Dingopups: The Back Roads of Georgia

This was the first of our road trip exploration days where we had nothing planned with the exception of getting in the car and heading north. The roads in this country are phenomenal. Okay we had to pay around $8 in tolls but it was worth driving on such good quality bitumen. The freeways were at the least 6 lanes wide with each side of the route being separated by a very wide medium strip. The allowed speed is 70mph (110km) and the drivers are extremely courteous.

Today’s journey took us inland rather than following the coast. We went through Navel Orange growing country which was pretty boring. Based on a comment made by a man at an information centre who told us that there were black bears in Georgia, we have ended up in a tiny town called Fargo (population approx. 300) so that we can visit the Okefenokee Swamp National Park. In Fargo we have discovered the America that we imagined existed. The town sits on the Suwanee River we think of song fame? Right behind our accommodation, is the main east coast railway line complete with large freight trains on a regular schedule. There were not a lot of accommodation choices in Fargo and so we settled for accommodation available

through the Suwanee River Outfitters shop where you can also hire a canoe or purchase a pocket knife among many other hunting items. The accommodation came highly recommended by the service station assistant and we were not disappointed.

On the subject of the Fargo Service Station you will all be pleased to hear that we had our first black bear encounter there. For the pleasure of all hunters, in a corner of the shop and underneath two stuffed deer heads were two stuffed black bears.

Stuffed animals are a Fargo theme and again we found plenty of stuffed deer heads mounted on the walls of the local café. The café menu had such delicacies as “Gizzards, Liver, Catfish or Grits” (for real). Sticking with safe we chose pork chops with salad. When it arrived the only thing that had not been deep fried (including the bread roll) was the salad (iceberg lettuce and chopped tomato). We can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s breakfast offerings will include at the café; for sure it will be fried.

“Youall have a good day now”.