Adventures in the deep South
Last week The Scientist and I took a road trip to see Charlie, who is visiting family in Florida for part of the summer.
Five new states checked off my list, bringing my total up to 28 states visited – over half way there!
When I was a little girl, maybe a couple years older than Charlie, I saw a National Geographic with pictures of Okfenokee Swamp, which is in Southern Georgia. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. I told myself that some day I would visit it.
It was worth the wait.
Life with my guys is full of a lot of these little dreams being checked off my list.
Pitcher plants.
Frog butt.
Spanish moss and a very handsome scientist.
We decided to spring for the boat tour. It was more than we planned to spend, but it was worth the money. There is no way you could truly see the swamp without going out on the canals.
This was taken from one of the (very few) trails. Okefenokee is known as the land of the trembling earth for good reason – most of the land sinks when you try to walk on it.
See you later, alligator.
Okefenokee family portrait.
We also made time every day for the beach.
I had never been to the Atlantic Ocean before. Charlie and I held hands and ran into the surf together. I can’t wait until it’s the other way around, and I’m taking him to the Pacific.
My love.
We took Charlie to the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History. He loved the dig pit. It was a busy, busy weekend. We were all tired by the end of it.
As far as vacation destinations go, the deep South was not near the top of my list. In fact, it wasn’t even on my list. The South is like a bizarro world, where everything is almost identical but certain things are just…off. Sort of like that Star Trek episode where Spock has a goatee, except with more confederate flags and kudzu.
It was beautiful – very green and full of vegetation – and I’m glad I had a chance to visit. But I’m not going to lie: by the second day or so I was starting to miss Houston. I know there are many, many people out there who love the South and never want to leave, and I hope some day to see what they see. I’ve heard great things about Athens and Savannah, and The Scientist and I would love to drive the entire length of A1A, all the way down to the Florida Keys.
We love adventures in our family. I have no doubt we’ll make it. Some day.
hooray for the Okeefenokee! we spent time there on the southern bit as kids. looks like a great vacation. and you’ll find that the Keys–and almost all of the rest of FL is totally different.
I love the self portrait of the two of you! I agree that the South is bizarre and I have lived there three times.
Your photos are stunning – what a great trip!
Your description of the South is *spot on*! I had to read it to him & he is in full agreement. I grew up in Mississippi, & it *is* beautiful, but I can only take it for a few days.
I’ve never spent much time in the South. You make it look so beautiful! But I’ll bet it’s steamy, too.
I can see Charlie’s face in the Scientist’s. Or vice versa. Sweet.
And I remember the first time I saw the Atlantic Ocean: North and south are backwards! Blew my mind…
Steamy is right! Make sure you hit Tennessee in your travels, too. Lots to see and do – extremely beautiful, and mostly not quite as Deep South as Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia.
that looks like a great trip! You made me miss the Atlantic Ocean (the New England part of it, though!) where I grew up. I agree with you about not really understanding the South. It seems like a nice place, but not necessarily for me. Too hot!