Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Pt. 2

Continuing our Swamp Island Drive at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, we step into the livestock area of the Chesser Homestead.

The animals at The Chesser Homestead included a hog...
and a chicken.

Marlon took great pride in hanging his sister's dress out to dry.

Next we walked the 3/4 mile boardwalk to reach...

a branch...

a swampy pond...

Chesser Prairie and Seagrove Lake...

some strange looking trees...

and an observation tower.

Standing at a height of fifty feet, the tower is a perfect location to listen to the pig frogs sing their songs.

Look! It's a dragonfly...I think. Helicopters appear to be modeled after them.

Meanwhile, back at the visitor center we spot more of the Okefenokee main attraction...alligators!

Alligator and turtle take in the sun.

A long-legged bird carefully walks by hoping not to be the turtle's next meal.

Marlon poses in anticipation of his own next meal.

For a video of some of the sights and sounds of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, watch the video below.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/okefenokee-national/ pictures 75-115.

To be continued...

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Pt. 1

Being so close to the setting of the old comic strip "Pogo", we decided to visit the Okefenokee Swamp (officially the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge) and look for Pogo and friends.

We found Albert the Alligator in several places in the park.

Doug tried out a demonstration of the swamp's terrain. Okefenokee was named by the Seminole Indians and means "Land of the Trembling Earth".

This cool jukebox features "Swamp Songs", the sounds of the animals of the Okefenokee Swamp. The best part is...the jukebox is free.

The visitor center features an audio-animatronic storyteller whose stories are accompanied by video. Unfortunately, the "animatronic" part didn't seem to be functioning any longer as the storyteller no longer moved.

The Swamp Drive featured many opportunities to discover gators. There REALLY is one in the picture below, we promise.

The Canal Diggers Trail gives visitors a close-up view of the attempt to dig a canal in order to drain the swamp into the Atlantic Ocean. This project, begun in 1891, was abandoned due primarily to lack of funds.

Here Marlon, walking the Canal Diggers Trail, attempts the "peace" sign.

These long narrow ponds along the side of the road are known as "borrow ditches" and are rich in plant and animal life.

Look who Doug found poking his head out of the water in one of the borrow ditches.

The W.T. Chesser family settled on a 592 acre island on the edge of the Okefenokee in the late 1800's. The homestead pictured below was built by grandson Tom in 1927.

When the National Wildlife Refuge came to be in 1937, portions of the Chesser family began to relocate. Tom and his wife, Iva, remained with their family on the island until 1958.

The house, originally four rooms, reportedly cost $200 to build! Two bedrooms were added as the family grew to seven children.

Next, we head outside to view the Chesser Homestead outbuildings.

First, we find the Syrup Shed where we think syrup was made.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/okefenokee-national/ pictures 1-74.

Next we look at the farm animals.

To be continued...

Historic St. Marys, Georgia

The water tower welcomes us to Historic St. Marys, Georgia.

The First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys recently celebrated its 200th anniversary.

Marlon sits near the spot where six oak trees were planted in 1799 as a memorial following the death of President George Washington.

Orange Hall is an example of Greek Revival Architecture!

Doug shows off his newly-purchased Passport to Your National Parks.

Many of the houses located on the main street of St. Marys, Osborne Street, are now B & Bs or cafes.

The community waterfront park opened in 2001.

Viewing the St. Marys River from the St. Mary's Waterfront Park.

Listen to the bells of The First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys in this video.
For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/april/historic-st-marys-g/ .

To be continued...