Welcome to Labor Day Monday morning. Since Mother Nature was nice enough to give me the opportunity, I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and head to the island for a ride before heading back to Athens.

My goal for this trip was simply to explore the island on two wheels. Places like the Beach Village, Historic District, and the Horton House along with the myriad of bike trails that crisscross the island initially came to mind. But over the years, I've learned about some lesser known attractions of the island, one of which is the abandoned amphitheater. Before heading back home on this Labor Day Monday, I decided to take advantage of the morning sunshine and see if I could find it.

The abandoned amphitheater isn't really "lesser known." The opposite is true, actually. Along with the host of YouTube videos, the amphitheater is shown and labeled on Google Maps. I didn't realize it at the time. But I was right on top of it when I stopped at the Jekyll Island Greenhouse yesterday.

I did some research before heading out this morning and discovered that there are two ways to get there. Along with the primary entrance near the greenhouse, an unmarked roadway next to the fire station leads to the other side of the amphitheater. I soon arrived in the middle of the seating area.

This amphitheater was the home of the Jekyll Island Musical Theater Festival from 1990 - 2004. Presented by Valdosta State University, the festival showcased three musicals each summer during a nine-week session. By 2005, budget constraints moved the festival to Valdosta where it became the Peach State Summer Theatre and continues to this day under that name.

Valdosta State University moved out after the 2004 season. The amphitheater was rarely used thereafter, and except for sporadic usage here and there, was completely abandoned by 2005.

Videos I have seen that were made several years ago show a number of walls and partitions that used to sit on the stage. I'm guessing these were used to separate things like dressing rooms, sound/lighting rooms, props, etc. Everything has been removed leaving only the stands and stage.

The amphitheater sits next to a pond at the Jekyll Island Golf Club.

I first learned about the amphitheater through YouTube and now realize that this is a pretty well-known landmark on the island.

I'm guessing that this is the remains of a lighting tower that sits at the top left of the seating area.

The amphitheater was equipped with several lighting towers on either side of the stands.

Remnants of another lighting tower.

I rode across the center of the stands to the opposite side of the theater.

It looks like Mother Nature has been trying to reclaim the property. But someone, probably the Jekyll Island Authority, appears to have been doing some kind of basic maintenance over the last 13 years.

This is as close as I'll ever get to being "on stage."

This was a decent-sized place in its day.

The Abandoned Amphitheater on Jekyll Island.

Two-picture panorama of the seating area as seen from the stage.

The Abandoned Amphitheater on Jekyll Island.

Being at the top center of the seating area, I'm guessing this is another lighting tower or projection booth.

I rode down to the stage area for more pics.

I'm not sure what the building seen in the photos above and below was or is.

I read about one unsuccessful attempt to bring the amphitheater back to life in 2013. So for now, it will continue to serve as a famous "lesser known" attraction of Jekyll Island.

The amphitheater sits in front of a pond at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. The trail I follow to get here continues toward the pond.

Pond behind the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

Pond behind the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

I came to a nearby clearing that gave me a good view.

Looking out over the pond at the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

Looking out over the pond at the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

Looking out over the pond at the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

Looking out over the pond at the Jekyll Island Amphitheater.

From the pond, I circled back to the trail and followed it to what I guess was the amphitheater's main entrance. Somehow, I missed this yesterday when I was checking out the greenhouse.

From the amphitheater, I headed back to the Historic District.

Riding through the Historic District.

Passing by the Gould Casino, (on the right side of the photo above).

The term "casino" actually refers to a recreation complex built by railroad executive Edwin Gould around 1902. The complex originally featured several buildings, one of which remains. This building originally housed tennis courts, and was remodeled into an auditorium in 1957. The Gould Casino is listed as an "unrestored building" with revitalization and reuse plans in the works.

As much as I hated to acknowledge it, I would eventually have to head back home to Athens. My time on Jekyll Island had come to an end for this trip.

This past couple of days of doing nothing by riding my bicycle around the island have been wonderful and exactly what I needed to "recharge."

This is definitely something I will be doing more often in the future !