Highway 32: Zirkle Dam - What "Use to Be"

Usually I photograph wildlife and coastal scenery, but, lately I have been stuck on structure.  I have been dwelling on the "Use to be".  So on the weekends I like to try and pick a place off the beaten path and go investigate.  I was recently told that there were remnants of an old dam along the Little Satilla River, that at one time there was a Community called Zirkle along Highway 32 in Pierce County, just past the Brantley County line.  How can you not be intrigued by a name like Zirkle?  I told my husband I found a place for us to find this weekend.  Now please keep in mind the Community of Zirkle no longer exists.  Zirkle was a thriving Community the second largest in Pierce County between 1905 and 1926.  The Davis Zirkle Lumber Company was the largest employer of about three hundred men.  In 1926 the Mill closed, the people left and nature once again took over.  So I tell my husband, this can't be too difficult...I don't think it will take us as long as it did on our adventure to find Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church. (That's another story).  We set out down Highway 32 in the rain, "Mother Nature" has not been friendly with me lately.  As we approach the County line I see the Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area, so I figure we were close.  We drove over the bridge and found a little dirt road, remember I love dirt roads!  Zirkle road, did I say dirt, I meant mud.  We drove to the end of it to find a nice quiet little picnic area with a concrete boat ramp and parking pad right on the Little Satilla.

I walked down the steep ramp and the river is low right now as I looked to the left, there was a tree down across the river, but when I looked to the right I saw that I could easily walk the bank of the river down to the remnants of Zirkle Landing.

So peaceful...So quiet

The photo is what remains of Zirkle Landing.  The water of the Little Satilla River is what they call black water, but the reflective qualities and shades of red, brown and black are beautiful.

I wish the weather had been nicer, but at least the rain stopped for a little while.  But I know this photo taken downstream from the Landing would be breathe taking if I could have had some sunshine and blue skies.  As I continued to walk down the edge of the river I could hear water rushing, almost like a waterfall.  I couldn't follow the bank all the down to the dam.  So I had to do the billy goat trail, up the embankment and through the woods.  I came out of the woods to see that there was a dirt road that went by a little closer. but my poor old chevy pick up is only two wheel drive and she is a bit of a wimp, beside I didn't feel like pushing if I got stuck and I don't think I could have given directions for the tow truck!

I had to walk back down the embankment and that is when I came across what is left of the steel dam.  What I have learned after doing some research is that Davis Zirkle Lumber Company built this dam on the Little Satilla River in the early 1900's to aid in floating the logs down the river to the mill.  I just find it so interesting to find part of what

"Use to be".

Finally I find the sound of the rushing water, which is the remains of the steel dam and it has in fact become a very mini water fall.  I am mesmerized by the rushing water which is the color of root beer.

 I was thoroughly enjoying myself, taking pictures of the rushing water, the metal supports upright through the water.  The river banks are covered with tree roots that resemble all kinds of creatures.

  I was in photo overload.

  The color of the water.

 

 So smooth and So clear.

 I could easily sit here and relax listening to the sound of the water rushing, watching the patterns and bubbles, small eddys and whirlpools.  I had the whole place to myself!  Oh, wait a minute, no I didn't, my husband was still upstream waiting for me in the truck.  Suddenly my phone rang and it was my hubby Don wondering if I had fallen in. 

Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn't going to let me enjoy this much longer either and it started to rain again. I made my way back to the truck to find Don, not in the truck.  He was being a bit of a wise guy, maybe hiding behind this sign.

  He is healing and making such good progress.  I am very proud of him!  I told him he doesn't look handicapped to me.  We headed for home in the pouring rain.  But I will definitely be back to do some more exploring.  I have tried to do some research on this forgotten Community, but I have been able to find out much of anything.  If you have any additional info, please feel free to share!  This is just one more example of the Beauty that Surrounds Us.

Memories on Highway 17: What "Use To Be"

I drive highway 17 between Darien, Georgia and the Florida state line each week more time than I can count.  I didn't grow up in this area, but I have lived here now for 24 years.  This is my home.  As I drive up and down this stretch of road, I see the remnants and outer shells of businesses that "use to be".  I can't help but think of how things use to be.  Back in the day, when Highway 17, the Coastal Highway, was the main "drag".  There was no Interstate, no Wal-mart;  just small towns and little Mom & Pop businesses.  Over the years I have watched many of these structures cave in, be torn down and just eaten by the Kudzu vines, you can't even tell there was anything ever there.  So, a couple weeks ago I headed off for my early morning explorations and I decided to take my camera down Highway 17 and capture what remains from the "Good Ole Days".  Today I would like to share some of those photos with you!
This is what remains of Whiteheads Chainsaw Repair Shop.  I have drove by this building for so many years and never thought to take a photo while you could still read the name on the top of the building.  My husband remembers he and his Daddy going there when he was growing up.  He went on to have Mr. Whitehead service his equipment until he finally closed the doors.
 
