A Baby Boomer Adventure: Swamp Things!
The Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross Georgia may not sound like one of those baby boomer vacations you dream of all your life. Anything with ‘swamp’ in the title would never have been my choice for a getaway – ever! But when my husband and I took a trip to Jekyl Island in Georgia last year, it was there, he wanted to see it, and so we went on our first swamp vacation!
The Okefenokee Swamp is part of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a 402,000 National Wildlife Refuge that includes areas several counties in Georgia and Florida. The swamp has a number of islands and lakes, and provides a rich habitat for a ton of wildlife, including crocodiles, fish, and wading birds.
Guided Tours of The Okefenokee Swamp
You can take a guided tour through the swamp on a skiff that carries several people. These tours can be booked online and offer you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the view while learning more about the park.
But no…
Our trip to the Swamp was a last-minute decision, we really didn’t know what to expect. What we found upon our arrival was a really nice park facility, with a super nice attendant who explained the options for tours. You could either take one of the guided tour skiffs or rent a small john boat yourself and tour the swamp independently. Since I knew there were crocodiles in the swamp, and me being me, I voted for the tour boat, but it would have been a 90-minute wait. So…we took the john boat.
They literally just give you access to the boat with a little 10 HP motor, and off you go.
I wasn’t really prepared for this trip…I thought it would be cool, but had no idea what I would see. The swamp was breathtakingly beautiful. Quiet, prehistoric-like, with wildlife everywhere. The first time I saw a crocodile I was, uh…nervous. But as the trip continued, I became enchanted by what I saw, and every time I review my photos I am amazed yet again.
So, if you have a spark of curiosity and adventure, and want to come home with National Geographic worthy photos, this is definitely something to consider. It’s a little different from some baby boomer vacations you might take, but totally unforgettable!
Enjoy the photos!
Okefenokee
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