South Georgia, Day 4, Providence Canyon State Park

 Day 4

Sunday, November 22, 2020

    There comes the inevitable point in any trip when the road simply takes you home.  The beauty of a trip like this is how much you can still pack in and get home by mid-afternoon. 

    Just a perfect day for a drive...

    Since I was practically driving right past it on the way out, I decided to make a stop in Providence Canyon State Park.  This was the first state park I visited after moving to Georgia in 1988.  This would be my third visit.  

     From the parking lot, you can either just go check out some overlooks, do the loop trail, the longer back country trail, or get right down into the canyon.  If you choose to go poke around the base of he canyon, keep in mind, the trails are all like this...

     The view from inside the canyon...

     Once you hike down, you do have to hike back up again.  It's just one long hill up and fairly easy.  From the rim...

     Some backstory on Province Canyon...Fifty million years ago, south Georgia was under the sea, and eventually became the continent's coastline.  The sediment is what gives the canyon it's color.  It's also the reason the topsoil through this part of the state is so rich.

      In the early 1800s, farmers were cutting down trees and clearing land, with little or no thought to soil erosion.  Trenches quickly started forming and within fifty years, they had deepened as far as three feet, and it just kept getting worse.  That's right, this canyon was cut out over the period of only two hundred years.

    It was only 11A when I pulled out of the park.  On my first visit to the park, there were fliers from a local barbecue place.  The fliers are still there.  Four Way Barbecue is still open for business and just blocks off the highway in Lumpkin.  The barbecue sandwich and potato salad was just as good as I remembered, though it was sad to see the property up for sale.  

    While finishing lunch, I pulled out the phone to check my next potential stop.  LaGrange would be no more than a few minutes detour.  Much to my surprise, Beacon Brewery was actually open.  So, what better way to wrap a road trip than a second brewery.  The staff was great and seemed surprised how quiet it was.(all the better for social distancing) At least half their beers featured distinct fruit flavors.  But, their Hillside IPA was delicious.

    From here it was simply a straight shot north on I-85 towards home.  

David 

11/2020

PS: Since my department runs 24/7/365, major holidays are put up to a lottery.  Ironically, this year I won Christmas.  Obviously, due to Covid-19, I won't be making the pilgrimage north to see my family.  New Jersey would make me quarantine for two weeks anyway.  Instead, my tentative plan is simply to find a quiet place along the coast and chill.  

South Georgia Day 3, Just a Walk in the Woods

 Day 3

Saturday, November 21, 2020

    Today was more about sticking close to the park.  On the far side of the lodge parking lot is the start of the Phenomenal Trail.  It's seven and a half miles round trip to the same place I shot sunset the night before.  It's for use my both walkers and bicyclists, and thus extra wide.  It's not the most challenging hike, but the miles felt good.

      Eventually, it brings you out to the shore of the the Walter George Reservoir.  

      At the lake's edge, I saw this one flower, lit by a small circle of light...

     A private road that crosses the trail...

    .  I drove into the downtown area of Fort Gaines for a late lunch.  Being Saturday, both dining options were open.  I chose KJ's Grilling Company simply because it seemed interesting from the outside.

     Inside, there's the bar with six stools and eight tables.  Behind the bar there's a big sign for the old airfield.  Along the walls are photos of famous blues musicians and some promotional posters for local events long past.  The music on the PA, upbeat country, but turned down low.  

     It was pretty quiet when I walked in, but then again it was mid-afternoon.  On tap were the usual national brand beers and something called Dirty Blonde Ale, though no one there could tell me who makes it.   Pre-Covid, they'd get regular kegs from the folks at Omaha Brewery.

    Lunch was a pretty decent barbecue sandwich.  As a starter, I chose something called Boom Boom Shrimp.  It turned out to be six shrimp dripping with spicy nacho style cheese.  Interesting, but uninspiring.

    Sunset was due at 5:30P, and I drove out to the same park by the lake as the previous day.  The difference being my perch.  The previous day, I remained in this part of the park.  This time, I would walk out to that strip of land on the right.  There's a gazebo there.  I settled in to watch the ducks and hopefully get a good show.  

   

      There are sunsets that are nothing more than some color on the horizon.  There are some that quickly get obscured by clouds.  Others are brilliant for a few minutes, then gone.  Every once in a while, you're treated to one of THOSE sunsets.  The colors shift, reflect off the clouds and water and the show just seems to go on and on.  This was one of those nights.  

    Here's the thing, some nights you know exactly what you have after you shoot the picture.  Some nights you're staring into the naked sun through the lens and you don't really know until you get back and upload them.  Once again, this was one of those nights.

    So, without further commentary, your Saturday sunset...