting the finer qualities of the Great Lake State. Saugatuck is
a particular standout, tucked along the western stretch of
the lake and the mouth of the Kalamazoo River on what
locals call the “Art Coast” of Michigan. It’s about 150 miles
from downtown Chicago—an easy drive on a single tank of
gas along Lake Michigan. Since 1900, Chicago and St. Louis
residents have been summering in Saugatuck, a village built
up by the lumber industry.
Many of the buildings date back to the turn of the century—with nary a strip mall in sight, and the family-owned
inns downtown contribute to its bohemian-chic character.
The guestbook in each of the units at the Hidden Garden
Cottages is a testament to the charm of this little hideaway.
The Kilamanjaro Suite is decorated with African masks
and bright fabrics. Overlooking the Saugatuck Harbor, the
BaySide Inn was built in 1927 as a boathouse and later transformed into a cozy abode with fireplaces and a whirlpool
spa for guests. The charming Wickwood Inn, where guests
have a steady choice of gourmet snacks, is one block off the
main strip in downtown Saugatuck.
Morning in Saugatuck begins at Uncommon Grounds
with a steaming cup of coffee roasted on-site. On Mondays
and Fridays, stop in at the twice-weekly Saugatuck-Douglas
Green Market at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts for local
produce and fresh-cut flowers. Michigan is the highest-producing blueberry state in the country, so pick up some jam
and baked goods and head to Oval Beach for a picnic. Nature
seekers can explore trails and acres of sand dunes. For a bit
of messy fun, Saugatuck Dune Rides offers a rowdy experience in a dune buggy at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
More Rocky Getaways
Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Rocky mountain
highs can be had elsewhere along the Great Divide. Jackson Hole is the gateway to Yellowstone
and Grand Teton national parks; but you can also
scout wild mustangs with Blue Sky Sage Horseback Adventures and raft the Snake River with
Mad River Boat Trips. Stay at the Rustic Inn
Creekside Resort. rusticinnatjh.com
Park City, Utah: Park City is well known for
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the Sundance Film Festival, but did you know
there are 13 golf courses, too? Great restaurants
abound in this destination resort town, but don’t
miss Canyons Resort’s new The Farm, where
chef John Murcko is being lauded with awards
for his fresh take on rootsy American cuisine.
thecanyons.com
Sandpoint, Idaho: Watersports, fishing and
swimming on Lake Pend Oreille are the highlights
of summer fun in Sandpoint, but mountain biking
is catching up, with Schweitzer resort, host of the
2006 NORBA national championships, opening
up new trails every summer. Stay at The Lodge
at Sandpoint, a pine-shrouded hideaway right at
water’s edge. Among Sandpoint’s many eateries,
don’t miss the unusual pizza combinations at The
Loading Dock or Panhandler Pies, a touchstone
for Sandpoint summer regulars. schweitzer.com,
lodgeatsandpoint.com
America’s Iconic Lodges continued
The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
Originally built to house immigrant workers, the
American Club now attracts a decidedly wellheeled visitor. Relax at the Kohler Waters Spa
with a Citrus Scrub before exploring the shops
at nearby Woodlake or hitting the links at Whistling Straits.
destination
kohler.com
Congress Hall, Cape May, New Jersey
This historic beach hotel has undergone
a masterful restoration in recent years.
Rooms are cool and soothing, and the
public spaces are chic and buzzy. After
wandering through Cape May, return
to the hotel for BBQ ribs at the Blue
Pig Tavern and live music at the Boiler
Room nightclub. congresshall.com
Chebeague Island
Inn, Chebeague
Island, Maine
Catch the passenger
ferry to relaxed Chebeague Island (no cars allowed), and wile away your
cares at this 1920s wooden hotel with its massive
porches, beach-chic rooms, stunning water-facing
views and endless lawn. chebeagueislandinn.com
Jenny Lake Lodge, Moran,
Wyoming
Ah, wilderness! Embrace nature
at your elegant log cabin in
the heart of Wyoming’s aweinspiring Grand Teton National
Park. Opened in 1920, this classic
retreat pairs a rustic vibe with
bespoke elegance. gtlc.com
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Anything goes here,
from a day on the
lake aboard the Star of
Saugatuck II to checking
the ceramics, glass and
jewelry at Good Goods.
The French cuisine at
Toulouse is best appreciated over live jazz
on weekends, and the
Butler has an outdoor
deck overlooking the
harbor, perfect for a
lazy summer evening.
For a day trip
along the Southwest
Michigan Wine Trail,
the Tabor Hill Winery is a good starting
point. And farther up
the coast, in Traverse
City, the picturesque
Black Star Farms has
an equestrian facility
along with a winery.
St. Simons
Island
This island off the coast of Georgia offers
seaside splendor, historical intrigue and
many opportunities to sit back and relax.
By Giannina Smith
/ Photos by Chris M. Rogers
Clockwise from left: Bikers
on the beach in front of the
King and Prince Beach and
Golf Resort; The King and
Prince at night; St. Simons
Island Light Station; Chef
Dave Snyder’s organic, local
dish of the day at Halyard’s—
sautéed flounder over Swiss
chard and yellow romano
beans with beet purée; The
St. Simons pier.
