Day 14

After six beautiful days at Indian Pass, we said goodbye to Wendy and Carl and hit the road by 8:30. Trying to avoid the interstates as much as possible we drove across southeastern Georgia, through some classic Southern towns lined with live oak trees covered in Spanish moss.   Passed lots of roadside stands selling Tupelo honey, peanuts, pecans, & shrimp.

Courthouse in Quitman, Georgia

Stopped in Valdosta for a delicious fried chicken lunch.  We arrived at Skidaway Island State Park, which is just south of Savannah around 5:30 PM.  Our mileage for today was 370.  The high temp was 82, and the sky was blue all day long.  The campground was beautiful, and immaculate, clearly reinforcing our feeling that Georgia has the best state campgrounds. 

Dinner was at the campsite, nothing fancy, just peanut butter, saltines, and a glass of milk for me.  Joni opted for a more traditional PB&J sandwich.  Having suffered from the Southern version of Montezuma's Revenge for the past two days, the bland menu was welcome.

Days 11-13

On Wednesday we hung out at our rental, enjoyed the sun and the beach, taking lots of walks on the pristine sands of Indian Pass. For dinner we returned to Up the Creek Raw Bar for more oysters and grilled shrimp.

On Thursday we took a pontoon boat tour of the Dead Lakeslocated in Wewahitchka, Florida, 40 miles to the north. Once a hardwood forest the area transformed into a 6,700 acre maze-like swamp teeming with life amidst the skeletal remnants of the old forest which has given way to Cypress and Tupelo trees over time. Our guide, who grew up on this lake, entertained us for over two hours with fascinating information about the swamp, its wildlife, vegetation and the damage to the whole area that was caused by Hurricane Michael.

Female Osprey delivering a fish t her baby while the father sits on the nest.

On Friday, we spent our last full day in the panhandle just enjoying our beach front location.  It was extremely windy, so the surf was up, and the sand was blowing fiercely.  

We had a great dinner in Apalachicola where a street party was joyously celebrating the start of the weekend.  Tomorrow we’re heading to Skidaway Island State Park, where we will spend four nights as we explore Savannah.