What better way to begin our winter southern adventure than a stop in one of our favorite state parks, Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Much of the swamp is covered with thick peat deposits. The early Native Americans named the area Okefenokee which means “land of trembling earth” because they felt the movement of the peat beneath their feet as they walked.
There were deer in the campground every day. One day we took a walk on the boardwalk nature trail near the marina and watched an egret searching for food.
White Tailed Deer in the Okefenokee
Egret in the Okefenokee
The Okefenokee Swamp is one of North America’s most unspoiled natural wilderness areas. According to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge web page, “the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries.
We always enjoy going out in a boat to explore the swamp. On our last visit we enjoyed our ranger guided boat tour so much we decided to go on another tour. While waiting for the tour to begin we wandered around the boat ramp and discovered Mama gator Sophie lounging by the ramp with some of her babies hanging out nearby.
Mama Sophie by the boat ramp with her babies nearby
Young alligators
Young alligators
Young alligator
As we rode through the man made canal into the swamp we spied more young gators on the bank enjoying the warm day.
Young alligators on the bank
A large gator checked us out as we exited the canal into the swamp.
Alligator in the Okefenokee
After a few days of cloudy skies and chilly days the sun was starting to warm things up. The warmer weather brought out plenty of wildlife.
Okefenokee Swamp
Cormorant in the Okefenokee
Alligator in the Okefenokee
Alligators enjoying some warm weather
Turtle in the swamp
Hanging out in the Okefenokee
The water winds through ancient cypress trees and water lilies.
Beautiful day in the OkefenokeeCypress Trees in the Okefenokee
But only as far as the suspension bridge 80 feet above Hurricane Falls.
Suspension Bridge over Tallulah Gorge Hurricane FallsHenry crossed to the other side of the gorge
With my fear of heights I could only go a few feet on the bridge. I did manage to see the top of Hurricane Falls.
View of Tallulah Gorge from the suspension bridgeLooking down on Hurricane Falls from the suspension bridge
I handed Henry the camera for some better pictures.
Looking down on Hurricane Falls from the suspension bridgeLooking down on Hurricane Falls from the suspension bridge
I took a picture of the falls from the stairs.
A view of the top of Hurricane Falls from the stairs
And one of Henry looking down from the bridge.
Henry on the suspension bridge above Hurricane Falls
We posed for a selfie before starting back up to the top.
We were smiling before we started back up the stairs to the topIt’s time to go back up the 310 stairs
We made it back to the top after stopping at a few landings and resting on every bench.
I was finally able to capture some fall colors on top of the trail
Younger, braver, and more fit people can cross the bridge to the other side and go down 221 more stairs for a view of Hurricane Falls from the bottom. There is also access to the south rim trail on the other side of the bridge. For us, we are glad we made down and back all in one piece!
The almost 1,000 foot deep Tallulah Gorge is a spectacular place in the Georgia mountains for hiking and seeing waterfalls. The hiking trails range from easily accessible rim trails with overlooks of the gorge to a strenuous hike to the gorge floor requiring a permit. After entering the state park we went straight to the Visitor’s Center for a trail map before beginning our trek on the North Rim trail. We stopped at two overlooks with views of the gorge.
Looking down at the suspension bridge above Hurricane FallsAn overlook on the south rim trail on the other side of Tallulah Gorge
On July 18, 1970, tightrope walker Karl Wallenda walked across the gorge from this overlook on the north rim to the south rim.
Tightrope walker Karl Wallenda walked a tightrope across the gorgeWallenda Tower used by Karl Wallenda in his tightrope walk across the gorge in 1970The Tallulah river at the bottom of Tallulah GorgeView from one of the North Rim overlooks at Tallulah Gorge State Park
Inspiration Point is the highest point in the park and the trail to get there was was a quarter mile uphill hike. When we got to the top we were happy we decided to do the trail.
On the trail to Inspiration PointOne of the waterfalls as seen from Inspiration PointView from Inspiration PointView from Inspiration Point
The good news was it was downhill to return to the North Rim Trail from Inspiration Point. With more waterfalls to see we continued along the north rim to two more overlooks.