More Midwestern
Getaways
Hermann, Missouri: Who
needs a passport to enjoy a
Bavarian beer garden?
Hermann is a quaint town about
90 minutes from St. Louis. It is a
proud winemaking village with
a steady calendar of festivals
pouring local products. The
Deutschheim State Historic
Site details the story of how
German culture came to thrive
in middle America in the 19th
century. Cyclists flock to the Katy
Trail that runs across the state.
Rapid City, South Dakota:
Rapid City is set on the eastern
slope of the Black Hills Mountains, a few miles from Mount
Rushmore, Custer State Park
and Crazy Horse Memorial. It’s
been a tourist town since the
late 1800s, with several modern
adaptations to the picturesque
surroundings, including museums and local shops. Dine on
slow food at the Corn Exchange
and check out the City of
Presidents Public Sculptures.
Custer State Park has four
resorts, including Sylvan Lake
Lodge built by architect Frank
Lloyd Wright after the original
resort burnt down in 1935.
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Just over the F.J. Torras Causeway toward
St. Simons Island, a quaint Georgia beach town
emerges that is uniquely different from many of
the sandy retreats in nearby Florida. The largest of
the Golden Isles—which also include Jekyll Island,
Little St. Simons Island and Sea Island—St. Simons
was settled by English colonists in 1736 and later
used for rice and cotton plantations. It became
a resort community in the 20th century, and the
exodus from urban sprawl continues today, with
stressed-out city dwellers looking to enjoy this
unhurried, oceanside haven.
One of the island’s most noted historical
attractions is Fort Frederica: Built in 1736, it was
the center of defense for the English colony of
Georgia. Tour the archaeological ruins of the fort
before taking a shady drive along The Avenue of
the Oaks—once the entrance to an antebellum
plantation, this picturesque location now lines the
entrance of the exclusive Sea Island Golf Club. For
a bit more history, stop at Christ Church, a Gothicstyle structure hidden among the oaks that was
the locale for Georgia author Eugenia Price’s novel
The Beloved Invader.
Before heading to the center of activity in St.
Simons’ pier village, trek up 129 steps to the top of
the 1872 St. Simons Lighthouse to get a panoramic
view of the coastline and nearby barrier islands.
Stroll along the waterfront to the island’s bustling
pier and take a breather while watching chatty
locals reel in buckets of crab and fish.
If the sight of fresh seafood gets your stomach
grumbling, head to Mallery Street. For a no-frills,
home-cooked breakfast, the 4th of May Deli and
Café offers everything from seafood omelets
with local shrimp and crab to peanut butter-andapple French toast. Known for its crab cakes,
Barbara Jean’s is another good spot for a casual
lunch topped off by an indulgent “Chocolate Stuff”
dessert. For a more refined repast, book a table at
Halyards, where the island cuisine and wine list
earns foodie accolades, or at its sister restaurant
Tramici, a local favorite for southern Italian cooked
in a wood-burning oven.
After lunch, browse through the village shops,
tee off at one of the island’s golf clubs or rent a
bike from Ocean Motion Surf Co. to pedal along
the island’s extensive system of paved trails. To
cover lots of ground without breaking a sweat,
hop on a St. Simons Island Trolley Tour or rent a
golf cart from High Tide Carts. For water-lovers,
a SouthEast Adventure kayak trip will take you
through the wildlife marshes, and a ride aboard the
Lady Jane, a retired 49-passenger steel shrimping
vessel, can take you farther out to sea.
After a busy day of activities, head back to
your ocean-view room at the Ocean Lodge. An
elegant, old-world Europe-inspired bed-andbreakfast, this boutique property is nestled on a
sleepy street just steps from the Atlantic. Another
stellar option: a room at the historic oceanfront
King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort, opened in
1935, or at the quaint Village Inn and Pub, veiled
under the live oaks between
a park and the village center.
For impressive lodgings with
a storied past, the properties
To see more photos
of Sea Island—The Cloister
from each of these
and The Lodge—will not
locations, go to
deltaskymag.com
disappoint. //
More Southeastern Retreats
Cumberland Island, Georgia.: On Georgia’s
largest and southernmost barrier island, undeveloped beaches and marshes abound. Camp along
the shores to catch sight of the island’s famous
wild horses or settle at the old-world Greyfield
Inn, a charming mansion-turned-bed-and-breakfast where Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy
Jr. held their wedding reception following their
nuptials in a nearby chapel. greyfieldinn.com
Outer Banks, North carolina: A thin chain
of islands off North Carolina’s coast, Outer Banks
is home to numerous seaside towns and miles of
unspoiled beaches. Drive along Highway 12, beginning in the lively tourist town of Corolla, where you
can eat, shop and search for the remaining wild
horses before heading south to Duck, Nags Head
and the other picturesque oceanside retreats ideal
for watersports and fishing.
Jekyll Island, Georgia: Made famous as the
winter jaunt of influential American families such
as the Rockefellers and Pulitzers, this 5,700-acre
island boasts the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel
and more than 10 glorious miles of beaches.
Spend the day playing croquet on the Victorian
hotel’s green, golfing on the resort’s oceanside
9-hole course or bike the more than 20 miles of
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paved beach and
forest trails. jekyllclub.com