Berry's Eagle Cam

Berry College is has always been impressive to me.  Not only is it the world's largest college campus, it is definitely the most beautiful. Not just a place for the  students, it plays a large part in the life of the local community. Families visit to ride the bike trail, have picnics, view wildlife and learn about local history.

And now, Berry has added something that has got everyone talking- the Eagle Cam. The camera focuses on the nest of a pair of bald eagles. The female laid two eggs back in January. The first one hatched last Saturday. The entire Northwest Georgia area went wild! The other egg should hatch any day now. Everyone is watching and waiting... and talking. Students are watching and discussing it in class, families are watching at home. People are talking about it on Facebook and tweeting about it on Twitter.

My first graders sat in rapt attention and they watched the mother proudly feed her young tiny pieces of fish. Later, the father returned to the nest and fed the baby as well. It is fascinating to watch these beautiful creatures going about their daily lives.

To view the Eagle Cam, click here.  

Thank you, Berry, for sharing this wonderful part of your world!

Snowmageddon 2014, Day 1

Scenes From A Sunday

The Great Southern Bread & Milk Migration

I just don't see it happening this time, OK?

It's happening again. For the second time this month the weather gurus are warning of an impending ice storm.  Last week it was Iago. Sounds scary, huh? Yeah. It sleeted for about 15 minutes, threw a little snow into the mix and went on its merry way....as always. The fact is, it rarely snows (sleets, etc.) here in our part of the south. When you watch the weather radar on TV, it looks as if the storms are moving in a huge circle- with us there in the "eye" of the circle- skies perfectly clear.  It looks like a big cloud donut.  And there we are- right in the center. Always. That's what I've come to call it- The Donut.
We get snow here once about every 10 years.  The last snows of significance were year before last. It was beautiful!  We even had a white Christmas!  We had a couple big snows that year.  A kid's dream come true!  (Mine, too!)  Snow is a big deal here in The Donut.  No school, roads are closed-- everything shuts down.  It's a much-needed mini vacation right smack in the doom and gloom of winter.  So do we love snow in the south? Heck yeah!
But, now...the bread and milk thing...I have no idea what is up with that. At the first mention of snow or ice, the grocery stores are filled with chaos.  The bread and milk aisles look like mid Alabama after tornado season. Neighbors who normally watch the game together every Sunday suddenly break into fist fights over the last loaf of bread.
 WHY does everyone go mad for bread and milk?  What is so special about that? Why not nachos and Coca Cola?  Do snow and ice trigger some innate southern craving for bread and milk? Not for me. My friends agree. We just don't get the southern bread and milk obsession. I asked my mom once- "What's the big deal?" She said, "Well, if the power goes out you can eat sandwiches and cereal."  I don't eat cereal on an ordinary day. Why would I eat it because it snowed? No power? Grill a steak or a burger.  You need to use that meat anyway, right? No power = no freezer.  I have a gas stove.  I have a wood stove that can be used for cooking. SO....I don't think I will join the great southern bread and milk migration.  Y'all just leave me out of it.  You'll find me on the chips and dip aisle. Or maybe looking for charcoal.
So once again, the Great Weather Powers that Be are warning of impending doom. This time in the form of an ice storm.  First, it was supposed to start tonight around 3am. Now they are saying it will start around 9 am and last until 12 noon.  By 3:00 it should be over 40 degrees. Not exactly the blizzard of '93, if you ask me.  I'm not trying to spoil anyone's fun, but I'm not rushing to grab my sled.  Not yet, anyway. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this time something really will happen.  I'd love a day off as much as the next chick. Still, I'm setting my alarm before I go to bed tonight.  (Just in case.)

As for bread and milk, y'all go on to Kroger without me.  No, wait- on second thought I believe I will buy a gallon of milk. I'll make some hot cocoa...with a generous splash of Kahlua. That can be my southern tradition.  The rest of y'all enjoy your bologna sandwiches, y'hear?

Adventure #2: Lake Winnepesauka

I gave my daughter a surprise this morning.  I woke her up saying, "Come on! We're going to Lake Winnie!" She woke up quickly. :o)  Today, in her eyes, I was a Super Hero.
If you live in North Georgia (or South Tennessee), Lake Winnepesauka (Lake Winnie) is a long standing tradition.  This year Lake Winnie has opened for it's 87th season.  Lake Winnie gets its name from a Native American word meaning "bountiful waters" or "beautiful lake of the highands".  Located in Rossville, GA, it was opened in 1925 by Carl and Minette Dixon. It is still operated by their descendants today.
Lake Winnie is NOT one of those cookie-cutter amusement parks run by chains all over America. Lake Winnie is the real deal.  It is what amusement parks used to be.  Parking is free and an all-day arm band costs $26. However, local McDonalds give out coupons for $5 off the armbamd price if you go on Wednesdays. And get this: on Thursdays you get $5 off if you bring a Sunbeam bread bag (no kidding)!  My advice- come on a weekday morning- no crowds and short wait lines.

View from the Ferris Wheel

 Lake Winnie isn't as big as the famous parks, but that is part of the charm. Lake Winnie is a safe place to take your kids.  The staff is very friendly.
 Everybody I know loves Lake Winnie!  My parents came to Lake Winnepesauka when they were dating. My grandparents came here.  I've been coming here all my life. My own child loves it as much as I did.  For us, a day at Lake Winnie means summer has finally arrived.
You can eat at the concession stands in the park, or carry your own picnic basket and coolers and eat in the shaded picnic area.  There is even a small pavilion shaped like a birthday cake (complete with candles) that can be reserved for parties.
Some of the rides have been there since the park began.  The Merry Go Round was built in 1916, the boat chute in the 1920's. The coolest ride of all (to me) will always be the Cannon Ball. It is a real wooden roller coaster, built in 1967.  (One night, a few years back, I was watching a television show about wooden coasters and there it was on national TV- The Cannon Ball!)  It's like watching TV and seeing an old friend. Ha!  Not only are there rides, there is also a mini-golf course, a playground, a water play area (bring a change of clothes) and a concert area.
Today, I let my daughter be the boss. She chose the rides and I tagged along. She had the time of her life! She giggled and laughed and made me feel young again.  She even drug me on the Pipeline Plunge- a 5 story flume ride. I am terrified of heights and very claustrophobic.  If that doesn't prove my love for that kid, I don't know what does.  I nearly froze in terror before I reached the top of the stairway. Then I realized that my only choice was to walk back down (NO WAY) or ride through that tunnel.  I took the tunnel. NEVER AGAIN!

View from the Touring Train

If you are looking for a day of old-fashioned fun that won't break the bank. I'd highly recommend Lake Winnie.  Your kids will love it. 

Would I visit again? You bet- every year until I'm too old to make the trip! 

See you at Lake Winnie!

Beth :o)

For more info, visit www.lakewinnie.com

Wordless Wednesday

Scenes from a recent walk with my little one:

Wordless Wednesday