It seems like we’ve been going non stop since we returned from our trip to Ireland and Scotland on May 23. Once I got caught up on laundry and got over the jet lag, I’ve been able to enjoy the summer.
With very little rain while we were on our trip, my garden was suffering when we got home. After a few days of digging in the dirt and a little watering, it is now thriving.
ZinniaDaylilyFiddler Crab on milkweedZinnias in the butterfly gardenZinnia
Some days are perfect for a boat ride.
High tide in the Georgia Salt MarshDriftwood on a Georgia sandbar
The hummingbirds come by each day and a painted bunting bunting pair and other small birds come by the feeder regularly. Wading birds are frequent visitors in the neighborhood.
Where I live in coastal Georgia, March is the month when our azaleas and some flowering trees show off their brilliant colors. Some of the beds in my yard are filled with azaleas I planted about 30 years ago. Every spring they still delight me with their beautiful blooms.
Spring Georgia Peach BlossomsPink azaleas30+ year old azaleasPink and white on the same azalea
Many of the blooms are gone now and after our first April shower this morning, a lot of the remaining flowers now lay on the ground. I’ll have to wait another year for the pink blooms to return.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy nonprofit organization has created a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. The McQueen’s – Tybee Island Trail near Savannah, Georgia is one of the those trails. The gravel trail is a popular place for walking, biking and jogging.
The trail suffered extensive damage in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew came through the area in October. Less that a year later, Hurricane Irma caused more damage. The work to repair the damage is still not complete and parts of trail are closed.
As of now, the only access to the trail is a parking area at the trailhead near the entrance to Fort Pulaski National Monument. Starting at the trailhead, we walked until we came to a damaged bridge that still can be crossed safely. In all we went about about a mile and a half round trip.
The bridge to Fort Pulaski National Monument as seen from McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GAMcQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GAMcQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GAMcQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GAThis bridge was damaged during one of the storms that went through the areaA great place to sit and enjoy the viewDriftwood in the salt marsh beside the trail
We spied some wildlife along the trail.
This little diamond back terrapin was crossing the trail in front of usGreat blue heron in the salt marsh beside the trail
It was a gorgeous March day to get out and explore close to home.
We are off again on our first RV trip of 2019. Our first stop was Laura S. Walker State Park in Hoboken, Georgia. We were there during the weekend and the park was full of families enjoying their days off. The park was a perfect home base to explore the Okefenokee Swamp Park which is a short drive away.
Sunset at Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GACrescent Moon over Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GAView from our campsite at Laura S Walker State Park, Hoboken, GA
During the last 12 years we have visited the Okefenokee Swamp several times from the southern end in Fargo. I posted about our last visit there at The Land of Trembling Earth It’s been over 40 years since we visited the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross. Our two young children were with us back then. Oh, the memories!
This well run and well maintained private park has been attracting visitors to the swamp since 1946. There are boardwalks with views of the swamp, a train ride, educational exhibits, and wildlife presentations which are all included in the entrance fee. For an additional fee, visitors can take a guided boat tour through the swamp.
Not all of the boardwalks were open when we were there. Some are closed due to the high water level caused by heavy rainfall in December and January. One of the boardwalks that is open took us by several American alligators in their native habitat.
American Alligators at Okefenokee Swamp ParkAmerican Alligators at Okefenokee Swamp Park
After seeing an interesting presentation on native reptiles of the Okefenokee we took the train ride through the swamp.
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GAOkefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GAOkefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GACypress trees in the Okefenokee Swamp Park, Waycross, GATrees are starting to bloom early
After so many visits to the Okefenokee Swamp in Fargo, it was fun to see it from a different location.
Wandering Dawgs 