Hi y’all! I’m treating myself and my friends to monthly reflections, this year. These are meant to help me keep track and make sense of things. I am one of those creative types that flourish in clutter and chaos. I’m also the first to admit that my way is no way to keep any sort of order.
Our February Reflection is courtesy of the Little Ocmulgee River and Neil Armstrong.
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
I took my advice from January’s reflection and slowed down. Mother Nature helped me out by making it really cold and giving us a good dusting of snow. We didn’t visit nearly as many places, in February, as we did in January. The places we did visit left a lasting impression on me.. the same as I left my footprints on them. This February, I was reminded that we don’t have to be the first man to walk on the moon for our footprints to leave a lasting impression on our lives, on others and on our planet.
February Explorers Log
Feb 4: Lullwater Preserve – I was shocked to find the ruins, at Lullwater, completely covered in graffiti. Are these the footprints of artists or vandals? Are they one in the same?
Still looking for that perfect family portrait back drop. #Graffiti #Atlanta A photo posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on
Feb 7: Track Rock Gap Archaeological Site – Native Americans left their footprints, at Track Rock, by carving petroglyphs into these boulders. Vandals left their footprints by taking pieces of the petroglyphs home with them, preventing us from seeing the full story.
Feb 7: Vogel State Park – A decade later, I retrace the footsteps of my husband and I as we walked together to see Vogel Falls on our first anniversary.
The waterfall at Vogel State Park in the N. Georgia mountains. #gastateparks #waterfall #happy
A video posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on
Feb 7: Helton Creek Falls – A short walk leads to these beautiful falls.
Feb 7: Brasstown Bald – We watched the sunset from the highest elevation in Georgia.
Goodnight, Georgia from Brasstown Bald! #exploregeorgia #sunset #nofilter
A photo posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on
Feb 8: Ocmulgee National Monument – Lots of footprints found here.. from the rise of a Native American trading center, to the civil war, railroads and archaeological excavations.
Feb 9: Little Ocmulgee State Park – Our February Camp, and the site of February’s reflection.
Such a beautiful and peaceful hike this morning among cypress, live Oak & Pine! #gastateparks #happy
A photo posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on
Feb 11: Baked a Birthday Cake for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 90th anniversary! How many footprints are left on the Appalachian Trail each year?
Feb 14: Funk Heritage Center – National Trail of Tears Historic Site – Thousands of Cherokee Indians were forced to walk the Trail of Tears.
Today, exploring a site along Georgia’s Chieftains Trail. #exploregeorgia #happy
A photo posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on
Feb 21: Panola Mountain State Park – An impressive hike, of a preserved natural area, really opened my eyes to the impact of our footsteps.
Feb 25: Snow Day! – Finally, Mother Nature gave us some snow. I love the crunch, of my footsteps, in the snow.
A photo posted by Candy Cook (@happytrailtales) on