States – Page 18 – Wandering Dawgs

Happy Birthday America!

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019Posted in Georgia, LighthouseTagged American Flag, Independence Day, July 4th, Patriotic, Red White and Blue, Tybee Island Light Station, USA12 Comments

Wishing you a safe and happy Independence Day!

20190704-Tybee-Lighthouse-American-Flag-Sony-(2) — Flying the American Flag for Independence Day at Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia

Spring Road Trip

April 23, 2019April 23, 2019Posted in Nature, Road Trip, Tourist Attractions, VirginiaTagged Blue Ridge Mountains, Cave, eastern redbud, Luray Caverns, spring blossoms, springtime, stalactite, stalagmite, Virginia is for lovers25 Comments

Our latest road trip destination was southwest Virginia. The scenery was spectacular as we drove north from Georgia through the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

20190416-Redbut-in-NC-(3) — Eastern Redbud at rest area in Western North Carolina

After an overnight stop in Asheville we continued to be awed by the scenery as we drove north through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The flowering eastern redbud trees added splashes of pink as we traveled to Southwest Virginia.

20190417-Blue-Ridge-Mountains-in-NC-(1) — View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from North Carolina Interstate Overlook

20190417-Tennessee-Welcome-Center-(1) — Tennessee Welcome Center between Asheville and and Virginia

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(6) — Virginia welcome center in Bristol

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(9) — At the Virginia Welcome Center in Bristol

On our way to see Luray Caverns we took a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-Virginia-(27) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-IPhone-(1) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

After we purchased our tickets at Luray Caverns we had a short wait before we walked down the steps to begin the 90 minute tour. We followed our tour guide and stopped a few times along the way to admire the spectacular formations (and of course take photos).

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(14) — Reflecting pool, Luray Caverns, Virginia

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(71) — Wishing Well, Luray Caverns, Virginia

Luray Caverns, Virginia

All three generations of our family enjoyed the caverns, even our two teenage grandchildren!

Pink Spring Blossoms

April 2, 2019Posted in Flowers, Georgia, NatureTagged Coastal Georgia, pink blossoms, spriing flowers, spring blossoms, springtime18 Comments

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 Blossoms

Pink azaleas

30+ year old azaleas

Pink 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.

McQueen’s – Tybee Island Trail

March 25, 2019Posted in Georgia, Nature, WildlifeTagged explore Georgia, hiking, McQueen-Tybee Island Trail, Rails to Trails, salt marsh, Savannah, spartina grass12 Comments

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.

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(7) — The bridge to Fort Pulaski National Monument as seen from McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(8) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(12) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(18) — McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(4) — This bridge was damaged during one of the storms that went through the area

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(36) — A great place to sit and enjoy the view

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(37) — Driftwood in the salt marsh beside the trail

We spied some wildlife along the trail.

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(16) — This little diamond back terrapin was crossing the trail in front of us

20190310-Rails-to-Trails-(25) — Great blue heron in the salt marsh beside the trail

It was a gorgeous March day to get out and explore close to home.

February Wildflowers in North Florida

March 20, 2019Posted in Florida, Nature, WildflowersTagged Carolina Jasmine, Get out and explore, The Real Florida, Wild Azalea, wild dogwood14 Comments

The calendar said February but the flowers said spring!

As we wandered along the trails of Silver Springs State Park and O’Leno State park in north Florida this February, wildflowers added a pop of color to the lush green forest around us.