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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, October 25, 2012

First impressions

Once in a while I have the forethought to make a good decision for me, and today was one of those days.  I had decided to just visit Okefenokee NWR in my car today since I’m only about 60 miles away, and not drive the rig in until tomorrow.  As it turned out, it was also a good decision to leave Emma at home while I made that visit since it was quite warm and she would have been roasting in the car.

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I had some rather involved written directions from Gracie Gooch, the volunteer coordinator, but I tried putting the address into Jack-in-the-Box and it wouldn’t recognize the street name.  So I just put in the number of the closest highway, and Jack took me a different way than I had originally planned.  I went with the new to me directions, and it turned out best in the long run.  The mileage may have been slightly longer, but it kept me off of the Interstate and on a couple of other great roads.  The best part of that is I found an easy in, easy out gas station to fill the rig at only 30 miles from my destination.  So I get to avoid those nerve wracking jam packed truck stops along the Interstate, and my tank will essentially be full upon arrival.Thumbs up

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I’m going to include just a few photos tonight of my introduction to the refuge.  It’s interesting that the refuge doesn’t show up on any GPS units.  The first thing I did when I found it was to stop at the visitors center.  I went inside and introduced myself to Barb, the volunteer that was working there.  Her reaction warmed the cockles of my heart.  “Judy Bell, the Bird Lady?  We’ve been waiting for you to get here! Welcome!”  Wow!  What a difference from the welcome, or lack there of, I got at Alligator River.  I then met a couple of other staff members, and they were also most welcoming. 

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Gracie was not available, so Kathy, one of the interns, took me to show me the RV sites.  It was at this point that I was sure glad that I hadn’t driven in with the RV.  It took us a while to figure out the best approach to the sites considering the tallness of my rig.  I was most concerned about low hanging (for my rig) electrical wires on one approach, and very low live oak branches on the other approach.  Kathy was most helpful, and we figured out a third way to get to the sites with no wires or branches to cause havoc.  I’ll show you some pictures tomorrow of the site I chose and why.

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I took a quick drive around the wildlife route, and found my first ‘gator at this refuge.  I’m sure it won’t be my last.  My first impressions of Okefenokee NWR are that it will be a most friendly place to volunteer with some interesting things to do.  I’m really excited about the possibilities in my near future.

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When I finally got back to the rig it was nearly 4:00 in the afternoon.  I took Emma out for a walk around the campground, and as I rounded a curve I noticed a familiar looking Winnebago Journey with South Dakota plates.  It made me think of Paul and Marti Dahl, but I figured it couldn’t be.  They weren’t taking I-95 north from Florida.  Surprise!!  It was them!  What a treat.  This was the sugar topping to the day.  Since they knew through the blog where I was staying, they stopped here over night so we could go out to dinner together.  Best I can say is, “Cool Beans!!”

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

32 comments:

  1. Can't wait to see pictures of this place A gator on the first day Oh boy

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  2. Love your new header. What beautiful ponds at Okefenokee (I WILL learn how to spell that without looking back, while you are there!). I am so glad you got the welcome you most assuredly deserve. Hope you have a wonderful stay there. And what a nice surprise to have Paul and Marti show up. Wonder if was a PDD drive for them!!

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  3. Great to see you again! But now with that gator picture we'll be worrying that he might try and follow all your mice friends into your motorhome.

    Be careful out there, those gator teeth are sharp. ;c)

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  4. A Gator on your first day there? You have a most interesting volunteer career. How nice that Marti and Paul suprised you.

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  5. I thought it was nice thet Paul cut his normal driving day in half just to visit with you. Maybe Marti had something to do with this.

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  6. That is cool beans! The whole day! I think you've found a wonderful place for the foreseeable future.

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  7. What a nice surprise to see Paul and Marti! A good day all the way around!

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  8. great surprise too see Paul and Marti!!..enjoy your visit with them!

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  9. Wow, sure hope that gator isn't anywhere near the RV sites. No letting Emma loose around there please.

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  10. Sounds like a very informative day. I think I would be like you and explore first. Save stress on arrival day!

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  11. I've seen lots of gators....but the biggest ones were there in the Okefenokee!

    I'm sure there won't be many days you don't see gators. Keep a close eye on Emma. Gators love dogs.

    Nice picture of Paul and Marti.

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  12. Wow, Paul and Marti! I saw their photo as I was reading and thought is that who I think it is? sure enough. what fun. By the way, I really really love the water lily photo. A lot.

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  13. Wow lucky you. Warm welcome & gators. I'd have to say "yippie-skippie. Safe travels to your new home tomorrow. Becki

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  14. Gosh, your next place looks like a beautiful place to be. And friendly, welcoming staff. Looks like you're going to have a good time there. :)

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  15. How nice to have such a friendly welcome! Looks like a great place to spend some time.

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  16. Can't wait to see your site. Looks like a great place for you and Emma.

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  18. I'll try again. For us, buying fuel for our diesel pusher was fraught with peril. After two unpleasant experiences at gas stations, we switched to truck stops. Never something we looked forward to, but the truck stops are generally a lot easier to get in and out off. But often filled with ruts and potholes.

    Glad to see you got a warm welcome. It could set the tone for your entire stay

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  19. Judy, this looks like a really great place to be..with such a warm Welcome, you can't go wrong...now to see your parking space :)...that has my interest.

    God bless
    Zeee and critters 3

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  20. I does look like a lovely area. Nice gator photo. Looks like Emma is going to have an interesting time there.

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  21. Glad you got a friendly welcome.. and a gator to photograph as well! Hope that sets the scene for this whole gig.

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  22. Good thing you thought to do a pre-visit, eh?? We saw tons of gators at Brazos Bend SP in Texas, and they even had a learning center where bus loads of school kids showed up to see the baby gators...Keep close watch on Emma..I know you will.

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  23. I am so glad you've found a great place for the winter!

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  24. Enjoy your stay at the new place, it seems to be so inviting, and I'm glad you could get you rig to fit!! I can't wait to see how you figured it out!!

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  25. Welcomed warmly and knowing you're wanted ... well that makes volunteering that much better, doesn't it?

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  26. You say 'cool beans' and Paul calls it 'semper gumby'. All the same it was great you were able to connect and have a nice dinner.

    Gracie Gooch is an interesting name.

    Great photos too!

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  27. "Welcome Judy" - those are fine words to hear! And, hey bird lady, I know you'll find photo ops galore in the Okefenokee! Hope you have a great stay!

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  28. I hope you enjoy your stay there and don't have any serious run-ins with gators! I'm also glad to hear about the warm welcome. Those of us who volunteer can appreciate the difference it makes - actually you don't have to even be a volunteer to appreciate warmth, friendliness, and kindness.

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  29. Great pictures Judy. That's a terrific one of Paul and Marti! Glad you got a great welcome on arrival. I'm so excited you will be at Okefenokee. Another refuge I've been to and loved. Looking forward to spending time there with you. Seems a shame Aligator River wasn't as welcoming. They'll be sorry if you decide not to return.

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  30. ahhh. . .I'm a little behind on my blog reading. . .now I see what you are talking about when you said if I want to see alligators. . .wow. . .what a monster

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com
    Facebook.com/janice.w.evans

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  31. Cool Beans indeed. A gator the first day- a good sign. Looks like a great place to visit for a few months.

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