Shitter's Full

We're leaving tomorrow, so I've started tearing things down and putting stuff away. One of my chores on our final day is to empty our waste tanks.  This has to be the most un-glamourous part of RVing. We've been RVers for 25 years, but I'm still not fond of dealing with the poop chute...or as Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation would say, 'Shitter's full!'... lol

Town of Perry

Since Sheila's maiden name is Perry, we had to visit a nearby town called Perry!

Pretty town - lovely old homes and buildings and beautiful landscaping. Formerly known as Wattsville, in 1824 it was renamed Perry after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero from the War of 1812.

The 'New Perry Hotel' was built in 1870 and rebuilt in 1925 (not sure why it's "new"?) - mustn't be doing that well as it's for sale.

Wish we could have stayed longer, but it started to rain and we don't enjoy being cold and wet.

Bath Day for the Dogs

Tempo runs are tough when it's this hot and muggy out! It was 73F (23C) when I started my run... 80F (27C) when I got back to the camper!

We bathed the Goldies today!

Chance was definitely more chill about it than Hope...he just flopped in the tub and soaked up the attention.

Hope looked like she was planning her revenge.

These tubs are great - I'd love to have one at home. Definitely smells better around here now.

We were enjoying a campfire with our neighbours a couple of nights ago and she mentioned banana pudding and Rob and I said we'd never had it. I believe it's a southern staple. Apparently everyone has their favourite recipe. Well, wouldn't you know it, she showed up at our door just a few minutes ago, with a big bowl of her homemade banana pudding! Very YUMMY!!  Another southern food to add to my favourites list.

Mountain Biking in Bartram Forest

It's a great day to go for a trail ride! It's 82F with a gentle breeze blowing. Time to dust off the mountain bikes and go for a ride!

Rode some trails in the Bartram Forest - perfect for a fraidy cats like us. Mostly single track, lots of switchbacks through the tall pines, some ups and downs...wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Bartram Wildlife Management Area

I decided to do some trail running!  With 25 miles of trail, the Bartram Wildlife Management Area here in Milledgeville, Georgia is a trail runner's (and mountain biker's) dream!

Middle Georgia Motor Speedway

Out driving around today and as we were passing through Byron, GA we happened to come across an old abandoned NASCAR racetrack! I had never heard of it before, the 'Middle Georgia Motor Speedway'. Walked around a bit...very cool!

Apparently they used to race here back in the early 70s but it's been sitting dormant ever since and has become very overgrown with vegetation...

Nine NASCAR races took place here between 1966 and 1971 with Richard Petty winning 4 of the races, Bobby Allison winning 3 and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each winning one.

The year after opening, a hunter smelled fumes behind the track and reported it to authorities. Federal agents uncovered an elaborate and very sophisticated distillery operation located deep underground in the woods off of turn 3. A dummy ticket booth had a trap door with a tunnel that led to a moonshine still, 17 ft. underground. Normally, agents would use dynamite to destroy a large operation like this, but instead they used acetylene torches so that the races could continue. All that remains today of the still is this path leading through the woods to a 17 foot deep hole.

The race track owner was found not guilty of running the distillery despite the fact that he'd signed an invoice for 24 pounds of yeast! He said it was for concessions sold at the track.  😃

The track was also the site of the Atlanta International Pop Festival. 300,000 people descended on tiny Byron to hear singers like Jimmy Hendrix and the Allman Brothers Band.

The track was also used to film the race scenes from the moved Greased Lightning.

Oh, we had a little company as we came back to the truck...oops!

All was good. Carrying our cameras, I think we looked pretty harmless!

Wet Dogs

Cold, drizzly day today...and I have to say, the dogs are quite damp and smelly 😝

Another Gorgeous Day Here in Georgia

Another gorgeous day to go for a run...sunny and 73°F (23°C)

Lockerly Arboretum

Exploring the Lockerly Arboretum just down the street from the campground...it's lovely here!

Sunshine, birds singing, beauty everywhere you look...great way to spend a few hours.

The 50 acre arboretum is located on the grounds of the Rose Hill mansion that was built in 1839. The original Rose Hill was destroyed by fire in 1851 and was rebuilt in 1852.

You can tour the house if you like, but we preferred the enjoy the sights outside.

This afternoon after getting back, we relaxed on the patio with a cold beverage...under sunny skies and 70°F (21°C) temperatures. This RV lifestyle is rough!I wonder what everyone back in the Maritimes are up to?

WOOHOO...It's National Goof Off Day

My favourite day of the year...National Goof Off Day!

