Amy’s challenge is to explore differences between locations in the East and West or North and South using culture, architecture, plants, or landscape. I’m going to take a look at the differences between North Georgia and South Georgia landscapes. The opening image is springtime in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.
North Georgia
North Georgia has mountains, waterfalls, Tallulah Gorge, and the highest point in Georgia.
View from top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GeorgiaBlack Rock Mountain State ParkL’Eau d’Or Falls in Tallulah GorgeOne of the waterfalls as seen from Inspiration PointSylvan Falls in Mountain City, GAAda-Hi Falls in Black Rock Mountain State Park
South Georgia
South Georgia is flat and has the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, barrier islands, beaches, salt marsh, farmland, pecan groves, and historic Savannah.
Okefenokee LandscapeNanny Goat Beach, Sapelo Island, GeorgiaSunrise at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GAEarly Morning Salt Marsh
We had booked a morning snorkeling excursion and had just finished getting ready when our phone rang. The snorkeling trip was cancelled because of rough seas. I had just been looking at the description of the Rain Forest and Waterfall by 4×4 excursion and thinking how fun that would be. I asked if there was room for us and there was! I already had on my bathing suit and asked if there was swimming available and he said yes. That was even better!
We met our guide and followed him to our fun ride for the day – the cool 4×4 shown below. We climbed up a ladder, found our seats and off we went for our wild ride into the rain forest with the Wacky Rollers.
Our ride in Dominica
The drive to our first stop was on narrow, steep, winding roads. We stopped for a look down at the capital city of Roseau. When I saw the rainbow I was a happy camper. How could it get better than that? Well, it did.
We stopped at the Botanical Gardens for a look around at some of the beautiful vegetation and an unusual moth caterpillar.
The road was like a roller coaster as we got farther into the rain forest. It started raining which added to the adventure. The driver stopped on a bridge for a view of some hot springs.
Hot Springs in the Rain Forest of Dominica
At Morne Trois Pitions National Park we hiked up wet, slippery stone steps to view the Trafalger Waterfalls. It rained off and on the entire hike but the view at the top was our reward.
After returning to the bottom of the stairs we had a chance to read about the park at the Visitor’s Center and gazed out a window to see the rain coming down.
Rain in the Dominican Rain Forest
We continued the tour on more roller coaster roads until stopping at Ti Tou Gorge with an opportunity to swim into the gorge. Out of about a dozen people on the tour, only four women took the plunge. The water was cold as we swam against the current into the gorge to a circular pool where we could look up to see the sky. We continued a little farther for a peek at a waterfall before turning around to go back.
Swimming back to where we started was easy with the current pushing us along. It was a challenge getting out of the water onto the slippery rocks but I did it with the help of one of our guides.
The roller coaster ride continued down the mountain on the way back to the ship. Back on board we had a nice view of the colorful city of Roseau, watched another gorgeous sunset and enjoyed another fabulous dinner.
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.
We spent this day two years ago, October 17, 2017, on scenic mountain roads visiting waterfalls in Nantahalla National Forest in North Carolina, and Sylvan Falls in Georgia.
Dry Falls near Highlands, NC in the Nantahala National Forest
Fall Colors in the Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Behind Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands, NC
Small waterfall beside Hwy 64 between Highlands and Franklin, NC
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, SC
Oconee State Park, SC
Water 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 Falls
Issaqueena 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, SC
Walhalla 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 Road
View on Lower Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Bison at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Wandering 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.
Wandering Dawgs 
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