| 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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Below: The RV and toad of the two RV Gypsies - known as AWO and MOB
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Below: The view from the
dining room of the two RV Gypsies' RV |
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| Below: 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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| Below: 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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| Below: Because Lee and Karen Duquette
lived in South Florida since 1979 until they became the two RV Gypsies in
2008, they have seen many alligators. But yet, they took a boat tour from
Okefenokee Adventures to explore the canals and photograph more alligators.
They thought this trip was 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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Below: Lee
Duquette examined swamp material |
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| Below:
Lee Duquette also examined several pieces of swamp material. Karen Duquette
took a close-up photo of what he looked at. |
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Below: 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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  FLASHBACK
TO OKEFENOKEE SWAMP June 1978
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Below: Everyone was enjoying the sunshine, then Renee
and Brian Duquette wanted to swim, and since they were where Karen Duquette
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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After
you have visited all three (3) sections above, please continue on to
the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies - 
