Georgia Wilderness Society
St Mark's Florida Trip
March 17-21, 2024
Participants:
Trip co-leaders, Margaret Clay and Bonnie Gehling
Ben Thompson, Lynn Rivenbark, Trace Butler, Denise Kelly, Joe Mangum, Terry Ross, Rosemary Ross, Gary Harwell, Dee Harwell, David Crumbley, Connie Crumbley, Susan Bush, Holly Payne, Dave Gardner, Trish McMillan and guest, Rick Schuederberg.
Monday, March 18. Rain gave way to cloudy weather, which was very nice for bike riding. We had eight riders who met in the town of St. Marks at the end of the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail. All were encouraged to ride their own ride. Four cyclists completed the entire 32 miles. Six members went canoeing/kayaking on the Wakulla River with river trip leader, Trish McMillan. They met at TNT Hideaway for the put-in and take out. Three others went sightseeing and exploring the area.
Sunday, March 17. Travel day.Weather started off a little rainy. Instead of gathering at the campground, the group meeting was held at the Magnuson Hotel on HWY 98 because of the rain.
The evening event was a picnic followed by a 2-mile hike at Ochlockonee River State Park on the River Nature Trail along the Ochlockonee River.
After the ride, kayaking and car exploring, most of the group met for lunch at the Riverside Café in St. Marks, located within a few steps of the bike trailhead.
Bonnie, Margaret and Lynn spotted the elusive piebald deer in the park. This rare piebald deer had a white body and a brown head, the result of a genetic mutation that can manifest in various amounts of white (instead of brown) hair.
Tuesday, March 19. The group met at the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park for a wonderful 1-hour pontoon ride on the upper Wakulla River. The pontoon took us through areas of beautiful bald cypress trees which were surrounded by clear blue water. Great day for seeing birds and animals. Some of the sights included: manatees, gators, a Swallow-
tailed Kite, Great Egrets, Snowy
Egrets, White Ibis, Great Blue
Herons and a Kingfisher, just
to name a few. Our boat captain
was the best! He was very
knowledgeable and humorous.
Next was a short 2-mile hike among the bald cypress trees on the Hammock Spur Trail within the park. The trail winds through a swampy area known as a cypress dome. A cypress dome is a type of freshwater forested wetland, or a swamp.
We had lunch at the Parlor in the Wakulla Springs Lodge. After lunch we made an attempt to find a new, to us, sink called Emerald Sink. Couldn’t find it. The rest of the afternoon and evening were free.
Dee Harwell took it upon herself to put together an evening dinner reservation at The Seineyard at Wildwood. What a hoot! Many members ended up playing bingo! Great evening of laughs and fellowship! Thanks, Dee!
Wednesday, March 20. Some of us met at the St. Marks visitor’s center in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge to bike to the lighthouse at the end of the NWR Lighthouse Road. The NWR is located on the Apalachee Bay which merges into the Gulf of Mexico. Most members were on their own to explore the area. Birding is very popular along the Lighthouse Road. Eagles were spotted along with many shorebirds. The Refuge has many grass trails that can be hiked and biked. The afternoon was free.
We all gathered at Ouzts, Too for our trip ending dinner. Ouzts, Too has a Wednesday night dinner special. Eight of us had the homecooked special for $6 which included dessert! Ouzts, Too is known for its oysters. Several members had ordered them raw and fried. We ate outside under the shelter until the gnats got us.
Thursday, March 21. Travel day.
The evening ended with a campfire at the Ross’s campsite. Wonderful way to end the trip.
