Rock Eagle Mound is one of Georgia’s six ancient Indian Mounds. We had already visited the big three: Etowah, Kolomoki, and Ocmulgee Mounds. This mound is unique in that it is an effigy – a massive pile of rocks in the shape of a bird. Though called Rock Eagle, many scholars believe the bird represented is actually a buzzard or vulture – birds of significance in early Native American beliefs about death.
The mound is located just north of Eatonton, GA and we drove up there as my parents were driving down to visit us from Virginia. We ended up arriving at the UGA 4-H Center right as my parents pulled in – perfect timing.
We walked up to the tower at the base of the effigy to get a better look. The eagle is so huge that from the ground it really looks like a shapeless pile of rocks. It’s only when you get up high that you can see the impressive figure. Making it even more impressive is when you realize it was built 1000-3000 years ago by men & women dragging these thousands of rocks in from miles away on deer skins.
One of our favorite places to go for walks is the Georgia Industrial Children’s Home just a few miles from us. We found out about its great hiking trails from a Georgia mountain biking website. They have a forest farm with hundreds of acres of pines in perfectly symmetrical rows. Trey and I even made our little short film “Saving Medici’s Giraffe” in those woods.
A few weeks ago we drove there and saw a sign that said “Closed for Logging.” This week we went back and found our favorite forest had been destroyed. They didn’t cut all the trees down but it still looks really bare.
As sad as we are to see the trees gone, this is a case of good tree cutting. These trees were planted for the express purpose of being logged once they were mature. By logging this tree farm, one of Georgia’s natural forests gets to stand. I believe video artist Jym Davis’ short film “Sarah in the Woods” best describes our feelings.
My camera club friend Weldon Marsh was videoing when we had our cookout at High Falls State Park to celebrate the end of our state parks tour. He recently edited the footage into a short, mini-documentary and put it online. Enjoy!
The best Georgia State Park to visit that is under an hour’s drive from Macon is Sprewell Bluff. We took our visiting Minnesotan friends (the Joslins) there for a picnic and some fun in the Flint River.
Hugo and Trey had a blast in the water and the adults spent a lot of time stacking rocks (like we’ve done there before). Before leaving we hiked up to the lookout point to get a great view of the river bend as the sun started to go down.
Ocmulgee National Monument is the place I take pretty much everyone that comes to visit us in Macon. It has a nice nature trail, you learn a little local history, and you get a good view of downtown from the top of the Great Temple Mound.
Joslins were no exception so we drove on over one morning to visit the site. Unfortunately, the museum in the visitor’s center was under renovations so we didn’t get to go in there. However, the boys had a great time running from mound to mound. It was a great energy burner – something those two boys needed.
One of the best Middle Georgia attractions for fun, free entertainment for kids is Noah’s Ark (we visited it last fall). Before Shane, Mitzi, and fam headed back to East Tennessee we dropped in on the birds & beasts at this animal shelter.
The alligators were a big hit with Zack McBride and Trey really liked a hog we spotted wandering around. The pig was oblivious to our presence as it munched away at the green grass. Trey thought it was hilarious that the hog was eating grass and spent some time imitating it. I managed to get a fun shot of Zack in a herd of resting alpacas, but Trey was too scared to get in the midst of them (to his credit they are all pretty filthy and intimidating).
About 3/4ths of the way through the big park the kids started to get tired and grumpy. It is nice that Noah’s Ark doesn’t cost you a fortune like a visit to the zoo because you can end your visit prematurely and not have any regrets.
Rock Eagle Mound is one of Georgia’s six ancient Indian Mounds. We had already visited the big three: Etowah, Kolomoki, and Ocmulgee Mounds. This mound is unique in that it is an effigy – a massive pile of rocks in the shape of a bird. Though called Rock Eagle, many scholars believe the bird represented is actually a buzzard or vulture – birds of significance in early Native American beliefs about death.
We walked up to the tower at the base of the effigy to get a better look. The eagle is so huge that from the ground it really looks like a shapeless pile of rocks. It’s only when you get up high that you can see the impressive figure. Making it even more impressive is when you realize it was built 1000-3000 years ago by men & women dragging these thousands of rocks in from miles away on deer skins.
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