Workday Wander

   It was about 1:30 in the afternoon as I enjoyed the sweet sound of Ode to Joy from the little fingers of my 7-year-old student. She smiled and grinned as her performance was as sharp as her tailored school uniform. Since little instruction was necessary, my mind began to wander about my upcoming break which put me in an even better mood. I had a plan...but do I dare carry it out?

 I left as soon as the lesson was over. I gathered my things and had two and a half hours before my next stop elsewhere. There had been many times when I had seen something interesting that I had always wondered about but never gave it a second thought. But I think it is now time to stop letting that happen.

 I saw the signs and arrows pointing in that direction. Fearlessly, I turned. The road winded up a hill and I passed a police car on the way. Since this work-day adventure idea is all new to me, I felt as though I was somewhere I was not supposed to be but somehow I did not care.

 The area was quiet and my car was the only car in the lot where I parked. I approached an information board that included a map and tourist guide. I saw names such as Wildflower Trail, Gold Mine, Overlook, and....monkeys? I was very curious.

  I took an initial walk through my surroundings and the view was scenic and colorful. Flowers were in bloom adorned by butterflies, the water poured out into a small pool from the mill and I wanted to steal a pear from the pear tree. I would return later. My drive to be courageous was taking over. I was ready to go hiking.

 I had no clue what I was doing or where I was going. I was ill-prepared with sandals on and I was

Wildflower Trail

hopeful that if there were snakes, that they were more afraid of me than I was of them that day. I wanted to see every land mark, work up a sweat and hoped I would be sore the next day.

 The sign read "Millers Trail." There were many pine cones along the way and the ground was rugged with some exposed tree roots. The trail was short but quiet and enclosed by the tall trees and vines.  I could hear a distance siren from the outside world. I had found the mysterious old goldmine. The shaft was enclosed with wire and the new fall leaves covered the edges.

 My path then crossed with another leading down a different trail. It was here where I saw many pieces of history including an uncovered wigwam and Native American cooking supplies. It was also where I would find my monkeys-except it was really only a memory of them. They were killed by farmers when discovered in the area after a circus train crashed.

  I was able to find the "Wildflower Trail." There were not a lot of wild flowers this time of year but it was more open and a little less rugged than the others. I followed it for a nice long distance. I could hear a siren off in the distance from the outside world. I had come a long way and wondered if I should turn back. I decided against it. As I walked a little further, I could hear the sound of rushing waters. Just what I had hoped. The creek flowed across the rocks and the sun's reflection glistened as the waters danced.
                                                                                                         
   I walked through almost every trail at probably the distance of a mile or so. I still had plenty of time left and I was not ready to leave. I knew there was more to see but had no idea of the surprises I was
unaware that I would find. I passed by an old country store and the farm museum and around the back of the mill where the welcome center was. I had planned to stop in for literature but kept becoming distracted with more things to see. I once again saw the calming waters at the mill but had missed the ducks. And what next? Could it be for real? Chickens? Clucking chickens? It only got better after that.

   I entered the welcome center to finally collect my literature and sign the guest book. I expected  nothing more. It was like walking into a surprise party and being welcomed by unexpected guests. Snakes and different varieties of turtles greeted me from their tanks as well as many small fish and a giant bull frog. In addition to scenic trails and historic artifacts, there was a small zoo. I was delighted.

   Though I had been to places like this many times before as I had chaperoned field trips, attended birthday parties with the kids on my Saturdays or maybe had visited with my Brownie Scout troop once upon a time I can honestly say that this was probably the first time I elected to go somewhere like this on my own. So for a short time that day, I was able to set aside worries over where I would buy my gas before I ran out (there was a shortage in Georgia at this time), whether or not bill due dates would align with pay days or if I bought enough spaghetti for dinner that night. I was able to go on a little vacation in the middle of the work day in which I had invited a little bit of a Saturday to enter.

                                     Please enjoy this little slide show from my adventures.

                                       


 Place Visited: Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center,
                       Johns Creek, GA

 Date Visited: Tuesday, September 20th, 2016