Fort McAllister, #6

CAMP (Y/N?): Y (1 night, Cottage)
MY ACTIVITIES: History Tour, Sunrise Birdwatching
NOTES: Amazing activities; modern, large cottages; Super friendly staff

​So it is my child's birthday celebration trip to Savannah, is it fair to throw in a couple of nearby state parks for my quest just to check them off the list???  Let's agree it is.  :)
The plan was to do the Night History Hike on Friday night, but the delay in departure made it seem iffy that we would arrive in time.  Somehow - traffic gods made it possible that we arrived literally 10 mins before tour time! 

The tour... Y'all - oh my goodness. Please partake in a dusk into dark tour in your life.  Stories come to life in a way that the light of day doesn't permit.  The most striking of these tales for me was how freed slaves who were following Sherman's Troops as they burned southward.  Our Park Ranger tour guide pointed to the river where a ferry was used to cross.  The plan was to leave the large number of followers on one side of the river while the troops went on.  When the people realized the troops were leaving the behind, their fear surfaced as a loud cry from the large group and people jumping into the swift river trying to swim across.  This led to several drowning.  The soldiers, against orders, sent the ferry back.  This is my recollection of the story told, so history buffs please feel free to add/edit, but the take-away I got was how people displaced or fleeing from an unbearable life and seeking better will do anything including risking life and limb to pursue that vision of safety and hope.  It reminded me of current world events and to hopefully see those through an understanding and emphatic lens.
Both my children enjoyed the stories and nighttime exploring with a guide.  Their favorite story memory is about the only direct causality which was the camp cat - and that the ghost of that cat has been reportedly seen on the site.
After the tour, a tired and sleepy crew of 3 went to find our cottage.  What a surprise to find a modern, well-appointed, large living space!  This is perfect for a couple of families vacationing together - cook, lounge, indoors, outdoors, spacious, quality, attention to detail - and this didn't feel at all what I think of as State Park cabins (old and musty).  It was a treat!  The kids stayed up late enjoying it all, and then slept in the next morning while I took a solo drive and explore through the park.  
Watching the sunrise over the marsh, the birds looking for breakfast, the father and son at the campground pier fishing, deer quietly walking through the woods.
One final note about this park - in making my arrangements I had all the questions and maneuvering of dates.  Each time I called, the Park Staff I spoke with were above and beyond helpful in a "real person" kind of way.  This continued as we checked in and in every interaction.  I really appreciated it!