Callaghan to Savannah

A pity that of the 3 days cycling Martha and Dick had with us , two of them were the heaviest traffic days we had on the whole trip.

The highlight of the 52 mile trip to Folkston was the 4 mile detour into the Okefenokee State Park. We took the 90 minute boat trip right into the heart of the swamp . Fascinating. Saw dozens of sleepy alligators v close to the boat. An easy ride on to Folkston and a resonable motel.

Next day was always going to be long one. Fortunately wind in our favour for most part and we reveled in the dearth of traffic. A quite delightful day's cycling and plenty opp to ride in pairs and chat. Still a long 86 miles though with only the barest camping facilities at the end of it. Campsite had closed but the proprietor generously allowed us to set up our tents at no charge. The shower facilities were rough to put it mildly , but it was good of him to heat the water for us at all and we hugely appreciated it.

We left v early next morning and parted company with Martha and Dick after a disappointing breakfast in Odum M and D heading straight for Savannah and M and I continuing on the AC route via Reidsville and Statesboro where we found superb campsites in both. Two quite delightful days' cycling with wonderfully quiet roads and mostly favourable winds ( except where I overshot a crucial route change and we had a 2 plus mile retrace back into stiff wind - understandable huff from M ).

Today , yet another near perfect day' s riding , a lot cooler and wind nearly at our backs. Got to Port Wentworth - 13 miles from downtown Savannah in mid afternoon. Tomorrow 25 odd miles to my nephew Alastair Cairns and his wife Kristin and their two kids via tour of the historic downtown Savannah in am.

Both of us pleased to have made it . 1300 miles in 24 days including 2 rest days - one with Stu and Yiemei and one in St Augustine. We'd have liked more but time didn't permit.

M still riding high on comment from Scot in the bike shop in Gainesville when looking at her loaded bike " some men would kill to have a wife who carries that much ". So say I !

Pics from bottom and see also pics for previous blogentries now added

1.Martha and Dick join us at Little Talbot Island State Park. ( should be in previous blog - Jacksonville Beach to Callaghan )
2. A couple of bee keepers who gave us much needed energy between Callaghan and Folkston.
3. Martha giving us a botany lesson.
4. The object of her, and our attention - sarahceena ( sp ? ).
5. Our campsite at the beautiful Gordonia State Park , Reidsville.
6. Our tent and equipment dwarfed by our RV neighbour.
7 & 8. Our arrival in downtown Savannah and a much needed breakfast at the historic antebellum railway station.