Georgia beaches are constantly moving and changing shape. Summer beaches and winter beaches have different characteristics. The majority of beach residents are found either in burrows or interspersed among the wet sand grains. Take this do-it-yourself tour to learn more about how Georgia beaches work.

Layering and ripples are the two most common beach structures that the beach walker will observe. Ripples are formed in the near-shore area by both waves and currents. They mark the path of water from the beach back into the ocean. The size of ripples varies widely, but their crests are usually parallel to the beach slope. Layering is the wavy patterns of lighter and darker sand or sand of different textures. It looks something like chocolate swirl ice cream. It’s caused by concentration of heavy minerals or by variations in the size of sand grains. Geologists identify layering and ripples in ancient sandstones to develop new clues to the history of the earth.The beach never looks the same way twice. The turbulence in the breaker zone and the swash of the waves on the beach constantly rearrange sand particles and reshape the shore line. Materials stirred up by waves are deposited as offshore bars just inland from the zone of greatest breakers. Sand grains are repeatedly carried onto the beach by the swash and carried back out again with the backwash. Those factors, combined with the seasonally changing direction of the wind, produces one of the earth’s most dynamic environments. (more…)

Georgia > Coastal Region > Camden County > St. Marys

The McIntosh Sugar Works. The 75′ x 120′ building was divided into three rooms with a boiler boom in the middle that held four large vats. Draft animals powered the mill.

Few signs lead to this early 19th-century sugar refinery, Yet, here stands one of the largest and most visually stunning displays of tabby ruins on the entire Georgia coast. A jumble of windows, doorways, columns, rooms and walls, the sugar works resembles a labyrinth, weathered and worn as if from antiquity. One can feel the sharp edges of oyster shells or watch the light of the afternoon sun, flickering and spreading in a changing kaleidoscope on the walls opposite the cracks and crevices.

Although slightly eroded, the ruins reveal much of the sugar work’s original functions. At the time, it was believed the thick walls of the building helped insure the warmth needed for superior production of sugar. The 75 feet wide and 120 feet long building is divided into three main rooms. On the west side, farthest in the back, the two-story grinding room has many small windows, once used for ventilation. Draft animals, such as horses, mules or cattle, went up ramps from the outside through the low, wide openings onto the reinforced first floor where they powered the mill. In the middle of the building, the boiler room held four large vats. The cane juice flowered through a gutter from the mill into the first vat, a clarifier, where the sediment settled from the juice. The juice then went to the largest boiler, where it distilled into a granulating syrup. From there it went into a cooling vat. After it cooled workers poured it into hogsheads, large casks or barrels that each held from 60 to 100 gallons. The room has huge columns, which once supported the roof of the porches on the south and north sides. (more…)

 Georgia > Southwest Region > Thomas County > Thomasville

This stately architectural beauty stands amid magnolias and long leaf pines in Southwest Georgia. It has magnetic appeal and breathtaking beauty.

A visit to Pebble Hill in Thomasville is sure to result in an awe-inspiring and memorable experience for all who enter the plantation’s gates. Pebble Hill Plantation has been called a “Georgia Belle.” This stately architectural beauty stands proudly amid the magnolias and long leaf pines of southwest Georgia, and like an alluring belle, it has magnetic appeal and breathtaking beauty.

With its relaxed order and sense of timelessness, Pebble Hill puts everyone immediately at ease and invites closer inspection of the plantation and its former occupants. Gracious and vital with the South’s rich traditions, Pebble Hill is a home rich in both art and history. The overall impression one receives from this remarkable plantation is more felt than defined. (more…)

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Chatham County > Savannah

A fascinating array of aircraft and hardware, along with an ever-changing schedule of events and special exhibits makes  Savannah’s Mighty 8th Air Force Museum  a “must see” item on the tour agenda of anyone interested in United States military history.

The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum preserves for all Americans the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present. The Museum’s vision is to sustain our cultural heritage, support a lifelong character education, and to be a center of community engagement.

Up-Coming and On-Going Exhibits, Features and Events Include:
IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN An Exhibit dedicated to U.S. servicemen and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and to those who continue to serve. Exhibit will be on display August 3 – 15

MODEL PLANES Unique model airplanes will be on display in the Museum’s Rotunda August 21 -23. Free children’s model airplane building class on Sat. August 22.

