The traveling manatees by Nancy French: On the Road Again

At High Falls State Park Campground

On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again

From On The Road Again by Willie Nelson

Over a decade ago, following retirement, we headed out on the road in our RV to explore this beautiful country. Though, we had both had the opportunity to travel extensively across the country in our younger years, the post-retirement travels would be different, relaxed, flexible, with no time restraint from employment or business demands. The Willie Nelson song became a sort of anthem for us and we always cranked up the volume and played this song as we departed.

With our travels coming to a screeching halt last year with Covid-19, we had filled our time with sundry projects. But, the desire to be moving around and exploring had never left either of us. With State and National Parks and most public (and private) campgrounds open again by summer, we waited but finally made the move in November to purchase a travel trailer. With reservations made online, and minimal, if any, interaction with campground hosts or other campers, it seemed like a safer way to travel in these still uncertain times. Yes, we still wore masks and socially distanced as appropriate. But living in our traveling bubble, the need to be concerned was less imperative.

Traveling for a visit with our daughter, Nicole, and family (who exist in their own covid bubble), we moved

Sugar mill ruins

slowly up the Florida coast. Stopping first near Flagler Beach, we discovered the Bulow State Park and Plantation Ruins. Though I had been raised initially in nearby Daytona Beach, my parents had wisely determined that my siblings and I would have little interest in the ruins of this antebellum sugar plantation. In fact, I had no prior knowledge of its existence. The 9000-acre plantation also grew cotton, rice, and indigo with the labor of as many as 300 slaves. In 1836, the buildings on the property were burned out during the Second Seminole War. Today, nothing is really left of the home that graced the grounds but a short hike away we found the ruins of the once busy sugar mill where the sugarcane was turned into sugar, molasses, and rum. Fairchild Oaks, magnolias, and cabbage palms line the roadways and trails in the park and wild turkeys proceeded us along the trail.

Overlooking the Skidaway Narrows

Moving north to Georgia, we made a reservation at Skidaway Island State Park. Part of Georgia's Intracoastal waterway, our generous campsite was surrounded by Spanish moss-draped live oak trees where we enjoyed the first campfire of the trip. Trails winding through maritime forest and over salt marshes provide multiple looped walks. The birds and wildlife of the park were hidden during our explorations.

High Falls State Park, south of Atlanta, was our next stop. Though when reservations were made, the park was shown to be full, on our arrival, only a handful of other campers were on site. It was almost our own private campground. Once the sun began to warm things up the following morning, we headed out to explore the trails. Along the Historic Trail, the Power Plant built circa 1890 and closed in 1960 is still in relatively good condition, and hovers over the Towaliga River. Across the road, which divides the park, we found the trail leading down to the parks' namesake, the High Falls, the 135-foot cascading falls.

Christmas Eve and the following 2 days were spent with our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. With snow flurries on Christmas Eve and temperatures below freezing for most of our stay, we worried somewhat obsessively about burst water lines and cracked tanks. But, with Alan's actions to minimize the likelihood and some luck, we departed with no damage.

Folly Beach

Rather than driving south, we headed east to Charleston, SC. Having visited James Island County Park, outside the city, many years ago, we were aware of the annual Holiday Festival of Lights. Previously missing out on the event by a few weeks, we wanted to take advantage of our proximity and booked two nights. During our visit, Charleston was a mandatory mask city and on our stroll around town, roughly 90% of the visitors/residents were complying. Sadly, countless storefronts were closed down, many permanently. A handful of cafes and restaurants posted, "No mask, no service" signs. Wandering to the Historic Charleston Market, we found a lineup for entry. Persons entering were counted with persons exiting counted on the other end to limit the capacity. Deciding not to enter the still crowded market, we departed the city and moved on to Folly Beach. The wide, white-sand and mostly deserted beaches offered a chance to enjoy the perfect weather.

Taking advantage of the Holiday Festival, we drove through the display both evenings of our stay. Christmas music could be played in conjunction with the drive from a local AM station, adding to the festive mood. The 643-acre park also offers a 3.5-mile paved loop biking/walking trail which was scantly used in spite of the packed campground.

Located at the southern tip of Georgia, Crooked River State Park was our final stop before heading home. Located amongst palmettos and Spanish-moss draped oaks, the campground was full but the large site provided privacy. The quiet roads furnished the opportunity to explore the park on our bikes. Four short hiking trails were available but persistent gnats dissuaded us from utilizing them. Kayak trails are also offered but we hadn't brought our kayaks, and there are recommendations for appropriate times to paddle due to the strong semidiurnal tides. Something to save for another trip.

All in all, it was a delightful trip, and I'm sure we'll be back 'on the road again' soon.