L’Eau d’Or Falls in Tallulah GorgeL’Eau d’Or Falls in Tallulah Gorge
It was way past lunchtime by then so our last adventure at Tallulah Gorge would have to wait until the next morning. It was time to head back to Dillard for some delicious southern cooking at the Dillard House.
The Dillard House
The Dillard House
Dillard House dining Room
Bring your appetite when you go to The Dillard House
After our late lunch we were done for the day. Stay tuned for our final adventure at Tallulah Gorge.
Welcome to the next post in my series highlighting states we have visited throughout the years. I hope you will enjoy coming along for the ride!
I will be featuring the states alphabetically. The next state in my series is
West Virginia
West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863. The Capital is Charleston.
Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue ridge mountain, Shenandoah river, Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze
– from “Country Roads, Take Me Home” by John Denver
West Virginia is in my blood. My father grew up in a farm house high up in the southern part of the West Virginia Appalachian Mountains during the depression. Way back in the 1700’s my ancestors settled in the part of Virginia that later became West Virginia. Every year of my childhood my brothers and I climbed in the back seat of our family station wagon to travel up the narrow, winding roads up the mountain to spend a week at my grandparent’s house where my father grew up.
I’ve only traveled to West Virginia a few times in my adult life. Over 20 years ago Henry and I traveled to Pence Springs to attend a family reunion. The beautiful old Pence Springs Grand Hotel was our home for the reunion. Through the years the building has been a girl’s school, a resort, and a women’s prison. Since our stay there it has reverted back to a girl’s school.
Pence Springs Grand HotelPence Springs Grand Hotel
The campground at Pipestem Resort State Park was our home for several days of exploring southern West Virginia. Located on the east rim of the Bluestone River Gorge, this scenic park was perfectly located for day trips all around the area.
An aerial tramway takes visitors to the bottom of the 1,200 foot Bluestone Gorge in Pipestem State ParkIt’s a long way down to the Bluestone River
One of my ancestors, Col. James Graham built this home in 1772. One of the oldest and most historic homes in West Virginia, The Graham House Preservation Society maintains the house and tours are available.
Graham House, Summers CountyGraham House, Summers County
The New River is one of the oldest rivers on the continent and is one of the few that flows north. Biking trails, hiking trails, and white water rafting are popular activities in The New River Gorge National River. The New River Gorge Bridge is the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the world. We stopped at a few of the overlooks in the park for spectacular views of the river.
The New River flows northBridges over the New RiverSandstone Falls on the New RiverNew River Gorge Bridge is the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the world
We enjoyed walking around historic Hinton and took a drive to the Bluestone Dam.
Bluestone DamBluestone DamHinton, WV CourthouseJohn Henry Statue, Talcott, West Virginia
After leaving Pipestem State Park our travels took us through Charleston where we passed by the state capitol on the way through the city.
State capital in Charleston, West Virginia
In another part of West Virginia we toured parts of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. We were camped at the Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA and took a ranger guided tour of the battlefield at Murphy Farm where Confederate Soldiers captured over 12,000 Union soldiers in September, 1862.
Confederate soldiers climbed up this bank with cannons of the Shenandoah River at the Murphy Farm
Next we strolled around the historic buildings in the town of Harpers Ferry. John Brown’s raid took place here in 1859 and the town changed hands about 8 times during the Civil War. The town is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. These days it is a popular place for tubing, kayaking and fishing.
John Brown’s Fort at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, West VirginiaHarpers FerryThe Shenandoah River at Harpers Ferry is a popular place for tubing an kayakingHarpers Ferry
Welcome to the next post in my series highlighting states we have visited throughout the years. I hope you will enjoy coming along for the ride!
I will be featuring the states alphabetically. The next state in my series is
Washington
Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889. The Capital is Olympia.
Our first journey through the state of Washington began when we crossed the state line from Idaho heading west. After a quick night in Spokane we drove across the plains of south east and central Washington. On both sides of the highway were fields of sweet corn, alfalfa, potatoes and spearmint. Later in the day the flat land changed to rolling hills. We stopped at the Columbia River Gorge for a look before crossing the river.