John Muir Trail at Bartram Forest

It's always a pleasant surprise when you discover hiking trails in the most unexpected spot! I was looking at this area in google maps and I found what appeared to be a big park not far from the campground! So we had to check it out!

This particular greenspace is called the Bartram Wilderness Management Area. The main trail was labeled the John Muir Trail. Apparently this is one of many named after John Muir.

John Muir was nicknamed the 'Father of the National Parks". He was a naturalist, author, environmentalist and an advocate for the preservation of wilderness areas. His essays, and journals describing his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada have been read by millions. His activism has helped to create and preserve the Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and many other wilderness areas.

This is supposed to be a good place to mountain bike - we'll have to come back with the bikes!
Sheila usually walks the Goldens and I walk Kelly. Tried to change things up today for a while and Chance and Hope weren't having it! When the Goldies and I were leading, Hope kept sitting down and Chance kept trying to go back to Sheila. He was very confused...lol

Kelly prefers to walk with me anyway...I let her sniff all the trees, bushes and rocks. I only wish Kelly's legs were strong enough to take her as far as she really wants to go.

Calm After The Storm

I guess today would be the calm AFTER the storm! After a wicked thunder storm overnight, it's now sunny and 79°F (26°C)...it was great conditions for my 30km training run this morning!
While I was gone, Sheila walked the puppies, but it sucked the energy out of them.

They're really enjoying the air conditioning today  😄

Severe Storm Warnings!

Uh oh, the campground owner stopped by with storm shelter instructions, and we've been reading on the news about severe, damaging storms cropping up all over the south east  :-(

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/reports-damaging-storms-his-alabama-as-severe-weather-outbreak-threatens-tennessee-to-florida/70004449

Hail and tornado warnings across much of the south.

Right now it's the calm before the storm!

Otis Redding

We checked out a couple historic sites today - the Griswaldville battlefield and Fort Hawkins.

Griswaldville was the site of one of the final battles of the civil war. By this time, the Confederate army was nearly decimated and now the only population segments left to be recruited were the very young and the very old. The Union won handily. Within the year, the north would declare victory over the south.

Another interesting battle site was Fort Hawkins. This fort saw action during the war of 1812 when the U.S. battled the British territory of Canada.

We also checked out the commemorative statue of Otis Redding in Macon, Georgia. Okay, everybody together now...

♩♫  Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes
Watchin' the ships roll in
Then I watch 'em roll away again
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide, roll away
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time  ♬♪♫

Ironically, Otis isn't sitting on a dock, and for that matter not even on a bay 😉

Otis wasn't necessarily born in Macon, but he did spend the majority of his life here.

Ocmolgee Indian Mounds

It was a little nippy out this morning at 59°F (16C)...but it was time to take the puppies out for a little stroll.

We're visiting Macon, Georgia today exploring the Ocmolgee Historical Site where these ancient Indian mounds were discovered. They were used for large gatherings...be it large ceremonies or funerals. These earthen mounds date back to 3000 BC!

Professional excavation of the site took place during the Depression - over 2.5 million artifacts were uncovered and it became the largest archaeological dig in American history. Many artifacts are on display, things like tools and pottery. The arrival of Europeans to the area brought trade to the region but it also caused the unfortunate decline (through sickness and disease that the Native Americans had no immunity to) of the former chiefdoms and they eventually broke down into smaller clans. Over the years they were forced to fight for their land but in the 1830's, President Andrew Jackson ordered their removal under the Indian Removal Act. The Ocmulgee (which became known as Creek), the Seminole, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw and the Cherokee were all sent to "Indian Territory" (now Oklahoma). Over 16,000 Native Americans were marched over 1200 miles. 4000 of them died due to famine, disease and warfare. This tragic event is referred to as the Trail of Tears.

Martin Luther King Jr

We survived our trip to downtown Atlanta, YAY!

Our first stop was the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park. A beautiful complex sitting in the very neighbourhood where he grew up.

Dr. King's childhood home was beautifully restored...

In this same historic district, just up the street from Dr. King's home, we found some absolutely gorgeous homes. These homes all date back to the 1800s and were mostly bought up by the National Parks Service to preserve them!

Leaving his childhood neighbourhood behind us, and walking down Auburn Avenue, we came across the original church where both he and his father were pastors - the Ebenezer Baptist Church, a beautiful church founded in 1886 where MLK Sr served as pastor from 1930 to 1975.

In 1948, MLK Jr was ordained here, at the age of 19. Several years later, he returned to this church to become a co-pastor with his father. He remained in this position until his death in 1968. As a final farewell, Dr King Jr's funeral was held here.

A new sanctuary was constructed in 1999 just across the street.

