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Update 22 - 4/19/01
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We are in South Carolina, in the little logging community of Andrews. Logging?
Although we knew the Southeast produces a lot of lumber, we thought the forests were further from the coast.
Leaving Jacksonville, Florida we rode north into lightly populated farm land that is dotted with large wet swamps. Arriving at Okefenokee Swamp, we found an environment that is unique. At over 700 square miles, it is the largest wilderness area west of the Mississippi. The diversity of plant and animal life is amazing. We decided to spend an extra day exploring the fringe of the swamp at the East entrance, learning that the best way to experience the land is by canoe or kayak. We marked Okefenokee for a return visit.
As we rode north through Georgia the landscape began to change. The nearly dead flat riding of the Florida coast gave way to lightly rolling hills. The tropical palms and ferns declined, replaced by pine and oak forests. Along the road, wildflowers are coming into bloom, creating a colorful carpet. Spring is visible here.
The route is a few miles inland, through farms and lumber regions, dotted with beautiful older homes, some dating back to the plantation era. As we approached Charleston, we stayed in a restored railroad caboose at the South Point KOA. While there we walked around the nearby lake and took pictures of the resident alligators, watching us with their big eyes showing just above the water.
Northwest of Charleston we crossed the Edisto River and camped at Givhans Ferry State Park. The park is a beautiful spot, one of the cleanest we have been in recently. As we were unloading the bike, I heard a "ping" from the rear wheel.
Our bike is equipped with the legendary White Industries wheel hubs, known for living for many years and hundreds of thousands of miles. Such was not the case for our hub. A section of the flange where the spokes connect had broken off releasing several spokes. Using our cell phone, I called the fine folks at da Vinci in Denver, Colorado, and Brian sent a replacement wheel by overnight express. The next day the Camp Ranger pulled up to our campsite and delivered the wheel. After switching our cassette gears, drag brake, tire and tube, we were ready to continue our tour. Amazing how computers, cell phones and air freight have made distances seem so small. Neighboring campers, Lee and Tammy kindly agreed to ship our old wheel back, as the manufacturer wants to try to find out what caused the unusual failure.
With an extra few hours to spend at the state park waiting for our wheel to arrive, we explored along the Edisto River, learning that it is one of the longest "black water" rivers in the USA. The black (actual dark brown) color comes from the tannin released by tree roots along the river bank. There is a canoe/kayak route along this stretch that allows a six or seven day trip. Campsites are located about a day's travel apart. We made another mark on our map for a return trip someday.
Following Spring north along the colorful southeast coast,
George and Sharon Miner
Vancouver Bicycle Club, Vancouver, Washington
2000 da Vinci Global Venture towing Bob Trailer
Free as the Wind - Our one year self-supported tandem tour of the USA, Mexico and Canada
This email is intended solely for the personal use of the addressees. No reproduction rebroadcast, or other use is allowed without the expressed written permission of the authors.
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4/19/01 - addendum
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We would be remiss if we forgot to mention our stop at the Happy Acres RV Park near Odum, Georgia.
The Park is located on land that once was occupied by Cherokee Indians. The owners who are descendants of the tribe, told us some of the history of the region. The nearby road was once a trade route to Florida, established by early Swedish settlers.
We camped next to Ian and Jen, who recently left Savannah and are following the Southern Tier route to San Diego and then the West Coast Route to San Francisco. We talked for hours about our trips and wished each other well as we departed the next morning.
George and Sharon Miner
Vancouver Bicycle Club, Vancouver, Washington
2000 da Vinci Global Venture towing Bob Trailer
Free as the Wind - Our one year self-supported tandem tour of the USA, Mexico and Canada
This email is intended solely for the personal use of the addressees. No reproduction rebroadcast, or other use is allowed without the expressed written permission of the authors.
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