Anyway, in Part I, I told a little about how this area used to be underwater, and that the water table is high. In other words, perfect for a swamp.
In Part II, I didn't add much, other than the Okefenokee Swamp is a big deal to those who live near there.
Now, we're actually getting to the trip.
Sort of.
First, let my tell you about my first trip to the Okefenokee. If I'm remembering correctly, I was a pre-teen. Anyway, the six of us (parents, sisters, me) went there one day. I think we all six went. If any missed it, too bad. I was more concerned with my having a good time. And if one of the others disappeared into the swamp ... oh well.
The things I remember the most were a boat ride through the swamp. It was one of those slow moving boats and the water was black. Just like you sometimes see in the movies. Only this was real. I remember a sign that said "Mirror Lake" only that's not what it said. It was written upside-down and backwards. And, if you looked into the water at the reflection of the sign, you could read it. That will impress a pre-teen.
The other think I remember was feeding Mountain Dew to a raccoon. Next to the sidewalk, they had a bunch of animals in cages -- I don't know why, maybe they were moving them, maybe that's how they kept them -- and one of them was a raccoon. There were more than one raccoon, but I'm talking about one in particular. I suspect there was a sign that said "Do Not Feed The Animals" that I either didn't see or that I ignored. I don't know which. But I had been drinking a Mountain Dew in a bottle.
Anyway, those two memories stayed with me and I knew I'd go back there again one day. And I did. Only, it was a long, long time later. About 25 or more years later, in fact. I took my son and one of my nephews over there. They had a pretty good time. It cost more than I realized it would, but, like I said, they had a good time. But I didn't see any cages of raccoons to feed. Or any Mountain Dew in the bottle.
And, even later, I went back again. That third trip was the one I took the wife on. Maybe I'll get around to telling that story soon.
I used to give my dog Mountain Dew. Oh, an I will strive to use "It'll Tickle Yer Innards" at least once in a sentence while at work today!
ReplyDeleteThat ought to get some interesting looks!
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember the trip.... I loved Mountain Dew and honey buns when I was a youngun'. Do you remember that BIG alligator?
ReplyDeleteI remember that trip too...I think Papa was with us. That raccoon was the coolest thing drinking that Mountain Dew. I remember climbing the tower..do you? Ain't no way my lard butt would make it to the top now...
ReplyDelete