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| Watson Mill Bridge 1885 |
Pulling out of Savannah was easier said than done. So many roads and highways in one area we got lucky and happened to be on the right road going the right direction. Construction aside, we always try to do the back roads and stay off the major express- ways as we see a lot more and find some interesting places along the way. Pulled out early so we had " breaky" on the run- cheeseburger and a biscuit n gravy, don't ask me why!!
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| George L Smith grist mill 1879 |
As we got out of the daily detoured traffic with trucks and tractors we finally broke free and back on the adventurous back roads of Georgia. We went through towns y'all like Bloomingdale, Pineora, Egypt, Statesboro and Hopeulikit before hitting our next destination, George L. Smith State Park just outside of Twin City.
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| Bald Cypress Pond |
This place was a gem for sure, all the amenities were new except for the Covered Bridge Gristmill one of 2 restored and workable today. The Gristmill was something to see and we ventured across by bike.
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| Trixie at Bike Trail head |
On the other side of the covered bridge were some nice winding bike trails through a beautiful young forest. 1634 acres of park and pond with Bald cypress jetting out from the dark, clean tannic water, each with a natural bonsi growing for hundreds of years.
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| Split-level campsite |
Our campsite was a split level site adjacent to the pond (lake) dense Cypress trees dotting the coast line with birds and squirrels making time living in this rich environment. We had one of the last sights available and sure seemed to be one of the best ones at that.
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| Hardwoods ponds edge |
Camp hosts were extremely nice and accommodating. Flowers in the brand new, super clean restrooms and fresh smelling pretty hand soap! Five star camping
in Georgia got our vote of excellence..
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| Grist mill dam |
The gristmill was engineered in 1879 so well that they were able to adjust water flow, power and have 3 different power take offs to do three different tasks. gristmill, wheat or corn into flour, saw mill, cut lumber,and in addition a cotton gin. Built in only a few months it proved to be a very amazing accomplishment, and during modern times they attached a power generator for electricity to run lights and provide modern conveniences in the surrounding homes. As we returned from our trail riding we found ourselves on the Ranger Stations porch rocking on classic wooden rocking chairs watching the people and sipping cold sodas. The nights were peaceful with the moon rising in the late evening, a fire in the camp ring crackling, croaking frogs and our bellies full from a camp meal- peel n eat steak'rub skewered shrimp with roasted peppers and apple cider spiked cole slaw.
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| Diving through Waston Mill Bridge |
Moving on we headed north on state road 15 to Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Yup, you guessed it another mill bridge. This one happened to be the longest in the state at 229 ft. And we could drive across, which we did! This park was wide open since we arrived on a Monday and we set-up a wonderful site with a small wooded valley in front our cozy rooftop tent. Bathrooms were clean with hot showers, laundry facilities; we were one of only two other campers. A park empty of tourists!
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| Canoeing up the South Fork River |
We rented a canoe and traveled 2.5 "klicks" up river. Peaceful was the word to describe our float plan. We saw no others on the shallow river except snakes, pipers, herons and turtles.
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| Waston Mill Bridge falls |
Constructed in 1885 the bridge was built with wooden pins and a lattice truss system,
Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges with only less than 20 remaining today, it was really cool especially to drive across. Later in the early 1900 a raceway wall was constructed as a part of hydro -electric plant. Also on site were ruins of an old powerhouse located down stream.
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| Bike Trail |
Bike trails were challenging here with ups and downs, lots of tree roots along the rivers edge, we really got our cardio going.
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| Heading To Athens GA |
We collapsed our rooftop tent and headed into
Athens, Georgia to the
University of Georgia State Botanical Gardens and is a must see. The gardens provide not only
education and conservation opportunities for students but wonderful outreach programs for the community at large. The entrance was adorned with a small pond filled with many types of pitcher plants very cool but what was uncool was the water dyed blue! Oh well!!
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| Botanical Garden display |
From there we headed to the Museum of Art located on Campus U of G nice collection of Modern, Post Modern and student submitted works.
Back at the campsite we enjoyed the solitude of being the only ones camping, we knew it wouldn't last as we got closer to the Mothers Day weekend. So to spice up the night we had Taco night with seasoned grass-fed organic beef, refried beans ( Rosita's canned) and melted cheese I choose a burrito, Trixie had hard shell tacos spicy and hot with fresh avocado, corn chips to boot!!
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| There is a "God" back in the city |
By that time the local kitty kat was coming around for a daily treat. He was cool, but kept his distance only to come close to grab a thrown morsel.
Next our travels took us up north to some higher elevations
Chattahoochee National Forest,
Fort Mountain State Park.
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| Many bridges to cross |
See Y'all on the road.
🚙........
