Yes! This is the answer to a question that a decreasing percentage of the inhabitants of this diverse state can give. The question? Are you a native? Indeed I am. Born just 3 miles from my current place of residence I am indeed a native. Oh, I've travelled - called other places home temporarily. Honestly there are other places I love but none of them can ever be "home". In fact the home in which I currently reside has been in the family since 1978. Well, part of it - we've added on extensively. But I want to tell you about my home state.
I want to tell you about My Georgia
Few outsiders realize the diversity of this state. Just as I know nothing about the streets of San Fransisco, the ski slopes of Vermont, the lakes of Minnesota, I do know and have seen a great portion of Georgia. From the Golden Coast Islands to one of the largest canyons in the United States to the flat plains of the Piedmont and the diverse population of the Okefenokee Swamp.
Did you know that the Ocmulgee (oak-mull-gi) Indians left artifacts dating back to pre-9000 BC? The Ocmulgee Mounds are located in Macon, Georgia about 2 hours south of Atlanta just off Interstate 16 at the Ocmulgee River. In the 1930's a "clovis" spear tip was found on the Macon Plateau and was the first artifact found where it was used in the Southeast.
Just north of Atlanta in the city of Emerson are the Mounds of the Etowah. Thousands of Etowah people lived by the banks of the Etowah River just outside of present day Cartersville. This area was rich in iron and gold and was, in fact, the site of some early gold rush acitivity. This area was inhabited roughly from 1500 to 1000 BC and it is easy to see how they were able to farm corn, tomatoes and other vegetables on their large area of their village as well as making use of large stone "fish traps" in the river.
In the most northwest corner of the state is Cloudland Canyon. I have posted some photos from Cloudland to Localism.com. Cloudland is located in Rising Fawn and you can't get there from here as people are known to jest. It is about a 2 hour drive from Marietta up to and through Chattanooga or a longer drive up through the smaller towns. A satellite photo shows the outline of the canyon.
Follow the Georgia/Tennessee line east and you will come to the Blue Ridge Mountain area. These mountains, much older than the Rockies, are weathered and worn and covered with thick, lush vegetation. The satellite photo shows the rich, vegetative coverage. There are so many points of interest in the Blue Ridge area that even a voluminous book and accompanying video would not be able to amply tell the story.
Far to the south is one of my most favorite places in the state. Drive to Stephen Foster (Way Down Upon The Swanee River) State Park and you'll be on the edge of the great Okefenokee Swamp. Yes, there are many alligators, snakes, huge black tadpoles and gianormous bullfrogs, wild boar, black bears, coyote, fox, hummingbirds, turkey vultures, racoons, ah ... on an on. I have personally seen each of these and have some funny stories about most of them. I'll save you.
While you are at the park be sure and take the canoe tour to Billy's Island. There is nothing quite as exciting as being in an 11' canoe rowing silently over the top of a 15' alligator! Just try not to remember you may be in the middle of 438,000 acres with no road and no place to land a helicopter. Remember, that may look like solid land in the photos but the name, Okefenokee, means "land of the trembling earth" because that is actually floating vegetation!
One last stop for this tour, and there are hundreds I haven't mention, is Cumberland Island. You like roughing it? Cumberland Island is the place for you! Many people don't realize that Georgia has a large Atlantic Ocean coastline and there are several barrier islands on that coast. The island was, and still is, home to many of Georgia's elite families. There are still private residences on this island but most of it is park property and you can hike and camp in many places. I once had the privilege of escorting seven beautiful Auburn students on a two week assignment. Sounds exciting until you realize there is no electricity, no running water within five miles, no open fires and the island is covered with wild life that will eat people. Our assigned campsite was a full day hike from anything.
One of the most amazing things about the island is the herds of wild horses! They are beautiful but definitely wild - you do not want to try and approach them - trust me!
There are at least 100 more places in Georgia I have visited and hopefully will find the time to share with you. I love my state. Like everyone we have our issues. The modern state, while in the deep south, is no longer the backwoods redneck breeding ground depicted in many Hollywood movies. In fact, as I indicated earlier, there are fewer and fewer of we natives remaining every year.
Here are some stats on Georgia for the Census Bureau:
Population 2006 (est.) 9,360,000
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 24.3%
Housing Units 2005 3,771,000
Median Household Income 2004 $42,269
Manufactured Shipments 2002 $126 billion
Wholesale Sales 2002 $202 billion
Thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll be able to offer more Georgia His Stories in the near future.
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