Ichetucknee Springs State Park

November 10, 2013

The only thing memorable  about our stay at River Run RV Park was the little girl riding her bike around the area. She stopped and asked to pet Tucker; then pondered for a monument and drawled, "He shooore es cool."

From May to mid-September, the Ichetucknee River near Fort White, Florida is a mecca for tubing and flows through Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Its best-known feature is the Blue Hole, an underwater cave where cave certified scuba-divers can explore from October through March.

http://forums.scubadiving.com/showthread.php?97301-Diving-Jug-Hole-Ichetucknee-Springs-State-Park

Okefenokee Swamp

November 9, 2013

Primary access to the Okefenokee Swamp is via the Stephen C. Foster  State Park in Georgia. Gates to the National Refuge close at 5:00pm and we ran in the Parks door at 4:59. Due to our late arrival we had our pick of two handicapped sites; not bad for being disorganized. 

The darkness descended quickly and Tucker needed a walk so we put on our headlamps and headed down the road with the swamp bordering one side of it. If you shine your lights on the water, yellow orbs reflect the light and then slowly disappear beneath the water. One official estimate is that there are approximately 12,000 alligators in the 402,000 acre swamp. 

In the morning a young girl on her bicycle rode through our campsite with twigs in her hand and asked if we needed a fire built.  She explain that she had been practicing building fires but her family had an electric starter so her services were not necessary. We declined her offer but hope she located someone to warm.  Before packing up we took advantage of a couple trails for a bike ride. 

Georgia

November 8-10

Tucker clearly expresses how I feel about driving all day- although sometimes it is necessary. 

Due to a late start and a stated arrival time, I tried to take a photo of the cotton fields through the window on the way to Locust, Georgia to visit friends. However, the shot does not capture the acreage devoted to its cultivation.

Upon our arrival, I let Tucker out of the car and he immediately snuck off into the neighbor's yard. In my pursuit to catch him before he finished eating whatever he had located, I stepped on some innocuous-looking vines that grab your legs and and chew them like barbed-wire. (Question-When did my legs become freckled?)

Our friends have a beautiful cabin on Shulin Lake, the same lake in Alaska that we have ours, and it was fun to visit their winter "crib" in Georgia.

The Smokies

December 18, 2013

Preface:
I am determined be up-to-date on my blog by the end of 2013-if I can avoid being distracted by  contemplating the purchase of new travel accouterments; the most recent are foldable shoes highlighted on http://www.bookofjoe.com  
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November 4-5, 2013 

It drops below freezing in November in the Smokies so we have foregone filling the water tanks in our trailer. The upshot is that campgrounds must have a separate bathroom facilities for those campers with limited amenities. We arrived after dark at a private campground relatively close to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We selected a space, parked and then Tucker and I walked around to see if we could locate the "comfort station". In the interim, Steve contacted the campground owner and learned trailers needed to be self-contained and no additional facilities were available. Soooo, we unplugged from the power source, retracted the four stabilizer legs and traveled to another campground recommended by the previous campground owner.  With little light, a brown picnic table turned on its side is difficult and inflicted an unwanted souvenir on Steve's shin. Otherwise, Pride RV Park met our criteria.

Steve loves to fly fish and had read that Native Brook Trout lived in a stream in the Park called Straightfork. Tucker tried to fish too but his enthusiasm diminished Steve's so we decided to hike instead.

There are several trails that intersect with the Appalachian Trail but unbeknownst to me until reading the trailhead sign, dogs are prohibited. Plan B led us to a closed road and a chance to enjoy the autumn colors.

The Outer Banks (OBX)

November 1-3, 2013

The Outer Banks is 100 miles of ocean shore line on the east coast of North Carolina. Looking at the map it appears the coastline is one long string of towns but in reality there are miles with no development. 

Outer Banks of North Carolina

It was after dark when we pulled in a campground in Kill Devil Hills and while setting up for the night, Tucker snuck off and jumped in the canal behind the trailer. Not a surprising event but some of those waterways are homes to alligators. 

The following morning we struck up a conversation with a Canadian couple who were driving a 20 foot van purchased from the same company where we bought our Alto trailer. It was the first time we have seen another Safari Condo vehicle on the road or in a campground and we spent an hour comparing notes. (Note: They introduced us to our favorite app, All Stays Camp and RV and is one that we use multiple times a day when we are on the road).

Ten miles south of Nags Head, is the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. As an Atlantic Flyway, this area is well known as a "Birder' s Paradise" and is  also home to numerous species of mammals and reptiles. In 2011 Hurricane Irene reeked havoc along this coast but also opened a new inlet.

Steve remembers visiting Cape Hatteras when he and his parents  lived in Virginia and took a family vacation. One of his most vivid memories was the visit to the Cape Hatteras Light Station but due to the lateness in the season, we were only able to see it from the ground level. When reading the informational plaques, we discovered that the lighthouse, the tallest in the US, and accompanying buildings had been moved  from the original site by the National Park Service to the place we were standing. 

Cape Hatteras is a National Seashore with over 70 miles of coastline unspoiled by development. The vistas are incredible walking opportunities almost limitless. A couple near our ages were throwing a ball for their dog and Tucker went to investigate. As anyone who knows Tucker, once he finds out there is no food, he quickly loses interest in the game. 

In an initially casual conversation, the woman told me found out that they had been visiting the area for years as a  family and now as a couple. She was concerned the predicted rainfall would shorten their visit as her husband was discussing an early departure. Then she shared it would be the eighth anniversary of the death of her then 18 year old son who succumbed to heat stroke; she could not bear to go back home and be surrounded by the memories. 

Bike Riding and the Wright Brothers

We enjoyed a picturesque bike ride along Virginia Beach. Our ride started at First Landing State Park, site of the Jamestown colonists first toe-touch on Indian Land and then continued  on a cypress-lined trail and opens up to Chesapeake Bay.

Of course we had to visit the Wilber and Orville Wright Memorial and park when we arrived in North Carolina. The bronze replica of the first flight makes it a worthwhile stop whether you are interested in aviation or not.

Tucker sending fear through a flock of geese at the park

Williamsburg

Continuing our history tour, we spent a day touring Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia. In the 18th century it was the  capital and seat of government for  Virginia. Costumed interpreters depicting diverse population reenact everyday living situations and historical events. Tucker toured the streets with us and managed to find a sandwich and cookie when our focus was diverted.

Pillary

Stocks

Reading of the Declaration of Independence

One of my favorite stops was at the wig-makers. Women, men.children wore wigs and the more gentile population had them custom-made. To achieve the correct fit, heads were shaven and measurements taken to create a block head. The wig was then woven on the block head from the hair of a goat, horse, yak or human.  To wear the wig required a close-shave head and was one of the reasons men and women wore bed caps. Periodically, the wigs were returned to the wig-maker to be deloused.

I also poked my head into  a clothing shop and an expert on colonial clothing was talking with visitors. Examples of dressing gowns with brocade flowers designed for men hung in the shop and it was not uncommon for men to walk the streets or conduct business before 10:00am in these gowns.