Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

Home of the Great Locomotive Chase - Kennesaw, GA - More
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is a Smithsonian affiliate located just north of Atlanta in Kennesaw, Georgia. The significance of Kennesaw in Civil War history is notable on several fronts. Not only is Kennesaw the site of one of the most savage battles of the war between the states, and home of a massive National battlefield cemetery, it (Big Shanty Station) is also the beginning point for what would eventually become famously (or infamously, depending on loyalties) known as the Great Locomotive Chase. The key subject of the action-filled story is housed here at the Southern Museum. Let me explain...

On April 12, 1862, a small band of rough-cut northern spies led by a civilian northern scout (secret service?) by the name of James J. Andrews, boldly stole a train in plain sight of the southern army. Their objective was to push north to Chattanooga, cutting telegraph lines and destroying track and bridges along the way. Their ultimate goal was to cut off supply lines and communication between Atlanta and Southern Troops in Tennessee. Unfortunately for the spies, a single enthusiastic train conductor named William Allen Fuller would have nothing to do with his train being stolen by a bunch of Yankee spies. He set out on foot to chase his train, the General, until he got it back. Mr. Fuller's resolve proved to be more than "Andrew's Raiders" expected, and the train was captured near Ringgold, Georgia, remarkably near the spy's destination. Some of the northern spies were captured and some escaped to return home. The Union survivors were awarded the very first Congressional Medals of Honor.

In 1956, the Great Locomotive Chase adventure was made into a Disney film starring Fess Parker, an actor who later (1964) became the star of the popular TV series Daniel Boone. Rebecca and I were young children during that time period, and Fess Parker was a star to us. So, when I first saw The Great Locomotive Chase at camp at the ripe old age of 9, it was a immediate hit.

Ok, sorry about the tangent, but the point is, the steam engine named The General, the real star of "The Great Locomotive Chase," is here in all its glory. Yes, the original, 200-year-old locomotive is displayed here at the Southern Museum. Also, an abbreviated 20 minute film tells the Great Locomotive Chase story in the museum's theater, and the full length Disney DVD is available for purchase in the museum's gift shop.
 

Now, I don't want to neglect the rest of the museum because there is much more here. The Southern Museum features many displays portraying life of the soldiers of the Civil war, both northern and southern. Most displays are static: pictures, clothing, eating utensils, and weapons. Additionally, the museum has a series of displays portraying the manufacture of train engines by the Glover Machine Works during the time period. This is a really cool display showing the processes of engineering, machining, casting, and manufacturing.
 

For the children:
While much of the museum is targeted at adults, there is a portion of theSouthern Museum dedicated to children. There are displays of historical significance that encourage children to role play (dress-up). There is also a full-size model of an engine in which children can experience the thrill of piloting a train. Additionally, the museum is adjacent to a very nice playground, a sure cure for childish boredom.

In summary, the Southern Museum is a must-see for adventurous families. Much of the static portions of the museum are not the most exciting places for small kids, but there are plenty of distractions to help keep them occupied. We really recommend the purchase of Disney's Great Locomotive Chase DVD in the museum's gift shop. It's well worth it! 

While in the Kennesaw area, we suggest a short drive up to Cartersville to visit the Tellus Science Museum, the Booth Western Art Museum, and the Etowah Indian Mounds. If camping and recreation are what's on your mind, check out Red Top Mountain State Park and McKinney Campground on nearby Lake Allatoona.

Lake Sidney Lanier - A Labor Day Weekend Adventure

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: September 2012 - More

We were so excited to visit Lake Sidney Lanier on this Labor Day weekend. We'd heard about the LanierWorld water park, and it looked like the kind of place we could have some serious fun. We arrived at the lake on a Friday afternoon with just enough time to set-up the camper and take a walk around the campground. We chose Shoal Creek Campground for this visit because of its proximity to LanierWorld. We expected the campground to be pretty full. It was, after all, Labor Day weekend. Surprisingly, the campground was sparsely populated. In fact, our site hadn't been camped in for almost a month. Why? I guess it might have something to do with the lake's water level. We visited the campground's beach and boat ramp, both left high and dry by the receding waterline.
 
Saturday morning came with a few sprinkles, just enough to give us an excuse to sleep in a bit. Fortunately it soon cleared off and we emerged from our home away from home, ready for adventure. One of our first priorities was to investigate Lanier World. We decided to take the short drive over to the park to find out what the admission would be, and if there were any special package prices for Lanier Island Resort guests. We learned there is a discount  admission, and Shoal Creek campground is a part of the resort. Additionally, as a guest, the $15 per car fee to enter the resort is also waived. That benefit alone reduces the actual cost of staying at the campground considerably. We were favorably impressed with the resort's beautiful landscaping and maintenance. Very nice!
 
