Sunday, October 5, 2014

Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, GA


Date of Stay:  Wednesday October 1 - Sunday October 5, 2014 (4 nights)

Rate:  $24/ night (Friends of GA State Parks discount)

Website:  Skidaway Island State Park (GA)
   52 Diamond Causeway
   Savannah,  GA 31411
   912-598-2300

Description:  Located near historic Savannah, this park has paved roadways with gravel/dirt sites amongst Spanish moss draped live oaks.  No sat tv reception but local channels were good enough.  We met up with Tricia and Dan who were on site 35 (FHU).  We chose site 37 (W/E 50amp).  Some sites are 30A instead.  Good park to ride the bike, jog or hike the trails by the salt marsh.  The Interpretive Center has several exhibits and features a giant ground sloth replica along with a nice birding station outside the back door.

Activities:  We joined up with Tricia and Dan on our way to Cedar Key for the winter.  We actually shortened our Fall travels due to Gin’s knee and they shortened their travels since Dan broke his glasses.  This is a nice park to ride bicycles and the neighboring development, The Landings, has an extra wide sidewalk to bike.  Historic Savannah was preparing for a Fall Festival of some sort along the riverfront.  The old section of town is beautiful with its many town squares and old live oaks covered with flowing Spanish moss.  River Street is cobblestone and has several blocks of old refurbished buildings.  We all enjoyed visiting the Interpretive Center in the campground and sat out back at the birding station for quite some time.

Trash and Recycle:  Dumpster near the dump station in the center of the cg.  Recycle bins at that location also.

On site 37 Skidaway Island SP  D&T on site 35 (FHU 50A)
Site 37                                                  D&T on site 35
Biking in the park  The Landings neighborhood
Biking in the park and The Landings neighborhood

One of the many Town Squares  Emmet Park in Savannah near the riverfront
One of Savannah’s Town Squares               Emmet Park near the riverfront
Street in downtown Savannah  Street in downtown Savannah
Nice streets in downtown Savannah
Cobblestone alley leading to River Street  Another nice street in downtown
Cobblestone alley near River Street                 Another pretty side street
River Street in Savannah  River Street
River Street in Savannah
Historic buildings on River Street  Couple of Tour boats on the Savannah River
Old buildings on River Street                     Tour boats on the Savannah River
Savannah Convention Center across the River from the Historic District  Active port beyond the Talmadge Memorial Bridge
Savannah Convention Center across the river   Active port beyond the Talmadge Memorial Bridge

Display inside the Interpretive Center  Giant Ground Sloth display
Mural exhibit and giant ground sloth replica at the Interpretive Center
Male Painted Bunting at the birding station  Female Painted Bunting
Male painted bunting and Female painted bunting at the birding station

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Swamp Fox Campground, Florence, SC


Date of Stay:  Tuesday September 30, 2014 (1 night)

Rate:  $24/night (with PPA discount)

Website:  Swamp Fox Campground
   1600 Gateway Road
   Florence, SC 29501
   843-665-9430

Description:  Dirt/gravel roadways and sites.  No picnic tables but all pull-thru sites with FHU (50A).  We stayed in site 406.  The campground is right beside I-95 (exit 157) behind a vacant hotel.  Several long term residents.  They don’t accept PPA during the winter (November-March) because they are pretty full with snow birds.

Activities:  We just stayed here for a one night stopover along I-95.  We washed several loads of clothes since we had FHU.  We don't plan on staying here again however.

On site 406 Swamp Fox  On site 406 Swamp Fox
On site 406
Swamp Fox CG office/laundry/bath house  SIte 406 is just long enough
Office/laundry/bathhouse                         Our site is just barely long enough