Bob's presentation at the meeting about paddling the Okeefenokee Swamp made me want to make my reservations and pack my (dry)bags. If you feel the same way, or if you missed the meeting, here are some phone numbers and addresses I copied from Bob's brochures:

To find out how to make reservations and get a permit to paddle, write to:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Route 2, Box 3330
Folkston, GA 31537
Phone: 912-496-3331

The State of Georgia operates a state park and campground facility in the National Refuge, with water access. For further information, call the Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, Georgia at 912-637-5274.

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JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Paddle: Soldier Creek
Date: Thursday, January 10
Time: 1 p.m.
Meeting Place: The farmer's market by the giant strawberry, west of County Road 95 on Highway 98, at 1 p.m. sharp. We will lead you to the put-in (at the end of State Street) from there.
Comments: This is an easy, beautiful paddle (assuming favorable weather conditions), with a soft, easy put-in that is hard to find if you've never been there. We plan to spend two or three hours paddling. The headwaters of this creek are narrow, clear, winding, and undeveloped. The woods beside the creek are beautiful, and relatively free of invasive species. Bruce is bringing a saw in case the deadfall that blocked our way last month is still there -- it should be no problem for us to clear it.
Contact: Julie at jrobber@worldnet.att.net, phone: 928-4623. Please RSVP, and tell me (Julie) your phone number if you plan to come, so we can contact you in the event of any changes or cancellation. We will cancel if the weather is bad.

Paddling Project: Perdido River with the "Alabama Rivers Discovery Expedition"
Date: Saturday, January 12 through Tuesday, January 15
Contact: Bob Andrews h/w: 344-8664, cell: 367-4144
Comments: As previously reported on this webpage, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has initiated an "Alabama Rivers Discovery Expedition" to raise public awareness of our state's rivers and streams. The object is to organize long-range canoe-kayak floats in contiguous river sections throughout the state. Perdido River will be the focus of the DCNR this weekend, so call Bob for information about how you can get involved.

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And mark your calendar for April 20, when the Sierra Club will be hosting an event for the platforms in the Delta.