Our next objective was to get the boat in the water and explore the lake a bit. As I mentioned before, the Shoal Creek Campground boat ramp was closed, but another ramp was located just outside the campground's entrance. It was sufficient to put in, but the end of the dock was several feet from the edge of the water. This made for some muddy feet when loading the boat. The water seemed very clean, and traffic on the lake wasn't terribly bad. Some of the boats that were on the lake seemed to be rather erratic, so we tried to maintain our distance from most.

We explored the coastline for a while before heading to Sunset Cove, the location of LanierWorld. We thought we might be able to grab a spot at the dock, or maybe even park the boat right off the beach. When we pulled into the cove, it was very crowded. There were numerous large boats densely anchored with dozens of people on the boats and on floats drinking. There was a lot of partying going on, and it made us wonder if anyone was policing the activity. It seemed to be a very dangerous situation, and the rangers didn't appear concerned. We left immediately, opting for the land route to the water park.

When we finally made it to the park that evening, many of the boats in the cove had dispersed. We paid our admission, and proceeded to each of Lanier World's attractions. The first stop was a large inflatable obstacle course in the lagoon. From there, we visited each of the attractions (some were not open). The kids especially enjoyed the water slides and the wild river tube ride. As the sun set, we settled in at the wave pool to watch Jurassic Park. They call this a "dive-in movie," and it was really cool. The kids spent the entire movie watching from the pool. It was after 11pm by the time we headed back to the campground that night. What an awesome time we all had.

Sunday was spent at the campground exploring and looking for rocks.  When the water level is this low, it makes for good rockhounding. Lake Lanier is fed by the Chattahoochee river which flows from the gold-rich mountains around Dahlonega. That means lots of quartz of varying clarity and color. We found some pretty nice rocks, but we didn't pan for gold here because the Army Corps of Engineers frowns on such activity. We did have a fire-building contest though, and the kids collected dozens of shed cicada exoskeletons. Pretty much a typical day camping with the Richardson Tribe.

For more about Lake Lanier, LanierwWorld, and Shoal Creek Campground, including details and dozens of pictures, click here.

Fort Mountain - There's a Fungus among us.

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: August 2012We have visited Fort Mountain twice this month, so I guess I can make single journal entry for both weekends. Fort mountain's altitude is especially inviting this time of year because of the oppressive heat and humidity in the valleys. In the south, we call these the "Dog Days" of summer. Fort Mountain State Park is a great escape from Dog Days.

On each of the two weekends we visited Fort Mountain during the month of August, we took a stroll around the lake. The lake path at Fort Mountain State Park is always beautiful, but each visit offers something different to see, hear, and smell. There always seems to be new flowers blooming, or leaves changing, or, in the case of this past weekend, fungus! As we walked along the path this time, we were watching for deer (and bear), reading the informative plaques that identify many of the species of plant, and photographing the picturesque view of the lake. Then one of the kids noticed a colorful mushroom. Then another, and another. Soon, it was a mushroom quest. We saw dozens of sizes, shapes, and colors of the neat little fungi. It was an unexpected surprise that we talked about well into the evening. (see more fungi photos). Note: When visiting a park, please leave all wildlife and vegetation just as you found it so that others may also enjoy its beauty.

When we returned to the campground, we grilled a bunch of peppers (from our garden), tomatoes, garlic, and onions, then combined them into a wonderfully hot batch of salsa that complimented our evening meal of burritos and tacos. The kids really enjoy spicy food, but there were a lot of cold beverages consumed during that meal.

Fort Mountain State Park has a new naturalist, and we had the opportunity to meet him on the latter August visit. He is a retired high school teacher with a lot of energy and knowledge of the mountain and the immediate area. He hosted an evening by the campfire and supplied s'mores for anyone that attended. He has begun a series of weekend activities like knot-tying and orienteering, scavenger hunts, bear talks, and wagon rides. We are excited that Fort Mountain has funded a naturalist again. It's so important to offer fun and educational activities to the park's visitors, especially the younger generation. We still miss Ranger Ruby, Fort Mountain's previous naturalist.

We have mixed emotions about Fort Mountain now. On one hand, we are pleased to see the park is becoming more popular. On the other hand, it's getting more difficult to find a campsite. Both campgrounds were almost full during our recent visits. We met numerous first-time visitors to the park. I'm not sure if it's the economy, or the desire to get back to nature that is attracting these folks, but it's ok. There is plenty of nature to go around. If you're considering Fort Mountain State Park for the fall, you'd better get on the ball. The campgrounds will book-up quickly.

For more details and hundreds of pictures of Fort Mountain State Park (and the fungi within), click here.

Q - Why was the mushroom always invited to parties?
A - Because he was such a fungi!
 

