Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

  March 4, 2026

We only had a couple of days in the Savannah area. We were using our Passport America discount, and the maximum stay was three nights at Savannah Lakes RV Resort. Unfortunately, we had acquired a chip in our windshield. Not wanting that chip to worsen into something that required an entire windshield replacement, part of our first full day was set aside for windshield repair.

We opted to visit the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for other part of the day. They have a four-mile loop road through the refuge as well as a visitor center. Not in any real hurry, we spent around two hours making that loop. The refuge had its beginnings as rice paddies. The gates used to flood the rice fields were ideal for controlling the water levels in the now refuge. 

It's a birding favorite for sure. At times it was a little tricky as vehicles stopped to view wildlife on the one-way, one lane wide path. We were on the look out for alligators. We were not disappointed. With all the birdsong, it was a relaxing way to spend some time.

Where Are We Going Next?

Georgia State Vegetable

 March 3, 2026

On our way from Perry to Savannah, we noticed that about a 25 minute detour would take us to the Vidalia Onion Museum. We decided to kill some time on our drive and find out what makes the Vidalia Onion so special. It's the seed, soil, and growing season that makes the onion a Vidalia Onion.

Fields have to be registered and located only in a very limited county area. Adjacent counties may or may not grow a Vidalia onion. It depends on their soil, which is tested. 

Interestingly, the bulb transplants are almost entirely planted by hand. When ready for harvest, equipment will uproot them and turn them out on top of the soil. A couple of weeks later, hand harvesters go through the fields, clipping the stems and banding them in bunches. It's a very labor intensive process. 

April starts much of the harvest time and the Vidalia Onion Festival is held the last full weekend in April.

So of which agricultural product do you think, when you think of Georgia - peaches, pecans, peanuts, or Vidalia onions?

Smallest registered field (at the museum)

What makes a Vidalia

Dark counties can grow - Medium counties require soil testing

Fighting for the name after folks tried misleading the public

Old onion farming tools

Onion dome

 Where Are We Going Next?