Big Ferry Interpretive Trail at Skidaway Island Campsite

Big Ferry Road (Skidaway Trail) played a significant role in the history of Skidaway Island.  It was the main road leading to Savannah from the island, making it an essential link for farmers to sell their produce and wares.  There were numerous bridges over the years but were destroyed by fire or natural causes and confederate soldiers during the Civil War. 

We rode our bikes, which was a challenge with all the roots along the path.  It was an interesting, fun and educational.

This is the beginning of the trail

SHELL MIDDENS

You can't see the shells in this picture but there were broken shells over much of the trail.

The literal translation of Midden is deposit.  These are mounds made of discarded oyster shells left by early native people who lived on the island most of the year.  The oysters and shellfish found in the waters around the island were a major food source for these people.  Oyster shells were also combined with lime and sand to make "tabby", a southern coastal building material during the early period of European settlement.

So different than Adirondack woods

LIQUOR STILL

We saw the remains of an old still from the days of prohibition.  The islands seculsion made it a  ideal hiding place for moonshine stills.  There are 31 known sites on the island. 

EARTHWORKS

Earthwork fortifications were built along the coastal islands to defend Savannah during the Civil War.  They were often built by slaves.  This bridge crosses over one of the earthworks. 

 There was a neat Observation tower out across the long wooden bridge that you see me on.  Forgot to take a picture of it. We climbed to the top of it and took the picture of the sailboat and a osprey nest.  The osprey was in it as we could see him moving around.  Couldn't zero in on him, he was too far away.

MORTAR BATTERY

There was an area where you could see mounds of earth where they used the mortars.  Mortars, are short upward lifting cannons, and were used to lob shells shrot distances. The marshes surrounding the island were a natural barrier against raids from the union naval blockade offshore. 

They have one resident alligator, which we didn't see.  There's a pond along the path where he lives.

It was a neat bike hike and lastly we encounter an old man along the path.  He seemed quite friendly but we were a bit wary of him. See picture below.

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