Flowers and Feathers: Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, Mar 1-3

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, Mar 1-3

D8: Traveling I-95 North

We got ourselves going a little faster this morning since we had a long day of driving ahead (by our RV standards, anyway). We said good-bye to Kevin and pulled out at 8:40. After a brief stop for Egg McMuffins, we were on I-95 Northbound. Our starting mileage of 117,113 showed us that we had traveled 104 miles since we exited I-95 on Wednesday.

We stopped for our picnic at Blythe Island Regional Park, exit 29, outside of Brunswick. It was a charming park, complete with a marina and camping, located on the South Brunswick River.

By 2:30 we were getting back on 95 bound for Skidaway Island State Park. GPS said we have 80 miles to go. That 80 took us 2 hours due to traffic jams. We travelled 287 miles today.

I guess Savannah has just expanded out to this island. The park is practically in the suburbs, but you wouldn't know it once you are inside its boundaries. The campsites are spacious and quiet with a jungle feel. We had salmon filets, green beans cooked on the campstove, and a microwave sweet potato dish. Once again we had to eat inside away from the gnats. By 8 pm we were ready to settle in with our books and computer.

Day 9: Skidaway Island State Park

After drinking a sufficient amount of coffee, I was ready to cook a full camp breakfast (9 am). We were comfortable through the night and not too cold. Bill's little heater worked well to dispel the morning chill. After breakfast and clean-up we took a hike. I cannot resist a trail called the Avian Loop. It was flat, clean dry trail through scrub forest and over boardwalks through the marsh. The turning point of the loop was at the river - Skidaway Narrows. This was the site of Confederate earthworks and gun batteries as part of Savannah's defense. That defense was broken when Gen. Sherman culminated his destructive "March to the Sea" across Georgia.

The Avian Trail was pleasant, but did not produce any birds of interest, the closest being what I believed to be a Wood Thrush that briefly flitted onto our path and flew away before I could raise my camera. To compensate for lack of birds, I photographed some lovely marsh scenes. We walked a bit more than 2 miles in a bit more than 2 hours. After late lunch we were ready to do nothing for the rest of the afternoon.