This is mostly a National Seashore although there are some private residences. It is a ferry ride to get here and most of the land is protected. Dirt/sand roads only. Great to have a bike as some of the attractions are a distance away. Very few people and no restaurants or shops of any kind. There are plant spurs if you go off the sand roads that can easily pop your tire. I talked to two people that had flats. I noticed them and tried to avoid grass areas near the ocean.
I started with a 7 mile one way ride to Plum Orchard. This is a Carnegie mansion built in 1898 and transferred to the federal govt in the 70's. The Carnegie family owned most of the island at the time. Another mansion, Dungeness, that I saw later is in ruins. Plum Orchard is in good shape and they give tours of the inside. They experimented with new technology and had DC electric at one point. Also a hugh ice maker that ran off a pulley driven by water. Also an elevator also driven by water power. How did they get all the materials? They had a number of boats and at least one full time captain. Things were brought in from all over the world including a full time french chef. They had anywhere from 10-200 servants depending on guests and whether they were there or not. They also had a large indoor pool!
The afternoon was spent going to a beach on the other side of the island from Sea Camp. Then to the Dungeness ruins and a marsh area in the South side of the island.
Fun to cruise the sand roads which are mostly shade due to many live oaks that make you feel like you are riding through a tunnel. A great day but time went by fast.
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