2 days in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Reserve. Overnighted one night at Floyd's Island and entered from Stephen Foster State Park. Both areas are incredible camping spots. The State Park was virtually empty despite being Spring Break. It probably helped that the weather was cool. Nights in the 40's and winds started while I was in the State Park and continued during my short trip. Those winds were forming the storm that walloped eastern MD and New Brunswick..the latter with a blizzard.
Except for wide open Billys Lake the route is well protected from the wind. I paddled about 20 miles in two days
First through an old growth cypress forest.
Little Blue and Great White Herons were the birdlife most spotted. Several small varieties of songbirds were about but they are hard to get a picture of.
I always wonder how gators manage to climb up on logs. This one seems to be a ten footer. I saw very few gators cause the weather was cool.
Waterplant.. Think but am not sure its spatterdock
Getting off the red trail onto the spur Green Trail for Floyds Island. Sign needs a little maintenance
Down the ever narrowing channel.
This was the channel where things got antsy with the gator.. but narrower
Arriving at Floyds.
I never expected a four room cabin that is open to campers! It was supposed to rain so I pitched my tent inside one of the rooms..just in case resident mice got loose at night.
An old letter dated nearly 40 years ago is hung on the wall.. House Rules. The cabin is spotless.
There is a portage trail across the island to the other side which connects to a waterway to Canal Run Campsite. Unfortunately that campsite is not accessible. There have been some heavy blowdowns in the Okefenokee Swamp and several routes are blocked. Its also a fire ecosystem and there is just alot of stuff down. It certainly is not dank and dismal..
The portage trail
Perhaps in lower water a bit of a quagmire. Okefenokee means" trembling ground". My trip found very high water. The cautions about sinking in peat did not apply to me. Its best to wear your PFD here however. Sinking ooze is as bad as being in the water.
Next morning a backtrack to Stephen Foster State Park..
Things look different going the other direction
In my old age I don't mind returning the way I came. I am practicing my noticing skills... not my mileage skills.
Except for wide open Billys Lake the route is well protected from the wind. I paddled about 20 miles in two days
First through an old growth cypress forest.
Little Blue and Great White Herons were the birdlife most spotted. Several small varieties of songbirds were about but they are hard to get a picture of.
I always wonder how gators manage to climb up on logs. This one seems to be a ten footer. I saw very few gators cause the weather was cool.
Waterplant.. Think but am not sure its spatterdock
Getting off the red trail onto the spur Green Trail for Floyds Island. Sign needs a little maintenance
Down the ever narrowing channel.
This was the channel where things got antsy with the gator.. but narrower
Arriving at Floyds.
I never expected a four room cabin that is open to campers! It was supposed to rain so I pitched my tent inside one of the rooms..just in case resident mice got loose at night.
An old letter dated nearly 40 years ago is hung on the wall.. House Rules. The cabin is spotless.
There is a portage trail across the island to the other side which connects to a waterway to Canal Run Campsite. Unfortunately that campsite is not accessible. There have been some heavy blowdowns in the Okefenokee Swamp and several routes are blocked. Its also a fire ecosystem and there is just alot of stuff down. It certainly is not dank and dismal..
The portage trail
Perhaps in lower water a bit of a quagmire. Okefenokee means" trembling ground". My trip found very high water. The cautions about sinking in peat did not apply to me. Its best to wear your PFD here however. Sinking ooze is as bad as being in the water.
Next morning a backtrack to Stephen Foster State Park..
Things look different going the other direction
In my old age I don't mind returning the way I came. I am practicing my noticing skills... not my mileage skills.
