Encounters with Gators and Fighter Jets at Okefenokee NWR and Jacksonville ANG

After a great afternoon in Spartanburg, I pointed the Hybrid Highlander south to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. With the threat of severe weather, I opted to stay in a hotel room rather than face the possibility of having my tent flying into the Atlantic Ocean and that turned out to be a very smart choice. I awoke at 3AM to the loudest thunderstorm I have ever heard in my life, all probably very routine in the hurricane belt.

I arrived at Okefenokee , I had some time to explore a small chunk of the refuge and lo and behold an 8 foot gator was lounging on the side of the road. He (or she?) and he posed for a few pics. For all those who are concerned, I was in the Highlander and stayed in there. Later, I discovered a nature trail in Okefenokee but decided that, with gators this big and me by myself, the smart thing to do would be to keep on driving.


Later, I had the chance to present another $1,000 grant to the Okefenokee Wildlife League at Charlton County High School, home of the Georgia State Champion Indians and the student council all whom spend a lot of time volunteering at Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.

Thanks also goes to 1-95 Toyota in Brunswick for lending a 'tricked out' Toyota Tundra to the football team to participate in events such as National Public Lands Day (as well as football games I'm sure).

My next stop was at Jacksonville Air National Guard, a Department of Defense Legacy Grant recipiant. Lt. Dean Diana was kind enough to give me a brief tour of the facilities and I got superclose with all the fighter jets, even touching them. However, I was not permitted to bring in a camera for obvious reasons. Lt. Diana also briefed me on what was planned for National Public Lands Day using the Defense Legacy Grant.

So far, so good in the South. My next stop will be all the way down in Jupiter, Florida at Jupiter Inlet Natural Area in Jupiter, Florida and then a long drive over to New Orleans, Louisiana.