Chau Ram Park - May 2025

 May 1st....I was the May Day Queen in kindergarten!  And, I remember it well.  Don't know how/why I was chosen, but I knew it was an honor.  Over 70 years later, I'm headed with Bob to Chau Ram, a local county park for a picnic.

The park's name is another portmanteau...a combination of the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek.

Our area didn't escape from Helen either, but the damage wasn't as extensive as in NC.  Trees downed in the storm collected at various spots along the river.  The bridge across Hwy 76 just a few miles up from the park was washed out causing travelers headed north towards Clayton, Ga to take a rather long roundabout detour.  The repairs were completed just this past June, and the road is again open.

A suspension bridge crosses the river.  On the farther side is a beach where it is safe to swim.

  
Across the bridge there are several hiking trails.  You have to stay steady when walking on the bridge.  It sways quite a bit.

Along the paths throughout the park are beautiful flowers.

Heading east from the bridge are the falls at Ramsey Creek.

I think cousins Carol and Nelson will remember their visit here.

Five years ago during covid, in addition to the informative sign about the blue heron, there was another reminding people to keep 6 feet apart, the same distance as the heron's wingspan.  Thank goodness those days are over.

Mid May, we went to Calabash, NC,  and once again met up with Plish and John who were dog sitting for their niece, Lisa.  Although P&J sold their condo  there, they still will be going for visits, especially since Lisa has now bought a home there.  We stayed at The Wishing Well campground, as we have been doing for at least 15 years.  One night we had a cook out there with P&J and Paul, the next meatball subs at Lisa's and the last night pizza at Paul's.  No photos of the trip...same folks, same scenery as so many past posts, minus one very special person.