Park Trails & A Special Sunset Moment - (Adel, GA)

It was about 20 degrees cooler overnight than we had been used to.  At 44 degrees when I got up, it was the perfect temp to kick on the fireplace.

Linda slept in to almost 10:00 and by the time she had her two cups of coffee it was midday.  :)

Though there are a couple Super Walmarts within 20 miles, we just did a quick 6-mile run into Adel to the Piggly Wiggly to pick up some groceries and top off the Jeep's gas tank.

Back at the campground, we decided to bike to the park trailheads and do some walking.

Not far from the campground is the Gopher Tortoise Nature Trail.  It's a half-mile loop that you can either walk or bike.  There is a brochure at the trailhead that explains the 20 marked posts.  We did a quick bike ride around the loop and then continued on to the Coastal Plain Nature Trails trailhead.

 

 

There are four intertwined nature trails and each has a brochure corresponding to various marked posts.  We did the Little River/Birdwalk trail loop.

The Little River Trail includes a boardwalk through a swampy area in the Little River floodplain.

 

 

There are a couple of side spurs out to the river.

 

 

Looking at the water, we quickly determined that paddling this quiet little river is in order.  :)

As we walked, we heard the screams of Red-shouldered hawks and the unmistakable call of a Barred Owl echoing through the woods.  In addition, the white dogwoods ....

 

 

and several wildflowers are blooming.

The wild pink (pinxter) azaleas were everywhere.

 

 

And there were a few other beauties along the way.

 

 

 

We really enjoyed our quiet walk in the woods on this mid-70 degree, gorgeous day.  :)

After our walk, we rode our bikes around a bit.  There are open areas with several little flags marking Gopher Tortoise burrows.

In one spot, we saw a few tortoises and watched them scurry around.  They certainly aren't slow turtles - they can really move when they want to.  :)

Near the lake and picnic areas, we did a little birdwatching.  Linda watched a pair of Chickadees build a nest ....

 

 

and this Eastern Bluebird was feeding nearby.

 

 

Eventually, we made it back to the rig where I grilled a couple of the Butterball Turkey Mignons.  We've written about these before, and we've gotten a few emails from folks saying they are having trouble finding them.  It seems to be hit or miss out there as to which grocery stores carry them, but as of today they are listed on the Sam's Club website.  :)

After dinner, while Linda was reading, I rode down to the lake and waited for the sunset.  While I was waiting, I got some shots of this Canada Goose hanging out by a small pond.

    

 

It was by itself, and after being in the water a short time, it took off ... honking as it flew.

 

 

I turned my attention back to the sunset and this gazebo by the lake.

 

 

The water was like glass.

 

 

I took several more shots, but this next one is my favorite.

 

 

The background:  As I was hanging out by the lake, I spoke to a young man that walked by - a teenage white kid who was staring at his smartphone and texting.  He appeared to be brooding as many teenagers do, but he did speak to me politely.  A little later, an older black gentleman pulled up, grabbed his fishing gear and a cooler out of his car, and sat down on the bank for some twilight fishing.  He also returned pleasantries when I spoke to him.

Eventually, after spending time alone staring at his phone, the teenager walked over and engaged the older man in a conversation.  Both of them lit up a little as they talked fishing for quite awhile.  They were unlikely new friends on the bank of this southern Georgia lake enjoying each other's company and watching the beauty of a sunset together.

It was a reminder of all that is good in this world when it is allowed to be.  We are bombarded with so much negativity, and there are so many talking heads blaming and deriding and over-hyping and dividing.  This peaceful, simple scene brought a smile to my face and nearly a tear to my eye as I realized what can happen when people are left alone to get to know each other as human beings without outside influences and baggage.

The above photo will serve to remind me of this special moment and a much larger hope that it represents.  :)

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Comments

[Rich o]

That last picture is really great! What I really appreciate about the picture is the lack of prejudice; you can't tell if the people in the picture are black, white, old, young, smart, rich , poor etc..... Yet, old prejudice remains. Why was it necessary to point out in your text that it was a "white" teenage boy and a " black" older gentlemen. When EVERYONE can recognize that two complete strangers engaged each other, enjoyed conversation and took in a moment together, then it will truly be a special moment!

The photo could be entered in a contest, but please refrain from using the title, " Brooding, texting, suburban white teenager enjoys a sunset with a poor, southern, old black gentlemen". Try instead, " two people enjoy a spectacular Georgia Sunset".

Regards
Rich O

[Tim Fansler]

I don't know what there is in the West Point area, but if you do decide to go through Moultrie to Albany and Corridor Z (US-82 and GA 520) which will take you through Fort Benning and then to I-185 through Columbus, there is a Super Walmart immediately to your right at the Columbus airport exit from I-185 where you can stock up.

I can't remember what the route number from Moultrie to Albany is, but it puts you right on the Albany north bypass. From there the only towns you go through are Sasser (no traffic lights at all) and Dawson (maybe three traffic lights), From Dawson to Columbus there is very little traffic on a four-lane limited access highway (Corridor Z).

[Janie Dean]

Loved the photos today especially the flowers. Your thoughts at the end are so right. I think people are basically good and if we would eliminate some of the stresses of the modern world we might actually enjoy each other a little more.

[Howard]

Rich,
Thanks for the compliment on the photo.

To answer your question "Why was it necessary to point out in your text that it was a "white" teenage boy and a " black" older gentlemen?", I thought a long time about that text before I wrote it. Perhaps it wasn't necessary for you, but I think the entirety of the story makes the photo more impactful in this day and age. We're not in the John Lennon's "Imagine" world yet, and it will be a long time before we get there.

I love the photo, but I'm not sure it would generate thought and conversation leading to the goal you want without the background. :)

[Steve Falkenburg]

I'd like to encourage everyone who enjoys this site to 'chip-in' before the first quarter of 2011 ends.

[Kerri]

Howard... That is exactly what I was thinking as I read your blog. By pointing out the differences in these two individuals - apparent attitude, obvious age and race, but no economic references toward either - you made a beautiful picture even more enjoyable. If you had not pointed out the differences, I would not have been as moved by the shot. Good call...

Kerri in AL :-)

[Sherry]

Very nice post Howard all the way around. Great pictures of birds and the sunset and the meeting. Great text as well.

[Tom Nankivell]

We camp hosted there in Dec. and enjoyed our time there. If you have a chance stop in the Buzzards Roost and say Hey to Blue Boy from Tom & Paula. The Catfish House at the park entrance was excellant.

[Pat Bonish]

Really enjoyed the last photo and the story behind it made it even better! Sometimes photos speak for themselves, but sometimes if you know the story behind them, a great photo can become a very memomrable one....which you captured above!

Thanks for the great words and photos Howard!

[Sue]

GREAT story behind the picture, Howard ~ can't say that enough. And beautifully written, as always...an accurate commentary on our world today, both as it actually is, but also as it sometimes, magically, can be... Thanks for a much needed smile today...