The winds and cooler weather made a brief return this week—perfect timing, honestly. Tuesday became our “get things done” day. Just like owning a house, life in the camper comes with its share of maintenance, and when the weather turns, it’s the ideal excuse to tackle those deeper projects. With workdays ahead, trading exploration for productivity felt like a fair deal—and we made a solid dent in the to-do list.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026: Bingo night brought a full house thanks to the weather, and with that came some serious competition. So serious, in fact, that we recorded our first total loss.
Each night after Bingo, we send Olivia a photo of our “Bingo Bag.” Sometimes it holds a few dollars, sometimes just coins. This time? Completely empty. Still, it was another great evening spent swapping stories with fellow campers—always a highlight.
And the night came with a bonus: alligator advice. According to one seasoned camper, if you encounter one in the wild, it’s okay if you can’t outrun it… you just don’t want to be the slowest person in the group.
Noted.
Wednesday and Thursday, March 25-26, 2026: Workdays kept us close to camp, as usual. Between calls and tasks, we filled the gaps with small, meaningful moments. Beth caught up with Olivia, her mom, and Aunt Beverly, while I knocked out some training.
These slower days have their own rhythm—part productivity, part waiting for what’s next.
Thursday night brought us back to Bingo with fresh supplies and new tablemates. The conversation circled back—again—to alligators. At this point, it felt like more than coincidence. Something told us we’d be learning more about them very soon.
Friday, March 27, 2026: We returned to Jekyll Island ready to explore—and ended up diving headfirst into the world of alligators.
At Horton Pond, we joined an educational program led by Ranger Emilie and Volunteer Julie. Within minutes, we spotted a massive male alligator known as “Daddy,” along with one other lounging across the pond. Add in yellow-bellied turtles and a variety of birds, and it felt like stepping into a living nature documentary.
The program focused on understanding and respecting these ancient creatures—and one story really stuck with us.
A large alligator named Henry loved living near the tennis courts. He was an aficionado! he may have loved it a little too much. When they found him deceased, a necropsy revealed that he had been eating the tennis balls near the tennis courts. He had starved to death because his stomach was full and was not eating.
It was a sobering reminder of a simple but critical message:
Respect wildlife. Don’t feed them. Don’t approach them.
We also met Bayou, a three-year-old ambassador alligator raised in captivity. Animals like her help educate visitors but can never be released into the wild—they simply haven’t learned how to survive on their own.
After the program, we visited the Horton House, built around 1743 by Major William Horton, aide to General Oglethorpe. Later owned by French aristocrat Christophe Poulain DuBignon, the property evolved into a thriving plantation.
Fun fact: Horton is credited with establishing Georgia’s first brewery—not for leisure, but as a safer alternative to drinking water for troops.
Lunch took us to a local spot in Beach Village, where we opted for outdoor seating—briefly forgetting about the gnats. Worth it, though. Smashburger and beans for one, shrimp tacos for the other. No regrets.
We wandered through the shops afterward, browsing everything from souvenirs to… unexpectedly, hermit crabs.
Next stop: the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. This rehabilitation facility cares for turtles from all over, including some recovering from extreme cold exposure up north. It’s both educational and inspiring—a must-visit. We also got to meet Okee, Bayou’s sister.
Just around the corner in the historical district, we visited a Christmas shop, North Pole South, which was full of everything Christmas. The shop is in an old dining hall and dormitory which had been restored. Being our favorite holiday, we could not leave without a little something. We also stepped into the outfitters shop next door and then headed for ice cream.
Jekyll Island Sweets was ready to serve some ice cream and chocolate. Very nice store packed with everything sweet. We enjoyed some ice cream and a huge peanut butter cup at the picnic table in front of the store. Perfect day for ice cream, even outside.
Saturday, March 28, 2026: We wanted to shop for a new set of recliners for our motorhome. We had seen a large selection of RV furniture at every Camping World we had visited. We found one in Jacksonville, FL, so we were heading south.
We worked around the camper most of the morning and left a little late, so it was time for lunch. Friday night we discussed finding a Moe’s Southwest Grill after seeing a Chipotle commercial on the tube. Excellent choice. We do like some Moe’s.
We arrived at Camping World to find a very small collection of furniture that did not include any sofas that reclined. We thought we had found an option, the first photo only, but not today. We did stop by a couple of other furniture stores before giving up for the day. Oh well, lunch was good.
On the drive, we spotted signs for the Florida Citrus Center—advertising fresh citrus, sweets, and… live alligators, including a seven-footer.
Naturally, we had to stop.
Before heading in, I casually scanned the parking lot and identified a couple of people I could outrun if necessary. You know, just in case.
Priorities.
The shop itself was packed with goodies—citrus, honey, marmalades, and all the classic tourist finds. The gators? Still fascinating, still slightly intimidating.
We ended the day with a quick stop at the Florida Welcome Center to grab info for future travels.
Not the most productive afternoon—but definitely a memorable one.
And really, that’s what this journey is all about.