Day 37 – Up at 7:15 a.m., cloudy, 64 degrees and humid. Got the rental boat at the Ranger’s Station and headed out at 8:40. We thought because it was cloudy, the alligators wouldn’t be out. Wrong. We went out the same way we went yesterday for the Swamp Boat Tour, and saw alligators at the same places we’d seen them before. Creatures of habit. Once we passed the turn-around point from yesterday, we were in new territory. It was awesome. The sun came out about the time the waterway narrowed and because it was early, we were the only boat out on the water; the people fishing had been at the dock fishing from land. We saw so many different birds, turtles, and alligators that we lost count. We weren’t taking pictures this time. Rob was operating the motor and it took all his attention to make it thru the swamp between the cypress trees; I was directing him and pointing out obstacles in the water (including alligators and tree stumps).
At around 11:00 we stopped at a rest shelter and got out and stretched our legs. Rob took a picture then and we turned around and headed back since we’d rented the boat for 4 hours. The sun was fully out and everything was glistening; we will never forget the scenery and our incredibly beautiful surroundings, so tranquil and peaceful.
Boating rest station, Minnie Lake, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo, GA
At that point we began passing other boats heading out, a couple of rental boats and several kayakers. There were places where it was quite difficult to get 2 boats to pass each other; the waterway was quite narrow and you could barely squeeze one boat between the cypress trees. We were going with the current so arrived at the swamp crossing early, had time to take 2 other short trips down other inlets. One led to “Billy’s Island” where a town once thrived. You can get out of your boat here and look around but we didn’t have time and will save that for another trip.
BILLY’S ISLAND (from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge brochure): “Accessed through the Stephen C. Foster State Park, this historic island in the Okefenokee Swamp has been inhabited for generations. Most recently, the Hebard Cypress Company had a lumber camp on the Island in 1918, eventually supporting approximately 600 people (employees & their families). This island is the second largest in the Swamp and is only accessible by boat. A short hiking trail from the boat dock takes visitors through the site of the former community.”
We also went a short distance on “Billy’s Lake” and saw more alligators there than we’d seen the whole morning. Don’t know why, maybe it was the time of day, but they were much more active and were climbing back into the water from the muddy shores, often in pairs. Maybe that’s where they mate? But it was awesome and a little scary to have them swimming in front of the boat and along side. Just like the Ranger said, they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them, don’t threaten them in any way, don’t throw anything at them (DUH), etc. We all got along fine. Thank goodness.
Turned in our equipment at 1 p.m. and headed back to the RV. The campground is almost empty and has been for a couple of days, nice and quiet. Hot and humid out compared to the cool and shady swamp. Had lunch and sat around, 90 degrees. Tomorrow is a driving day; we want to see other parts of the Okefenokee Swamp before we depart. Friday we are leaving for a new adventure, but we think that nothing will beat this one.