2013-03-11 to 2013-03-14 To Blakely,GA – Kolomoki Indian Mounds State Park Campground

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2013-03-11 to 2013-03-14 To Blakely,GA – Kolomoki Indian Mounds State Park Campground
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The internet Yahoo Group, RVBuddies, consists of women who communicate with each other about camping. Several women in the North-Florida/South-Georgia area, get-to-gether every month for several days and socialize – usually at a state park campground. This is my second time camping with the group and I have enjoyed both times immensely. Over time, the group has decided that the first night of supper, will be “Hot Dog Night”. There were several emails before I left about who was bringing the hot dogs, buns, slaw, and the last message I read – was: we need some condiments. So-o-o, I drove from Atlanta, went to Blakely, found a grocery store and bought a bottle of ketchup and mustard. Knowing that isn’t enough for my ‘fair share’ of food, I also bought several golden delicious apples and a bunch of bananas. Our first night of the gathering was disappointing – the rain prevented us from eating our planned hot dogs. When I arrived, I found a parking spot, pulled in, connected an extension cord for electricity – and returned to the van to read the newspaper from Atlanta that I had packed. I was there about 5:00 pm, and two others were there before me -and- two others arrived after me. We barely spoke because of the rain and noted that we would talk more the next day.
The rain continued most of the night and the next morning was cold. I had a small electrical heater that kept the van warm. I read some more after getting up – because I HATE getting out in cold weather. The other women in the group also stayed in until about 1:00 pm. The sun warmed us as we sat out in chairs and talked. It was good to catch up with everyone. By late afternoon, people were hungry and the hot dogs were prepared. Lorraine started a fire in the campground firepit and brought cooking long-steel tongs. We took turns over sections of the fire and each person cooked their hot dog. Norma brought some homemade potato salad, and Peggy bought some homemade apple sauce – both were delicious. Others contributed various foods and we had a feast. After we ate, nightfall caused the air to chill and I to retreated to the warmth of the van. The others followed in short order. (By the way, since it is March, we had a strong breeze the whole time we were there. The breeze caused the chilly air to be colder.)
The next morning was cold also, and I remained in the warm van reading for a while. After the sun warmed up the area, we gathered again and Norma asked if anyone was interested in going to a nearby covered bridge. I said that I was and several others indicated that they also wanted to go. Norma drove her truck and we had a wonderful excursion to the bridge. Afterward, we stopped in Blakely at a store for paper plates and towels, McDonald’s for a meal, and returned to the campground. While sitting around talking with the other campers, Kim talked a while and then departed, asking if anyone wanted to go to the Indian Mound. I quickly replied that I would like to go and I was priviledged to ride with her in her Roadtrek. We climbed to the top of the large mound, took pictures and returned. (For those who want to know; there are 88 steps.) For dinner, we had hot dogs again AND  they were as good the second night, as they were on the first.

My final day, we had decided to go to Providence Canyon State Park and leave about 10:30 am.  I drove my van to the canyon with the intention of returning to Atlanta after leaving the park. I had been to it previously – about 15 years ago – and knew what to expect. I told the others that you may walk in the canyon bottom and that there is a trail of several miles. You should wear boots because it is muddy in places. The group decided before leaving the campground that they only wanted to view the canyon from the rim and not hike to the canyon bottom. The park is about 30 miles from the campground. After arriving, we saw that the state park required you to ‘sign-in and sign-out’ when you entered the canyon, so that if anyone became lost, the rangers would know to look for you. I drove my van with the intention of returning to Atlanta after leaving the canyon. We got to the park about 11:00 am, took several pictures around the top rim, and looked around the outside of the Visitor’s Center. (Note: the center opens for the season on April 1.) I remember hearing Peggy say that the canyon was much larger than what she expected. I knew what to expect as I had seen it before, but I was impressed of the view from the rim as on my previous trip, the group went straight to the Visitors Center and I don’t remember seeing the rim view. On the previous trip, the group hiked into the bottom and I remember wearing boots and getting them muddy. (ON this trip, after I returned, I sadly discovered that several pictures that I had taken from the rim did not download.)
I returned to Atlanta (about a 3 .5 hour drive) having many great memories of a trip to Kolomoki Indian Mound Campground, Coheelee Covered Bridge and Providence Canyon. By the way, when we drove through Blakely, there were many signs that the “Peanut Festival” was March 23. I had seen a Georgia Traveller TV program where the carnival has trampolines, food vendors, games, etc. and close the town square for the event.

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((My Dad has a nickname for me and it is “Puddin”. He started calling me that when I was very young. I named my van, “Vanna White”. When I decided to start a blog, I wanted a unique name for my travels and the names “Puddin” and “Vanna White” came to mind.))

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