South Mag South Issue 71 | Page 129

ern coast is a vast shoreline descending from the dunes and stretching to the Atlantic. While only 3 short miles separate east from west, the habitats look and feel as though they are worlds apart. What makes Cumberland Island so special is that so many wildly varying creatures with vastly different needs and demands can all co-exist, isolated within such tight quarters together in seemingly peaceful harmony. The island is a paradox; while a sense of peacefulness prevails and time seems to stand still on Cumberland, the competing wildlife creates a constant tension and the surrounding environs are in constant motion. No two days are the same and every visit reveals something new and unexpected. These breathtaking encounters with nature are all remarkable in their own right, but it’s when you get your first glimpse of the island’s mysterious and majestic wild horses that your heart will start racing. Surprisingly, the horses themselves are never in a hurry. They move about casually, their regal gait slow, elegant, and deliberate, without a concern for your presence. These hors- es represent a window into a life in which all of our simplest needs and desires are realized. We envy their ability to live on their own terms, seemingly at peace among themselves, surrounded by such extraordinary beauty, with the natural wonders and rich variety that can only be found on Cumberland. – ANOUK KRANTZ Purchase Your Copy of Wild Horses of Cumberland Island at Barnes & Nobles. anoukkrantz.com 130 S OUT H M AGA ZI NE.C OM