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The two RV Gypsies enjoyed Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge May 27, 2010 plus the campground, Alligators, and Swamp Island Drive. |
Check the sub-menu at the bottom of this page for a FLASHBACK TO June 1978 PLUS more sites in 2010 |
| Okefenokee Pastimes Campground is directly across the street from the entrance to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Only one channel came in on the TV, and internet service was super slow. Wi-Fi was only available in the area of the office. There were only 12 RV spots, a few cabins, plus some tent spaces. The owners were very nice. Tours available through the campground. | |
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The view from the dining room of the two RV Gypsies' RV |
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| In southern Georgia and northern Florida there is a very special place, one of the oldest and best preserved freshwater systems in America. Native Americans called it Okefenokee, meaning Land of the Trembling Earth. Here, earth, air, fire and water continuously reform the landscape, and is preserved within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 1937 to protect wildlife. | |
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| The refuge is vast, with almost 402,000 acres (that is roughly 300,000 football fields in size) of cypress forest, marsh, lakes and islands. Filled with alligators, Sandhill Cranes, red-headed woodpeckers and over 400 other species of animals, it is a wonderful place to learn about the wildlife of Georgia and Florida. The longleaf pine, cypress, carnivorous sundews and other plants make up different habitats from dry upland forests to open wetlands. Golden sunsets and thundering storms allows one to experience this magical place at its most beautiful and most awe-inspiring moments. | |
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| Even though the two RV Gypsies lived in South Florida since 1979 and have seen many alligators, they took a boat tour from Okefenokee Adventures to explore the canals and photograph alligators. The trip is worth the price because of the beautiful scenic waterway. The tour guide was a 5th generation native of the area. | |
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Below: As the tour guide suggested, Karen Duquette picked wild huckleberries
for a snack - delicious! |
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Below: a bird in the swamp and a bird taking off |
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Lee Duquette examined swamp material |
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Lee Duquette examined several pieces of swamp material and Karen Duquette took a close-up photo of what he looked at. |
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At this time of year (May 27, 2010), the yellow flies were out. They are big, and they bite. It was recommended that everyone wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved tops, plus use bug spray. |
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Everyone was enjoying the sunshine, then Renee and Brian wanted to swim, and since they were where Karen could see them and nobody else was around, she said OK. But almost as soon as they got in the water, they came running out because they saw an alligator on a small island in the distance. They did not stay camping there very long after that. |
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You may view the below sections in any order you choose. The page you are on is grayed out and cannot be chosen. |
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| Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge |
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FLASHBACK TO OKEFENOKEE SWAMP June, 1978
After you have visited all three (3) sections above, please continue on to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies -