Watson Mill Bridge

One of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, Watson Mill Bridge contains the longest covered bridge in the state, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River. Built in 1885 by Washington (W.W.) King, son of freed slave and famous covered-bridge builder Horace King, the bridge is supported by a town lattice truss system held firmly together with tree nails. At one time, Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges; today, less than 20 remain.

WATSON MILL BRIDGE

Built by W.W. King in 1885, Watson Mill Bridge is Georgia’s longest existing covered bridge. Of the Town lattice type it has four spans and is 236 feet long.

Covered primarily to protect the structural timbers, the bridge served local traffic, the workers of the now missing grist mill and saw mill and even for picnics and square dances. The bridge was restored in 1973, by the Georgia Department of Transportation to serve as a nucleus for the surrounding state park.

109-8 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1974

We were here on a late Sunday afternoon, the visitor center was closed. Hiking trails and a nice campground make this park one to come back to in the future. 

lake life

lake life
every time
I look out
it changes

the colors
the lighting
the water goes
from green to blue
to pink reflecting
the sunrise and sunset
clouds or moon

the cool water
draws us in
to swim or fish
or walk along the shore

enjoying the view
every time
I look out
it looks different
a nice place to visit





~photos Mistletoe State Park

sunrise

the wake up view at our new location

Mistletoe State Park, Georgia

neighborhood watch

some of our neighbors here at Elijah Clark State Park,
mom and kids out for an evening stroll

working vacation

the view out my office window

new location

lots of history to explore

bikes to ride
lake view

We have arrived at our new location in central Georgia, and is it ever HOT here! Buddy is working in nearby Thomson, Georgia and we are staying at Elijah Clark state park, lots of trees and birds and deer, a nice place, sounds kind of like home. It is sort of like being on vacation except for the working part...

sunshine on my shoulders

When you live just a few miles from a beautiful state park it is easy to take it for granted, traveling miles away to other parks instead. Last week I scooted over to Amicalola Falls to pick up an annual park pass (yes, that is what he wanted for Father's Day), and I didn't even drive up to the top for the view, did not see the waterfalls, did not hike on any of the trails or climb the 604 steps. Just a quick trip into the visitor center for my business.

Speaking of the visitor center, what is up with all those snakes? They are on display right in the center of the building between the door and the info desk, you have to walk around them. Usually it is easy to avert your eyes or pretend they are not there because most of the time they are sleeping, but not this time. They were performing for all the tourists, slithering and climbing around in their glass cages, good grief!

So I got out of there as quickly as possible and because of the oppressive heat and humidity (a.k.a. summer in Georgia) headed for my air conditioned car, but to get there had to pass through these beautiful flowers at the visitor center. At least something is thriving out in this hot weather!

The showers in April might get the May flowers started, but the hot June sun makes them grow tall and strong and brings out the vivid colors - the daisies were almost waist-high! You can almost see them smiling and shhhh, is that them singing... sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...


~photos 17 June 2010 Amicalola Falls State Park

Black Rock Mtn

Black Rock Mountain State Park is in the northeast corner of the state, at 3640 ft, it is the highest state park in Georgia. We played tourist on Sunday, looking at the fall colors, and revisited this little piece of heaven - not crowded, very peaceful, colorful trees, and mountain vistas.

Georgia State Parks are changing colors - get updates on fall colors at their website.

autumn blues

The peace of autumn creeps into Vogel State Park like the calm after the storm of summer. The seasonal blues are reflected in the lake, sky, and mountains.

The usually busy lake is quiet, the sandy beach deserted, pedal boats rock in the cool breeze, waiting to be stored for the winter. Bundled up hikers stroll 'round the lake trail.

The campground is overflowing with escapees from suburbia, families gathered around campfires, cups of hot chocolate warming their hands, as the smell and smoke of wood fires drift up the valley.

holiday camping

Not since the traffic jam at Panama City Beach many years ago have we ventured out on a holiday weekend. But that changed this past weekend when we decided to go camping at Unicoi State Park.

The route between home and there is mostly back roads, so we avoided most of the traffic, other than making the mistake of going through (tourist trap) Helen, Georgia.



The over 1000 acre park is beautiful, with the lake being the central focal point. On our hike around the lake we saw the people enjoying the beach, fishing, on the water in canoes and pedal boats. The trail passes by the unusual barrel cottages, the amphitheater with live music, the trading post, and crosses the dam.



Unicoi State Park is adjacent to Anna Ruby Falls which is on national forest land. A mere 5 mile hike from the campground (which we have done before) or a half mile hike from the forest service parking lot (which we did this time) brings you to the beautiful falls at the intersection of 2 mountain streams.



We enjoyed the wildflowers along the trails, feeding the fish in the lake, and watching the squirrels play in the woods, but spent most of our time sitting 'round the campfire and enjoying the time off.

more pics here and here

signs of spring

The first signs of spring as seen this week at Amicalola Falls State Park - wildflowers, critters, tourists, and lots of water.

~photos 30 March 2009 (click to enlarge)

hitting the trail

Rice Creek in Virginia Bryant State Park

Leave only footprints...

Sliding Rock

Virginia Bryant State Park, Franklin County, Georgia

Back in the hiking shoes once again! Sunday was a beautiful February day, sunny and 60s, perfect for being outside and hiking.

We went to nearby Virginia Bryant State Park and did some hiking and geocaching. It was good to be outside again and on the trail.

The park was not too crowded today, a few campers, picnickers, hikers. But when we rounded the bend in the narrow park road and saw the extensive parking lots and the wide creek with sliding rock, we could almost envision the crowds that would come here in the summer.