RE: Christmas Roadtrip, 2025, Days 1-3

Day 1

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

      

     A few years ago, I stopped into a state park near Waycross, en route to the Georgia Coast.  After a few days of rain, some of the trails were flooded.  Others were just muddy.  So, I decided to make a second visit. 

     Waycross is a half day drive.  So, the idea was to hit a few spots along the way and overnight there.  Or so I planned.  The morning had something else in store.

     There's a reason us guys habitually pat our pockets before leaving the house.  It's for days like this one.

     I had my keys.  But, not my wallet.  I'm extremely particular about where I leave it.  It's either on my dresser or in the pocket of yesterday's pants.  It wasn't in either spot.

     The next place to check was by the computer.  I had my credit cards to book motel rooms.  Not there, either.  Nor was it in the pockets of my jackets.

     I didn't go anywhere yesterday, so it wasn't stolen.  None of the credit cards were used, either.  So, instead of leaving early, the morning was spent tearing the house apart.  Couldn't find it anywhere. 

     After two hours of looking in, under and behind everything, I gave up.  Though I'm curious where it will eventually turn up.

     First stop, the DMV.  One simply doesn't go on a roadtrip without a driver's license.  The staff were helpful, and I left with a printout a half hour later. It's a full sized sheet of paper with all my information.  It threw every desk clerk when I checked in.  The replacement will be in my mailbox when I get home.

     The woman I spoke with at AMEX was awesome and agreed to send the new card to the motel where I'm staying tomorrow.  I'm staying there two nights, giving better odds.  

     Next stop, the bank.  Wells Fargo can't expedite the replacement ATM/Debit card, so it's going to the house.  But, they did let me get some cash.  I had used my passport at the DMV and then again here.

    The folks at VISA seemed to have a lot more steps to replace the card.  But, that's going to the next motel, too.

     With that squared away, I finally pulled out of Fayetteville shortly before noon, way later than expected.

    Of course, this means blowing off a few stops.  But, at least I'm moving.  And yes, it feels weird not having a wallet.

    The route took me through Griffin, south to Macon then east to Dublin.

    From Dublin, it was straight down Hwy 441. There were two things in Broxton I wanted to check out.  

    Just north of town is the Broxton Rocks Preserve.  The plan was to hike out to a waterfall.  In the end, it didn't matter that I  didn't go.  I found out later, the preserve is only open to the public in the summer.

     On the first weekend in November, Broxton holds its annual Chicken Livers and Gizzards Festival.  Seriously it's a thing.  In all honesty, I'm not that bummed I missed it.  

    Driving into town, it's hard to miss this Andy Griffith inspired mural.  Though the lighting and shadows make it hard to see.

     Another fifty minutes down the road and my final destination, a pretty decent Super 8.

      Some good news, AMEX texted me and confirmed shipment of the new card.  I called the motel and they'll hold it.

    Sunset over Waycross, such as it was...

Day 2

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

    Sunrise as I packed the car...

    The only thing on tap for the morning was a return visit to Laura S. Walker State Park.   Walker grew up in Waycross and was an advocate for childhood literacy and preserving public spaces. 

    Since the last time I visited, this park went digital, removing the old cash boxes.  While I applaud the move to less paper, I currently have no credit cards. 

      Instead, I sipped my coffee and watched the morning colors fade through the trees while waiting for the office to open.  

      The longest loop trail runs two miles.  Add the side trail to the lake and it's another half mile.  It's all forest floor, sand and boardwalks.  

    In the Visitor Center, they warned me about a stretch of washed out boardwalk and the detour.  

     At the trail split, I chose to go counter-clockwise.  No real reason.  The trail was much like this...

      There's a four way crossroads on the trail.  Two were marked blue and not on my map.  The red trail led to this...

     For once, Alltrails wasn't a help.  So, I turned around and went the other way.  This time, it was marked clearly.  

     A red arrow marked the detour.  

