Left Walmart in Bainbridge Georgia and headed for Thomasville Georgia to check out some historic sites.
We parked the motorhome at a large BP Gas Station and took the jeep to see the sites.
Our first stop was at a historic Pebble Hill Dairy Plantation. It's amazing how much money the plantation owners spent on the houses, furnishings and art work. We were only able to tour the summer house (30,000+ square feet) as the main house is still being restored. We were not allowed to take photos inside the home but believe me it is very ornate. Marble floors, silk wallpaper, etc.
The Front of the Summer House
Another view of the front entrance
A Very Large Oak Tree with Spanish Moss and
Resurrection Fern growing all over it
Very Elaborate Horse Stables
This is the Rear Entrance to the Summer House
This Log Cabin was built as a school to teach visiting children
After leaving the plantation, we drove back to the motorhome and picked up the puppies. We drove around the historic downtown area of Thomasville. Most of the homes here were built in the 1800's and are still standing today.
I love these houses that have been kept up.
There are twice as many that are in need of restoration.
This one could use a little work
We made a stop at a 333 year old oak tree. This tree is huge. It is 26 feet around and 164 feet wide. The stories it could tell. The puppies posed for a quick photo at the base of the tree. They look so small next to the tree.
After Thomasville, we drove to Waycross Georgia and spent the night at a Walmart Supercenter. We stocked up on a few supplies while we were there.
Day 23,
After leaving Waycross, we headed to the Okefenoke Swamp Park for a tour of the swamp. We hopped on a small tour boat with our guide "Joey" to see the swamp close up.
The swamp tour reminded me of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. We saw numerous alligators, mostly 5 to 8 foot long and one that looked at least 12 foot long, don't fall overboard.
We learned that the swamp was on average only 4 foot deep. The bottom which you would think was mud, is actually solid feeling peat. You could, if needed to, walk in the swamp without sinking.
This waterway was dredged in the 1800's to get access to the swamp to harvest the timber and peat. Today this area is swamp land and all of its inhabitants are protected.
This plant is called a Golden Rod or known to the locals as a never wet plant. You can push the plant underwater and when it pops back up, its bone dry.
This alligator is about 6 feet long
Very neat reflection of the trees off the swamp water
Dug wanting his 2 seconds of fame, he looks happy.
Our swamp guide "Joey" took a liking to Dug
There is a multitude of species of swamp plants
Vultures looking for their next meal
More swamp and trees
When we first saw this we thought it was a fake alligator as it didn't move an inch
When we got a little closer, it turned its head as if to say, come a little closer, I'm a little hungry.
After the tour, we walked back to the motorhome to find this turtle coming out from under the Jeep. We were told it is a rare Alligator Snapping Turtle. It looked like it could bite you finger clean off.
I'm not sure but I think the mud on its back is camouflage
Nasty looking spikes on its neck and claws on its paws.
More to follow soon. Sorry for not keeping up to date in a timely manor. We are limited at times on internet access and download speed.
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