'Hop and Go' Lighthouse trolley provides convenient way to visit St. Simons Island

Visitors to and residents of St. Simons Island have a new way to get around this summer, thanks to the Hop and Go Lighthouse Trolley. The new service provides a convenient way to get around the southern end of St. Simons Island without the hassles of driving. Just park the car, hop on and go! It's that easy.

According to Cap Fendig, trolley co-owner and St. Simons Island native, the trolley continues a tradition that began more than 100 years ago during St. Simons Island's earliest days as a resort destination.

"In the days before the causeway was built to St. Simons Island (1924), you came to the island by boat from Brunswick, you landed here in the village and you caught a rail car or trolley car -- or a jeep train, depending on the decade -- to your cottage or your hotel on East Beach," FendigSimons Island has not had a transit system where you can step on and off as you visit your favorite hotel, attraction or restaurant.

"We've seen the island experience tremendous growth, and we believe that St. Simons Island is now poised and ready for a transit service that will seven days a week, from 11:00 am to midnight."

Trolley service began Memorial Day weekend, though the idea has been kicked around for several years, Fendig says. "We negotiated a contract with the Coastal Georgia Historical Society in 2009, to operate a shuttle between the lighthouse and the maritime museum at East Beach, but did not proceed due to the economy. It's something I've wanted to do for them because of my family's long involvement with the maritime industry."

"It's something that Cap and I have discussed for a number of years," says Pat Morris, executive director of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. "We opened the maritime center in 2006 and needed a way to connect with the lighthouse. This will be the perfect avenue for people to visit the maritime center, do some time on the beach, visit the lighthouse and enjoy the village. It's going to be a great opportunity and a great system that the island has needed for a long time."

Two trolleys serve the island, with scheduled stops at the plaza near the St. Simons Island fishing pier, the lighthouse, King and Prince Hotel, the maritime museum at East Beach, and Redfern Village. Visitors can park their cars at St. Simons Elementary School on Ocean Blvd., and near the fire station on Demere Road and the trolley will pick them up and drop them off.

The trolleys also will stop at many hotels, condominiums and restaurants along the route; just wave for a pickup! Riders also can call to arrange pickups from Sea Palms Inn, Longview Shopping Center, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western or Epworth by the Sea. Just call 638-3333.

Fendig says the trolleys enjoyed a "fabulous" start during the first weekend. "We showed up with almost no notice on one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year," he said. "It was a bit weak the first day but as soon as people realized the service is available, it exceeded our expectations. We even had guests from China, Peru, Colombia and England."

Trolley riders can purchase single-ride tickets or all-day passes. For a complete schedule, please visit Lighthouse Trolleys online.

Watch the video.

Lace up your running shoes and head to Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

Attention, runners! Lace up those shoes and get ready to run amid the beautiful surroundings of Brunswick and The Golden Isles! During February you can participate in two great running events: the annual Southeast Georgia Health System Bridge Run in Brunswick and the annual Super Dolphin Day Race on St. Simons Island.

SOUTHEAST GA HEALTH SYSTEM BRIDGE RUN - Feb. 19

Georgia's toughest 5K run takes place Saturday, Feb. 19 in Brunswick, GA. The ninth annual Southeast Georgia Health System Bridge Run will take competitors over the Sidney Lanier Bridge, the state's tallest cable stayed suspension bridge at 480 feet and 7,000 feet long. The U.S. Track and Field Association certified the run in 2006.

In addition to the run, there will be a variety of family activities including a 5K walk, an interactive fishing booth provided by the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, live entertainment, and food vendors.

The event begins at the southern foot of the bridge on Highway 17. To accommodate the anticipated crowd size of approximately 2,000 runners and walkers, there are new start times for the 2011 event:

• 8:30 a.m. Runners (Individuals)
• 9:00 a.m. Fire Fighter Challenge
• 9:10 a.m. Teams (Runners & Walkers)
• 9:30 a.m. Walkers (Individuals)

The awards presentation will take place at approximately 11 a.m. on stage.

Registration is $25 by Feb. 12 and $35 thereafter. For persons joining a team of 10 or more members, are $23 per person. All runners must register prior to the race-there will be no race day registration for runners this year. Walkers, however, will be able to register the day of the race. Because of the steep grade of the bridge, no strollers or inline skates will be allowed.

There will be a pre-run pasta party Friday, Feb. 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the deck of Coastal Kitchen Seafood and Raw Bar at the Morningstar Golden Isles Marina on St. Simons Island. Participants will be able to pick up their pre-registration packets, race numbers and t-shirts at the party.

Proceeds from the run will benefit Southeast Georgia Health System's cancer programs.

Registration forms are available online. For more information, contact Susan Bates at 912-466-5165 or 912-258-8220.

SUPER DOLPHIN DAY RACE - Feb. 26

Photo: www.superdolphinday.com

The 33nd annual Super Dolphin Day Race will take place Saturday, Feb. 26. Events include certified 5K and 10K races and a one mile Fun Run. The 10K run will begin at 7:30 am. The Mile Fun Run will begin at 9:00 am followed by the 5K race at 10:00. The event will take place at the St. Simons Island Casino, 530 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island.

The traditional pre-race pasta party will take place in the St. Simons Island Elementary School cafeteria, Friday Feb. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Silent Auction starts at the Pasta Party (5:30) and concludes on Race Day at 10:45. Winners announced during awards ceremony.

Super Dolphin Day is the largest fundraiser for St. Simons and Oglethorpe Point Elementary Schools. All donations are tax-deductible and go to support the schools' PTAs. Entrants can register during the pasta party, or on race day up to 30 minutes prior to their event. Registration forms and information are available at the official website, or you may register online at www.active.com.

* * *

The Golden Isles Track Club maintains an online calendar of running events throughout the area. Information can be found online.

Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia -- St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island -- offer more than 6,000 hotel rooms in properties that range from convenient Interstate hotels to bed and breakfast inns, island hotels and resorts, condominium and cottage rentals, and campgrounds. For information about special offers, please visit our Special Offers page.