     Eventually, I'd find the green trail out to the lake.  The last time I was here, everything at the end of the boardwalk was flooded.

    In the end, I'll admit to being lucky...

     Hardly as dramatic a few minutes later as the sun came out.

     Once more around the loop and it was time to call it a day.  I have no idea how far I eventually walked, but it was a little over three hours on the trail.  

     After spending the morning on the park's trails, it was time to head towards my usual stop, the town of St. Mary's  But first, a stop for lunch at the new brewery in Darian.

     Last year, I had lunch at Tabby House Brewery.  They had just opened the month before and only had two beers on tap.  Based on those two alone, it was worth a revisit.

    Tongue in cheek, they bill them as the "oldest brewery in America."  The building opened in 1815 as a warehouse for cotton.

Yuengling is the actual oldest brewery, opening in 1829.

     With twenty minutes to kill before opening, hanging out by the river seemed a logical choice.  

    Last year, Tabby House only had two beers on tap, both exceptional.  Now they have six.  So, I did my usual flight of the four of the new ones.  So far, fantastic.

      

     One more thing about Darian.  While Savannah is my state's oldest city, Darian is the second oldest.  This dates back to the time where the border with Spanish Florida wasn't exactly set.  Britain was trying to establish a bigger presence in the area.

    Good news!  My AMEX is "out for delivery."  My VISA is en route.  Feels so weird using cash.

    

     4P: Best News of the day.  Both my AMEX and VISA cards did in fact arrive at my motel.  Shout out to the SureStay Best Western in St. Marys!

     After dropping off my stuff, it was a short drive to Riverfront Park.  Considering the cloud cover, expectations were low.  

   Sometimes, all it takes is a sliver of light on the horizon...

     Not a bad way to end the day.  As for the park, this time of year local businesses sponsor and decorate trees.

     The forecast for tomorrow is possible rain.  I knew this going in.  That's why I left a day earlier.  It's also why there are a couple of books in my bags.  

     There's one of those Little Libraries in the park.  I picked up two more...Just in case.   

     More good news, I used the new AMEX for dinner.  Good to go.  

Day 3

Thursday, December 18, 2025

     Considering the  forecast here in St. Mary's, there really wasn't much hope for a big sunrise.  I took my coffee out to the river front anyway.

     A small spot of color...

   It's reflection

.

   Last night, the weather guessers were calling for rain by mid day.  This morning, it was due by 3P.

    Not wanting to commit myself to long trails, it was time to find a few shorter ones.  The first was in neighboring Kingsland.  There's a short nature trail here. I just didn't know how short.

     From the parking lot, it's less than a ten minute loop.  I had the place to myself and simply kept going around and around for an hour.  

    From the adjacent boat ramp...

    The next stop was Lions Park.  There's a loop walking trail around the ball parks and tennis courts.

     It's the same drill, not that long.  So, once again I went round and round for an hour.  Not very exciting, but it does add up.

     Third was a revisit to the Gum Branch Nature Preserve.  It's starts with a paved path back to Gum Branch.

     From there it's simply a walk alongside the water.

      In this direction, the trail ends at a half mile.  

      So, tack on another mile for the day.

     

     I did venture out to the riverfront late in the afternoon.  Yeah, no sunset tonight.  More rain moving in.

    However, I did come across a very compliant egret.  

     Why so compliant?  That's a bait shop.

    And a staredown from a pelican...

     A stop at Brackish Brewing and I called it a day.

   On Thursdays they do a beer tasting.  Regulars bring cans and bottles they've picked up from all over and they share.  I randomly encountered this last year.  So, I brought two cans from my local place, Awkward Brewing.

     The guy in the Santa hat keeps track of every beer that's brought in, cross referenced by beer style.  It's not just from tonight, but from the first time they did this.  I should have asked how many different beers there were.

   It was a hoot, with a wide variety being passed around.  Fun way to wrap up the day.