Day 57: Okefenokee Swamp

On Monday we left our little condo in the historic district of Savannah and ventured from the city to the swamp. On our way, we stopped at a gas station for a break and while there we tried some Cajun boiled peanuts. They were quite tasty, and had the texture of cooked pinto beans. We had seen signs for boiled peanuts all over the south, so it was nice to finally try them. Regional foods offer some insight into the local culture and economy. Since peanuts are a major crop that grows well in this area's climate, they are prepared in many different ways (boiled, fried, roasted, raw, etc.) and are a staple in the local diet.

Near Waycross, GA we arrived at Okefenokee Swamp Park. By then it was mid afternoon and about 90 degrees (but felt even hotter due to the humidity). We took a one hour boat tour on a small skiff that was just big enough to comfortably seat the six of us on the tour plus our guide, Melvin. In his late 50s, he was a knowledgeable local who made the tour very interesting with his wry humor and affable nature. We saw several large spiders, turtles, carnivorous pitcher plants, wasps, and of course alligators -- at least nine of them in their natural habitat. At one point in the tour, we were able to get out of the boat and walk a board walk to a 90 foot observation tower to view the surroundings.

Upon arriving in Waycross for the evening, we settled into our hotel room and then walked to a nearby Captain D's restaurant for seafood. I enjoyed my fresh and flaky grilled whitefish, succulent shrimp skewers, loaded baked potato, and coleslaw. Did I mention that since my wife and daughter joined me and we are dining out more, I've regained some of the weight I lost earlier in the trip?

We drove 140 miles today, increasing my trip total to 7,450 miles.

Our skiff for the tour.

Carnivorous pitcher plants.

Carnivorous gators (babies, though, only about two or three years old).

Spanish moss (neither Spanish, nor moss). It's actually an epiphyte, a plant that gets its nutrients and water directly from the air and doesn't harm the trees on which it hangs.

A tranquil setting. Until you look closer at the left of the photo.