A Nice Little Day Trip.....Trying To Upright My World

  It's been a long time and  don't want to explain...'cause it will make me cry.  If you want to know why or where I have been, you can check out my Blog: No Frills Debbie....Just My Life at http://nofrillsdebbie.blogspot.com/.
Today I traveled a familiar route but with different results.  I was alone and the rivers are flooding, which makes for some good photo opportunities.  I say I was alone, but not really, I had my puppy Gracie with me and I had Don in my memories.  I would like to share with you what we saw and did today!

 





So here is my riding partner for the day.  My youngest fur baby, Gracie the Spoiled Little Poodle!  She really is a good girl.

So this was the first dirt road we encountered this morning on the way to the Zirkle Dam.  I have written about Zirkle before, if you need backgrounds info just check out my previous posts.  Today the water should be high and give us a little something different, not to mention it is just a beautiful and quiet place.  A Special Place.

Well, I am on my own today, so I don't think we will travel these mud puddles that look like they could swallow my truck.... on foot we shall go!

These are the remnants of the steel dam.  Usually you can see at least part of the dam all the way across the Little Satilla River, not today.  But it is so quiet except for the sound of the rushing water, birds singing and squirrels chattering.

 I was looking at the moss on the tree and I was surprised at how intricate and beautiful it is when viewed up close.  And then I found some interesting Fungi on a fallen tree branch and it looks so much like the shells and clusters you can find on the beach.  Nature is so simple, yet so beautiful.

 

Then on the way to Lumber City, I drove passed this little building, I don't know why but it caught my eye.  I pulled another U-turn and went back.  I don't know if it was the contrast of the colorful and patriotic American Flag and the sun washed wood...either way I like it!

As I was approaching the bridge, I saw the freight train crossing and was really surprised, I didn't think they used this bridge anymore.  I pulled the truck over and jumped out to try a get a good shot, but I missed the engine and this is all I could manage.  I cannot believe how high the water is.  I never knew the Ocmulgee River was that wide.  Last time I was here, you could just about wade across the river.  It seems so weird, I usually park next to the trees on the boat ramp....Not today!

We also saw so Georgia Snow....A cotton field!  Now that is my kind of snow

 Gracie and I continued onto McRae so I could get a pic of the windmill and old house.  Which looks bad, but it looks a lot better than it did the last time I saw it.  I think someone bought it and is cleaning the area up.

Then of course I had to stop in Gardi to once again photograph the Old Altamaha Apiary.  This is another I don't know why...but I like this old building.  And by the looks of the cracks in the walls it may not be around too much longer.

 Once again, I apologize for having a long lapse in posts.  My whole world has been flipped upside down.  It is going to take me some time to get back in the groove.  But I will get there.  Until then, remember to take the time to notice the Beauty That Surrounds Us.

 

 

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.

Happy New Year

Hello again! I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year. I decided to start my New Year doing one of things I love to do most. I grabbed up my camera and the keys to my trusty old truck and headed out to seek some local wildlife.

I started at the quiet little pond on Lanier Road in Brunswick. I haven't been there in quite a while and I was given a pleasant treat. As I pulled up a saw a Snowy Egret, a Great Egret, a group of Hooded Mergansers, a Little Blue Heron, a Great Blue Heron and that frisky little Kingfisher I have been trying to photograph for months. Well, the little Kingfisher must have been in a good mood, 'cause I finally captured a good shot. They are so quick and so shy. Here are the Hooded Mergansers, male and female, and the Kingfisher.

I was certainly off to a good start. I headed back toward Jekyll Island, I hadn't been there for a while, when I spotted this young Osprey having breakfast atop the telephone pole. He didn't mind giving me a photo op.

After saying goodbye to the Osprey I headed over to Ski Rixen Pond which is where Tidelands Nature Center is located and the Jekyll Island Boat Ramp. While slowly cruising thru the area I spotted a couple Snowy Egrets, a Great Egret and one of my favorite wading birds, The Little Blue Heron which I also managed to get several good photos. Check them out.

This was certainly my idea of starting the New Year off right. Then low and behold my electronic leash, (cell phone), started to ring. It was time to call it a morning, but I was anxious to check out the pictures I had taken anyway.

