Thank you for your help - this is what we have planned to date - would appreciate any other ideas.

While in New Jersey, visit Longwood Gardens?

Tuesday, 26/08/2008 - Philadelphia to Cape May visiting Leamings Run Gardens, Higbees Beach for seabirds, Nature Center of Cape May, Cape May lighthouse. Stay at the Inn of Cape May (historic)?

Wednesday, 27/08/2008 - Cape May to visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (different wildlife at each?) and Chincoteague Island. Stay B&B Chincoteague

Thursday, 28/08/2008 - In Chincoteague, then Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, to Williamsburg, stay Williamsburg

Friday, 29/08/2008 - Williamsburg to Charlottesville visiting wineries, stay Dinsmore House?

Saturday, 30/08/2008 – Charlottesville, visit friends, then to Charlotte visiting Mt Rogers National Recreation Area. Visit Daniel Stowe Gardens.

Sunday, 31/08/2008 - Charlotte via Congaree National Park to Savannah

Monday, 1/09/2008, Labor Day - Savannah via Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to somewhere west of Jacksonville, north of Gainesville.

Tuesday, 2/09/2008 – Florida visiting butterfly farms

Longwood Gardens is a beautiful series of gardens. Check out their website to see if it is for you. It's in Pennsylvania, south of Philadelphia. There are many truly beautiful gardens in the Philadelphia area.

Jacqui

>> It looks as if you are really interested in natural history rather than gardens--places designed as works of art using plants among other materials. There are many, many gardens in the area you are visiting but none are on your list--which is fine--it just depends on your interests--wild nature or cultivated nature. <<

Both. All. Any ideas welcome. We are particularly interested in butterflies in the wild, so I guess natural heritage is really top of the list.

Mary who will be travellign with me loves orchirds and sub-tropicals too.

Jacqui

Greenville, SC has a beautiful park with a waterfall and lovely gardens.. falls park

http://www.fallspark.com/visitor.asp