We had the Peach State on our minds as my father was raised in the mountains of North Georgia just below North Carolina. As a result we have a fair amount of family concentrated here. Mostly located south west of Atlanta near the Alabama border. This stop was on our itinerary from the start and we were all excited to spend time together. When we arrived they directed us to our campsite next to their neighbor.
Since my three cousins all have land and knew we were coming, we assumed they would have prepared a more suitable campsite. The kids were scared of the neighbor so we opted to park on the front porch.
Arriving on my Fiftieth birthday most of our family joined in to help celebrate at a local restaurant.
My buddy from high school who is a travel writer worked his schedule to coincide with our Georgia visit. He pulled his rig onto my cousins property and joined in the festivities.
My daughter got a hold of him and painted his finger nails. Such a trooper. We were stoked to see him and I was happy to see him proudly display the Growler sign I had givin him years ago. Growler is the name of the toilet at one of our local bars.
More on his adventures and my birthday on his blog Ramblings from the Road.
We had fun catching up with everyone and this made a great kick off to a wonderful visit.
My Dad’s sister who happens to also be my Aunt Rubie Dianne is known in these parts as “Fishin Dianne”. She has fished all her life, loves the outdoors and like my dad has a library of life experiences and humorous stories to match. She is not one to worry about what anyone thinks, living life on her terms. Although she lets my cousins help out from time to time.
My dads other sister Ruth had three boys the youngest one being my age. The other two are MUCH older (insert HA, HA). The youngest and oldest live on a lake and the middle brother lives a short drive away. They all live close to Aunt Rubie Dianne and will tell you they help her out all the time. Aunt Rubie Dianne says they’re good to her and help out from time to time. If the boys spoil her anywhere near the way they spoiled us she is in great hands.
The view of Camp Bailey from the water.
Rural Georgia is way different than Southern California.
Our country cousins in rural Georgia have a bit different life than ours in Southern California. They have open space, Long Horn steers for pets, firing ranges in their front yards and fishing off the back porch. They are quick to give of themselves, look out for their neighbors, patient but strict teachers, beyond generous and love to talk smack on one another. No family member is safe from the smack talk. They made us feel at home the minute we rolled into town. Especially when the oldest brother asked us if we knew how family and fish are alike? Uh, okay I’ll bite, how? “They both get to stinkin after three days”. (Insert laugh track here).
Like my dad and Aunt Rubie, Tony lives life on his terms. He is good with his hands, a trained EMT and first responder with certification in swift water rescues. He is currently part of a surgical team at a local, nationally recognized hospital where he works with post-op paitents. His real passion however is fishing. He is equipped with a wealth of local knowledge and gear to put you on the fish in a number of local rivers and lakes. He always out fishes his oldest brother who is retired. You would think being retired would give him time to perfect his approach.
Early morning on the Chattahoochee River. Safety orientation and the bets going down.
Heading down river.
Our guide putting us on the fish.
And when you get tired of fishin you go play in the dirt.
It helps when your neighbor has a ten acre motocross track in his front yard.
All of this play time was mixed in with school, family meals and hangin out around the fire.
We were spoiled with a ton of fun, many great meals and quality time with our family. We were sad to leave as family ties grew stronger and the next generation bonded. One last get together before we headed to my dads home town in north Georgia.
Until next time, thank you to all of our family for their wonderful hospitality. We cherish our time together. It all went too fast. We had the best time ever and look forward to soon getting together again.
windryder5 