If you do happen to see the sign and want to see what Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is all about, you have to drive several miles down this small, washboard-like dirt/gravel road. Believe me, it will punish your car's suspension system, but keep going anyway.
After you finally reach the Wildlife Refuge's parking area, get out, follow the boardwalk as it slowly gains altitude above the surrounding swampy scrub forest, you reach a viewing pavilion that's about 40 feet (13m or so) above ground and you can see Pelican Island itself, although the Refuge covers many acres of water and swamp that surrounds the actual island called Pelican Island. This is Number One Daughter looking through the viewfinders there so you can see the many birds that live out on the island.
I wrote a post about Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge on my regular blog last year, if you care to read it; there's more pictures there too.
If not, here's the Reader's Digest Condensed Version: Lovely Wife and I got a glimpse of this sign on a drive a few years ago, slammed on the brakes and went down the dirt road pictured above, and discovered this hidden treasure of a place.
Lots of solitude, paths to walk, information on the birds that inhabit the area, and how President Teddy Roosevelt came here and named Pelican Island the United State's first ever National Wildlife Refuge in 1903.
I'm due to go back for a sunset visit. It's been a while.
