This is my fourth visit to Skidaway Island State Park, and I had grand plans to visit the long lane of live oaks at Wormslow, kayak along the backside of the park and look for birds, and pick up some BBQ at the local joint I like so much. But — and this is a huge but here — I had never visited Skidaway in high summer. It’s actually hella hot and humid and I was completely disincented to go much of anywhere, to be honest. The daily highs are low 90s and the low on Tuesday morning (THE LOW) was 79F. This is not weather meant for human existence, and I will die on that hill if I have to.

Glamper Girl
Just walking a half hour on the campground roads on Saturday afternoon got me a bit woozy so I adjusted my plans accordingly. Which essentially meant sucking up to the wonderful A/C unit in my trailer and taking care of inside business. Blog posts, some contract work — you know, the stuff you can do inside sitting in lovely air-conditioned comfort. That’s what I’m talking about. Call me a glamper, I’ll cop to that every single day it’s over 90F in the shade.

Skidaway is lovely: live oaks and spanish moss, beautiful blue skies with white puffy clouds. Not a hint of rain in the four days I was here. I kind of wished for some, hoping it would break the humidity but apparently we’re all under the “humidity dome” on the east coast and that means sweltering in place.

Campground Report
The campground has large, well-spaced sites, most of them pull-throughs, so easy in and out. And far away from the other spots, which is just the way I like it right now. By Tuesday, the last of the long weekenders had left and there were exactly 2 spots out of 5 occupied in my corner of the campground. Very quiet, which is just the way I like my campgrounds.

Mask Report
The mask situation here was a mixed bag. The rangers and campground workers all wore masks. The people at the local gas station did not. The shoppers at the Publix did, because there’s now a chain-wide requirement to wear them. I carried a mask in my pocket as I walked around, and I saw some others doing the same. With the park only about half full, I rarely run into other walkers though, so I walked mask-free in the mornings and evenings.

Onward!
After four sweltering nights, it was time to pack up and move on. I have to admit, my routine is easier without the weight distribution bars (which won’t mean anything to you if you’re not a trailer owner, but that’s OK). I still sweated up a storm getting hitched up though, so my new strategy is to turn on the truck AC as soon as I start the hitching up. That way it’s cold when I hop inside, and I can spend a minute drying off and taking a cold drink before I put it in gear and head off to the dump station and then to new adventures.
But not before I stopped by the P.O. and mailed my absentee ballot. Register to vote, register to vote by mail (also called absentee ballot voting), and VOTE.
Skidaway Island State Park
- Site 61. Most sites on the outside of the loops are well-spaced with good privacy; 66 and 56 would be my first choices. Most sites are heavily shaded, which is a bonus in hot weather. 2020 note: construction noise in the lowest numbered loop, so might want to avoid those spots!
- Services: electric, water, dump station, laundry machines ($3.50 for wash + dry)
- Cell service: Verizon (strong), ATT (almost useless)
- Groceries: Publix 3 min, Gas 3 min, Post Office drop and several banks, 3 mins (all at the Village shopping center next to the state park).
- Boat launch, 8 minutes away on the other side of the high bridge. Kayaks are also available to rent, at least on weekends.
Summer in the deep South is not only a season, a climate, it’s a dimension. Floating in it, one must either be proud or submerged.
Eugene F. Walter
We stayed in Skidaway while buying our current residence in Savannah. After the close on our new place in Windsor Forest, we left the RV on our new property and returned to KY to prep our home there for sale. When we returned to Savannah we used the POD people for our move and brought our garden stuff down on a small farm trailer (from our previously owned farmette) which we then sold to a neighbor. We love to walk the trails at Skidaway when the weather permits. We moved here to be less than an hour from an ocean beach.
Love This! It’s one of your funnier posts with great writing. I felt like I was there, sweating with you. Well done!
Glad to see you’re keeping your sense of humor! Sometimes that’s what we need.
Love your posts!
Why no weight distribution bars anymore? Not sure where to ask you re this..
I don’t need them with the Ridgeline, as the tongue of the trailer is level when it is hitched up to the truck. On my Subaru Outback, it was NOT level, it sagged, so weight distribution was required.
Some weight distribution bars also provide slight sway protection (such at the Fastway E2 system that Safari Condo installs). I have put a Hayes electronic sway controller on my trailer now. I’d like to avoid another sway accident, so I’m using this as part of my prevention/safety plan.
We are having that same weather in PA. 77 degrees at 5:30 AM, ugh. I hope you get cooler weather at your next spots!
I’m glad to hear the new truck is helping to make life easier, enjoy your travels!
Ugh. Hoping cooler tomorrow, we’ll see. Just had a rocking hard thunderstorm, but it didn’t bring the temp down at all. Just ruined my comet-sighting plans. My friends are camping in PA, said its really hote. Stay cool (stay indoors)!
So happy to reading about your travels again!
I like writing about my travels 🙂 It was a long time to be in one place (the longest since I started this in May of 2016!)
It has been hot and humid up here in Durham, NH as well but not southern hot and humid that I remember from my 2 years in Alabama. And did I mention that the a/c works just fine in my apartment – when I turn it on. The common rooms and hallways are cold – not icy cold like too many public buildings but cold enough that when sitting for a movie or video presentation I wear long pants and bring a light jacket.
Take care Annie – this virus is scary – and we are now waiting here to see what happens when UNH students return to campus in 3 weeks.
Ah, Alabama summer is probably about the same as a Georgia summer, that humidity is what does me in. I’m bit envious of such high-powered AC, I haven’t had long pants or even a long-sleeved shirt on in weeks, months! Good luck with the UNH population; one reason I’m happy to be out of Gainesville is that Univ of Florida is going to start back up in mid-August. Stay safe up there, Mary, and stay healthy, too.
So much to love in this post, from your commentary on social distancing and masks, to the fabulous photography, and cameos by the wildlife. I enjoy following your journey so much. I’m no traveler so thank you always for sharing your vagabond life with us.
Also, YOU VOTED!!! YAY!!!!
I spent my youth in that general region. It breathlessly swelters in the dog days of summer. Okay if you can spend your time floating in a spring-fed river. Look for somewhere to go tubing.