Spring Break - Rock Dam Hike

Wednesday after breakfast, Sonia & I headed for Rock Dam Trail, the parks longest trail at 6.75 mi. To get to Rock Dam Trail, it required taking Cliatt Creek Loop, a 3.75 mi trail. The trail descended gradually, winding alongside dried creek beds, until we reached Cliatt Creek.

Sonia & I learned a few things about hiking over Spring Break. I mentioned in an earlier post about "blaze", the markings to help keep you on the trail. We also learned what the phrase "stream crossings" meant. The Rock Dam trail map listed that the trail had 4 stream crossings. I mistakenly assume this was just a rustic way of saying there were four bridges. It means what it says. If there had been a bridge at each of these "crossings", they would not have been mentioned at all. They were literally stream crossings! Fortunately, we were able to either find a log or some strategically placed rocks to make the crossings dry.

Rock Dam Trail had a variety of trail conditions, rocks, (relatively) deep gorges, open areas, plenty of trees. One section in particular was lined with tall, young pines. The bed of the trail was so thick with pine needles, it felt like we were walking on carpet.




We finally reached Rock Dam and took a break, soaking in the scenery. The water levels in that region were very low. I can only imagine what this would look like with normal water flow. But, then we'd have probably gotten our feet wet at the "stream crossings" for sure!

After a short snack, we made the return trip. We crossed Cliatt Creek again and picked up the return loop of that trail. The entire hike, which was our longest so far this year, took about 3 hrs.

More pictures are available here!

Spring Break - Mistletoe State Park

Monday, we took off to Mistletoe State Park. It was about an hour and a half drive past into the edge of Georgia. We drove past acres of blossuming peach orchards, rows of large pecan trees, amazing southern-style homes with huge front porches and large columns, and, yes, even with rusted cars in the yard!

When we arrived, we sent the kids out to gather wood for a campfire while the adults unpacked and "set up camp".

Afterward, Sonia, her mom and I hit the nearby 1.5 mile "Loop Trail". All the trails in the park were well marked with blaze (trail markers either painted directly on the tree or nailed to tree to help indicate which trail you are on). Part of the Loop Trail (white blaze) joins the Beach Trail (yellow blaze) indicated by both colors on the trees (see picture below). The "Carolina Jasmine" was in full bloom along the trail.

Tuesday morning, Jesse & I got up early to catch the sunrise over Clarks Hill lake. It was chilly but worth it.

The rest of the day consisted of fishing (not necessarily catching), enjoying the water and sunshine.

That evening, Jesse and I headed off across the park to catch the sunset.

More pictures are available here!

Spring Break - part 1

We kicked off Spring Break with a 10 hr drive to the in-laws in Batesburg-Leesville, SC. Uneventful for the most part. After arriving, the girls decided to work off some stir-crazy from the trip and "take a hike". Jesse snapped these shots along the way.

Saturday was a relaxing day, just thawing out, catching some sun. Travis & I ended the day helping my father-in-law, Roger, and some men from the Hulon Baptist Church get ready for the Easter breakfast the next morning. For over 40 yrs, the men of the Hulon Baptist church have made this breakfast for the community. Travis & I were tasked with cracking egss, all 200 of them! Sunday started with a Sunrise Service followed by the Easter breakfast. It consisted of scrambled eggs (skillfully cracked), locally-made bacon (amazing), onion sausage (different), biscuits (bought; none of the men knew how to make 'em!), and grits (or "gree-ats", as they say down here)! The kids decided to pass on the grits! :-)

Here's the "extended family" shot, with Emily and Lea. Happy Easter!

Spring Break hiking...

Jesse is off school for Spring Break right after Easter, so we are off to warming weather. And new hiking trails! We will spend a couple days with our in-laws (who live in South Carolina) at Mistletoe State Park in northern Georgia.

BTW, Travis is home from Air Force Basic Training, so he will have a chance to go along too! We're excited. We weren't sure if he would be able to go, so Jesse had already invited a friend, Emily. And Travis has decided to bring along his girlfriend, Lea. It will be a loaded van, and loads of fun.

Stay tuned for riveting play-by-play updates. Oh, wait, I'll be at a State Park, so:

• chances for taking breathtaking pictures: high
• my ability to actually take breathtaking pictures: average
• taking time to "blog" from Mistletoe Cottage #8 on Clarks Hill Lake: average
  
• chances of even finding a wireless signal in order to blog: low
• chances of me wanting to get on my laptop: average (depending on the signal strength)
• chances my wife will let me get on my laptop: low (regardless of signal strength!)