We managed to end our summer with two weekends of buddy camping nearby and we marked our 30th night in the SolAire. That's 25% of the nights since we took delivery in April.
First, we met David & Marie at Rocky Bend for their inaugural camping trip in their newly purchased travel trailer and the Flint River Poker Float, and second, we joined Jerry and Angie at Kolomoki Mounds State Park and Still Pond Vineyard's Grape Stomp Fest.
At Rocky Bend, we boarded the White Rose Saturday morning for a cruise upriver for the Captain to check on kayakers.
Flint River view at Rocky Bend
Jamie headed to the river's edge to catch a ride on the White Rose
Our camp proprietors & riverboat captain -- the scenery on the Flint River never gets old.
A cavern on the Flint River
Cruising the Flint River
At Kolomoki, we met Jerry & Angie for our final summer weekend; it's back to school time for the teachers in this foursome.
The SolAire and the Wolf Pup ~ camping buddies at Kolomoki
We were most appreciative of the spaciousness of the SolAire and the air conditioner blasting cold air, which offered us respite from the unrelenting south Georgia heat and humidity, and shelter from a torrential downpour -- indoor dining and a movie for four.
Angie warned us about the ants. We had our first run-in with ants at Eastbank Campground; Angie & Jerry woke up Friday morning to find the ants had found them. I stopped by Wal-Mart and bought every ant remedy on the shelf, assuring myself that if one didn't work, the other would.
As Jamie set up our rig Friday evening, I busied myself with preventive measures, surrounding our trailer with granules. Fortunately, it worked! We didn't see a single ant until Sunday morning as we were packing up, and those were on the outside. A shot of spray handled the job.
We headed over to Still Pond in late morning. After all, we were camping, and we just don't get in a hurry; that would defeat the purpose of the camping lifestyle. The crowd had already gathered, but we found a little shade under a tree, set out our chairs, checked out the vendors (especially Cathy Cakes!), skipped out on stomping grapes, and listened to the band playing our kind of music.
Kept thinking I'd see Lucy stomping grapes at Still Pond Vineyard
The band at Still Pond entertained us for a set, but the lengthy line for lunch and a cool drink in the sweltering heat prompted us to cut the afternoon short and head for town. After grabbing a bite and cooling off at the local DQ, we explored Coheelee Creek.
The covered bridge has been sealed to prevent further graffiti and damage.
Water rushing over the rocky falls was a bit muddy after Friday night's rain; nonetheless, it was beautiful.
Our buddy campers Jerry and Angie
The Food
Of course, camping and friendships revolve around food. We've greased our arteries well. Bacon for breakfast, lunch and dinner, two weekends in a row.
Bacon wrapped cabbage quarters on the grill
Bacon & egg burritos
And more bacon:
Bacon & turkey club sandwiches
And bacon again . . .
Some things are just more fun together . . . like cooking. Jamie & Angie cooked breakfast for us.
Buddy cooking
It's been a wonderful four months traveling with our SolAire. We've definitely found our home away from home. And, we've enjoyed developing some camping buddies.
Heading south out of Bainbridge, we drove the densely forested scenic route along Hutchinson Ferry Road and Booster Club Road. The road is built atop a ridge and we could see the steep descent to the lake. We continue to be amazed by the dramatic shift in terrain from the area where we live to this area which is so close to home.
The approach to the campground was straight downhill and offered a dramatic view of the lake. I found out just how steep the entrance is on Saturday when my bicycle brakes failed to slow me and I had to take evasive action.
Our first view of Lake Seminole as we approached on Friday evening.
Eastbank Campground located on Lake Seminole is less than a two hour drive from our home. Despite having crossed the bridge at Chattahoochee, FL, nearly every trip to the beach of our lives, we had never explored the Lake Seminole area.
The campground, which is situated at the southernmost end of the lake, affords a lovely view of the sunset across the water.
Evening sun gilds the lake
The confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers forms the Apalachicola River which runs to the Gulf of Mexico. The Jim Woodruff Dam creates the lake. Our campsite had a nice view of the dam, and, of course, on Saturday, we explored the dam on our bikes.
Biking the dam at Lake Seminole
Jim Woodruff Dam
Public access for fishing
After exploring the dam, we ventured further into Florida for some more sightseeing.
A theme is emerging here: we've biked across state lines several times this summer!
Crossing the state line on the dam
The short ride parallel to the river took us directly to River Landing Park featuring oaks draped with Spanish moss, the old highway bridge - a portion of which still stands as it was too costly to tear down, remnants of a fort from the War of 1812, and a single surviving Indian mound from centuries ago.
Our initial view of the old bridge
River Landing Park in Chattahoochee, FL
Reading the historic marker to learn about the significance of the site
A British fort of the War of 1812 was established here
Prehistoric Indian mound located in River Landing Park along the Apalachicola River
We spent some time looking at the flood markers. Jamie reminisced about 1998; he was on patrol in the area. He claims to have a photo of the flood waters from atop the dam stored away somewhere in his memorabilia. Time will tell if he can produce it ~ and a postscript is sure to follow if, in fact, he does.