THE MUSEUM AT NIGHT Experience the Museum at night with a unique tour by Rosie the Riveter, learn the techniques of a bombing mission, explore the combat gallery by flashlight and relax while watching a movie before bedtime. Airmen & airwomen will be called to breakfast by an authentic bugle call! Breakfast will be served in the New South Pub before an activity to learn about downed airmen in the Memorial Gardens. Participants will receive personalized dog tags at their debriefing before returning home. Bunking in begins at 5:45 pm and ends the following morning at 9:00 am. Reservations are required and spaces are limited in each sleepover night. Bring your sleeping bag and explore the Museum as it has never been explored before! This experience is great for children ages 5 through 12.

Links
Read more about Savannah’s Mighty 8th Air Force Museum.

 Georgia > Coast > McIntosh County > Darien

From 1721, the year it was constructed, until 1728, soliders representing English King George III garrisoned this wooden stockade on the Georgia coast, enduring hardships form disease, Indian attacks, and the unfamiliar coastal environment.

This is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast. From 1721 until 1736, Fort King George was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. A cypress blockhouse, barracks and palisaded earthen fort were constructed in 1721 by scoutmen led by Colonel John “Tuscarora Jack” Barnwell. For the next seven years, His Majesty’s Independent Company garrisoned the fort. They endured incredible hardships from disease, threats of Spanish and Indian attacks, and the harsh, unfamiliar coastal environment. After the fort was abandoned, General James Oglethorpe brought Scottish Highlanders to the site in 1736. The settlement, called Darien, eventually became a foremost export center of lumber until 1925.

Using old records and drawings, this 18th century frontier fortification on the Altamaha River has been reconstructed for public tours. Structures include a blockhouse, officers’ quarters, barracks, a guardhouse, moat and palisades. A museum and film cover the Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission, Fort King George, the Scots of Darien, and 19th century sawmilling when Darien became a major seaport. In addition to the many fort buildings, remains of three sawmills and tabby ruins are still visible. This site is on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.

Links

• Read more about Fort King George

 Georgia >Northeast > Rabun County > Clayton

Your family will love exploring whitewater on the Chattooga’s Section III, surrounded by wilderness and removed from crowds. Made famous by the film “Deliverance,” Section IV is the classic Southeastern whitewater rafting run.

Since 1972, Nantahala Outdoor Center has shared the outdoors with millions of guests on white water river rafting trips, with all varieties of kayak and canoe instruction, on mountain bikes and around the world with our adventure travel trips.

Chattooga River whitewater rafting offers the mild and scenic Section III and the wild and scenic Section IV, two distinct and memorable river trips. The Chattooga River always delivers breathtaking scenery and treasured whitewater in an unmatched wilderness setting. NOC has been leading trips on this federally-designated Wild and Scenic River since the company’s beginning in 1972.

NOC guides are the most experienced on this river, some with as many as 30 years experience. Our guides receive the most extensive training of any outfitter on this river, and we’re the only company on the Chattooga with an entire fleet of self-bailing rafts. This means we can optimize each raft trip for maximum enjoyment, no matter the water level.

Rafting Section III
Your family will love exploring whitewater on the Chattooga’s Section III, surrounded by wilderness and removed from crowds. This section offers Class II-III rapids, with a big finale at Bull Sluice Rapid. Great for families with older children and for youth groups, the Chattooga is a river that begs to be explored.

Rafting Section IV
Made famous by the film “Deliverance,” Section IV is the classic Southeastern whitewater rafting run. Float past awe-inspiring scenery, take the time to explore river features, and paddle through some of the most heart-pounding drop-pool rapids to be found anywhere. The trip’s highlight is arguably the run through the famous Five Falls, where five tumultuous Class IV+ rapids unfold in quick succession.

Links:

• Read more about Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Chattooga river trips.

 Georgia > Coast > Chatham > Savannah

Tour Guide Bobby Davis (photo at right) gives private walking tours of Savannah. These are one-on-one tours, no large groups of strangers. Two-hour, half-day and all-day tours available. According to Davis, “Savannah is best viewed from your feet… not from a seat.”

Here are some of the tours available:

• Historic Savannah
• Revolutionary & Civil Wars
• Churches & Cemeteries of Savannah
• Ornamental Ironwork & Hidden Fountains
• Beautiful Homes & Hidden Gardens
• Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil
• Spooky Savannah Ghost Tours
• Evening Stroll through Beautiful Squares
• Evening Wine Walk. Your pick - red or white
• Tea Tour. Nice stroll finished with tea and a scone or two.

Or, visitors may create their own tour by combing the elements of the tours above or describing individual interests to tour guide Davis

Links

• Read more about Explore Savannah tours by Bobby Davis.
• Browse the list of other Savannah Tours.

 Georgia > Coast > Camden County > St. Marys

Paddling the Okefenokee at anytime is a memorable outdoor experience, but the nighttime cruises offered by Up the Creek Xpeditions are guaranteed to secure bragging rights for participants for months to come.

