A Wonderful Day!

This past weekend, the weather in our area was just incredible! Lows in the high 5o's to low 60's, and highs in the low 80's, low humidity, blue skies, - just perfect! Normal July temps are in the 70's for lows and upper 90's for highs, with 85 - 95% humidity - killer! So, if the weather is perfect, what do you do? You go to the lake of course! Especially if you live just a hop and a jump from one of the most beautiful, large lakes in the area - Lake Sidney Lanier - named after the former poet laureate of Georgia, Sidney Lanier.

On Saturday night we went out to one of our favorite 'special occasion' restaurants, Provinos, to celebrate our upcoming 24th anniversary, which was Monday the 20th. Afterwards we went riding around to find a place to spend the day on Sunday. We went to several places we'd been before and on the way home saw a sign we've seen many times, but never followed. This time we were so glad we did, because we found a great picnic area - Charleston Park.

Charleston Park is a day use area with a boat ramp, parking for vehicles and boat trailers, and a small picnic area where the picnic tables are spaced nicely apart so you aren't elbow to elbow with other picnickers. It's so beautiful! It's level, only a slight slope down to the lake, lots of tall, tall pine trees for shade, and grassy places just perfect for a blanket and a good book. Here's a look at part of the picnic area >>>


I took this picture fairly early, before anyone else got there. We got there around 10:30, but it was very un-crowded until around 1:30 - 2:00 when more groups showed up.

Here's the little cove - across on the other side is the boat ramp, just far enough away you don't get too much noise or traffic from it.



Here's our picnic table. We chose the shadiest one that was turned at right angles to the lake. That way when we were eating or playing games we could both see the lake. Each table is on it's own concrete pad, and there's a charcoal grill for each table as well.




In case you are wondering why there are two tablecloths, I put a cloth one on bottom, covered with a vinyl one. When we were on vacation a few weeks ago, I discovered that with the extra padding underneath, the dominoes move better on the top, vinyl surface. Thank goodness this table had wooden benches, though - those concrete benches in Hiawassee scraped up my legs good fashioned, that is before I finally put a towel over it to protect my legs! And yes, we played dominoes and chess at the lake. I also read and did a little embroidery. I get bored just sitting there, so I have to have things to keep me interested! :o}

This was our view from our picnic table. As you can see, the lake is still down a bit - about 5 feet below full summer pool. But that's great compared to the last couple of summers during the drought. It has been down over 17 feet, and the boat ramp was even closed because the water didn't reach the end of it!



And this, well, this is my little boy with his new toy! I didn't know until he had actually bought this one that he'd never had, nor paddled around in an inflatable raft. He decided to buy one when we were in Hiawassee and he saw a couple of boys having a great time in the lake there. He wanted to go the next weekend after we got home, but I was coming down with the sinus infection and wasn't going anywhere. Finally we went this weekend, and I still have a bit of a cough, so I wouldn't get in the water with him, but at least he got to paddle around by himself. And he missed me! He said it would have been more fun with two people, so I've promised if the cough is gone this weekend, I'll paddle around with him - should be interesting!


We were at the lake from about 10:30 am until almost 7 pm, and had a wonderful time - in fact, weather permitting, we'll go again this weekend. I think I'll take either burgers or hot dogs this time - those folks who were grilling made me hungry!

Blessings friends! Becky