Happy Spring to ALL...

Spring is here!

As we drove through West Point, GA, the Bradford pear trees were in full bloom.  My written directions to the campground were spot on as the GPS address takes you to the Ranger Station.  A turn at the monument (below) brought us to the gate where the nice Host put us on a site at the water's edge of this lake where the geese fly in squawking at dusk.

West Point Lake, a US Army Corp of Engineers reservoir, extends 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the AL/GA line.  This dam was created for flood control, generation of electricity, fish and wildlife development, and downstream navigation from Apalachicola, FL to Columbus, GA.  West Point Lake has a 500 mile shore line for lots of recreational fun.

Our visit to the dam was a cool photo shoot.  The osprey couple were building their nest.  Geese were paired up on the small fishing lake for kids.  Folk were enjoying the warm, sunny day.  Then all of a sudden the loud horn sounded its alert that water would be flowing heavily from the dam.  This alert is for boaters and fishermen to be aware of swift, higher water.

J & N



Goose Couple

Tulip Tree blooming



A small sailboat was enjoying the warm day.
 
At the Visitor's Center, J flattened a penny into an oval shape with the imprint of West Point Dam.  They had a nice display of varmints from bear, beaver, grey fox, muskrat, raccoon, and several birds. 
 
J was fascinated with how to determine the age of Deer display.  Appears the age of whitetail deer is determined by the development and wear of their teeth.  Ages over 5 1/2 years is more difficult to determine. 



I remember the wild Kudzu vine from my Virginia roots.  Growing several feet a day and up to 60 feet in length, this vine snuffs out any plant or tree life toppling everything in its path with its weight.  It is a native of Japan where its starchy roots are eaten.  The Kudzu vine was introduced to the US in the early 19th century to provide shade and feed for livestock and to prevent soil erosion.  Now the Kudzu vine is a weed out of control.

 
 
 





The Creek Indians were the first settlers along the Chattahoochee River.  They planted gardens and built large villages.  The rich bottom land was ideal for growing corn...one of the most important foods in their diet.  By the early 1800's, settlers began arriving in large numbers driving the Creeks out of the region.  Burnt Village received its name after this Indian trading center was burned by local volunteers of the GA militia in 1793.  The village archaeological site is now under the waters of West Point Lake.

 

West Point's name is derived from being the westernmost point of the Chattahoochee River. 

 

Nearby LaGrange, GA, was named after the country estate near Paris of Marquis de La Fayette, who visited the area in 1825.  Pioneers settled here after the territory was ceded by the Creek Indians.  During the Civil War, LaGrange was defended by a volunteer women's auxiliary group known as the "Nancy Harts."    Economic growth began with the RR and textile industry until a strike in 1935 that resulted in martial law with many families evicted from their mill-owned homes.  As the textile industry declined others came and went with companies moving out of the country.  The now largest industry in Troup County is the Kia Motors assembly company. 

 
This campground is filling up for the weekend and anticipation of spring break for the schools in the area.  One of our Michigan snowbird friends will be here on the 26th.  Looking forward to seeing my sewing friend.  Here at camp we have a nightly goose couple who squawk as they take off for an unknown destination for the night.  All is well...take care...safe travels...see you by the campfire.