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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Just bumming around

Rain overnight, and a cloudy morning left me reluctant to venture out this morning.  This being a bum for three months can grow on a person.

Eventually, Emma and I headed out to find the Corps of Engineer Visitor’s Center a ways over on another side of Allatoona Lake.  I had a map of the lake, but no address for the VC.  I did, however, take my GPS with me just in case I needed to find my way home.  That was a good decision.

As we wandered some of the back roads, we came upon several COE day use areas and visited each one. 

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                                                At one such stop we came upon an historic iron works.

IMG_8425Most of it was destroyed by Sherman during the Civil War as he made his march south.  This is what’s left.  I can’t imagine all the work it was to fit all of those large stones together just right to make the iron works.

As Emma and I decided to take a walk on a nearby nature trail, about 30 seven year old kids came bubbling off of the trail.  They all had to say “Hello doggie!”  Emma nearly wagged her tail right off of her body, but the adults wisely hurried the kids back to the parking lot.  I’m sure in her usual exuberance, Emma would have scratched them. 

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We walked down the trail a ways, and enjoyed all the birds sounds we heard.  At least I did.  Emma was so interested in the smells along the way that her nose was foaming!  As we got back to the car, I asked the adults in the kids’ group if they knew how to get to the Visitor’s Center.  It turned out you could walk there about a mile and a half along the trail we had been on.  They said it was quite an uphill walk.  (We are in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains after all)  I asked about driving there and received convoluted directions that required quite a few miles of driving.  I decided to give it a try, and that’s when I ended up lost on a road that said it was the Dixie Highway. 

Eventually, I just pulled over and plugged in Jack-in-the-Box.  After about 45 minutes, we made it home and spent the rest of the afternoon just veg'ing out.  On the way back, I stopped at Red Top Mountain State Park and got some information about some excursions I’ll be making tomorrow and Saturday.  I hope they’re as interesting as the pamphlets describe.  I also found out the location of the nearest Walmart so I can get a bag of dog food tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. Some times you just have to go with Jack-in-the-Box. lol

    Have you ever been to Eastbank COE on Lake Seminole, GA? Just wondering if you knew what it was like.

    http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/

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  2. I am a master at 'bumming around'..lol

    Enjoy your time there.

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  3. Dog food is a very important purchase for a sweet pooch!

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  4. I know you're glad to see the backside of Atlanta. Annie says that's the worst place she's ever driven.

    We spent a couple of weeks outside Ellijay, in the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area. I guess that's about an hour from you.

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  5. Everyone needs a veg'ing out day now and then. Recharge the battery for your upcoming adventures.

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  6. There must be a zillion "Dixie Highways" in the south. Every state has them, although I think Virginia has more "Lee Highways".

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  7. I just came across your blog and enjoyed reading it. I am trying to learn to drive our RV and I think I do great on everything but right turns. I joke with Doug and tell him that if I drive we can only go places that require left turns. I don't think I am confident enough to drive by myself though. I am so jealous of anyone that be that independent. Did it take you long to gain confidence?

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  8. We all rely on the girl in the box sometimes:)

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  9. It sounds like a perfect day! :)

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  10. I have a Jack in the box too.

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  11. I thought Jack In The Box was a fast food place. Think I may have been on a few Dixie highways myself many years ago on a few travels through Georgia. Must have driven through Atlanta a few times yet have no memory of it. I'm talking mid 60's here......

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  12. My friends in Florida call their GPS the B***H in the box. :))

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  13. I love bumming around. It seems so luxurious not to have anywhere to go or anywhere to be, just go wherever. Sorry they made the VC so difficult to find.

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  14. Hi Judy, we knew it's a small world, but were delighted to find out the Jim and Barb are friends of yours from Anahuac Wildlife Refuge! They are here at Bullards Beach State Park, in Bandon, OR working for US Wildlife as interpretive guides at some very scenic spots!
    Enjoy your "bumming" time, it refreshes the soul in between volunteer gigs!

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  15. Enjoy your sightseeing and don't get too lost!

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  16. It is great that Emma likes kids. Grace -not so much.

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  17. I love how you get out even on an idle day. My temptation would be to stay inside and read.

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  18. Sounds like a wonderful day of wandering and exploring!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  19. While our Gen. Sherman was doing what he knew best to end the civil conflict, he was also destroying a lot of great buildings that would be so interesting today. Such is the say of war.

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  20. What a Bum.
    We call our lying GPS b*tch Pat.
    Short for Apate, the greek goddess of deceit, guile, lies and fraud. The personification of deception.
    She was one of the first deities out of Pandora’s box, and I’ll betcha your Jack was right behind her with his brother Dolos.

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  21. Dennis has a classmate that walked the entire Appalachian trail at age 50...She got almost to the end of it in Maine, fell and broke her leg..Then she went back the next year and finished it...Her name is Jean Lindner Deeds, and she wrote a book about it...If you ever come across it, it's a fascinating read.. That whole part of the country is seething with history.

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  22. Sounds like a great easy going day and hike. Glad you didn't have to share the path with the kids though! Years ago I did a canoe trip (6 days) from north Ga (Dahlongea) to lake Allatoona on the Etowah River...love the area.

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