Columbia River GorgeColumbia River Gorge
After another quick stay at a campground outside of Seattle, we drove through Olympia and began our journey on Hwy 101 to the Olympic Peninsula. For many miles we traveled along the Hood Canal before arriving in Port Angeles to explore Olympic National Park.
Hood Canal beside Hwy 101
A drive to the top of Hurricane Ridge was the first thing on our agenda. It was sunny when we started the ascent up the winding road but it wasn’t long before the snow started coming down. When we arrived at the top the snow was deep and there were snow boarders and cross country skiiers enjoying the snow. The view of the mountains was spectacular.
Driving through snow on the road to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National ParkHurricane Ridge in Olympic National ParkDeer beside the road on the way to Hurricane RidgeOn the way back down we stopped for a view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca with Canada on the other side
Another day we drove by Crescent Lake on the way to the Hoh Rain Forest. When we arrived at the National Park entrance we were disappointed to find it closed. After making a few purchases at a small store a few miles from the entrance we found out there was a trail head just outside the park so off we went to explore the trail. There had been a big storm the previous year and there were many trees down.
Crescent LakeHiking in the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National ParkHoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
After our hike, we passed by a field with Roosevelt Elk on the drive back to the campground.
Roosevelt Elk in Olympic National ParkRoosevelt Elk in Olympic National Park
Dungeness Harbor was nearby so one night we went for dinner at the Three Crabs (the restaurant is now closed). There was a great view of the New Dungeness Lighthouse and were able to watch the sun go down.
New Dungeness LighthouseSunset at Dungeness Harbor
Leaving Port Angeles in our rear view mirror we continued our journey through Washington on Hwy 101. As we drove south along the coast we caught our first glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. Hoping to find a parking space big enough for our truck and fifth wheel, we turned off the highway into a parking area at Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park. Success! It was a little tight but there was space to park and turn around to get back to the highway. After going down a short path to the beach we enjoyed our first walk beside the Pacific Ocean.
Our first view of the Pacific Ocean was Ruby BeachRuby BeachRuby Beach
We continued down the coast to our next stop, Cape Disappointment Sate Park on the Long Beach Peninsula. It quickly became one of our all time favorite state park campgrounds. Our site was spacious with with a path behind the site. Inside the state park there were trails to explore, beautiful beaches, two lighthouses, magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean from high atop cliffs, and a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The first order of business to walk down the path and we were thrilled to step out onto a beautiful beach with a view of the North Head Lighthouse.
I loved this view of the North Head Lighthouse as we walked out on the beach from the trail behind our campsiteA short trail behind our campsite at Cape Disappointment State Park led us to this beautiful beachSunset at Cape Disappointment State ParkHigh above the Pacific Ocean at Cape Disappointment State ParkBoat washed up on the beach at Cape Disappointment State Park
Lewis and Clark first spotted the Pacific Ocean while in the area and there is evidence of the their presence in and around the state park. We learned a lot about their journey at the excellent Interpretive Center in the state park.
Lewis and Clark monument on the McKenzie Trail
Lewis and Clark first sighted the Pacific Ocean near here and camped in the area
We explored some of the nearby towns and beaches on the Long Beach Peninsula. We ate our fill of local seafood at some of the restaurants in the area. Blondie loved running on the dog friendly beaches.
Blondie loved the dog friendly beach at Long Beach
We loved the two lighthouses at Cape Disappointment State Park.
North Head LightCape Disappointment LighthouseCape Disappointment Lighthouse
Our first Washington adventure ended when we crossed the Columbia River into Oregon. Several years later we returned to Washington on our return trip from Alaska. After a couple of nights in Orroville just south of the border from British Columbia our route took us past more beautiful scenery and the Grand Coulee Dam.
Driving along in northern Washington after our trip to Alaska in 2013Near the Grand Coulee DamGrand Coulee Dam
Wandering Dawgs 
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