Way Down Upon the Suwanee River

The final installment of the Southern Sojourn 2015–

When it's all said and done, the trip was much shorter and far less encompassing than what we had thought. And we covered a much less distance than the original planned trip to the East Coast. Rains continued to drench the Carolinas and high winds are never much fun in an RV. Even though the hurricane seemed long past, other fronts bringing

Suwanee River

torrential rains just wouldn't let up. The Eastern Seaboard will just have to wait for us.

Local highways and byways took us through Amish country and spectacular fall foliage as we traveled south. Deeper into the south we found roads tucked away into the rolling woodlands of southern Tennessee in the heart of horse, antiques and pickers' havens. Weather included vast amounts of sunshine, but the cool temps kept us from the Georgia mountains. We were ready for some southern sunshine. 

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Our Trajectory

Heading into Florida after a full day of travel and sites in Georgia we laid over at the Suwanee River State Park near Live Oak, Florida. The confluence of the Withlacoochee and Suwanee Rivers was the stage for Civil War activity. Long mounds of earthworks were built to guard against incursions by Union Navy gunboats. We walked right past a paddle-wheel shaft from a 19th century steamboat. Hoping this park had clear water springs we were in for a disappointment and would stay only a night before heading down to Manatee Springs. The one night was welcomed after a long day on the road and the campground offered full hookups.

Moving on down the road we landed in Manatee Springs. The spring here is a first-magnitude spring, meaning it produces an average of 100 million gallons of clear, cool water daily. The park's namesake was nowhere to be found. Manatees don't actually arrive until the Gulf waters cool and then they swim upriver to the warmer waters of the springs. The spring run forms a sparkling stream that meanders through the hardwood wetlands to the Suwanee River. Under the water is a system of underground caves and one cave was directly under our campsite. The underwater caves are popular with scuba divers and I am looking forward to coming back here in February with snorkel gear to swim with these gentle giants. The water is 72º year round and crystal clear. I had just begun a virus of some sort, but nothing was going to keep me from going for a swim in the most beautiful fresh water I had seen in Florida.

We took a pontoon ride up the river for a spectacular sunset and wildlife viewing before retiring for the evening. Our campsite was nestled in a hardwood hammock. But this was our first time in a really sandy space; a good trial run for beach camping to come.

 

 

We contemplated another night on the road, but the Cape House was just 4 hours down the road and we were looking forward to our bed. I know we were only out on the road for a couple weeks, a far cry from a month's trip we had originally planned. Longer travels are just around the corner.

I don't remember what I detailed in previous posts, but we did take on vacation guests for the months of February and March in a moment of financial panic. We knew we could go out gallivanting around the country in the ZiOs mobile. So now we will do just that.. well, maybe not the country, but we have our sights set on seeing the old Florida. What we didn't realize is that we couldn't find places to stay in southern Florida. It seems everyone has taken up RVing and you have to have reservations a year in  advance. So we are heading to the panhandle. I am praying for the warmest winter on record up there, because it can be cooooold in northern Florida..... well, it's all an adventure.

Before we set out again this spring, I may put together another post about lessons learned. We are still newbies at least the learning curve isn't as steep as it was 2014. We are starting to get the hang of it.
“I want a one-bedroom house with cup holders. I want to live in my car, and make the road my home.” 
― Jarod Kintz