Haw Creek Park (7-24-14)

I was asked by Atlanta Parent to go to a park that I had not been to yet, and to take pictures, videos, and do a write-up for their September edition.

I posted on my MOMS Club® group and asked if anyone wanted to come check it out with me, and thankfully, my friends Ann and Brittany decided to meet me there.

When I arrived in the parking lot, my immediate thought was, "Um... where's the playground?" The parking lot was empty and there was nothing around that looked like a playground was anywhere near. 

Ann and I looked at the map, and found that there was a play area behind the picnic pavilion. We headed over that way, and still didn't see a playground. As we entered the woods, by following the path, I saw three "pods" that resembled the play structure of the soft play area at the mall, but it wasn't soft, or padded, or in the mall. LOL.

We were in the woods, and it was pretty isolated. Ann and I agreed that there was a feeling of isolation that neither of us were 100% comfortable with. It's not the kind of place that you'd want to go to by yourself. Not that it's dangerous, it's just very isolated and if something were to happen and you needed help, good luck if you're alone. Also, someone could be a creeper in and be in the woods and you'd be no where near anyone else to hear you or help you.

The kids had fun though, and they enjoyed being able to pretend and explore and let their imaginations take them on adventures in each pod. For that, I think this park is incredible and it's something I'd love to see more of!!

 

The log with a net to climb was a big hit

 

This was an enormous log that had a few windows

 

There was a mama bear to climb on (this is Ann)

 

And then two cubs to climb on too

 

Hugh inside the enormous log

 

Gus on the mama bear

 

Hugh climbing on a log in the middle pod

 

The middle pod had giant pine cones, big leaves, bugs, and sticks to climb on

 

An airplane was flying overhead

 

The final pod had giant acorns and then big rock formations

 

There were a lot of mosquitoes and we were not prepared-- we all got a few bites'

 

Back to the enormous log

It made for quite the adventure and I'm happy that I went and saw it for myself. I think I got some cute pictures from it too, so I was happy with that.  :-)

Exploring North Georgia

Every now and then, I'll get a wild hair up my rear that makes me want to go do something or explore areas that I've yet to explore. Mid-June, I had one of these moments and the desire to explore North Georgia was set on fire.

My friend Lesley went to Tennessee and North Carolina on a vacation and was telling me about her trip. She mentioned that they went to "Goats on the Roof" on their way to NC. I had no idea what she was talking about and then she sent me some pictures. I immediately wanted to go and knew that Gus would love it.

I asked a few friends if they wanted to go with me, and they said they did, but on the day we were slated to go, two of the three backed out. Thankfully, we were still able to go and meet my friend Rachel with her daughter Sara (Hugh's bff) and then her sister was in town, so she and her daughter came too.

We met at GOTR and it was quite the hike. My GPS said 1.5 hours, but it ended up being two. By the time we arrived, Hugh had had enough of being in the car. I had asked Steve to make him forward facing for the trip, and I'm glad I did, because he was at least able to face forward while traveling such a distance.

GOTR was awesome. It's exactly what it sounds like. A place on the side of the road, in the middle of the North Georgia mountains, with goats on the roof. Here are my pictures:

 

Hugh and Sara

 

You can pedal a bike to send up a cup to the roof. In the cup, we bought an ice cream cone that was filled with goat food. Gus was very excited to send up some food to the goats on the roof!

 

Across the way, there was another way to send food to the goats-- a line attached and you pulled the line and it sent the bucket over and dumped it out for the goats.

After we had lunch, we decided that since we were already in North Georgia, we'd drive over to Cleveland and hit up Babyland General. You know me, I can't pass up a chance to go to Babyland General, so we agreed to follow Rachel and we headed to the home of Cabbage Patch Kids.

It was about an hour from Tiger, GA to Cleveland, GA, but the drive was all back roads, and it seemed a lot faster than the drive up. When we arrived at BLG, it was very dark and I was sure it was going to start raining.
 

 

He was less excited this time than he was the last time we came and he stood in the box

 

Hugh was excited though!

 

Gus loved playing with the dolls and the hair station

 

He especially enjoyed a push-pop on the porch while sitting in a rocking chair and watching the storm roll in

 

I wore Hugh thinking that he'd fall asleep (it was after his usual naptime) but he didn't sleep until we got in the car

 

The clouds were dark, but there was a break that was small, and lit and looked like Heaven opening up!

We had a great time exploring North Georgia, but it taught me something very valuable. At the current age that Hugh is (18 months), he cannot handle being in the car for more than 2-4 hours at a time. He was losing his mind as we headed to Tiger and then the whole time we drove to Cleveland, he was crying. 

As a result of his tears and misery, I told Steve that I think our trip to Michigan and Indiana needed to be pushed back. When Gus was 18 months, we moved from NC to GA and it was a rough ride. I remember him being too antsy to travel long distances, and Hugh was miserable the whole time. I can't do that to him, and it wouldn't be fun for anyone in the car either.

We decided that we're not going to head north this summer, and instead we'll just see about going up next year. I'm sad to miss seeing friends and family, but it's what's best for our family.