In early November we poked around a tiny bit of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida visiting friends & family and just “hanging out”. The weather was more often than not grey and or rainy but we had fun anyhow. We recommend Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, Florida. For our RV friends the beach loop is very nice. There’s a very long fishing pier that affords not only the opportunity to cast a line (you have a good shot a catching a shark apparently) but also lots of ospreys to see.
We also walked around the fort for which the park is named. Construction by the United States began in 1847 but with the beginning of the Civil War the fort was seized by the Confederates early in 1861. Needing troops in more important locations, a year later General Lee ordered the fort abandoned and the Federals took it over and held it for the remaining of the war. Restored in the 1930’s by the CCC and now a Florida State Park this was perhaps the best fort display we’ve ever been to, and we’ve done quite a few. Stocked with period pieces and replicas the barracks, kitchen, laundry, store rooms, etc are extensive and done very well clearly showing how life was lived. If you have any interest in this time period especially it should be on your MVL (Must Visit List).
We spent a couple of days at Edisto State Park, Edisto Island, SC where we meet a few other Minnie Winnie folks (owners of small Winnebagos like ours). Having chatted via Facebook with several of them, it was nice to actually get to know them in person. Edisto is an OK park but not a place we’d likely spend more than a night.
The highlight of this blog posting however was a place I have wanted to see every since I was a child, Pogo’s home, The Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia/northern Florida. Directly across the road from the entrance on GA 121 is the Okefenokee Pastimes Campground, and we had it all to ourselves this time of year 🙂 Being the only tourists in the park, probably because it was a grey, on again off again rainy day, we took the short boat tour (90 minutes) with the cute and knowledgeable Jenn, who has lived there all her life.
Technically the Okefenokee is not a swamp but rather a bog and the source of both the St. Marys River and the Suwannee River. The majority of the area is protected as both a natural wildlife refuge and a wilderness area and in 1974 was declared a National Natural Landmark. While some might consider it forbidding and dangerous (and it is with 770 square miles of mostly unmarked waterways, Cyprus islands, peat mats, methane gas, alligators and black bears) the place is incredibly beautiful and I would love to spend a year exploring it. Maybe, someday…in the mean time put it on your MVL
If you’re a bug these two plants will bite you too…
Moni said:
Stunning photos!
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
That was fast! Thank you!
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Archer, William said:
This is one of my favorite posts Ed, very well done, clever as always, and my heart longs for tidewater country. Such great history too, never heard of Fort Clinch. By the way, that bird’s name is Bob and we’ve actually met.
Best regards,
Bill
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Marti Deppa Kirkpatrick said:
You’re too funny Bill 🙂
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Carolyn said:
Glad you are having fun. Love following your adventures
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
🙂
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Anne Sturm said:
Winged Victory is incredibly beautiful! Please enter it in one of the many contest that value your talent, Ed. Great picture of the Anhinga- you really caught the buffy neck and breast of the female. Your adventures, writing, and photographs are like free therapy. We should be paying for this! With gratitude, Anne
The eye is magnificent!
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
Anne, your praise is therapy for us! I knew you would know the bird.
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Sharon said:
Your lovely Cormorant is a double-crested juvenile (Phalacrocorax auritus). Nice shot!
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
Thank you! Best to John and Bill.
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Janice said:
Really enjoyed the photos! Outstanding! I just returned from Florida…amazing place!
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
Thanks Janice! We like it too… but Arizona is our winter hiding place.
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Lisa Archer Karmel said:
Finally! Just had a few minutes to look at this, and WOW!!! Like my Dad aka Cousin Bill, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The apple don’t fall far from the tree!
Its a shame neither of you are talented photographers, though. (wink, wink)
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Ed and Marti Kirkpatrick said:
Thank you Cuz!
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