Drink to Your Health A Quick View of Indian Springs State Park by PEN

 

I would warn you not to drink the water. But, if you visit Indian Springs, chances are the water is the reason you came. 

Before white man even considered setting foot upon this land, Native Americans benefitted from the proposed healing waters of Indian Springs. More than likely, though, those Native Americans – Creek Indians, to be precise – knew it by some form of the word Okfuskee; a word which, apparently, only the Creek Indians know the meaning of. 

Indian Springs is one of the oldest – if not the oldest – park in the Georgia State Park system. Sadly, it became the first as a result of an act of treason by Creek Indian Chief William McIntosh. 

On behalf of the Creek Indians, McIntosh signed a treaty which deeded a good deal of land between the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers to Georgia. He was assassinated a few short months later. 

Little time was wasted in creating a state park of Indian Springs. Rumors of the healing properties of the water were a fascination for people and drew visitors from all around. The ghastly smell and taste of the water – a sulphuric, “rotton egg” aroma and flavor – doesn’t deter those seeking its supposed healing properties. Visitors from all over bring gallon and five-gallon jugs to fill with the water from Indian Springs. 

The unique aroma and flavor of the water is a result of minerals from rock being picked up by water flowing through. The mineral-laden water eventually ends up collecting in pools until pressure forces the water to the surface via the spring. 

During my own childhood, my father would rouse the family early on Sunday mornings to head down south for the day. First, we’d visit peach orchards to pick some fruit to take home. Then we’d visit Indian Springs for a swig or two of the water. After that, we’d head over to Jackson, Georgia for Fresh Air Bar-B-Que. (See PEN's post June 22, 2015)

 

Tasting the water isn’t the only thing to do at Indian Springs. You can wade in Sandy Creek or swim in McIntosh Lake (named for the aforementioned traitor). There are also a museum and campsites, hiking and a ¾-mile nature trail. 

If you want to experience any water activities on Indian Springs Lake, go prior to September 2015. The lake will be drained to replace a gate valve and will remain dry through February 2016. 

And if you do visit Indian Springs, raise a glass to your health. 

Park Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. 
Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
$5 parking. Annual passes available.

Indian Springs State Park

678 Lake Clark Rd,

Flovilla, GA 30216

(770) 504-2277

 

To learn more about Indian Springs State Park and see a list of events, visit http://www.gastateparks.org/IndianSprings.

 

 

vintage postcard

 

 

 

 

Pen is a native Georgian and self-published author. Visit her website or check out her latest novel Nero’s Fiddle. 

Meet Georgia Poet Karen Paul Holmes

Karen Paul Holmes is the author of the poetry collection, Untying the Knot (Aldrich Press, 2014), which tells a story of loss and healing “with grace, humor, self-awareness and without a dollop of self-pity,” according to Poet Thomas Lux.  Her publishing credits include Poetry East, Atlanta Review, Caesura, POEM, The Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, Every Day Poems, The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol 5: Georgia (Texas Review Press) and Anthology of Georgia Poetry (Negative Capability Press). Karen splits her time between Atlanta and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She hosts a monthly, open-to-the-public Writers’ Night Out in Blairsville, GA and has taught writing at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. 

 

Below is a poem perfectly paired with our Georgia Home and Life blog and its peach logo!  See more links to connect with Karen's work below. Look for more of Karen's poems in future blog posts here!

 

 

Peach Stand

by Karen Paul Holmes

The deep-rooted farmer sits
on a folding chair next
to his fruit stand;
Wolfpen Ridge peaks
through clouds behind him.
Peach slices slip
into a white enameled bowl
with chipped red rim.
Juice drips down wrists.
He beckons with knife,
holds out a generous wedge,
“Tell me if this ain’t the best
thing you ever et.” 
Yes. Wet, ripe,
like the honeyed sunset
blooming over Lake Chatuge.
 
He picks out
an unblemished dozen for me
moving speckled hands
from baskets to brown bag.
I pay inside and start to leave
but the farmer beckons again,
presents another piece.

In these Blue Ridge valleys,
peach stands dot summer highways.
But I only stop for his,
somehow consistent
through drought and rain.
When Atlanta calls me back
each August end,
I buy as many as I can use;
two weeks of pies, sorbet,
or cut fresh atop Greek yogurt.

I rely on the old man’s stand
for three summers.
Then one season, a young man
sits in the folding chair, smiles
when I guess he’s the grandson.
The next year, the stand’s gone.
I test other peaches along GA 76
or from the back of a rusty truck
parked weekends at the hardware
but often bite into bland,
mealy disappointment.
When lucky, my tongue
swims in sweet juice
basks in that certain spice—
a peach equal
to the old man’s delight. 

First appeared in FlycatcherJournal 

 

Links:  Karen Paul Holmes Poetry Facebook

               Flycatcher

               Untying the Knot Kindle and Amazon 

               Review from Blogalicious Featured Books

               Simply Communicated, Inc.

               Goodreads

 

 

 

Georgia Home and Life Mug available on Cafe Press

So excited! Our signature mug is available on Café Press in a friend's shop On The Q-Teez. A great way to start your day with coffee or tea. You can link to the mug here, but check out the shop for other goodies that are writer related, mugs, T-shirts, etc. A peach of a deal! $11.99 plus shipping. Easy peasy to order.

