Sunday, February 15, 2015

On January 31, a dozen youth, the Club driver and four Atlanta ICO volunteers visited Ocmulgee Visitor Center to learn how humans have lived for thousands of years on the Macon plateau.  After watching an introductory video about the Ocmulgee mounds and Native American life, a quick look at museum displays, and a trip to the first mound, the outdoor temperature had warmed enough to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables.  The second half of the outing was at nearby Brown’s Mount.  The youth were given maps and compasses and shown how to use them to follow the hiking trails.  From the Brown’s Mount overlook, they could easily see Macon and the surrounding area.  Much of the trail follows a ridge overlooking Bonds swamp, and it became evident why this area had served as a natural fortress when the Indians lived there.  The youth learned about its more recent inhabitants, too, and searched for—and found—the ruins of Harry Stillwell Edwards’ cabin, who wrote the poem “On the mount” a century ago.  Near this lonely chimney was a pretty stand of daffodils in bloom.  After hiking back to the bus and a quick snack, it was time to head back to the Club.