Congaree National Park

We visited Congaree National Park in South Carolina, one of the least-visited parks.

There isn’t a huge amount there; it’s basically one visitor center, a couple of primitive campgrounds, a boardwalk trail, some back country trails, and a bunch of wilderness.

Here’s a map; click or tap to interact with it on the NPS site:

Congaree map.

An interactive Google map:

Nearing the park, a tortoise crossing the road:

Turtle on the road

Entrance sign:

Entrance sign

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Visitor center

Mosquito meter; we didn’t put on bug spray (but had it), and didn’t get bitten:

Visitor center

Trail info:

Visitor center

We did the 2.6 mile boardwalk:

Boardwalk

A self-guided boardwalk tour:

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Loblolly pine:

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Lake, with a couple of alligators and turtles:

Lake

Lake

Lake

Lake

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Snakes:

Snakes

Lizard:

Lizard

Boardwalk

Self-guided tour marker:

Marker

Caterpillars:

Caterpillars

Boardwalk

Millipede:

Centipede

Boardwalk

World of Coca‑Cola museum

We previously visited the Dr Pepper museum in Waco, Texas, so it seemed only fair to visit the World of Coca‑Cola museum in Atlanta, Georgia. The Coke museum was fancier, but we preferred the Dr Pepper one, if only because the Coke museum was way too crowded. Probably our fault for visiting on a Saturday.

Atlanta:

Atlanta

Atlanta

The World of Coca‑Cola museum:

World of Coca‑Cola museum

We had lunch at the nearby Bottle Cap Café:

Bottle Cap Café

Coke and coffee floats and a basic sandwich:

Bottle Cap Café

Selfie:

World of Coca‑Cola museum

Crowded waiting area before the theater:

World of Coca‑Cola museum

World of Coca‑Cola museum

After that was a 7-minute film, basically an emotionally-manipulative ad, showing people in major life events, and happening to drink Coke at the end. Then on into the main part of the museum:

World of Coca‑Cola museum

The Vault, with exhibits of the history:

The Vault

The Vault

The Vault

The Vault

The Vault

The Vault

The vault with the secret recipe, allegedly:

The Vault

More exhibits:

The Vault

The Vault

Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibits

Exhibits

The Lab:

The Lab

Tasting:

The Lab

International beverage tasting:

Beverage tasting

Beverage tasting

Thailand’s Apple Kiwi Fanta was our favorite flavor (many others were not to our taste):

Beverage tasting

Beverage tasting

Gift store:

Gift store

Gift store

Back outside:

World of Coca‑Cola museum

An interesting museum, if too crowded.

Baseball: Cleveland Guardians at Atlanta Braves

We have a stretch goal to visit all major league baseball ballparks, as we travel around the country, when we happen to be near one.

While staying an hour out of Atlanta, we had such an opportunity. We attended an evening game of the Cleveland Guardians playing at the Atlanta Braves’ stadium, Truist Park.

Atlanta Braves sign

Chop House Gate:

Chop House Gate

Their iconic tomahawk and ball:

Axe and ball

Braves clubhouse store:

Braves clubhouse store

Nachos in a helmet; bigger than we were expecting (we didn’t keep the helmet):

Nachos in a helmet

Batting practice:

Batting practice

History garden:

History garden

History garden

History garden

History garden

History garden

History garden

History garden

Gameday booklet with a former Mariner, Jarred Kelenic (who unfortunately wasn’t playing in this game):

Gameday with a former Mariner, Kelenic

View from our seats on the 300 level:

View from our seats on the 300 level

Selfie

Welcome to Truist Park

Ceremonial first pitch:

First pitch

Actual first pitch:

Pitch

Another pitch:

Another pitch

Gandalf (I’m glad they didn’t pick me):

Gandalf

Food market line:

Food market line

Curly fries and Cracker Jack:

Curly fries and Cracker Jack

Sunset reflected off a building:

Sunset

Home Depot race:

Home Depot race

Baseball

Baseball

Baseball

The chop:

The chop

The chop

The chop

Out:

Out

Cheerleaders:

Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders

Their mascot, Blooper:

Mascot

Beer bat:

Bat beer

Home run:

Home run

Home run fireworks

Braves win:

Game win fireworks

Game win fireworks

Game stats:

Game stats

Mascot

Atlanta Braves sign

It’s fun going to other ballparks, and seeing the regional differences.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

An out-of-sequence post: I noticed that I had missed posting about an attraction we visited while staying in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida.

We’re fans of Japanese gardens, and this was one of the better ones.

