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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and Judy

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Saturday is moving day for many and we said good bye to NOMADS Eldon and Linda.
 We interrupted their departure long enough to talk a minute and snap a photo.
They are headed for a month in Florida before they go back home to Illinois.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and we decided to go take a look at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Natural Wildlife Refuge run by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  It is in Gautier, MS which is about 10 miles from where we are staying.

This was our first time to see a USFWS Refuge.  It is free, has a small visitor center and is on property that is very well maintained.
Inside the Visitor's Center, we looked at the displays and watched a short 14 minute video about the refuge.
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 and the first refuge to be authorized in the U.S. by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.  The Mississippi Sandhill crane thrives in a semi-open wet habitat that are on acidic-water logged soil known as savannas.  

By the mid-1950's this area was purchased and large savanna tracts were converted into pine tree plantation logging forests.  This created havoc with the savannas and the eco system of the sandhill cranes who were on the verge of extinction.  By the 1960's only 30-35 birds could be found.

After the creation of the refuge and restoring the environment to its previous savanna state, the area now is home to over 100 of the rare birds.

A couple of weeks ago, I heard from Judy who writes Travels with Emma.  She indicated she was going to be a volunteer here and wondered if we could get together.  We talked with Fonda at the Visitor Center and Judy had arrived a few days earlier.  She was waiting for us after we watched the short video.

It is always great to meet new blog friends.
She invited us over to her campsite which was about 100 yards away.
Both she and Pam are getting over some illnesses so we didn't stay long.  As you might suppose, she mentioned our visit on her blog just as I am doing here...

We didn't want to overdo it so after we stopped by WalMart we headed back to the Roadrunner.  Pam is feeling better but not at 100% yet and I am fighting off what ever she had.  So far so good but it was a nice afternoon chill out.  I opened the windows and doors and let the mid-60 degree breeze blow through the coach while we watched my man Phil play some good golf.

That's it for the Roadrunner Chronicles today.  Thanks for viewing!

10 comments:

  1. So was there a campground at the wildlife refuge? Sometimes they have campgrounds with no hookups, but I notice that Emma was camped there, or was that just a spot for volunteers?

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  2. Great question. The five RV campsites are for volunteers working at the refuge.

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  3. I was great to meet the two of you. I hope you have safe travels down the road! :)

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  4. It's always so nice to meet blogging friends.

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  5. Oh what a nice place to go to.. and to meet up with a fellow blogger! I read her blog too, and her wonderful photography is to die for!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  6. how great to meet a new blogging friend!!..thanks for the tour of the refuge!!

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  7. Nice that you were able to meet Judy & Emma. Hope that you are all feeling better soon.

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  8. Like everyone said it is great meeting our bloggin' buddies... I sure hope Pam gets well soon and you hold off catching it!
    Have fun & Travel safe
    Donna

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  9. How great to meet Judy and Emma!! Looks like a great spot she has there...You two need to let the fresh air blow through the RV...fresh are IN....germs be GONE!!! Hope you are both 100% soon!!

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  10. You two have amazing energy. Enjoying your life to the fullest. I will be back to check in on you, and hope you are well soon!

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