‘Blackwater Journeys’ chronicles Okefenokee ‘magic wilderness’

ST. GEORGE — Eyes glowing in the dark. A 13-foot bull alligator and dozens of his gator friends lining the trail. Sweet tea-colored water. Rodney Trembling earth. Enchanted wilderness. Plentiful wildlife. Skies full of stars.

Those are just some of the descriptions that highlight a trip through “our magic wilderness” — the Okefenokee Swamp.

Blackwater Outdoor Journeys recently documented several excursions deep into the heart of the Okefenokee, including such remote places as Billy’s Island and Minnie’s Lake.

Blackwater Outdoor Journeys is the Youtube channel of Rodney and Tina Thompson of St. George in Charlton County. A link to the channel is available at www.youtube.com/@BlackwaterOutdoorJourneys.

The channel has grown steadily since its creation from nothing to over 17,000 followers. They estimate all of their features have accumulated a grand total of around 15 million views.

“We see where the series has been translated into Russian and Chinese,” Rodney Thompson said with a laugh. “I wonder how funny my redneck, country, deep south St. George, Georgia accent sounds in those languages.”

Rodney Thompson launched the channel in 2025, as a way to cope with the loss of his son, Lance, in 2020. The Thompsons also lost their home — and keepsakes and momentoes — in a devastating fire shortly after Lance’s death.

“I didn’t start this to chase an algorithm. I started it to stop time,” said Rodney Thompson.

The couple determined they had to find a way to make new memories and to document them.

“After losing Lance and then our home, I realized how many adventures had already faded into memory, and I swore that would not happen again,” Rodney Thompson said. “What began as an archive for my family has become a record for anyone who has felt the pull of dark water and tall cypress.”

The Youtube Channel featuring the Okefenokee is just one of an expansive documentary archive covering the swamp and the blackwater rivers of the area which includes the Satilla, the St. Marys, the Suwannee, the Withlacoochee, the Altamaha and the Ocmulgee.

Future adventures are planned including a trip down the Alapaha River and a return trip to the Okefenokee.

The tag line for their adventures is: Where the map ends the wild begins. Stay rugged.

The end of the map — and perhaps the edge of the world — is where the Thompsons found themselves as they went on a journey into the depths of the Okefenokee Swamp.

Rugged is a big understatement.

The Thompsons headed into the heart of the swamp, away from practically all connections with civilization.

Heading to Billy’s Island and Minnie’s Lake, the couple was isolated, alone and in country about as wild as can be found in this area.

The trip included an overnight stay on the platform at Minnie’s Lake and at Mixon’s Hammock.

“We paddled down the canals surrounded by alligators. We counted up to 100 as we were approaching the platform to make camp,” Rodney Thompson said.

Tina Thompson, in the front of the canoe, was a little antsy as she rowed among the large group of gators.

“One disappeared beneath the water and we later saw him come under the boat,” she said.

One of the bull gators in the canal was estimated to be about 13 feet long.

Rodney Thompson admitted to being a little uneasy and perhaps a little afraid.

“I gripped the paddles tight and I was breathing hard and my hands were shaking,” he said. 'The big gators, 8- to 10-, 12foot gators, were within two foot of the front of the canoe. My hand was shaking pretty hard right there trying to hold on to that trolling motor.'

Alligators typically flee away from human interaction unless they feel threatened or are protecting a nest or babies. Thankfully, the alligators all behaved.

“It was eerie, but a neat experience,” Rodney Thompson said. “That night, I shined the light out into the canals and we counted 32 sets of eyes in the water.”

The next morning, they were awakened by the bellowing sound of two bull gators competing for the affections of a female gator in the midst of what was their mating season.

Blackwater Outdoor Journeys features the Thompsons’ real canoe expeditions through the blackwater rivers of the Deep South. All of the material is filmed by the Thompsons. Uncut, unhurried and real.

The Thompsons documentaries are detailed journal-type records exploring the waters they grew up around. The couple films the trips honestly highlighting both good and bad experiences.

They write down field notes for navigating remote water and document their camps, experiences and even trouble shooting from days spent on the river.

The Thompsons share their own insights and experiences with the gear, skills and trip-planning systems they use alongside live camping wilderness skills.

Rodney Thompson is the paddler, filmmaker and the voice behind the documentary series. He grew up reading the rivers before he learned to read a map. His wife is copaddler and river partner and is up front in the boat on most trips.

Rodney Thompson says he started recording for his own memory and over time it morphed into being a guide to paddlers planning their own runs.

“It helps others to learn what we got right and what we got wrong,” he said.

The Thompsons also say they do the documentaries to help others who may not otherwise get to experience the beauty and allure of Georgia’s blackwaters.

“Just being able to share the river and swamp with people who can’t get out there on their own is its own reward to us,” the Thompsons said.

“Even though I didn’t grow up on these waters like Rodney, I’ve grown to love them like my own,” said Tina Thompson. “It’s true, once you get the sand or mud between your toes, you don’t want to be anywhere else. I think we need to cherish and protect our beautiful rivers and swamp.”

Rodney Thompson agreed, pointing out our area is very special.

“These blackwater rivers and swamps have so much history and beauty, and we truly enjoy sharing them with the world,” he said. “They hold a special place in my heart and soul. Once you get this Georgia sand or mud between your toes, you will not find a better place.”