Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah

Today, our neverending quest to see animals found us at Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah.

Doug attempts to locate wildlife at the Wetlands Observation Pier.

Oatland Island's buildings date from the early 1900's and were, in order, a retirement home, then a public health service hospital, then a laboratory for research by the Center for Disease Control. The CDC left the facility in the early 1970's and the Oatland Island Education Center was born shortly thereafter.

Did you know that the temperature of the alligator eggs inside this nest mound will determine whether the baby alligators are male or female? 91 degrees or higher results in males. 85 degrees or cooler will result in females. Temperatures in between result in a mixture!

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is essentially a hiking zoo. Hiking trails, often looking like the one pictured below, end at the next animal exhibit.

This walkway through the marshlands is plagued with homeless bums.

This bobcat would love to have a bum for breakfast.

This bald eagle was somewhat confused when we recorded his call and played it back for him.

Marlon reminisces about his time in the egg.

That turkey won't stop trying to touch my feathers!

Got an itch? This fence will have to do!

Chatfield was so skinny when we first found him at the state park. Now look at him.

Do you have any tasty shoelaces I might eat?

The grounds have 2 cabins which date to the 1830's and are the setting of many of the Center's special events.

This cool lookout tower was not in the proper condition to climb. Hope they renovate it in the future.

Check out Marlon's video of Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah below.

For more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/savannah-ga-day-1/ pictures 1-90.

To be continued...

Thomas' RV Park, Hardeeville, South Carolina

Next we headed up toward Savannah, Georgia.

Marlon was a little concerned about all the eighteen-wheelers passing on the highway. They often pass within inches, making for a nail-biting ride for everybody.

See Sammy bite her nails.

South Carolina welcomes us to the The Palmetto State.

Just a few miles over the South Carolina border, we find Thomas' RV Park in Hardeeville, South Carolina. They had plenty of wide open sites, good for satellite access.

They also had sites with trees for those so inclined.

We've seen a few of these in the last several months...the new Smart Cars. Great concept...where do you put the groceries?

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/thomas-rv-parks-and/ .

To be continued...

Amelia Island, Florida Finale

We finished our day on Amelia Island by first driving through Fort Clinch State Park to see the camping area of the park.

Then we went to see Amelia Island's Historic American Beach.

American Beach was founded in the early 1930s by Abraham Lincoln Lewis as a weekend getaway and vacation spot for the African-American community of Jacksonville, Florida. During this period, beaches were still racially segregated.

Following the passage of The Civil Rights Act in 1964 beaches were open to all races and American Beach saw its popularity diminish in favor of beaches closer to home.

This was the sight of Evans' Rendezvous. This nightclub, which operated at American Beach from about 1948 to 1980, welcomed artists such as Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong. Fund-raising efforts are ongoing to raise the money to restore the building.

These sand dunes are actually located a few blocks from the water in a residential neighborhood.
Driving on American Beach looks like fun...but don't attempt it unless you have four-wheel drive!

For a few more pictures, go to http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/may/amelia-island/ pictures 166-184.

To be continued...