05/28/2026
We came, we saw, we swam in the waves, we survived…. AND we learned about Carol….
…While inquiring as to the whereabouts of Gogo’s studio, to which the park ranger had never heard of (how you become a park ranger on Cumberland Island and not know about Gogo Ferguson is beyond me) he stated that he recently was told by a visitor about a woman who lived on the island, and that her name was Carol. He said the visitor spotted her, but she was in a hurry to get somewhere. I asked where she lived on the island… she sounded like an urban legend… like someone who took the ferry over & just never left. I had questions. He did not have answers. So I googled “Carol of Cumberland Island” This woman is a LEGEND! She is basically the Sandy West of Cumberland, but wilder. She is the reason Cumberland has been left wild & in its natural state - not built up with hotels & boardwalks. She has lived on the island for 52 years, and has done extensive research on the ecology there, sea turtles, preservation efforts, etc. There is a book written about her called “Untamed” which I will be reading very soon because my curiosity is peaked.
PS - if anyone has any info on Gogo’s studio there, or how to get a studio tour, I am very interested. As someone who works with found objects, and is interested in casting with organic material, Gogo is a huge inspiration to me, and a legend in her own right. I will be making some earrings with the little shells I found here, and can’t wait to show you! 🌊
