The Logistics
- Destination : Fargo, GA
- Distance: 141 miles (running total: 489 miles)
- Duration: 11/29/25 – 12/13/25 (14 nights)
- Campground: Stephen Foster State Park
- Stay Type: FHU (30/50 Amp)
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The Journey
The drive into Fargo was blissfully uneventful, other than Zanzi’s bouncy suspension, which we knew would have to be addressed during this stay. We were headed deep into the middle of nowhere, with the nearest shopping a Dollar General about 30 minutes away. It was quiet, isolated, and precisely the kind of off-the-beaten-path place we had been craving. The campground itself was immaculate—recently rebuilt after Hurricane Helene—with only a few other visitors to share the space with.
The Challenges
A rainy first week forced Piet inside to do some business admin, while Shelley put our Starlink setup to the test for her remote work. Once the weather cleared up in week two, the suspension job began. As with all things Zanzi, this turned out to be a trickier task than we’d planned for. Piet had to completely adjust the ride height, which required custom-modifying the spacers on the fly. It was touch-and-go there for a moment, but Piet’s grit pulled through once again and he got the job done.
The Fun Stuff
Quiet evenings
Evening walks on the park trails became our daily routine when the weather allowed, tracking deer, birds, and forest wildlife in the lovely dusky hours. On clear nights, we enjoyed sitting in near total darkness, staring up at a blanket of beautiful stars in the night sky.
Swamp strolls
In addition to walking the campground paths, we also enjoyed the Trembling Earth Nature Trail, an elevated boardwalk that drops you right into the dramatic landscape of the Okefenokee Swamp. We took a couple of strolls on this magical walkway, spotting woodpeckers and spiders amidst the hanging Spanish Moss.
Canoe trip
On a clear blue sky Sunday, we rented a canoe and set out to explore the Suwannee River. We ended up paddling nearly five miles alongside the cypress trees we love so much. The birdlife was abundant, only second to the countless alligators (untrue, we counted: 62) lining the banks and curiously peeking at us from the water.
The Take
Spending this time in the Okefenokee Swamp was restorative and the exact reminder we needed. The long, exhausting renovation, the setbacks, and the stress of a breakdown on day one were just the price of admission. This is what all the hard work was for: the freedom to slow down in beautiful, wild spaces and live life on our own terms.
