Today we decided to visit the east side of the refugee that you access around the town of Folkston. This is the spot the rangers had recommended to us yesterday. Headed out in the car and got a warning message saying we had a low tire. We are in the middle of nowhere so took an hour to get to a service station where we could air up the tire. I guess we could have turned around and went back to the RV and used the air pump we had in the RV but the tire was not that low. Finally made it to the park and picked up a map. This side of the park is where you can find the Chesser Island Homestead.
Barred Owl
We took off on one of the drives and got side tracked trying to get a good picture of a Barred Owl who had flow up from the the side of the road as were driving back towards the homestead. A very patience bird as he stayed up in the tree until we gave up taking pictures. We did manage to get serval good ones but not as good if he had come out into the open.
Chesser Homestead
Close up of Sugar Cane Mill
Sugar Cane Mill
We made it to the homestead and saw the house, smoke house, the set up for grinding sugar cane and the building where they make the syrup. The yard was totally bare, just sand. It reminded me of my grandparents old home in Pensacola. We grew up with them living next door until I was around 10 and I remember their front yard being nothing but sand. My grandmother could sweep it with a broom to keep debris away from the house. Apparently, per the brochure, that was to keep away animals and to help prevent fires close to the house.
Red Headed Woodpecker
We left the homestead and drove to a board walk that led to a tower that you could climb to get a good view of the area. By this time it was thundering and the clouds were dark. We decided to forget the hike and just keep driving around taking pictures. Lots of red headed woodpeckers in the area.
We eventually made it back to the main visitor center where Bruce decided to go in and buy himself a national park pass for seniors. I already have the pass, picked it about 3 years ago when I turned 62. We were at Grand Tetons National Park and the park ranger pointed out to me that I was eligible for the senior pass when he was looking at my driver’s license. We had an annual park pass and you had to show a license when using it so I had handed him my license. Of course he also said I did not look to be old enough to get a senior pass. Trying to butter me up to get me to buy the new pass, it worked I bought the pass. It was only $10 and good for a lifetime. Not sure why Bruce thought he needed one since we are always together and my pass will cover him. I guess I need to be concerned that he is going to ditch me somewhere. Still only $10 but the person that waited on him said there were rumors flying around that they were going to raise the cost to $80. If you are 62, go get your pass now, just in case.
On the way back to our RV we stopped to fill up the car and check the tire pressure. Bruce noticed a bar-b-que place across the road and suggested we pick up something to take back to RV as it was getting late. He went in and ordered two chopped beef sandwich meals to go. The lady at the counter asked him did he mean bar-g-que sandwiches and he said yes. He came out and gave me the bag and said he was not sure what we had but it was bar-b-que. When he told me what he had asked for I had to remind him he was not in Texas anymore, not to expect beef, it was most likely pork. It was pork with a very sweet sauce.
Able to get in a bike ride when we returned but no bears.
I love that picture of the Chesser Homestead. Did you get to go in and see the inside or was it just a drive-by?
Yes, you can go in and walk around. Lots of beds, they had a big family. There was a bathroom on the side of the house but it was just screened in. Of course a kitchen/dining room and living area.