Once I got home hubby said we were going to go for a ride, maybe see what else I could find to photograph. Well we headed toward Camden County and started to hit some dirt roads. We came across some more Hooded Mergansers and a few wading birds but it was looking kind of slow until we hit Lampadoshia Road. As I was driving and chatting away, my eagle eye husband spotted a hawk sitting beside the road. I stopped the truck and turned off the engine. I was really expecting him to fly away. But, it didn't, I slowly got out of the truck with my camera in hand and started taking pictures. I probably wasn't more than 12 feet away. I couldn't believe my luck. After firing off several shots I decided to move closer slowly all the while snapping pictures. I could not believe my eyes, I was not no more than six feet away from this stunning creature. A Red Tailed Hawk. I have tried for months and months to photograph the Red Tailed Hawk on the Jekyll Island Causeway, but that Hawk is very smart, as soon as I take my foot of the gas pedal he flies away. Actually I think he just likes toying with me playing cat and mouse. But, now I was directly in front of this stunning raptor. The closer I got the more concerned I got, thinking this amazing bird must be injured, I asked my husband to call DNR. In the meantime a car pulled up with a guy named Joey and his friend, they were amazed to see this bird and me standing within only 3 feet of it. I was actually sitting on the ground beside the bird, it was awesome!!! While on the phone with DNR the Hawk starting moving around a bit and actually flew to another low hanging branch. I couldn't see any obvious injuries and the DNR Officer said as long as he was moving and using his wings that he would most liking be fine. He suspected that the Raptor has taken a glancing blow from a passing car and was a bit dazed. This Red Tailed Hawk will never realize the joy I got from photographing it and how incredible it was to be this close to one of God's amazing creatures. Here are several shot I took of the Red Tailed Hawk.

This Red Tailed Hawk was very lucky to not have been seriously injured. Well, I hope your year started off as good as mine did. Remember to slow down and appreciate all the Beauty that Surrounds Us.

Camden County Dirt Roads

What a beautiful weekend. I don't think the weather could be any more perfect. On Sunday my hubby and I went for a ride just to pass some time and maybe get a few pictures. I asked him if we could go by Burnt Fort Chapel. So we took the scenic route.

I love to travel dirt roads. While riding down Bailey's Mill Road, I saw an adult raccoon cross the road. So I slowed way down to see if any babies were following. I stopped and looked up in the trees and there I found two young raccoons. I got out of the truck and snapped a few pictures. This was a treat. I love raccoons. We raised three of them when I was child.

Then we continued on our way and headed to the Chapel. I have photographed the Burnt Fort Chapel before, but it was a wet and rainy day before and I wasn't happy with the pics. But I had clear blue skies on Sunday.

This is the Chapel. Well actually a replica on the old Chapel.

Then we drove down 251 to the Camden County/Charlton County line where the Satilla River passes under the bridge. We drove down the little dirt road leading us under the bridge. Usually there are always people camping there. Unfortunately, when some people camp here, they forget how to clean up after themselves. This has always confused me a bit. They obviously like being outdoors, enjoy nature, appreciate the boat ramps and the fact that the county allows them to camp here for free; yet they trash the place and won't even clean up after themselves. Oh well, enough said.

But, today we had it all to ourselves. This is a beautiful place. The contrast between the black water. green trees and the blue skies, the river was high and wide. Just a glorious day.

Well once you pass under the bridge and pass the boat ramp, there is a gate with a no parking sign on it. No Parking not No Trespassing. So I drove thru the gate and within fifty feet or so I saw I lovely butterfly. A Spicebush Swallowtail I believe. So I jumped out of the truck, camera in hand and took this picture.

While out of the truck, I noticed it stopped running, I just assumed my hubby turned it off. That is not what happened. My truck, my trusty 1996 white Chevrolet pickup with 330,000 miles on the odometer, died.....I could not get it to start.

My white knight whom usually rescues me, is right beside me, what is a girl to do....all else fails, call Daddy!! My Dad, bless his heart was out fishing at the other end of St. Marys. He dropped everything to come help us.

Dad to the rescue.

Pulling my truck out. Thanks to Dad and my wonderful husband they towed my baby home...and fixed her THAT NIGHT!! Woohoo lucky me, only the fuel pump. They worked until dark to get her up and running. I'm a lucky lady to have wonderful family.

It just goes to show that family, people, places and such are all a part of the beauty that surrounds all of us. Thanks again Guys..Love ya!!