Congaree National Park to St. Augustine, FL

 1.10.2024 and 1.11.2024

RV Mileage: 788

Stagecoach RV Park, St. Augustine, FL

Days seem to go either fast or slow; there doesn't seem to be an in between.  After we weathered Finn in Columbia, SC the next day dawned breezy and cool.  We ventured a short distance to Congaree National Park.  It is a beautiful old growth forest with many Loblolly Pines that are hundreds of years old.  Because of the storm much of the park was flooded so our hiking was limited to 2 miles of the 2.5 mile boardwalk trial.  With virtually no elevation gain it was an easy, leisurely walk through a nearly deserted park.

This mucky stuff is nearly 8 feet deep.  Happily we managed to stay on the boardwalk.

Comet enjoyed his walk and all the new smells.

This lake was formed from a meander of the Congaree River got filled on either end with silt and debris.

We had a couple of visitors with us along the trail.

Congaree is beautiful and while we were walking through we discussed what makes a place a National Park.  To put this on par with Yellowstone, Acadia, and The Grand Canyon is curious.  We have been to state parks that are much more grand.  However, the box is checked.

After our visit we drove to Debellation Brewing Company in Richmond Hills, GA.  We broke one of our cardinal rules and arrived after dark.  Kenny enjoyed the red, and I had an Angry Orchard and we both savored food from an El Salvadorian food truck for dinner.  The papusas were some of the best I've had since my days at Hutchison Elementary Teacher Appreciation Days.

Yesterday we drove to what we thought would be an overnight stay in Jacksonville, FL.  It was a double bonus with a Cracker Barrel sitting in the same parking lot with a Walmart.  After a brief, very loud stay with a jet taking off from the VERY nearby Jacksonville Airport I called to see if Stagecoach RV Park had space for us to come a day early.  Thankfully, they did and we drove the hour to our home for the next week.

We had a little ceremony as we scratched off Congaree on our National Parks Chart.

Our former neighbors and dear friends Rob and Alice came by for a drink and to see the RV.  After 5 days we were happy to have full hookups!  Since we were here last year they built a dog park which Comet is thankful for.