Welcome to #4 in my Throwback Thursday series of flashbacks to memorable days from our past RV trips.
Flashback to ten years ago, August 22, 2009. We were camping at Grant River Corps of Engineers park in Potosi, Wisconsin, across the Mississippi River from Iowa.
Potosi, Wisconsin side of the MIssissippi River looking toward Dubuque, Iowa
After spending the previous day exploring across the Mississippi River in Iowa, we stayed close to our campsite and enjoyed lunch in the outdoor beer garden at the Potosi Brewery in Potosi, Wisconsin (population 711 in 2009). The National Brewery Museum is located at the brewery.
Outdoor beer garden in front of the brewerySprings at the Potosi BreweryNatural Spring Water used to brew Potosi BeerPotosi BreweryGood Old Potosi Beer
They were having their first annual Brewfest that day which brought lots of people into town.
The town was set up for the The First Annual BrewfestThe town was set up for the The First Annual Brewfest
We enjoyed a Good Old Potosi beer with lunch and bought a Growler to take with us. Sadly, the bottle is long gone and I never even took a picture of it!
Welcome to #3 in my series of flashbacks to memorable days from our RV trips.
Flashback to twelve years ago, on August 15, 2007. After a three month RV trip from Georgia to the west coast, we weren’t ready to sit still yet. With 100 degree heat at home, we decided to escape to Mountain Rest, South Carolina to beat the heat. Our campsite was at Oconee State Park in the South Carolina Upcountry about 30 minutes from the Georgia state line in one direction and the North Carolina state line in another direction.
August 15 was our first full day camping at the park. We started the day by wandering around the state park.
Lake in Oconee State Park, SCOconee State Park, SCWater Wheel at Oconee State Park, SC
We took a scenic drive to nearby Issaqueena Falls and the Stumphouse Tunnel.
The falls are named after Issaqueena, an Indian Maiden who fell in love with David Francis, a silversmith who lived in what is now the town of Ninety Six, South Carolina. After she learned that her tribe planned a surprise attack on the settlement, Issaqueena warned the settlers there. Angry at her for warning the settlers, her tribe tracked her down. To escape, she jumped over the falls and hid on a ledge behind the water. The warriors thought she was dead and gave up the search.
Issaqueena FallsIssaqueena Falls
The Stumphouse Tunnel also has an interesting story. The railroad wanted to connect Charleston, SC with the midwest so they began building the tunnel in 1852. The tunnel goes about 1600 feet into the mountain but was never finished.
The Stumphouse Tunnell was never finished
At the Walhalla Fish Hatchery we saw thousands of trout of all different sizes.
Walhalla Fish Hatchery, SCWalhalla Fish Hatchery, SC
We camped at Oconee State Park a few more days and continued to explore the area not only in South Carolina but also in North Carolina and Georgia. We discovered scenic drives, more waterfalls, good restaurants, and mountain trails.
Wandering Dawgs at Issaqueena Falls, SC, August 15, 2007
We’re not traveling as much in our fifth wheel anymore so I thought it would be fun to relive some of our most memorable days from previous RV trips.
Flashback to our first RV trip in the summer of 2006. On this day 13 years ago, August 8, 2006, the Wandering Dawgs were enjoying the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park.
That day we watched Old Faithful erupt and drove the Lower Loop Road where we saw Bison herds (American Buffalo), waterfalls, and spectacular scenery. It was one of our most memorable days from all of our RV travels.
Old Faithful (Wyoming)Bison in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)Lower Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)Waterfall along Yellowstone Lower Loop RoadView on Lower Loop Road, Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, WyomingBison at Yellowstone National Park, WyomingWandering Dawgs at Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park in 2006
We spent about a week camping outside of Yellowstone National Park and spent most of those days exploring the park.
I originally started the Wandering Dawgs blog as a way to keep friends and family updated as we traveled from Georgia to Alaska in 2013. Six years later, the blog is still going strong. We’re not traveling as much in our RV anymore so I thought it would be fun to relive some of our most memorable days from previous RV trips.
On this day six years ago, August 1, 2013, we were nearing the end of our stay in Alaska. That day, we drove from Glacier View, Alaska, to Valdez, our last major Alaska destination. I remember that drive was one of the most spectacular drives of our Alaska journey.
There were mountains and glaciers along the way.
On to drive to ValdezMantanuska Glacier on the Glenn HighwayWe could see Worthington Glacier from the highway about 30 miles from Valdez
We had lunch with a view.
We had lunch at Willow Lake with a view of Mount WrangellWelcome to Valdez
As we got close to Valdez we descended a long steep grade through Keystone Canyon and saw jaw dropping scenery as we drove by. We couldn’t stop while towing the fifth wheel so I took these waterfall phtotos the next day when we drove back up the highway for a closer look.
Bridal Veil Falls in Keystone CanyonHorsetail Falls waterfall in Keystone Canyon
Our four days in Valdez were a great way to end our Alaska adventure before we began our return trip to Georgia.
Of the eight large barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, only four can be accessed by a bridge. Sapelo Island is one of the islands that can only be reached by water and visiting it has been on my bucket list for years.
Sapelo is the fourth largest Georgia barrier island. Most of the island is owned by the state of Georgia. The state owned portion of Sapelo is home to the RJ Reynolds Wildlife Management area on the north end of the island, the University of Georgia’s Marine Institute, and the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The remaining 434 acres is the privately owned community of Hog Hammock. Many of the 70 residents there are descendants of former African-American slaves. Today, some property owners live elsewhere and a few of the houses are managed as vacation rentals.
We spent Friday night in Darien so we wouldn’t have far to go for our early Saturday morning ferry. We enjoyed a delicious fried shrimp and crab cake dinner Friday night at Skippers Fish Camp on the Darien waterfront. During our after dinner walk beside the water we spied 3 baby alligators on the banks of the river and a manatee behind a shrimp boat.
Darien Waterfront
On Saturday morning, it didn’t take long to get to Sapelo Visitors Center from Darien. After purchasing our tickets for the Sapelo Ferry we learned a little about the history of the island from the interpretive displays and enjoyed the views from the deck.
View from the Visitor’s Center on the mainland with Sapelo Island in the distance.
The ferry departed at 9:00, right on schedule. Pelicans were busy diving for fish as we made our way to the island.
Ferry Boat on the mainland waiting to take passengers to Sapelo IslandGeorgia salt marsh viewed from the ferry to SapeloSapelo Lighthouse as seen from the ferry
Our guide Yvonne Grovner took us around the island in a small air conditioned van. Yvonne grew up on Sapelo in the Hog Hammock community and told us many interesting facts about the island. We went from paved roads to narrow dirt trails as we traveled around the island.
Behavior Cemetery on Sapelo IslandTabby ruins on Sapelo Island, GeorgiaReynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island, Georgia
We climbed the 77 steps to the top of the Sapelo Lighthouse.
Sapelo Lighthouse, Georgia
Our last stop before returning to the mainland was Nanny Goat Beach. It was a Saturday and there were a few people enjoying the white sandy beach. Our guide told us sometimes on weekdays there is no one else there.
Nanny Goat Beach, Sapelo Island, Georgia
If you are planning a visit to Sapelo Island, you must make reservations for the ferry in advance. Reservations are also needed to take the tour. If you would rather explore on your own, golf carts and bicycles are available for rent. A few homes are available for rent and group camping is available. Reynolds Mansion can also be rented by groups.
Wandering Dawgs 