When you open yourself up to life, Life opens up to you!

From A Not So Great To A Great!

Our next stop was Stephen C Foster State Park, Fargo, Ga., which also happens to be in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. A place I have been excited to get to since we planned it. I was not disappointed.

Even the ride there was cool, I saw a Armadillo! There he was just grubbing in the field. So cool! Unfortunately, Paul didn't see him so hopefully soon, he will get a chance.

The ride into the park is beautiful, a totally different environment for us, on both sides of the road fields of Saw Palmetto and tall straight pine.

Stephen C Foster, was an songwriter, having wrote over 200 songs, he became known as “The Father Of American Music.” Among the many he wrote, are several that most of us have sung many times over and had a lot of fun doing so. Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, My Old Kentucky Home, and Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair are but a few. The park is named for him due to his song that made the Suwanee River famous; “Old Folks At Home,” though most of us know it as “Swanee River.”

What a magical place, Two things I never thought I would fall in love with: a Swamp nor a Alligator, but let me tell you I fell hard and fast for both. That particular “Swamp” has such beauty, a quietness, an agelessness. You feel as though there was the beginning. Fills your senses with wonder, truly a walk back in time, holding the secrets to all. The water so dark it becomes reflective, As Above, as is Below. So powerful an experience for me. Cypress Trees covered in Spanish Moss like the wearing of veils. And the wildlife, the birds, oh the birds, Great Herons, Small Blue Herons, Egrets, Sandhill Cranes bugling as they fly across the sky, Cormorants, White Ibis, Pileated Woodpeckers and oh so many small birds; many I knew, many I didn't. And Owls! To be there and hear the call of the Barred Owl was so much fun but then I got to see one up close, (well as up close as I probably will ever get!) Maybe ten feet away, oh the thrill. Yes, I fell in love.

The campground itself was well laid out, the sites spaced apart nicely, with vegetation between most to give a feel of privacy. I like when the campground roads are one way, it reduces the traffic and makes it easier to walk and ride a bike. The bathhouses were good enough, could have been cleaned a tad better but not so bad as to be unusable. The water was hot and shower pressure great. I will say the campground was not the focus for us here. Up by the office/campstore was a great picnic/playground area and the park has cabins and cottages to rent as well. Campstore had your typical basic camping needs and snacks, as well as fun souvenirs; the usual. Staff here is great as we have found at all the state parks we have been to. Always willing to help and answers my constant stream of questions about the area. The highlight for us was the boat rentals. This we took full advantage of.

Our Interpreter Josh

We did two guided boat tours; one during the day and one twilight cruise. Wow, just Wow. The Interpreters here know their stuff and made sure we saw as much as possible. We also rented a canoe one day and motor boat on another. What fun and quite exciting. It was during our time on the water that we were able to see most of the wildlife. And some so close! There is an island with a walking trail called Billy's Island, so we took a break from boating and went ashore. Funny seems we always find an old cemetery where ever we go. This is an old family plot of the Lee Family, homesteaders of the area. To read more about the history of Billy's Island, go this site: https://traveltips.usatoday.com/history-billys-island-okefenokee-swamp-georgia-55056.html.

And yes, Alligators!! Lots of Alligators. Right at the marina there were lots of young ones, any where from about a foot to 3 feet in length. As your go out in the different areas of the swamp you can see the more adult sizes. Most we saw were probably in the 5 to 7 feet length, but yeah, we also saw a couple of really big ones. 9 -10 feet in length. That is big believe me. There is a section that is more lake like, very open and wide across, it was there we saw one, oh boy, he had to be 12 feet in length and just massive looking. Yes we stayed far away from that edge! One must remember Alligators are not aggressive by nature and if left alone don't go after people. We did see a smallish one (4 feet) get testy when the boat got to close for his comfort. When they feel threaten they give a warning by splashing down their tails hard on to the water. This one then even did a bit of a roll before going under and moving on. For the most part especially this time of year (cooler days) they are content to just hang out on the banks basking in the sun. As with all wildlife, respect them, admire them from afar, and appreciate their powers, their instincts, you are in their environment, again Respect that.

Alligators, like the swamp, have a agelessness about them. Ancient creatures, with the wisdom of the world in their eyes. An oldness, we can't even began to imagine. To look at them, really see them, they have such dark, soulful eyes. Even the young have that wizened look about them, A certain magic that holds you spellbound. Yes, again I feel in love.

This week was an experience I shall hold in my memories forever. An experience so very exciting and yes, tinged with that bit a fear. Thrilling, Haunting, Magical! A wonderful place in which to start the New Year. It was hard to say goodbye.

Next stop Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, Florida.

We took a whole lot of photos so enjoy! More Alligator photos in next post: Alligators!