Editor's Note

Last month I wrote about the importance of making time for life. “Life is too short and none of us are getting any younger. This summer, look hard at your priorities and find a way to make time for the other important things in life – not just work. We have jobs to pay for our lives – we don’t have lives just so we can work.”

I also promised a list of potential day trips, and here you have

it.

Explore one of the barrier islands in South Carolina or Georgia

While this may seem obvious, it never hurts to have a reminder. • Cumberland – See the wild horses and Dungeness ruins, hike the trails, and visit the National Seashore. • Jekyll – The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, explore Driftwood Beach, fish off the pier, or wander the historic district. • St. Simons – Visit the lighthouse, Fort Frederica, shop in the village, or play a round of golf. • Little St. Simons Island – Visit the lodge and spend the day with a naturalist, kayaking, exploring the beach, fishing, or birding. • Sapelo – Take a guided tour of the island and learn about its history and people. • Tybee – Climb to the top of the lighthouse, visit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, walk the beach, or kayak to Little Tybee. • Daufuskie – See the article starting on page 16! • Hilton Head – The Coastal Discovery Museum, give ziplining a try, explore the Gullah Heritage Trail, or visit the Audubon Newhall Preserve and do a little birding.

Learn About Critters – by Land or by Sea

• Visit the Charleston Aquarium or the Atlanta Aquarium • Swim with dolphins at Marineland, near St. Augustine, Fla. • Book a dolphin tour. • Visit the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium and participate in one of their events or activities. • Visit one of the National Wildlife Refuges in our region – for a list by state, visit: www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/bystate.html. Okefenokee is a Southern Tides favorite!

Wander one of the charming villages in our region

• Downtown St. Marys • Darien’s waterfront • Savannah’s Historic District • Old Town Bluffton • Downtown Beaufort • Historic Charleston

Get your history on!

• Visit one of the many Revolutionary or Civil War forts along the coast. • Explore Wormsloe Plantation then ride the few miles to the Pin Point Community. • Too hot outside? Spend a day on a museum tour – there are countless museums dedicated to a variety of subjects in the coastal region. Search Trip Advisor for lists by subject or area.

Whether you decide to go somewhere new or visit a familiar favorite, make a little time this summer for some fun and memories. You won’t regret it!

See you out there!

Top: Nothing beats a boat ride to put things in perspective and soothe the soul. What my friend Jamee calls "River therapy." Middle: Tooling around Daufuskie Island's sandy roads is a lot less stressful than your daily commute! Bottom: A meteorite found by Lancy Burn on Daufuskie. Days like this are what life's all about! Photos by Amy Thurman

Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com