Where Georgia state legislators and aides could not miss us, half a dozen groups presented Okefenokee Day in the hallways of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.
This was the flyer for organizers. I’m one, since Suwannee Riverkeeper is part of the Okefenokee Partnership which was the principal organizing body for this event. Continue reading
It was a fast paddle from Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee Swamp to Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River, as part of the WWALS campout and paddle: barely more than three hours. Or four hours, counting getting ready at the Park and getting out at Griffis.
But it still looked fun, through the Narrows, past piers of an old logging railroad, and through the Suwannee River Sill, with birds and gators.
![[Stephen C. Foster State Park, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-12-14 to Griffis Fish Camp, Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-12-14--scfsp-griffis-suwannee-river-pictures/many.jpg)
Stephen C. Foster State Park, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-12-14 to Griffis Fish Camp, Suwannee River
Fast because expedition leader Shirley Kokidko decided to go through the first gate at the Suwannee River Sill, considering water levels were too low to go up to the second gate and back down the west side of the Sill.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko of Pearson, GA, for leading and for one picture here, and to Phil Royce of Live Oak, FL, for the other pictures. And thanks to the paddlers, from Miami to Alabama to South Carolina, not to mention Hahira and other places in Georgia and Florida.
Stay tuned for pictures of the campfire cooking and the turkeys the next morning.
For more WWALS outings and events as they are announced, see:
https://wwals.net/outings Continue reading
“We paddled, we camped, and we cooked! Thank you to everyone for making this a fun weekend,” wrote Shirley Kokidko.
That was at Griffis Fish Camp, where they camped two nights and paddled the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp.
![[Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2022-12-02, Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-02--camp-paddle-griffis-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2022-12-02, Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp
We’re doing it again, December 13-15, 2024.
Thanks to Shirley for these pictures from 2022.
See also facebook posts by: Continue reading
It was drizzly and it rained on Floyds Island, but everybody enjoyed it anyway.
![[Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-10-11, Suwannee River, and Middle Fork]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/gretchen/2024-11-10--floyds-island/fbmany.jpg)
Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-10-11, Suwannee River, and Middle Fork
Thanks to Brack Barker for leading this Floyds Island Campout, 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River in the Okefenokee Swamp.
Thanks to Gretchen Quarterman for these pictures.
Not many gators were visible, but there was a tree full of wood storks. Continue reading
Many national, state, and local parks and related facilities are closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Some were already closed due to Hurricane Debby.
Assume it’s closed unless you have other information.
![[What parks are closed after Hurricane Helene? Many of them. 2024-10-03 Assume closed unless other information.]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-10-03--parks-closed/many.jpg)
What parks are closed after Hurricane Helene? Many of them. 2024-10-03 Assume closed unless other information.
Pictured: damage at Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. Photo: SFCSSP
Many parks are closed all over Georgia. Here we list only the ones in or near the Suwannee River Basin.
Update 2024-09-13: Brack Barker got a Floyds Island camping permit for Sunday, November 10. Since Monday, November 11, is a federal holiday, Veterans Day, that should work.
Join us to paddle 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee Swamp.
You must RSVP on meetup to get a spot.
This is the farthest you can get from any road in Georgia, with very dark sky.
You can camp inside the century-old Hebard Cabin, or in your tent or hammock outside.
Yes, you will see gators, and probably other wildlife.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end All Day, Sunday, November 10, 2024
Launch 9 AM, end 1 PM, Monday, November 11, 2024
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Continue readingJoin us for a weekend of paddling the Okefenokee Swamp and the Suwannee River, rustic camping, and campfire cooking at Griffis Fish Camp.
Saturday morning we’ll leave camp at 8:30 and drive to Stephen C. Foster State park to launch.
We’ll paddle down Billy’s Lake, pass by Mixon’s Hammock and on through the Narrows and the Sill. If water levels are good we plan to paddle a mile up the Sill and wind our way back down to our lunch stop at the boat ramp by the Sill parking area. Then back on the trail to Griffis for a total of approximately 10 miles. Be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall if the water is low.
Back at camp we’ll get the fire going and start cooking! Cooking is always optional but the more the merrier. There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. It’s all for campfire fun. Come sit around the fire and show us what you can do with your old cast iron, or roast hot dogs on a stick. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils/drinks to help reduce waste.
Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up, drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls cooked by the fire.
![[Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2024-12-13-15, Suwannee River paddle in the Okefenokee Swamp]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-12-13--okefenokee-paddle-cast-iron-cookout/fbmany.jpg)
Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2024-12-13-15, Suwannee River paddle in the Okefenokee Swamp
When: Gather 4 PM, sunset 5:28 PM, Friday, December 13, 2024. Set up camp
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, Sunset 5:38 PM, Saturday, December 14, 2024. Sunrise is 7:20 AM. Paddle 9.5 miles from SCFSP to Griffis. Build campfire and start cooking.
Sunday, December 15, 2024. Leisurely breakfast and pack up to go home.
Campsite: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left in Clinch County.
Campsite GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County. Continue reading
Update 2024-09-13: Got a permit for Sunday, November 10. Okefenokee Floyd’s Island Campout, Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-02.
Update 2024-09-04: Didn’t get a permit for November 2, so trying for November 9.
Pending a permit, join us to paddle 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee Swamp.
This is the farthest you can get from any road in Georgia, with very dark sky.
You can camp inside the century-old Hebard Cabin, or in your tent or hammock outside.
Yes, you will see gators, and probably other wildlife.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end All Day, Saturday, November 9, 2024
Launch 9 AM, end 1 PM, Sunday, November 10, 2024
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Continue readingPart four is videos of the food at Campfire Cookout at Griffis Fish Camp and Suwannee River Paddle including what happened to the Seminole pumpkin C.B. “Turtleman” Adams gave us back in part zero.
![[Food and Seminole Pumpkin at Griffis Fish Camp, Suwannee River 2023-12-09]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-12-09--griffis-fish-camp-suwannee-pictures/foodmany.jpg)
Food and Seminole Pumpkin at Griffis Fish Camp, Suwannee River 2023-12-09
Spoiler: it got cooked and eaten, after the seeds were saved by several people for planting.
Here’s
the video:
https://youtu.be/hh1lEWsC9VE Continue reading
Update 2023-12-19: Videos: Food at Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River with Seminole Pumpkin 2023-12-09
Part three is video highlights of Campfire Cookout at Griffis Fish Camp and Suwannee River Paddle from Suwannee River Sill Ramp through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to Griffis Fish Camp.
![[From Suwannee River Sill Ramp to Griffis Fish Camp 2023-12-09]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-12-09--griffis-fish-camp-suwannee-pictures/fmany.jpg)
From Suwannee River Sill Ramp to Griffis Fish Camp 2023-12-09
Here’s
the video:
https://youtu.be/Jxg6dZ5pn2Y
Videos: SCFSP to Suwannee River Sill 2023-12-09
Videos by John S. Quarterman for WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS).
For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
![[Okefenokee Day, Georgia state Capitol 2025-02-06, Okefenokee Swamp Park, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-02-06--okefenokee-day-atlanta/fbmany.jpg)
![[Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-02-03, Suwannee River, Fargo, GA, Stephen C. Foster State Park]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-11-02--okefenokee-floyds-island-campout/fbmany.jpg)