Entrance sign

Map:

Map

A slow line for lunch:

Long line for lunch

Cafe menu:

Cafe menu

Cafe menu

Jenn’s bento box:

Bento box

My teriyaki and spring rolls:

Teriyaki and spring rolls

An art:

An art

Yep, it’s Florida — caution, alligators:

Caution, alligators

Bridge:

Bridge

Turtles:

Turtles

Bridges:

Bridge

Another bridge

Gate:

Gate

Pond:

Pond

Tree:

Tree

Rock garden:

Rock garden

Rock garden

Rock garden

Lanterns:

Lanterns

Bridge:

Bridge

Waterfall:

Waterfall

Gate:

Gate

Gate

Lizard:

Lizard

Bonsai garden:

Bonsai garden

Bonsai garden

Bonsai garden

Turtle:

Turtle

Lantern:

Lantern

Courtyard:

Courtyard

Exhibit:

Exhibit

Tea room:

Tea room

Water feature:

Water feature

Lizard:

Lizard

Pond and bridge:

Pond and bridge

Waterfall:

Waterfall

Turtle and lizard:

Turtle and lizard

Pond and bridge:

Pond and bridge

A nice garden, worth a visit.

Total solar eclipse

Last year we saw the annular solar eclipse while at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. This year, we changed our travel route to witness the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the last in the US until 2044.

We originally booked a state park within the totality zone, but then the Escapees RV Club announced a gathering in Paris, Texas, also in the totality zone, and we decided to change our route to attend that.

Jenn with her camera, wearing eclipse glasses:

Jenn with her camera

The day started very cloudy, so we were bracing for disappointment:

Cloudy

A glimpse of the sun as the eclipse nears totality:

A glimpse of the sun

A glimpse of the sun

A glimpse of the sun

A glimpse of the sun

A glimpse of the sun

A glimpse of the sun

Clouds clearing away just in time (with a drone watching things):

Clouds clearing away

Jenn taking photos:

Jenn

A selfie:

Jenn and David

Almost there:

Almost there

Total solar eclipse:

Total solar eclipse

Total solar eclipse

Looking around during the four minutes and three seconds of totality:

Dark

Total solar eclipse

Total solar eclipse

Total solar eclipse

A panorama:

Panorama

Total solar eclipse

Via my iPhone:

Total solar eclipse

Dark

Total solar eclipse

Panorama

This panorama was taken as totality was ending, so the left is darker than the right:

Panorama

Total solar eclipse

Diamond ring:

Diamond ring

Diamond ring

Diamond ring

The eclipse ending:

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Group photo:

Group photo

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

Eclipse ending

A magical experience.

Disney World: Animal Kingdom

Finally, we spent a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, which is part theme park, part zoo.

Entrance

The central Tree of Life:

Tree of Life

Characters

Avatar land:

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Africa:

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Jenn likes collecting the pressed pennies:

Africa

African safari:

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Lunch:

Africa

Africa

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Train:

Train

Train

Snack:

Snack

Tortoise:

Tortiose

Fishy thing

Aussies

The Tree of Life; if you look closely, it’s covered with animal sculptures:

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

The backside of water:

Backside of water

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Dinosaur

Dinosaur ride

Donald Duck

Leaving Animal Kingdom

One day was enough to see everything we were interested in at this park. Worth a visit, but probably not a re-visit.

Disney World: Hollywood Studios

We also visited Hollywood Studios in Disney World a couple of times.

Entrance:

Entrance

Main street:

Main street

Us in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

Millennium Falcon

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Smugglers Run ride:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Drinks and snacks at Oga’s Cantina:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Uh oh:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Lunch:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

 

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Rise of the Resistance ride:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Muppets:

Muppets

Muppets

Runaway Railway:

Runaway Railway

Signatures

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Hollywood Tower of Terror:

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Video:

Mickey ice cream:

Mickey ice cream

Toy Story Mania:

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania

Alien Swirling Saucers:

Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers

Toy Story characters

We went to the Brown Derby restaurant for dinner:

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Neon:

Neon

Neon

Neon

Another day:

Entrance

Pond

Back to our favorite part, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Transition from Galaxy’s Edge:

Transition from Galaxy's Edge

… to freeway tunnel:

... to freeway tunnel

We had dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant:

Sci Fi Dine In

Sci-Fi Dine-In reastaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Neon:

Neon

The Fantasmic! show, better than in Disneyland as they have actual seating:

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

More neon:

Neon

Neon

Entrance

Disney World: Epcot

We visited Epcot within Disney World a couple of times.

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth globe:

Epcot globe

Epcot globe

We dropped off our backpacks at a locker, and marveled at the advanced futuristic technology nearby:

Phones

Spaceship Earth:

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

A customized video created at the end of the ride.

