October 17, 2026
Ted said we needed to go to Necedah Wildlife Refuge. I was annoyed because I just wanted to get to the AirBnb and stop traveling. The whole “drive someplace, hike, drive someplace, hike, drive to a hotel, sleep, wake up and eat, pack, check out, and then drive someplace routine ” makes be weary rather quickly. I do like it if we can stay put for a few days.
However, Ted said there might be Whooping Cranes at the Refuge. Since that is a lifer for me, I was on board for the detour afterall! What fun!!! Not only did we see several of the endangered Whooping Cranes, we chatted with several new friends. Meeting people randomly can be so fun.
One couple in particular were delightful and we chatted with them for almost an hour while standing on top of a lookout tower over the marshes. The wife, Joyce, was so open and friendly, I felt like we had been friends for forever. Confession, I didn’t get permission to post her picture, but hopefully she won’t mind: (She reminds me of my Grandma Patten )
AND…We DID see Whooping Cranes!! At one point we were looking at a dozen Sandhill Cranes, 4 Whooping Cranes and 6 Bald Eagles all at once. It was magical. Internet image for reference:
Another long drive and we finally arrived at the AirBnb. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it sure seemed dumpy at first.
Inside it was cold and dark. We turned up the heat and left to pick up some groceries. It turns out this is most convenient location! We are less than a mile from Walmart and a very nice IGA, 2 miles from downtown, 3 miles from hunting and walking distance to several lakes. We are even within a 5 minute drive from a sweet little church. It’s a 3 bedreoom place and very well stocked. We have plenty of room to spread out and feel right at home!!
Leave a Reply