Want to shock your friends? Tell them about the NIGHT that you paddled a kayak into the Okefenokee Swamp with Up the Creek Xpeditions.

This trip is a journey of discovery: of the varied moods of the swamp experienced through the trip, of the fascinating ecology, and of the excitement felt as you search the darkness with your headlamps. Learn about the unique nature that comprises the swamp, how it obtained its name, its logging and inhabited history, and its variety of birds and reptiles.

Paddling at night generates a calmness and sensory experience that enhances the mood, even for the experienced kayaker. Remember those nights out under the stars as a kid? Relive that feeling again!

Under the moonlight, using the headlamps provided by your guide, you scan back and forth until you see it; deep coal red holes glowing back at you. You pause, then creep forward. As you approach, the alligator slips under the water and disappears. You continue on, more confident than before, searching.

Links

• Read more about Up the Creek Xpeditions Okefenokee at night tours and other sea kayak tours on the Georgia and Florida coasts.
• Read more about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

 Georgia > Coast > Glynn > St. Simons Island

St. Simons Outfitters on St. Simons Island was awarded the prestigious “Orvis Guide Service of the Year” for 2006. All guides are USCG licensed Captains.

This western most point on the Eastern Seaboard has a significant tidal flow, which greatly influences the character of local islands, bars and channels. A pristine location often thought of as a golfing Mecca is actually one of the best fishing areas on the coast. It is an area we know intimately and one that we continually work to protect. Fortunately, this “unknown treasure” is neither crowded nor over-fished. Another fact not known to many is the great variety of fish in the Golden Isles. In fact, at times there are more species of fish in this area than any other area on the East Coast.

We have had the pleasure of outfitting the fly fisherman for over 40 years. Some of our customers are world record holders. Topping the list are the records for the elusive Atlantic salmon. Three of the records set in 1983 are still standing. The 2 lb leader for the 28 lb Salmon was unique as was the 4 lb leader record for the 38 lbs 8 oz Salmon.

We welcome the opportunity to be your outfitter or to guide you on your next fly-fishing trip to the waters off the Golden Isles of Georgia.

Links:

• Read more about St. Simons Outfitters.

 Georgia > Southwest > Seminole County > Live Oak, Florida

Paddling the Suwannee upstream from the Suwanee Canoe Outpost. The Outpost offers canoe rental and shuttle service on three of the most exciting and remote rivers in Florida—the Suwannee, North Withlacoochee, and Alapaha.

The Suwannee Canoe Outpost is the original premier canoe outfitter on the Suwannee River. We have been at our current location in the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park since 1993. We are fortunate to be located at a boat ramp, so we can maximize customer satisfaction while minimizing shuttle times.

Our office is open all year except January. (We still take reservations in January, though.) We offer canoe rental and shuttle service on three of the most exciting and remote rivers in Florida—the Suwannee, North Withlacoochee, and Alapaha Rivers!

The Suwannee will give you mile after mile of white sand beaches, ancient limestone bluffs, and the peace and joy of nature. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun block, and a cooler with food or drink for your trip.

All Suwannee River trips begin up river and end at the Canoe Outpost, where your vehicle will be waiting for you. There is no pick-up at the end, which means a lower price for you! Also, with any of our trips that end at the Outpost, you can take your time and simply enjoy being on the river. Just finish your trip by 6 p.m. Paddling on the river in the dark can be dangerous!

The Suwannee Canoe Outpost provides guided group river camping trips each week from October to April. Guided fishing and Florida Trail hiking trips are also available!

Guided River Camping and Paddling Trips
Guided river camping trips are three-to-five days long, depending on your preference. Groups usually leave from the Canoe Outpost on Sunday or Monday morning and return on Thursday or Friday. The Canoe Outpost provides canoes, paddles, life jackets, guide, two meals per day, and shuttle service, all of which are included in your trip price.

Your guide, Graham, will enrich your river experience with his knowledge of the river and its wildlife. He will also prepare breakfast and dinner each day during the trip. Please bring your own camping gear, lunches, beverages, and snacks. We will give you a complete gear list and a sample menu upon your reservation.

Firearms are not allowed on any Canoe Outpost trips.

We accommodate your group of 4 to 10 people (up to 5 canoes). Reservations are required, and payment is due 30 days before your trip is scheduled to begin.

Guided trips include camping on beautiful, white sand beaches and paddling through some of the most beautiful and peaceful scenery in North Florida.

Links:

• Read more about the Suwannee River’s Suwannee Outpost.