Best Places in the Southeast for Eco Tourism

Cumberland Island, Georgia

For a state with a population pushing 10 million Georgia has one the least developed coast lines in the country, which means it is a great place to take in the great outdoors. And upon this coast there is no better place to do that than Cumberland Island. Accessible only by boat, Cumberland Island has absolutely no access to power whatsoever-- unless you can afford to stay at the ultra-exclusive Greyfield Inn-- and is a former getaway for New York elites such as the Carnegie family, and current home to a large number of wild horses. 

Lost in the Wilderness, Again.

Lost in the West Georgia woods, at night.

Great Canoe/Kayak trails around The South

Santee River Canoe Trail, South Carolina

Not much development along this lazy low country South Carolina river which makes for great wildlife sightseeing that might include - herons, egrets or eagles. It has sand bars which one can stop at along the trip and have a bite to eat or primitive camp for the night and fish and get your dinner directly from the nature you're surrounded by. Just pack out what you pack in. If you want to traverse the entire 16.2 miles you better give yourself a few days. It's located in Berkeley County.

Lower Chattooga River Canoe Trail (Part 2)

Lower Chattooga River Canoe Trail

After my father picked my comrade and I up at Lyerly-Dam road, and our gear was loaded in the back of his truck he took us to where my SUV was and where our wallets were as well. He dropped us off there and went to his house and my comrade and I both agreed that food was the first order of business. We went to our favorite barbecue joint initially and, despite what its hours-of-operation sign says on the door, it was closed. We opted for a Mexican spot on Main Street in Summerville and it was just what the doctor ordered - cheap, tasty and extremely filling.

After eating and going to my father's house for a bit to rest up, hydrate and retrieve our gear we were off again to start gathering what we needed for another 16 or more hours on the river. We bought more chicken liver, beer, snacks and hooks at the Pay-N-Tote and were off to where we were picked up earlier in the day to restart our journey and end up another 6 or so hours down stream at Holland-Chattoogaville road.

Lyerly, GA - Lower Chattooga River Canoe Trail (Part 1)

Lower Chattooga River Canoe Trail

There are actually 2 Chattooga rivers in Georgia. The more famous one, of course, is the white water destination that tumbles and rumbles out of North Carolina and into Northeast Georgia that was the setting for the book and movie Deliverance that ends up at Lake Tugalo in Habersham and Rabun counties, along with the Tallulah river. The other which starts somewhere just north of LaFayette, GA bares no resemblance to the former. By all accounts it is very much a lazy river winding its way through LaFayette, Trion, Summerville and Lyerly and over into Alabama and beyond.

Rome - Kingfisher Trail & Heritage Park Trail

I'd been meaning to experience Rome's picturesque bike trails for a few months and when a friend of mine had a wedding recently in Rome it was the perfect opportunity.

Carrollton Greenbelt

A little surprised to learn that Carrollton was constructing a bike path around the entire city, I had to grab my new Vilano fixie road bike and travel west from Atlanta to go check it out. I didn't traverse the entire trail as it's not all completed, but I did travel the roughly 4.7 miles of the Lake Carroll trail and Hobbs Farm trail sections of the GreenBelt. There is another completed portion on the other side of town called The Buffalo Creek trail, but I didn't get a chance to check it out, yet. What I did ride on though was really impressive. The Lake Carroll portion starts out in a relatively populated area. It cuts behind some retail stores, passes some baseball and soccer fields, through a neighborhood right across some people's front lawns and finally into some forest. There are signs before you enter this section saying that there is a remote area ahead and one that asks to the effect - Do you have these items with you? Cellphone? Water? A friend? I had none of them. I left my phone in the car and forgot to bring water. I left my friends wherever they were.