Georgia Wildlife

02 November 2024 – Saturday

Day 2 of 4 as we drive to Sarasota, Florida for a Pleasure-Way Owners Rally. We explore Kalmia Gardens and a National Wildlife Refuge before spending the night at Coastal Empire in Savannah.

0858  69,139  62°F  Hartsville, SC

Leave Dennis & Melissa's Hidden Creek Hipcamp (see yesterday's post for more about our first stay at a Hipcamp site).

0924  69,151  67°F  Hartsville, SC

Kalmia Gardens of Coker University (free)

Formerly part of a plantation, there are 38 acres of gardens open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk.

Standing near the parking lot, the Hart house was built for Thomas Hart in 1820. Now we know why the town is named Hartsville.

Outside we found a huge old American Beech (Fagus gradifolia) tree, said to be one of the oldest in South Carolina.

Heading into the gardens reveals lots of camellias. 

Stairs and boardwalks help visitors descend into a wooded gorge.

Hiked to Black Creek where tall pines and cypress trees reflected in the dark waters.

Cypress knees have always fascinated me. How many other plants have knees?

Kamila Gardens is on our list for places to visit again. If the gardens are interesting now, just think what they might be like in the springtime.

1032  Left Hartsville heading south towards Savannah.

1415  69,335  81°F  Hardeeville, SC

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 

elevation -1 feet (per GPS)

Wildlife drive is a 3 mile dirt and gravel loop through a moss covered oak hammock. 

Marshland surrounds the wildlife drive. You can always count on finding alligators here...

and they get close to shore.

American Alligator

Hurricane damage was still evident. Now roofless, this viewing blind is one we had used for bird photography on past visits.

Mid-afternoon is not the best time for birding, but we did capture a few photos along the loop.

Great Blue Heron

These cranes, just south of the refuge, are permanent residents serving the port of Savannah.

There are lots of places to pull over along the road. 

Beth and her binoculars are always on the lookout for interesting creatures.

No optics were needed when a family of raccoons crossed the trail just a few yards from us.

1647  69,353  80°F  Savannah, GA  25 feet elevation

Coastal Empire Beer Company 

Harvest Host (Click  for a discount code)

Staff were friendly, but not much was happening, even on a Saturday night.

Enjoyed an excellent imperial stout from their tap. Wanted to purchase some to take with us, but there isn't room for a keg in our van! Instead we bought a six pack of their Milk Stout to take south. 

One other couple stayed overnight here. Parking was between the building along the street.  We were a little concerned about being so close to the street in a city warehouse district, but it wasn't a problem.

Good night from Savannah.

Today's Route

Hartsville, SC to Savannah, GA

214 miles