This amazing 'Behold' sculpture stands on the grounds of the new church to commemorate the guiding principles of MLK Jr's life and works. Dr King's widow Coretta unveiled the statue as a tribute to her husband and as an inspiration to all that dignity, social justice and human rights. The sculptor was inspired by the ancient African ritual of raising your newborn child to the heavens and repeating the words 'Behold the only thing greater then yourself'.

Just outside the visitor center of the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site is a beautiful sculpture of Gandhi symbolizing non-violence and a world living in peace and harmony.

The grounds were so beautiful and appropriately peaceful. The park is also the final resting place of MLK Jr and Mrs. King.

We spent part of the afternoon at Centennial Olympic Park. This is a beautiful 21 acre park located in downtown Atlanta. It was built as part of the infrastructure for the 1996 Olympic Games on property that was previously vacant lots and run down industrial buildings. It was conceived as a central gathering place for visitors to the Olympics that could be used by the city after the event. Phase 1 was completed in time for the Olympics and provided space for exhibits, entertainment and medal presentations. You may remember the bombing that took place here in July 27th 1996 that killed 2 people and injured many others. Phase 2 was completed in 1998. On March 14, 2008 it sustained some minor damage from a tornado. The park is surrounded by the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the National Center of Civil and Human Rights as well as the CNN Center, the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Philips Arena and the College Football Hall of Fame as well as many other attractions. There are various sculptures, water features and fountains and a huge ferris wheel with enclosed cars.

Three Months on the Road

As of today, it's been three months since we left our house in the Great White North for this milder southern winter.
- home for the month of January was Destin, Florida...loved it!
- home for the month of February was Hammond, Louisiana...loved it
 - home now for the month of March is Milledgeville, GA...love it!

This is definitely how I like to spend my winters.

This afternoon we're heading into Atlanta. Should be interesting!

Central State Hospital

We visited a most fascinating complex today. I would go so far as to say, probably the most interesting thing we will see during this entire trip!

Just outside Milledgeville, GA there is a very large parcel of property with a wide assortment of buildings. Currently known as the Central State Hospital but once called the Georgia State Lunatic Asylum. Forty-some buildings in various states of decay sit on 100s of acres surrounding a central pecan grove. Built in the 1820s to house the mentally ill, it became the largest such facility in the world!

Sadly, back in those days there was no definitive test to determine if someone belonged in an asylum. So people from all walks of life could, and were, admitted here. Clinically ill or not. Also, back in that day there were some unorthodox methods of treating patients. To add to that, most of the staff were not even trained therapists. Sadly, this led to many patients being 'mistreated' rather 'treated'. A sad and checkered past to say the least, but at the same time, incredibly fascinating!

This particular building is the 'Jones Building' and served as a general purpose hospital.

The vast majority of the complex shutdown in the 70s, but a few buildings remained open such as the 'Powell Building'.

Seen here, the Powell Building has been meticulously maintained, and still functions, to a much lesser degree, as a psychiatric institution!

Another Rainy Day in Georgia

What to do on a damp, cool, rainy Sunday? How about coffee, Irish Cream and Animal Planet!

Guided Tour of Milledgeville

We've been meaning to do a guided tour of our little city of Milledgeville, so today's the day, we'll be zipping around town today in a sweet candy apple red ride...lol!

This is a fascinating city with so much history. This was actually the first State Capital of Georgia. Despite the fact the Capital building and surrounding grounds has been repurposed as a Military College, the building is open to tours. Gorgeous building. Very interesting stories from the building's past. We also viewed some of the nearby antebellum homes.

Hiking Trails at the Campground

Went hiking today! The campground here have a few trails...they are short but they are quite challenging! It's great to get outside and get some exercise!

Macon, GA

It's a nice day out there but a bit cool. So a perfect day for a road trip! We've been hearing and reading a lot about the nearby city called Macon. Historic, scenic and the hometown of several famous people. So off we go!

It's only about 30 minutes away, so it was a short trip. Once we arrived we discovered some beautiful old buildings!

Old churches and beautiful architecture!

The Classical Revival structures with these huge columns are incredible!

Macon's City Hall building was built in 1837 and being in this southern stronghold has a quite a storied past. It started out as Monroe Railroad & Banking Co. headquarters, afterwards serving as City Hall. During the American Civil War it became a temporary military hospital starting in 1863 for the southern army. The next year, Governor Joseph E. Brown and his army, on the run from the Union, moved the state capital to Macon from Milledgeville and set up an office at City Hall as of November 18, 1864. The General Assembly met in the building the following February and March, the last legislative session under the Confederate States of America. After the Union gained control of Georgia, the building remained as the state capital until March 11, 1865.