Tuesday, 12/19/2023
Today was a drive day, nothing more. Taking the backroads, it's about two hours to Macon. It's the perfect midway point to stop for lunch and a nice walk through Amerson River Park. The trails aren't very long, but I repeated a few and walked about three miles. Considering this was it for the day. it seemed pretty good.
Two hours east is the town of Waycross, whose name derives from being an important railroad junction. My home for the night, the decent but uninspiring Days Inn. Sunset from the motel parking lot...
Wednesday 12/20/2023
The only reason I stopped in Waycross is its proximity to Laura Walker State Park. Walker was from Waycross and an advocate for childhood literacy and the importance of saving public spaces,
My GPS wanted me to take this road to the park. I declined. I didn't notice the flags at first...
This was my first time visiting this park. Between the loops and the lake trail, I walked a little over three hours, retracing some places multiple times. As always, it just felt good to be out walking.
My home for the next two nights was the StaySure Hotel in St. Marys. I had stayed here before and it's nothing fancy, either. But, the rooms are clean and comfortable. Not like I was trying to impress anyone.
Usually, I come to St. Marys and take the ferry out to Cumberland Island for the day. I had other plans for tomorrow. However, the city does decorate nicely for Christmas. With that in mind, I ditched the car by the riverfront and settled in...
Thursday 12/21/2023
One of the great things about the St. Mary's riverfront are not only sunsets, but also sunrises.
Tied up on the city's newest dock is the Noa Trinidad. It's a replica of a ship used by Ferdinand Magellan on the first known circumnavigation of the planet. The city created a video about the ship and its history. You can see it here:
A few miles north of St. Mary's is Crooked River State Park. Once again it's multiple looping trails through the woods and along the river. The drive into the park...
The first trail was supposed to be a mile and a half loop. I never made it all the way around. Some of the flooded areas were easy to get around, others not so much.
Even with this trail a soggy bust, there were a couple more to choose from.
It would all lead me back to the Crooked River.
Tucked away off the main tourist area of St. Marys is where you'll find Brackish Brewing. They're a really small brewery open only Thursday-Saturday. I had some time before sunset, so I dropped in for a pint. They're pecan stout is amazing.
It was time to head back to the riverfront for sunset...
Friday 12/22/2023
Another St. Marys sunrise...
It was time to pack up and head north. Crossing the Sidney Lanier Bridge never gets old...
I was headed back to St. Simon's Island for a night. There are two preserves on the island I hadn't visited yet. Both were on tap for this trip. I chose the smaller one for today. The Guale Preserve.(pr; Walley) It's named after a native american tribe that used to live in the area. All told, the trails run just under three miles.
After dropping my stuff off in the room, it was a simple walk across the street to Neptune Park to enjoy the late afternoon.
Saturday 12/23/2023
On my first visit to St. Simons Island, I found out Bruce Beach is the place the local photographers go for sunrise. Just like this morning, it didn't disappoint.
With the room packed up, it was time to finally visit Canon's Point Preserve. It's only open Saturday-Monday and has thus far eluded me. Just not today.
From the parking lot, it's either two and a half miles of walking down a gated road and then back, or a series of looping trails off to the sides. Considering my luck with flooded trails, I chose the road. Five miles would be a good start to the day.
From the drive in...
Gotta love observation towers that don't go above the tree line...
The walk down the road...
Two and a half miles later and you arrive at the ruins of the Couper Plantation House. The Coupers bought the cotton farm on Cannon's Point in 1796, living in a frame house built by the previous owner. The new home was built by slave labor and completed eight years later. The family temporarily abandoned the property when it was occupied by Union forces. The home would change hands a few times until burning to the ground in 1890.
From the two and a half mile walk back...
The last stop of the tour is exactly where you'd expect, Tybee Island. I booked four nights here at the Ambassador Inn, the nicest of the cheap places. It's also right in the center of everything.
Sunday 12/24/2023
And of course the sunrises...
Just like last year, I spent Christmas Eve in Savannah just checking out the decorations.
Of course back to Tybee in time for sunset...
Monday 12/25/2023
The original forecast called for rain all morning, possibly heavy at times. When I peeked out the motel window and saw some semblance of light on the horizon, I knew I had to go out.
It was kind of hard to miss in the early light, So, I walked down the beach and met a retired couple. They drive their RV to a different beach every Christmas and bring a small battery powered tree. Love it!
The promised rain arrived shortly after sunrise and remained off and on through the day.
Tuesday 12/26/2013
Like the day before, rain was in the forecast, but not until the afternoon. So, once again, I was out for sunrise.
Considering the forecast, the plan was a long walk up the beach right after breakfast. It was warm enough to walk in just a t-shirt and a long sleeved shirt. Perfect. When I walked out onto the sand, I could feel a light mist. If you were out running errands, you wouldn't even bother with an umbrella. But, an hour up the beach and another one back is a little different. So, it was back to the room for a waterproof jacket. No problem. By the time I came back out of the motel, the mist had turned into a drizzle. So much for that long walk.
By sunset time, I wasn't counting on anything, for obvious reasons...
Wednesday 12/26/2023
One last sunrise before packing up and heading home.
Of course the sky cleared on the way out of town. But, no complaints. There's always another trip to Tybee Island.
David
12/23