Look for some fun giveaways coming soon!


 

Historic Home Built in 1861 for Lighthouse Keeper of Sapelo Island For Sale in Darien,Georgia

 

Built in 1861 as the mainland residence for the Sapelo Island lighthouse keeper.

View on Realtor. com

See more photos below.

 

About Darien, Georgia

 

Darien is Georgia's second oldest city, founded in 1736. It lies on Georgia's coast at the mouth of the Altamaha River about 50 miles south of Savannah, and is part of the Brunswick Metropolitan statistical area. What makes this town so special? Beautiful water views, ancient live oaks, historic landscaped parks, cozy bed and breakfasts, birding, biking, boating, authentic colonial forts, coastal marshlands with five rivers, seafood, discovering the Gulla-Geechee culture, fishing, Scottish heritage, shrimp boats and so much more! Visit Darien's website .

 

About the House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, $220,000

 

Built in 1861 as the mainland residence for the Sapelo Island lighthouse keeper. Nestled among moss draped oaks in Darien's Historical Ridge Community. The main home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths with a separate mother-in-law or guest suite featuring full bath and kitchenette. Wood flooring, and other original details have been preserved. Family room boasts beamed ceiling and original brick walk-around fireplace. Property also offers a 2 bedroom 2 full bath guest house with full kitchen. Mature landscaping featuring camellias, palms, and fountains are just a few of the treasures these grounds offer. Storage building with screened porch and covered patio area. Graceful front and side porch.

Good Ol' Barbecue by PEN

 

 

Nothing Fancy. Just Good Ol’ Barbecue 

This restaurant has no fancy slogan. No hype, no jingles, and nobody in a clown suit. What it does have is the best, melt-in-your mouth bar-b-que to be found in the South. 

Called, simply, Fresh Air Bar-B-Que, the restaurant is a little off the beaten path in Jackson, Georgia.  

Established in 1929 by Dr. Joel Watkins, the restaurant was purchased by George W. “Toots” Caston upon the death of Dr. Watkins in 1945. It remains in the Caston family to this day. 

One of my most fond childhood memories is of my Daddy, waking everyone early on a summer Sunday morning (and I do mean early…about four a.m.) to get in the car to drive down south a ways to pick peaches. 

You may think peaches have nothing to do with bar-b-que, but stay with me on this. 

You see, Daddy liked to make a day of it. Get up early and head down to the peach orchard first thing to pick peaches while it wasn’t so hot. Then on to Indian Springs for a nice drink of that mineral water.

By that time, it was lunch time. Time to head over to Fresh Air Bar-B-Que. The establishment itself doesn't look like much more than a shack by the side of the road. But that is the beauty of its appeal: simplicity. The Caston family focuses on the bar-b-que.

That is not to say the place is a shambles. Far from it. The interior is clean and well-organized. And the tangy smell of barbecue will have your stomach grumbling before you even walk in the door. 

The menu is limited. They do, after all, specialize in barbecue so you won’t see a variety of foods to choose from. Brunswick stew and cole slaw, along with drinks and deserts are pretty much all you’re going to find. Make no mistake, it’s all delicious and all very filling. 

As far as my father was concerned, that barbecue was well worth the drive down south. Heck, the vinegar-based barbecue sauce alone is worth the drive. 

So if you find yourself with a hankerin’ for some good ol’, award-winning southern barbecue, head out to Fresh Air Bar-B-Que. You won’t be disappointed. 

They also have a location in Macon, Ga.

 

 

The original Fresh Air Barbecue in Jackson, Georgia, is the oldest pit-cooked barbecue restaurant in Georgia still in its original location. Visit their website for more information!

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Pen is a native Georgian and self-published author. Visit her website at www.penspen.info or check out her latest novel Nero’s Fiddle at http://bit.ly/1rsEQFX .

 

 

 

Georgia On My Mind

How much do you know about Georgia?  I sure don't know squat, and I thought I did, having lived most of my adult years in this lovely state. If you know me, you know I am a house freak, always thinking I should sell my house in Decatur and move. I sneak old houses into my writing. I spend my life on Zillow. Last October, Florida was my destination, and my house was listed for sale for thirty days. Then I realized a new hip joint was in my future, not a new home.  That turned out to be good news. Kept me in Georgia, where I belong! I have started my search again - that perfect little farmhouse on an acre of land, an hour outside of metro Atlanta.  With my pack of hounds I have to find a place that would welcome us and a bit of land for peace and quiet, but not too quiet. I am a mixed up city gal who wants dogs, hens, and goats, but likes to pop into my favorite spots for dinner with friends within five minutes of my house. Go figure.

In doing my research on where to live in Georgia I have discovered wonderful towns, histories of places I never knew existed, and I want to know more! So, what better way for me to do that - start a new blog. One of my favorite things to do when not petting dogs, eating out, or trolling on the web for real estate.

But it's not just about me. It's about you, too.  Let's discover more about Georgia together!  Georgia writers, let me hear from you! A guest post is most welcomed.  Not an official 'writer', never mind, if you have some information bring it on. Check the tab above on how to contact me for your post.

As for me, my dream houses will be on these pages. If I don't find the perfect house in Georgia, perhaps you will!