🚐🌊 Exploring St. Marys, Georgia: Crooked River State Park, Fort Clinch & More 🏞️⚓

May 5, 2024

After spending five wonderful weeks exploring the northeast corner of Florida, including the charming city of St. Augustine 🏰, we crossed the state line into Georgia 🍑.

Our new destination? The quaint coastal town of St. Marys and the stunning Crooked River State Park nearby 🌿🌅. What started as a simple stopover quickly turned into an adventure full of history 📜, natural beauty 🌳, and unexpected discoveries 🔍.

👋 Goodbye Florida? Not So Fast! 🌴➡️🌾

We thought we were finally saying goodbye to Florida, but Georgia greeted us with open arms 🤗 and the promise of new experiences.

🏘️ St. Marys is known as the second-oldest city in the U.S. (right after St. Augustine!) and carries a rich maritime history ⚓.

From its roots as a fishing town to its role as home of the Kings Bay Naval Base ⚓🚢, St. Marys offers a unique blend of historical charm and coastal vibes.

🏕️ Crooked River State Park: A Nature Lover’s Paradise 🌲🦢

Our basecamp was the 500-acre Crooked River State Park, nestled on the south bank of the Crooked River 🌊.

⛺ With 63 campsites and 11 cozy cottages, it’s a perfect retreat for nature lovers.

🚴‍♀️ We biked along 4 miles of scenic trails through pine forest and salt marsh 🌾, spotting gopher tortoises 🐢 right by our site!

💧 The park’s peaceful vibes, clean facilities, and privacy made it a real gem 💎.

🧱 A Glimpse into History: McIntosh Sugarworks (Tabby Ruins) 🏗️🐚

Just outside the park lies the McIntosh Sugarworks, also known as the Tabby Ruins—a remnant of Georgia’s sugar plantation days.

🔨 Built in the 1820s using tabby concrete (crushed oyster shells 🦪 + lime + sand), the site is now a free-to-visit county park.

📸 It also marks the start of the 11-mile Tabby Trail—great for exploring more ruins and nearby history.

💍 Fun fact: The ruins can be rented as a wedding venue—talk about historic vows!

🌊 The Allure of St. Marys: Small Town Charm with a Coastal Twist 🚤🌅

With just under 20,000 residents, St. Marys delivers big charm in a small package 💖.

🚶‍♂️We strolled through town, enjoyed beautiful riverfront views, and dined at a local spot so good we went back the next day 🍽️😋.

⚓ The nearby St. Marys River, just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic, offers boating, fishing, and photo ops galore 📷🐟.

🏰 Fort Clinch State Park: Where History Meets Nature 🌳🎖️

One of our favorites was Fort Clinch State Park, just a short drive from St. Marys.

🛣️ The scenic drive in—with live oaks draped in Spanish moss 🌳💫—felt like entering another world.

🏰 Inside, Fort Clinch stands strong:

• A Civil War-era brick fort 🧱

• Home to 500 soldiers

• 78 artillery pieces 💣

• Strategically important to both sides during the war

🎟️ We toured the museum, wandered the walls, and wrapped it up with a visit to the nearby beach 🏖️—where we found a shark tooth! 🦈🦷

⚓ Submarine Museum and Naval History 🛳️🧭

Rainy weather? No problem 🌧️—we checked out the Kings Bay Submarine Museum, dedicated to the nearby naval base.

🚀 This base is the only one on the East Coast that supports Trident II missile submarines, and the museum offers fascinating insight into modern naval defense 🔍.

Even after touring a sub in Texas, this museum offered something new and memorable.

🛍️ Small Town Adventures: Thrift Shops, Tea & Sunrise Chasing 🌅🫖

We love soaking up local flavor when we travel 🌎.

🛒 “The Hubs” scored big at a local thrift shop, while I discovered a surprisingly excellent chai tea 🫖 in a neighboring town.

💡 While the advertised “historic charm” didn’t quite match expectations, the tea saved the trip!

☀️ We also chased sunrises daily—though the perfect sunrise spot eluded us, we learned a lot about Georgia’s unique tides and paddling conditions 🚣‍♀️.

🌊 Paddling Challenges: Tides & Timing 🕐📉

Georgia’s coast has the largest tidal swing in the Southeast—meaning paddling at the wrong time could leave you stranded 😬.

🚨 A friendly ranger warned us: "If you miss the tide window, you’re stuck for hours."

🌧️ Combined with rainy weather, we made the tough call to cancel our paddle plans. Better safe than soggy!

🐜 The Reality of Travel: Ticks & Ants 😖🦟

Real talk: The Hubs is up to 7 tick bites 😬, and we’re battling a stubborn ant infestation 🐜 at our site.

🧼 We’re managing it, but it’s a reminder that even paradise has its pests!

🧭 Looking Ahead: Next Stop—Savannah! 🏙️🌿

Despite the bugs and weather, our time in St. Marys & Crooked River State Park was a fantastic mix of:🌳 Nature📜 History🎣 Small-town discoveries

Next up: Savannah—with its historic streets, southern charm, and (hopefully) fewer ants 🤞.

🌟 Final Thoughts 🌟

If you’re planning a trip along the Georgia-Florida coast, don’t skip Crooked River State Park and the charming town of St. Marys.

✨ From Civil War forts to oyster shell ruins, from marshy bike rides to historic museums, this area is a treasure chest of experiences 🗺️🔓.

Thanks for reading! 💛 Stay tuned for more travel stories as we continue our road trip adventure. 🚐💨

💬 Have you been to St. Marys or Crooked River? Tell us your favorite stops or travel tips in the comments below! 👇

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