Cumberland Island

Looking down the vacant Cumberland beaches, the light brown sand, lush green plants, and deep blue ea is all that is in sight. This island is unlike any other place I have been. Being a national seashore, the entire island is disconnected from any commercialism or industrialism. Instead, it is covered in endless, lush trees with long, Tarzan-like vines floating down. There are wild horses that roam the island, armadillos that hide in the green, gators that burrow in the swamps, and thousands of other species that inhabit this land.

Cumberland Island has now downtown, no grocery stores or restaurants, and few tourists. Similar to the feel of the Harvey Gamage, being here is like stepping back in time to a world before technology. After spending a week in Charleston, a bustling city, it is a welcome change.

In the first few weeks of Ocean Classroom, the thought of going to port, back to civilization and technology was what got us through the voyage. However, as the weeks have gone by, it has become the opposite. Instead of wanting to stay in touch with society in Charleston, we were all eager to set sail. What we had grown to love about Ocean Classroom is the serenity and beauty that we see everyday on board. Each port we have been to has been beautiful, however, unlike Cumberland, they remind us of the life we have waiting at home.

Instead, Cumberland Island reminds me of an amazing dream. As we were walking along the beach, Niki said, "Cumberland is like the backyard we wish we had, but we now have buildings and computers."

Today we get to swim and play on the fantasy-like island until returning to reality as we travel the eight miles to our last U.S. port stop: Fernandina Beach, Florida.

-Haley