Panola Mountain State Park

BY SKEETER

 This is the type sign we enjoy seeing while out hunting for Geocaches. We know we are about to embark on a wonderful day of serenity in the woods. This day we were at Panola Mountain State Park. Click HERE to learn more about the park. The pamphlets were not ready for the season so we were on our own with identifying the wildflowers.

 I believe this to be Chattahoochee Trillium but not sure as there are 27 different types of Trillium here in Georgia.

 Some type of wild woodland Holly. I have spotted this in our GEORGIA GARDENS, well rather the woods on our property.

 This is one of many large trees we admired.

 Fungi is so at home in the woods.

 Yet, another huge tree that captivated us!

 I thought this to be a Trillium but after a bit of research, I am not sure.

 Here is a close up of a bloom.

Here are several plants close together.

 Moss covered logs look so at home in the woods.

 The Saint gazing off into the woods admiring the Redbud and large fallen tree. 

 I have never notice as many Redbud trees here in Georgia as I have this Spring!

For many years I have told people we just do not have the Redbuds here like in TN and VA. But I do believe I am wrong. I just have not been where they are located. On this day, we spotted many along the Country back roads of GA...

 This was indeed a large tree! Too bad it fell during a storm. This one had been cut as it crossed the walking path. A tree gateway for us. 

 These little beauties were all over the woods.

I believe them to be some type of Anemone. Some were of a pinkish color.  

 Most of the ones we spotted were more white in color.

 A moss covered fallen tree made a nice feature to walk beneath.

 Mayapple's were not blooming yet.

 Trout Lily, I believe.

 I could not decide what these bell type flowers could be. Any guesses?

 Here is a Close-up of them.

 Ah, this boulder is close to our Cache find.

 And the Saint finds the treasure!

 We found our way back to the picnic area.

My eyes were sighted on this strange tree trunk as I sat and rested from our nice hike in PANOLA MOUNTAIN STATE PARK,

In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Shingleroof Campground

BY SKEETER

 The Saint and I left our GEORGIA GARDENS to hunt a few Geocaches this past weekend. Our hunt took us to this park south of Atlanta. We have passed this park many times but never took the time to stop until now.

 This Georgia Historic Marker explains the history of the area.

 The Cabins within the park are interesting.

 Our hunt for the geocache sent us to this nice little spot.

 A spring shelter and a small foot bridge to take one on a nature hike.

The water from the spring was so clear.

 This Pavilion was neat with the moss covered roof.

I spotted this marker by the foot bridge and enjoyed the words.

 

In Loving Memory of

Dorothy Bryans Elliott Paul

 

My mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things that gave my life its start.

She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream.

Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem...

And when the winds and rains came,

she protected me enough-

but not too much-

She knew I'd need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example always taught me right from wrong.

Markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.

I am my mothers garden.

I am her legacy-

And I hope today she feels the love

reflected back from me.

 

In the Garden...



Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Euchee Creek and Bartram Trail

BY SKEETER

Geocaching has taken the Saint and I to many places near our GEORGIA GARDENS the past two months. One such place is by the lake at the Bartram Trail. 18th Century naturalist William Bartram explored the southern route from March 1773-January 1777. His trail led him through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Click HERE to see more.

Walking along the Bartram Trail back in early December, we had a nice fresh cover of leaves on the ground.

This lone leaf was still attached to its tree on that day. Sweet Gum I believe.

Greens were popping up through the carpet of leaves.

We spotted a flock of turkey but they also spotted us so did not hang around for a good photo op. Here you can see 3 heads just before they disappeared behind the ridge with the rest of the flock.

A magnolia tree growing out in the middle of no where!

A beautiful Fern greeted us in the woods.

We past our favorite Boat Ramp which you can see remains out of water with our drought. Looks more like a pond then a lake at this point. Rain coming today but we are already 4 inches behind for this year! This makes year 4 of this drought cycle. Sigh...

We also walked the Euchee Creek Greenway. This trail is an ongoing trail system linking many different parks in our county.

The trail is in the middle of a swamp type area running along Euchee Creek. Swamp that is, when we have rain.

Euchee creek was happy with water.

 During this Geocaching Day, we somehow followed our coordinates the wrong way to the cache. This log became our bridge across Euchee Creek. The Saint was across and then I preceded to cross the fallen log. I was half way across the creek when I froze up! I could not seem to get my feet to walk forward or go backwards. I was not scared per say, more like I did not want to fall into the cold water on a January Day! The Saint came to my rescue and led me on across one step at a time. The step off was a bit slippery and hilly. Needless to say, I could not go back that same way so we walked along the creek for some time looking for another way across. We found a larger log that I felt better about crossing even being much higher from the water. Again, the Saint let me use his shoulders for balance and we took it one small step at a time. We got a good laugh from that experience and I have since purchased a nice long sturdy walking stick for assistance in the future.   

This spot is along one of our favorite walking spots. We never knew this little rolling water spot was there until Caching took us a bit off the beaten path for a closer peek! This is why we enjoy this new hobby of Geocaching so much.

The Saint and I found many Caches while Geocaching along EUCHEE CREE AND BARTRAM TRAIL, In the Garden...

 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden