Fort McAllister State Park, GA 10/11-10/14/12

Marsh at Fort McAllister SP GA

The Fort McAllister Georgia State Park campground is on a sea Island, so it is surrounded by water . The only way to get there is across a narrow causeway over the marsh or by boat..

There's marsh on north, west, and south east sides and a river on the east side of the island. All that water makes it very popular with fishermen. I think we were the only campers who weren't hauling a fishing boat

Which didn't stop us from exploring the marsh. We just rented a canoe and paddled around the creeks 

It's incredibly peaceful on the marsh, and the birding is fantastic.

There was also an abundance of 4 legged wildlife including armadillos. This is the farthest north I have ever seen these giant pill bug like critters. Bruce wanted to take one home but Kat and I said "No Way".

We rode out bikes a lot on this trip. It gave us a chance to stop and admire the wildflowers which are covered in migrating butterflies.

In addition to the campsite, the state park boasts a fully restored civil war confederate fort which can be toured ( for a small fee),

The fort was built underground in bunkers formed of sand. For four years the Fort held up against everything the Union forces could throw at it. When the Union naval ships would blast big craters in the place, the Confederate troops would simply rebuilt it with sand and be ready for action the next morning.

The rebels also managed to inflict some serious damage of their own with their cannon fire aimed at the Union vessels. Ironically, it was only after Sherman sent foot solders in to charge the rear walls that the Confederate stronghold was lost.

The SP also has a interesting little museum filled with Civil war artifacts and exhibits about how the men lived in the Fort and on the ships during the battles 

Mornings on the island were incredible

It truly makes one understand what is meant by the phrase "God's golden face"

But evenings were pretty interesting too. There is something downright spooky about all that Moss dancing in the light of a campfire ( Photo is of our tent camping neighbors site)

Our campsite

 We had a beautiful campsite in the woods, but all the campsites in this state park are nice. Would highly recommend the place to anyone who asks.