A "Honking" Alarm

Pine Mountain, GA
October, 2013

 Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. The cool, crisp days are a welcome relief from the very hot and humid days of summer. This year October has been the perfect time to return for our annual visit.



 I grew up in this area...we lived in Manchester, GA (home of the FDR Little White House) until I was 9 years old before moving to LaGrange, GA.




If you blink while driving on Scenic Hometown Highway 27, you might just miss this jewel. Pine Mt. is small, only 2.8 square miles.

Main Street is filled with locally-owned shops and boutiques, cafes and an old-timey, hand-dipped ice cream parlor.

This quaint town began in 1882 when the railroad spread from Columbus. It was originally named Chipley and didn't become Pine Mountain until 1961.


This small southern town has emerged from its days as a farming community into a primary tourism location, greatly due  to the efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt and Callaway Gardens.



 Sunrise here is not like the desert, but still a great way to wake up and greet the day! We love watching the horses across the street. Its a beautiful property. There have been 2 outdoor weddings since we arrived...


 
 
 
 
 

Canadian geese have also been enjoying the lake there.  This flock arrived bright and early this morning... ...quite noisily!  Their "honking" call to "get up, get up!" was quite clear.
 

What a treat to see!

 It sure makes Joe and I happy to play with our pups. Wrecks and Jack love to play catch. The weather has been so nice, we can go several times a day.


Wrecks keeps his eyes on the ball and rarely misses.







Of course a break in the shade is always nice!

Appointments for Joe and I are winding down. We have had great reports...WHEW! Glad that's all over! Only appointments left for us are to pick up our new glasses and I have a hair cut next week.

Joshua (3 years old) loves running, riding his bike, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He is so happy...what a good dose of non-stop energy!

Alice can't drive yet, so I drove Alice and Raelyn for Raelyn's  first doctor appointment.  Daughter and granddaughter are doing great!

Have a great week-end!

 

 

Until next time, take care...

and enjoy the view!

Back in Georgia!

Pine Mountain, GA
October 5-9, 2013

 We divided our ride back to Georgia into 2 days with an overnight stop in Tupelo, MS. We headed out thru the Ozark Mountains. Ruth, this is for Ken. We both quote Ken often..."happy wife, happy life". This was a jewelry store advertisement!
 

 Dover enjoyed riding with me...she sure pays attention to where we are going!

We arrived at our home when we are visiting here...Pine Mt. RVC Outdoor Destinations and were so excited to be escorted to site 192...our favorite! But there isn't a bad site in here!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Jack was one happy pup! We often compare him to the "pink bunny"...he  never quits!

Even Sally took a romp in the grass...

Go Sally!

 

 

Sunday we were off to visit our youngest daughter and family. Alice was due any day...actually any minute I must say. We were glad to be back before she delivered. She had just finished playing 18 holes of golf with hubby Josh when we pulled in. 

 

 

 Monday, she had a false alarm about lunch time so it was back to the golf course for another round. Tuesday, turned out to be the day...we welcomed Raelyn Grace Moon to our family.

 

Joe and I have also been busy with appointments. So far we have had bloodwork done, had our flu shot, had our teeth cleaned and checked, I had a mammogram and bone density test and a visit to the girlie doctor, and today we had our eyes checked and have new glasses coming next week. WHEW! That's a lot and its only Wednesday! Tomorrow is the dermatologist and Friday is vet appointments for Wrecks, Jack and Dover!  

 Sally and I managed to get a walk in Sunday afternoon...

Some Canadians are already headed south! I heard this huge flock of geese before I saw them...



The maple trees are just beginning to change color...so pretty!

 

 

 
The goldenrod is in full bloom. It is well known for its healing properties and its edible!  

I did find a gardenia bush or two...oh the sweet smell of gardenias! Gardenia bushes are evergreen. They do thrive in high humidity and bright light...this is the perfect place! 
 

 
 
I have always loved the grasses. These were by the pool area and taller than me (I am 5 feet tall).
 
 
 

 
 
The longleaf pine is found in central and south Georgia...growing in excess of 100 feet.
 

  

Shortleaf pines also grow in our area. I love the perfect little cones...great for making wreaths and garlands.  

 
 

Side view of the office

And then there is the magnificent southern magnolia! Research says that magnolia trees appeared before bees and that flowers evolved to encourage pollination by beetles. Fossillied specimens have been dated to 20 million years ago. Magnolias, an evergreen,  should be planted where the lowest branches can grow to the ground. The creamy white, fragrant flowers bloom in the spring...no pictures of those beauties, sorry!

But they do produce bright red seeds in the fall. These seed pods or cones begin to form in the center of the bloom and develop until mid-fall.















The birds love the seeds!

Well, that's our week so far...

 ...and what an exciting week it has been!

 Until next time, take care, and...

Joshua and Grandaddy

 

 enjoy the view!