On The Road Full Time Rving

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

If you are in the Savannah area this is a must visit location. The majority of the pictures were taken along the auto tour. The Tupelo Trail section in the pictures posted is about a mile from the parking lot along some waterways. I rode the bicycle on both auto tour and the tupelo trail a great afternoon bike ride.

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, established April 6, 1927, consists of 31,551 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, and bottomland hardwoods. About half the refuge is bottomland, composed primarily of cypress, gum, and maple species. Access to these areas is by boat only.

The 3,000 acres of freshwater impoundments managed for migratory waterfowl were formerly the rice fields of plantations dating back to the mid or late 1700's. Many of the dikes enclosing these pools were originally built during the rice culture era.

All dikes are open to foot and bicycle travel during daylight hours, unless otherwise posted, and provide excellent wildlife observation points. Waterfowl are most abundant from November through February, while alligators and other reptiles are frequently seen from March through October. Birdwatching opportunities are good all year, but are best from October through April when temperatures are mild and many species of waterfowl and other wintering birds are present.

Motorists are welcome on the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, off of S.C. 170, which meanders along four miles of earthen dikes through managed freshwater pools and hardwood hammocks. Many hiking and biking trails are also available to the visiting public. Visitors can also enjoy other wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing which are allowed at certain times of the year (please refer to hunting and fishing regulations).

The Savannah NWR Visitor Center is located on U.S. 17, seven miles north of downtown Savannah, Georgia or seven miles south of I-95 at Hardeeville, South Carolina.

WARNING: Please do not use Uber, Lyft, or any other ride share service as transportation to Savannah NWR. The wildlife viewing areas of the refuge are over 3 miles from the Visitor Center via public highways, and there is no transportation available to take visitors from one area to another. Also, cell service is very inconsistent out here, so you may have trouble making a call to get a return ride.

Auto Tour

Tupelo Trail

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Donnelley WMA Driving Tour

Donnelley WMA (Wildlife Management Area) consist of 8048 acres in eastern Colleton County near Green Pond, SC.

The pictures I have posted were taken along the 11 mile driving/cycling tour in Donnelley WMA.

I cycled the tour and found it to be a great ride. The roads for the most part are hard packed gravel/dirt roads. Some of the side roads I took were more grass covered road that were also open to motor vehicles. The area offers some great wildlife and nature viewing. Lots of water birds and alligators in the old rice fields and tidal areas. The area has whitetail deer and feral hogs but with my more or less continued riding on my bicycle I did not see any.

Causeway that was used in separating ricefields from tidal waters.

Yes there is a small alligator on the bank. The larger one were in hiding.

Causeway that was used in separating ricefields from tidal waters.

Ricefield Trunk. The name comes for the original flood controls were actual tree trunks hollowed out and fitted with a plug to control the water flow.

Ricefield Trunk

More of the old ricefield causeway system

Hardwood stands along the driving tour

Boynton Nature Trailhead.

More of the old ricefield causeway system

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Spanish Moss Trail Beaufort SC

Rode Spanish Moss Trail in Beaufort SC the other day 10.3 miles out and back total 20.6 miles. The Spanish Moss Trail (sometimes referred to as the Beaufort Rail Trail or the Magnolia Line Trail) follows the former Port Royal Railroad that was constructed in 1870. The planned 13.6-mile scenic pathway will run through Beaufort County between Port Royal and Yemassee.

I started on the northern most trail head off Clarendon Rd and US-21. The trail has a concrete surface very well maintained flat smooth and wide with the exception of about a quarter of a mile on the north end that is hard packed gravel. Lots of views of tidal creeks and marshes with several bridges over the creeks. It travels through developed area with lots of cross streets. There are residents and business along the trail but there are also plenty of trees to make the trail feel secluded. I counted 23 street crossings with 4 of them being major highways with traffic lights to assist with the crossing.

There are several trail heads and parking along the trail. Most of the trail would be great for family rides. The exception in my opinion for the family riding the trail is the major road crossings. With the aid of Google Maps there is plenty of trail to ride without crossing a major highway. If you are looking for a trail to put in some miles with a workout this might not be a trail for you but if you are looking for a relaxing ride with some beautiful scenery this is a trail for you.