Spaceship Earth

Topiary:

Topiary

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride:

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Topiary

Monorail:

Monorail

Topiary

Lake

Lake

Epcot is arranged in several sections called pavilions, around a central lake. We first visited the Mexico Pavilion:

Mexico area

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Frozen ride:

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

United Kingdom Pavilion:

United Kingdom Pavilion

Fish & chips for lunch:

Fish & Chips

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

France Pavilion:

France Pavilion

Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion:

Morocco Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion

Japan Pavilion:

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

USA Pavilion:

USA Pavilion

Germany Pavilion:

Germany Pavilion

Germany Pavilion

Globe

Flowers

Topiary

Topiary

Topiary

Topiary

Monorail

We had dinner at the Coral Reef Restaurant:

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Seas exhibits:

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Globe in lights

Globe in lights

Topiary

Mission: Space ride:

Mission: Space

Mission: Space

Mission: Space

Minnie

During our second visit the Flower and Garden Food Festival was underway, so we sampled several of the options:

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flowers and dragon

Journey of Water:

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

The second day, we had dinner at the Space 220 Restaurant, which simulates a restaurant on a space elevator 220 miles above the Earth:

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 RestaurantSpace 220 Restaurant

Spaceship Earth globe:

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

We did the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride again:

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind again

Monorail:

Monorail

Monorail

Monorail

Disney World: Magic Kingdom

We spent eight days at the four Walt Disney World theme parks. We took over 3,000 photos during that time… so a bit of a challenge to filter them down to a reasonable number for the blog. (Where “reasonable” is rather subjective.)

I’m doing a separate post for each park, starting with Magic Kingdom.

Us in front of the railway station:

Jenn and David in front of railway station

Main Street USA:

Main street

Cinderella’s Castle:

Castle

Jenn and David in front of castle

Adventureland:

Adventureland

Pirates of the Caribbean:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Something we don’t see in California’s Disneyland: alligators and snakes:

Alligators and snakes

It’s a small world:

It's a small world

The line was inside, vs outside in Disneyland:

Line inside

It's a small world

New Zealand representation:

New Zealand representation

It's a small world

Teacups:

Teacups

Teacups

The new Tron lightcycle ride:

Jenn and David in front of Tron ride

Tron ride

A video:

Lightcycle

Tron ride

Speedway:

Speedway

Carousel of Progress:

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Train:

Train

Train

Liberty Belle Riverboat:

Riverboat

Riverboat

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Alligator Swamp

Indian village

The Dapper Dans:

The Dapper Dans

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Parade:

Parade

Parade

Parade

Skipper Canteen restaurant:

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Castle

Main street

Main street

Monorail

Back to the campground:

Back to campground

Boat from campground:

Boat from campground

Ferry boats

Monorail:

Monrail

Train station:

Train station

Castle

Castle

Band

Jungle Cruise:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Castle

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

A video:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Castle

Fantasyland

Dragon

Dragon

Parade

Rain:

Rain

Rain

Castle

Castle

Tomorrowland:

Tomorrowland

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor:

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

Peoplemover:

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Space Mountain:

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Main street

Main street

Band

Castle

Castle

Castle

Peter Pan’s Flight:

Peter Pan's Flight

Peter Pan's Flight

Journey of the Little Mermaid:

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Gaston’s Tavern:

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Castle

Castle

Performance

Performance

Performance

Monorail:

Monorail

Ferry boat:

Ferry boat

Ferry boat

Ferry boat

Parade:

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Train station

Castle

Island ‘Ting with Sebago Watersports

We’ve previously done a few small sailing cruises, with about six guests. This time we did a larger one, “Island ‘Ting with Sebago Watersports”.

We wanted to do a sailing catamaran excursion. This one had snorkeling, kayaking, and a couple of meals and drinks:

Catamaran

Catamaran

A small breakfast:

Breakfast

Dolphin:

Dolphin

Pelican:

Pelican

Main sail:

Main sail

Ladder:

Ladder

Sitting up front:

Sitting up front

Catamaran:

Catamaran

People sitting up front:

People sitting up front

We wanted to do a sailing excursion, but the wind wasn’t conducive to sailing, so they motored all of the way, with a little token lazy sailing:

Token sailing

Underwater pics from the snorkeling stop; these photos from the 360 camera, which didn’t do a great job:

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

Boat

These photos from my iPhone, which did a better job:

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

Underwater

A small lunch; they really didn’t have enough food:

Lunch

Ladder to kayaks:

Ladder to kayaks

Kayak

Kayaks

They had enough kayaks for half of the people, so they split everyone up into two groups. We were in the second group, 45 minutes later. But we were right about the weight limit for the two-person kayaks, and moments after we got in, it capsized, dumping us in the water. So we bailed on that part of the experience. Disappointing. (It wasn’t just us, either; another couple also capsized when getting out.)

Portuguese Man of War jellyfish (GIF):

Portuguese Man of War jellyfish

The sister boat of ours at least bothered to raise the main sail:

Other sailboat

Back at the dock:

Back at the dock

Overall, a disappointing experience. We’ll probably stick with smaller tours in the future.