Flood markers painted on the column of the old bridge
A marker erected in the park indicates flood levels
A closeup view shows the water level above 76 feet on July 10, 1994, March 12, 1998 and March 26, 1929
We started our ascent to the top of the ridge into the town of Chattahoochee, FL. We made it about a third of the way before we ran out steam. We recently rode 126 miles in the "mountains" of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, and nothing compares to the elevation change from the river into this border town!
We sat down a few minutes, took a breather. And then, still gasping for air, our legs wobbly, our bodies drenched in sweat, we walked our bikes up the hill -- mountain!-- to Hardee's. An air conditioned water break.
Morning was turning into midday, the temperature rising, the humidity thick. {Later, viewing the elevation change in MapMyRide and the weather channel's heat advisory for the day, we have no shame in walking the latter part of that climb.}
In the refreshing coolness of Hardee's, we met a few gentlemen from the town's coffee crew who exchanged bicycle stories with us, and even invited us to church the next day. We always find it interesting to strike up conversations with locals.
Recovered, we explored the town,
A Confederate memorial
bought some ant-riddance at the DG (the camp host informed
us of an invasion and indicated we should take precaution; the lady at the
hardware store suggested Comet for the job), and continued on our journey,
meandering through the grounds of the Florida State Hospital.
A sign warned us: No Photos -- guess that's because of
HIPPA. Anyway, the whitewashed buildings
were beautiful; an historic marker provided insight into the origins of the
facilities and answered our quandary as to why these buildings were erected
here. In short, no, this was not an old military base turned psychological
hospital; it was an arsenal at one point, then a prison, and, since 1876 a
mental hospital.
Our return to camp was significant only in that my brakes failed on the descent. Thank goodness there was no traffic so I could make the turn and keep going until I could reach flatter terrain to regain brake control. Could have been disaster! Now I understand those "Runaway Truck" signs along the interstate in mountainous areas.
The south Georgia heat and humidity sent us inside for the afternoon. Regrettably, our campsite lacked shade. {Lesson learned!} With both a fan and air conditioner running at full speed, we remained uncomfortably warm for the duration of the afternoon.
We can't pass up a sunset, especially one across water, so we braved the outdoors for a short walk around the campground.
Saturday's sunset at Lake Seminole
Looking across Lake Seminole toward Woodruff Dam.
Hydrilla and other non-native invasive plants have taken over much of the lake. Perhaps that's why we saw just two boats on the water this weekend.
As we prepped for the move on Sunday morning, what to my eyes did appear, but three tiny ants marching over our threshold. And then, the army followed. The Comet had held them at bay a while. We had powdered around our tires and our hitch -- "anything that touches the ground," just as the camp host instructed. Our investigation revealed their entry point, and our oversight. We had not encircled the electrical box post. The army marched across the electric connection right up to the camper frame, across the underbelly and directly through the door. Much to our dismay, I'm sure we brought some home with us.
Despite the heat and the ants, we delighted in being tourists in our neighboring county, discovering the nearby picturesque landscape and historic exhibits, perpetuating our interest in dams, bridges, and crossing state lines on our bicycles.
Another travel trailer trail tale in the book.
Postscript
Photos Jamie took on March 11, 1998 showing flood waters at the Jim Woodruff dam on Lake Seminole.
After last week's camping and biking tour through Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland, it was difficult to come home and face the reality of work. Fortunately, the work week was short and we got a jump start on setting up camp at Lake George for the long holiday weekend.
The SolAire's patriotic display
As is tradition, we joined family and friends for our annual Fourth of July celebration at the lake. It was convenient for us to have the SolAire so the lake house bedrooms could be assigned to others.
We celebrated our first overnight guest in the SolAire on this outing; Sara found mints on her pillow when she turned in for the night.
Funny how a deployed awning, a few lawn chairs and a grill draw a crowd.
As everyone gathered Friday evening, Tom grilled burgers and hotdogs, and David started the butt boiling in preparation for his acclaimed Brunswick stew, which we all savored on Saturday afternoon, along with the chicken Chuck grilled on his "small" cooker. The aroma wafted through the air, tantalizing our taste buds.
We had breakfast responsibility for the group - Jamie cooked bacon and our favorite breakfast burritos.
Clouds and scattered rain showers throughout the weekend kept the south Georgia temperature bearable.
Rain crossing the lake
Just about the time to board the boats for the ride toward the dam for fireworks viewing, the sky grew ominous and the wind pushed a rain storm through. Oh well, there's always next year.
Perhaps Jamie had the last laugh; since he had to return to work on Saturday afternoon to handle chief's duty for Camilla's fireworks display, he did get to see fireworks.
We traveled an alternate route home so we could use the dump station at Kolomoki; federal campgrounds like nearby Cotton Hill forbid non-resident dumping and Bagby State Park doesn't have a campground.
Sweeping the pine straw off the roof
Our friends are catching the camping fever; we pit-stopped to help David & Marie hitch up to their new purchase.
David & Marie caught the camping fever and lucked out with this deal.
Can't wait to circle the campers with our growing group of camping buddies.
Thinking he was testing my firefighter knowledge, I tried to
size it up by the color.
Before I could even utter an answer, he had taken the
interstate exit straight into downtown Johnson City, TN. He knew what it was. And it wasn’t a structure fire.
A steam engine.
Pulling an excursion train.
Train buffs with cameras in hand lined the right of
way. Onlookers waved to passengers. We joined them.
