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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Off for a visit to Jekyll Island

After having the home nurse and the physical therapist visit me yesterday, I was pretty worn out.  The physical therapist came again this morning and put me through my paces.  She was done by about 9:00, and Kurt and I were getting a bit of cabin fever from being stuck in side for a couple of days.  We decided to make a visit to Jekyll Island on the coast.

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It was too cold and windy to enjoy the beaches, but we were finally able to find the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  I’m not able yet to walk around the Jekyll Island historic district, but I thought I could manage getting to the center. 

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Not many people, I’d guess, take the time to read the bricks along the path, but using a walker, I had plenty of opportunity to do so.  I got a kick out of these two border bricks.  Kemp’s Ridley is the name of an endangered sea turtle, but Olive Ridley??  Disappointed smile  (Kemp’s wife??)

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                                               Then I came upon a brick that fit me to a ‘T’.  Winking smile

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There are many displays and interactive activities for young and old that educate folks to the plight of the sea turtles.  Having participated in the turtle watch program at Pea Island my first time there, I found it all very interesting.  We were also able to attend a program that explained the winter hazards to sea turtles when cold snaps happen.  Since sea turtles are cold blooded, when the ocean gets cold their body temp goes down and they are unable to eat. 

Many of these sickly turtles are gathered up north along the coast, and sent to facilities like this one for rehabilitation.  The surgery area of the center is pictured above on the bottom right.  In the last two months, around 200 turtles have been gathered and treated at similar facilities.

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The part of the visit I enjoyed the most was going through the turtle hospital where a number of turtles were being rehabilitated.  The temperature of the water in the pools is raised about five degrees daily with the turtles in them until the ideal temperature of 70-75 degrees is attained.  At that point, the turtles are able to begin eating again.  At the lower temps, the immune systems of the turtles are also compromised, so the turtles are also treated with antibiotics to ward off infections.  Eventually, almost all will be released back into the wild.

It was a great day trip to get us out of the rig, and to learn something new.  If you find yourself on the Georgia coast south of Savannah, I’d recommend a visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.  I, of course, had to buy a tee shirt to add to my collection and to support the work of the center.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

21 comments:

  1. Great Blog Judy! Thanks so much for letting me know about this center. What good work. I will for sure visit this on my way north this year. What a great outing for you two.

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  2. It is the kind of place we would like to visit. I'll keep it on my list, for someday!

    By the way, did you know the pinnacles has just been given National Park status?

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  3. We always visit the Loggerhead rescue centre in Juno Beach, Florida each year. We love to visit our friends and learn so many interesting facts. We will have to remember the Georgia centre when we are in the Savannah area. Thanks for the info !

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  4. This sounds like a very neat place to visit; will definitely add to our list.

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  5. Very informative post, Judy. I knew about sea-turtles being indangered but was unaware as to this plight of theirs. I just would have thought they kinda hibernated, like a frog in my backyard pond at home. Now I know....

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  6. I've visited the center and it really is wonderful the work they do there. Did you see any turtles rehabilitating with walkers???

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  7. This post did my heart good to see that turtles are being helped. They are among one of my favorites. We will definitely have to put this place on our "must see list."

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  8. What a neat place, Judy! Thanks for sharing the photos of the bricks. Sure don't get many people sharing those types of things. I find that stuff interesting, so I appreciate it. That is a wonderful facility for rehabing turtles. Don't see anything like that here on the West Coast. Glad you've gotten up to "mud turtle" speed now. You're making wonderful progress. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Glad you were able to get out and about. Jekyll Island is a place we really want to visit. A friend of ours has talked a lot about it. Now we have another reason to visit!

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  10. We will put that on our list. That looks like a great place to visit.

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  11. Great place to put on my list of things to do!

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  12. What a cool place. I have never heard of the Sea Turtle Center. I love those paver bricks. They are so cute. Thanks for the tour.

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  13. We will have to visit there. Thank you for sharing your day and glad you are able to get around.

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  14. Always the teacher...Thanks for sharing the turtles with us..I love those wonderful prehistoric looking things...amazing creatures of the sea and land..

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  15. Who doesn't LOVE turtles? I've always been fascinated by them, and I guess I am one, now. Traveling along with my home always with me.

    They spelled a word wrong on that brick about the Mud Turtle. Should be "slower thAn a mud turtle." (I've never won a spelling bee, but like finding things like this.) Now, please don't point out my misspellings/wrong words. I find them from time to time, especially in my comments on other blogs. :(

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  16. What a great place. thanks for sharing this day with us.
    glad you are getting around while still recoverying.

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  17. I love turtles but never knew much about them. I enjoyed your blog, and will have to hope I get a chance to visit Jekyll Island some day.

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  19. Have to add this to our list.

    Looks like anonymous has found you, we finally gave up and blocked his posts.

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  21. Hi Wonderful place Judy!
    I impressed to your creativity

    I would like to visit these places if possible once in life

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