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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Family Outing

Being back home after so many years has its good and bad days....I just will not go into what makes for a bad day but what makes for a good day is showing my family places that I fondly remember as a child.

This past weekend I showed my family(well at least part of it...one older child doesn't live here and one is just too cool to be with his parents) two GA state parks.  Both state parks have held many a family reunion for both of my parents families over the years.

The first, Magnolia Springs State Park, is located outside of Millen, GA about 45 minutes from where we now call home.  True to its name, the park grew up around a natural spring.  I remember as a child, my much older cousins, swimming in the spring.  Thank goodness my mama didn't allow my sister and I to swim in the spring water.  Take a look what you find in just about all water in these here parts...


Now the turtles and even that ginormous carp don't really bother me but that alligator that's another story!! Thankfully, swimming is no longer allowed in the spring.

Two of my favorite guys...

I just love spanish moss and white sandy ground.

Moving along in our day, my youngest dude has never seen a cotton field.  So we had to stop and pick a piece or two...





Next stop George Smith State Park located outside of Twin City, GA.  This park is about 1 1/2 hours from home.  When my dad was little his family would bring their corn to the mill and have it ground into meal.  Of course it wasn't a state park then...






As you can tell, this water is dark and murky but I can promise you it is home to the same creatures that Magnolia Springs waters hold, just can't see them quite as well!! The water is dark from a chemical that the Cypress trees omit in the spring and summer months.  In the winter the water clears up.

I have lived all over this wonderful world.  I have seen some majestic places.  There is nothing like waking up every morning and having a view of Mt. Ranier from your bed(well, at least when it peaks through the clouds) or falling asleep listening to the South Korean Army's version of TAPS, or waking up to thousands upon thousands of citizens of Beijing riding bicycles up and down extremely busy streets,  hearing a pack of coyotes talking to each other as the sun sets, living in a home that sits on land that was once apart of George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon, eating a crossiant that is so light and rich (the best thing I have ever put in my mouth, by the way) while walking in a field in France BUT there is nothing that compares to home.  A place where my ancestors walked, worked, and even fought...it might not be the most breathtaking scenery that I have ever seen but I have such a feeling of belonging  here in Georgia that I have never experienced anywhere else. 

I am home.

Do you feel that way about your home, wherever it may be, or am I just a crazy middle aged woman???

Fondly,
Ann

11 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Such a beautiful area, but the alligators would scare me to death. I don't know that I want to be even that close. Glad you had a nice day with part of the family. Hugs, Marty

Gracie's Cottage said...

I don't feel at home where I grew up in California; but after 35 years in Wisconsin it's finally dawned on me that this is where I feel at home. (*I reserve the right to change my answer in January, however!)

Georgia is a beautiful state; we've vacationed there twice and would love to do it again! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

Jan

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures Ann! I am sure the alligators don't want you invading their space either! At least there are no rattlesnakes around!!!! Our country is a beautiful one, and we too, have seen almost every part, thanks to the Coast Guard moving us every so often.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ann... so glad you feel you are home finally! Love the trees in the swamp/river photo. Gators? Oh, my!

Thanks for taking us along. Karen

~ Pink Flamingo ~ said...

Song, song of the south... sweet potato pie and I shut my mouth! Gone, gone with the wind... :) Girl, you are definitely home... and with the nature watching, paddling, pickin' cotton and fishin' barefoot you are training Andrew well. :) xoxo (I am where I was born, but I'm still trying to find my way home.)

Anonymous said...

Ann, these are beautiful photos! I've never been to Georgia and now I feel like I've been on vacation. I could practically reach out and touch that cotton. It reminded me of popcorn. Thanks for sharing.

Entertaining Women said...

When my husband was in the army, we had come home for Christmas vacation. As we left home that year to return to his duty station in Montana, we both broke into tears, unexpectedly. Almost simultaneously we both said, "When this is over, we are coming home!" We returned home after his service in Viet Nam ended, and we have never regretted it for a moment. Your story strikes a sweet warmth in my heart. Thank you for sharing your story. Cherry Kay

Lindy said...

I loved looking at all you pretty pictures. You take wonderful pics. The gator was a little scary!

me said...

I just want to be at your home!!! :o) By the way, those aligators make our rattlesnake experiences look tame!!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Years ago we visited Waculla Springs and it was much like this...your pictures brought back fond memories..when my children were small...the cadance of the boatman's voice as we toured...and the beauty we were surrounded with. Yes! It is nice that you are home. (-:

Julie Harward said...

I don't know if I could get used to the alligators though! But I know what you mean...no place like home! I have many ancestors that helped to settle Utah..so it has real meaning for me! :D