The Okefenokee Swamp GTG
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:49 pmCarolyn and I did the swamp thing today. Puppies had to wait back at the rigs. We were not especially popular about that 
But they got over it. Such understanding pups. But after sitting out Thursday's thunderstorms and inches of rain....which I used to read, sleep and snuggle with Remi who decided he was afraid. 
today was just beautiful. Two other women from Carolyn's park went with us and at times it took all four of us to keep it together....read the road signs, make sure the trunk of the car was closed, make sure the starving chihauhua was rescued...... A wonderful young lady that worked at the Visitor's Center volunteered to take it to a shelter. After she made multiple calls on her cell phone it became apparent that the only opening she could find was a shelter in the next county and they charge money to accept a dog from out of county. 
A collection from the small group that had gathered (including Rob, our guide, who we watched turn over his tip money that we had 30 minutes before given him) was enough to pay the pups way. He was so thin every bone showed but his skin appeared healthy as did his eyes and though his ears were dirty they did not appear infected.....and he was friendly.......All I could think of was Carol's Miss Maggie. The boy needed a home.
We entered the Wildlife Refuge from the east (Folkston) entrance and took a boat ride down what is/was a man made canal that was originally dug with the thought to drain the swamp and timber the cypress. That timber company went bankrupt in the 1800's..... The eastern side of the swamp is more open per Rob, our guide with open water areas that are referred to as Prairies. Rob said that the western side is more forested with timber. We saw several alligators just out sunning themselves. The temps were perfect and few or no bugs.... Didn't see the birds we would have enjoyed but just can't have everything.
Here it Carolyn's Mr. Buffet enjoying the views from the boat.
Carolyn and I both kept watching the kayaks with envy. This area really was meant to be explored by canoe or kayak......
SLow the boat, there is another one! The four of us were the only ones on the tour so we got to do just about what ever we wanted to...
After the boat ride we drove over to Swamp Island and walked the 3/4 mile boardwalk to the Owls Roost Tower where you can climb up and up and up.....and see out over the swamp.....
This fellow was just sitting along the side of the road sunning himself. Carolyn's friend from the camp ground got out of the car and got a close picture...but I did not. I don't run as fast as I used too....
And Carolyn taking pictures....
Back at the campground Herschel and the Twins asked Sedona to come out and play with them and Herschel was able to play with OT one more time before OT had to leave and go back to Sedona's Rig.
The Twins and OT did have one final toast to all adventures before parting.
Herschel and the pups and I are heading up towards Lori, The Sultan and Savannah tomorrow morning. Carolyn is going to try to meet up with us Sunday morning to join us for a driving tour of Savannah...or whatever else we might find interesting......for yet another spontaneous GTG
But they got over it. Such understanding pups. But after sitting out Thursday's thunderstorms and inches of rain....which I used to read, sleep and snuggle with Remi who decided he was afraid. today was just beautiful. Two other women from Carolyn's park went with us and at times it took all four of us to keep it together....read the road signs, make sure the trunk of the car was closed, make sure the starving chihauhua was rescued...... A wonderful young lady that worked at the Visitor's Center volunteered to take it to a shelter. After she made multiple calls on her cell phone it became apparent that the only opening she could find was a shelter in the next county and they charge money to accept a dog from out of county. A collection from the small group that had gathered (including Rob, our guide, who we watched turn over his tip money that we had 30 minutes before given him) was enough to pay the pups way. He was so thin every bone showed but his skin appeared healthy as did his eyes and though his ears were dirty they did not appear infected.....and he was friendly.......All I could think of was Carol's Miss Maggie. The boy needed a home. We entered the Wildlife Refuge from the east (Folkston) entrance and took a boat ride down what is/was a man made canal that was originally dug with the thought to drain the swamp and timber the cypress. That timber company went bankrupt in the 1800's..... The eastern side of the swamp is more open per Rob, our guide with open water areas that are referred to as Prairies. Rob said that the western side is more forested with timber. We saw several alligators just out sunning themselves. The temps were perfect and few or no bugs.... Didn't see the birds we would have enjoyed but just can't have everything.
Here it Carolyn's Mr. Buffet enjoying the views from the boat.
Carolyn and I both kept watching the kayaks with envy. This area really was meant to be explored by canoe or kayak......
SLow the boat, there is another one! The four of us were the only ones on the tour so we got to do just about what ever we wanted to...
After the boat ride we drove over to Swamp Island and walked the 3/4 mile boardwalk to the Owls Roost Tower where you can climb up and up and up.....and see out over the swamp.....
This fellow was just sitting along the side of the road sunning himself. Carolyn's friend from the camp ground got out of the car and got a close picture...but I did not. I don't run as fast as I used too....
And Carolyn taking pictures....
Back at the campground Herschel and the Twins asked Sedona to come out and play with them and Herschel was able to play with OT one more time before OT had to leave and go back to Sedona's Rig.
The Twins and OT did have one final toast to all adventures before parting.
Herschel and the pups and I are heading up towards Lori, The Sultan and Savannah tomorrow morning. Carolyn is going to try to meet up with us Sunday morning to join us for a driving tour of Savannah...or whatever else we might find interesting......for yet another spontaneous GTG
