Weekend in Georgia Nov 4-6 2016

Friends we had made at Lake Hartwell, Jackie & Carl, had moved near Waynesboro, GA, earlier this year when Carl's job relocated.  We had promised to visit them, so we made reservations to camp for the weekend at Magnolia Springs State Park, about 20 miles south of where they lived.  It was our first outing with Roscoe, and he did really well.  Friday Jackie & Carl came to the park for a brat cookout.  Saturday Carl drove us around to see the nuclear power plant where he works; we stopped at an antique mall in North Augusta; and that evening they treated us to dinner at a sportsmen's lodge called Flat Creek.  Sunday morning, we drove back home.  We were able to take state roads most of the route, so it was pleasant traveling, and less than 200 miles each way.

 

The spring at the park is supposed to flow about 4 million gallons of water a day.  During the Civil War, the land was used as a prison stockade known as Camp Lawton.  The camp was short lived, being constructed, occupied, and abandoned over a period of 3 months in 1864.  At one time, it housed over 10,000 Union soldiers, who had no more than 44 square feet each in which to live.

RV and tent sites are available as well as rental cottages.  Boating is permitted on the lake.

The campsites were quite spacious.

There are numerous picnic sites and group shelters available.  Hard to believe at one time this place had been a used as a prison. 

Two of the new cooling towers at  the Vogtle nuclear plant where Carl is a crane operator.

Carl and Jackie in front of the antique mall

Bob and I on the back deck of the Flat Creek Lodge.

Part of the lake at the lodge.  

The restaurant had a rustic décor.  Carl joked that it served squirrel stew, but the menu  had steak and seafood dishes.

Jackie couldn't resist a bear hug as we left the restaurant!