As I traveled south I stopped at the corner of 17 and Burnt Fort Road.  I have drove past this little building that says "Reeds" many times, watching time take its toll on this memory.

 

Now someone told me that "Reeds" is now located in Tarborough, but I haven't had a chance to get over there.  I'm thinking it was probably a General Store?  Then located across the street is the White Oak Post Office, a very boring and unassuming building from the outside, a small white cube.  But the inside is full of charm, very small, but then again White Oak is a small community.

Then right next to the Post Office is an old building that I think was moved to this location some years back.  The Tarborough Mercantile.  This sits right on the corner and is over gown with weeds and broken windows.  But I would love to be able to see the inside and step back in time.

 

I consider this building a little jewel of "Days Gone By".  As I walked around this building, looking at broken windows and vines, I found these beautiful white lilies growing wild among the weeds as if they are saying there is something special here!

As I went a little further south my next stop was in Woodbine.  Woodbine has many unique structures and buildings, but my favorite is "The Georgia Girl Drive In".  I can just imagine this sign lit up, hot rods in the parking lot, hamburgers and ice cream.  I have heard they had awesome burgers and that it was quite a hopping place.  When I heard the American Pickers were coming through town earlier this year, I thought how cool would it be for them to restore this sign.

I'm going to end my short tour of Highway 17 at Moody's Bar-B-Q on the outskirts of Kingsland.  I drove past this many times on a Saturday afternoon and the cars would be lined up and down the side of highway.  Rumor has it was the best Bar-b-q in the area.  Unfortunately, I never stopped to try it out.  Mr. Moody passed years ago and his daughters tried to carry on the legacy.  But I guess in the long run it just wasn't the same.  Sure wish I had taken the time to try it out.

 

Well, there are so many more lost memories along the Coastal Highway and I often wonder if I am the only one who dwells on what "use to be", I'm I the only one who can see the Beauty in these shells of the "use to be"?  I hope you have enjoyed my drive down memory lane and maybe now you too can see the "Beauty that Surrounds Us" or at least maybe look at them differently.



Roadside Treasures: Wildflowers

Well, as you know by now, if you follow this blog very often, I love taking photos of the wildlife and scenery in Georgia.  I am not the person you want to be behind when something catches my eye.  I can stop that old chevy on a dime, I am a U-turn master and when I'm on my photography adventures I tend to drive slow.  You also know that I often talk about the little things that we take for granted every day, he things we should take time to notice, they are quite beautiful.  Today I would like to share with you some of the Wildflowers I found on the road side, along the ditches, in the swamps and in the racks of the concrete in the parking lots.
 Please keep in mind, I am by no means a wildflower expert.  I am going to do my best to identify these beauties, but I am human and I could be wrong, (please don't let my husband her me admit that).  Please feel free to leave comments and help me learn.  Let's start with the ever popular and easily recognized Black Eyed Susan, shown below can be found along just about any road side in south Georgia in the early summer.

This next tiny little treasure was found on the Jekyll Island causeway.   It is called the Asiatic Daisy or Mouse Ears, which I think is more appropriate.

 I have written numerous times about the Butler Island Wildlife Management Area just south of Darien in McIntosh county.  It is a plethora of hidden little treasures.  Most of these pics from there I didn't even have to get out of the truck and fight the black flies and mosquitoes, which is always a plus!

Buttonbush

Sweet Smelling Honeysuckle 

The unusual and delicate looking Passion Flower also know as a Maypop

I didn't find this one in abundance, but a few long the backside of one of the ponds.  Often referred to as a Swamp Rose.  Below is the Butterfly Milkweed which we found on that trip to Clayhole Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which is another wonderful place to find these little cuties.

 

Common Primrose

I think this one is an Oxeye Daisy

 Eastern Daisy or Common Daisy

 The name of this one just tickles me...Sensitive Briar, I have never found a Briar that was upset or distraught with me getting tangled in it.  HA

I found this Prickly Pear Cactus flower in Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge.

 Then on our way to the Okefenokee Swamp in Folkston I saw some these pretty Purple Coneflowers.

And of course we found many Water Lilies once we entered the swamp.

Zigzag Spiderwort, I swear I don't know where they come up with some of these names...Anyway, I have also written numerous times about Homer Wilson Way in downtown Brunswick which is where I found these.  The one pictured below, I have no idea, but it is so dainty and it produces a red berry. 

 Well, I think I have done pretty good identifying these lovely little flowers, but these next few photos I really of no idea.  But I want to share the beauty you can find along the dirt roads and ditches.

 

 

 Well, I hope you have enjoyed the pictures above, and again feel free to help me identify these flowers and in some cases weeds.  Remember to always take the time to notice the Beauty That Surrounds Us and of course to smell the flowers.