Chehaw Park (The Parks at Chehaw) - Albany, GA

Family Adventures with Wildlife

Homer the 1st, our first camper at Chehaw Chehaw Park (also known as The Parks at Chehaw) is located in south central Georgia near Albany. Named for a local Creek tribe, Chehaw was originally one of Georgia's first state parks. Like most of Georgia's parks, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) was instrumental in Chehaw' Park's construction. After a series of improvements (including a zoo), the park was deeded to the city of Albany. The city has done a wonderful job of maintaining the park. Chehaw Park has several features that make it attractive to visiting families. There is a spacious and beautiful campground with large full-hookup sites, a massive mega-playground, and, as I mentioned before, a top-notch animal park/zoo. Additionally there are hundreds of acres of pristine south Georgia pines draped in Spanish moss to explore. All the park's amenities are accessible on foot, bike, or by car. Because it's so level, and the inner roads are so well maintained, we really recommend taking bikes to Chehaw.   For lots more details about Chehaw, read the Adventure Journals and view the pictures on Chehaw's dedicated PB&J page. We rate this park very highly, so you will not be disappointed. See over 150 pictures of Chehaw!

Noccalula Falls - Gadsden, Alabama

Adventure Journal Entry Date: July 2012 (More)
I was recently presenting to a group of Alabama teachers when I asked for suggestions for family destinations in their fine state. Numerous educators suggested Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, so I began researching and making plans immediately. The legend is that a Cherokee chieftain promised the hand of his daughter, Noccalula, to a Creek sub-chief in exchange for peace. The young princess was so distraught, she flung herself off the falls and to her death 90 feet below. We enjoy Native American history and legend, but frankly, it was the rest of the park that really got my attention.

Gadsden is a relatively short drive for us, so it worked out to be a great weekend getaway. We left mid afternoon on a Friday and arrived at the Noccalula Falls campground in plenty of time for the kids to enjoy the pool and the walk to the park's playground and falls. The campsite I selected turned out to be perfectly level, so setup was a breeze. We got a little rain through the night, but no storms. Nothing is more relaxing than a light rain on a camper's roof.

The rain continued until mid-morning Saturday, so we had a slow lazy start for the day. When the skies cleared, we headed-out for Noccalula Falls Park. It's a quarter-mile walk, but easy and extremely scenic. From the campground, we walked along a pathway that winds through the public access area, past the wedding chapel, and over a little arched bridge which crosses the stream feeding the waterfalls. The flow of the water affects the beauty of the falls, and on this visit there was some water, but nothing spectacular. If you'd like to see it really roaring, watch this video. Past the falls we could see the scale train and some Teepees.

After paying our admission to the park (which was very reasonable), we boarded the train. It's a small scale train, and the kids loved it. Our first stop was the "petting zoo." We love animals, so this was the highlight of the park. They have a lion that seemed particularly interested in Heath. No, you can't pet the lion. The actual petting zoo area had alpaca, goats, a big ram, lambs, a variety of goats, rabbits, and many other cute fuzzies. Our favorite was a very friendly buck that loved attention and liked to lick the kids' hands.

We wandered through all the old building and tried to imagine what it was like to live in one of these old cabins 200 years ago, especially with no air-conditioning. This part of the park features a very old covered bridge that crosses a coy pond. The fish were massive, inducing ooohs and ahhhs from all of us. Just past the impressive collection of historic buildings is the access to the base of the falls. We decided on this hot humid day, that the view from the top of the falls would be just fine. We did explore the cracks and crevices in the limestone formations. It reminded us of Rock Town near Lafayette, Georgia.
 

After lunch at the resident Jack's restaurant, we walked to the Noccalula Falls miniature golf course. Most people suggested we drive, but we could see it from where we were. It was a whopping 1/8 mile. We were disappointed when we discovered that the cost of miniature golf wasn't included in the park's admission. Any disappointment quickly vanished when we saw the course. Very very nice! The course was designed and constructed by a company that specializes in miniature golf courses. We played all 18 holes, and had a blast in the meantime.

We concluded our day with a swim, some Frisbee,  and a roaring campfire. I can't recall a better time we've ever had. We decided we want to come back in the fall and perhaps at Christmas when the lights are on. The campground is open year-round, but the park is not. Make sure to check their website or call for open/close dates and hours.

For dozens of pictures and more details, visit the PB&J Adventures Noccalula Falls' page.
 

Life on the PB&J Micro-Farm - June 1, 2012

Life on the PB&J Micro-Farm - June 1, 2012A lot has happened since our last PB&J Micro-Farm update. The vegetables in the raised bed garden have progressed quite nicely, and we have already been enjoying our own home-grown food. The first treats from the garden were radishes. They came up quickly, and matured just as fast. Soon afterward, the lettuce began to produce... BIG TIME!. We are pulling the lettuce leaves from around the outside of the plant, and they keep producing. We are having a lot of salads, and giving the excess to the bunnies and other family members. The jalapeño and various other peppers are coming in like mad. To celebrate our first pepper harvest, the children decided to have a salsa recipe contest. The kids worked and worked on their own concoctions, and Rebecca and I were the judges. I really must learn to suppress my facial expressions when tasting the food product of my chef-like children. Hey! It was GREAT! From the Three Sisters Bed, we have begun to harvest yellow squash, corn, and zucchini. There are dozens of new fruit on the plants, and they are growing to picking size quicker than we expected. Cucumbers, especially the pickling kind, are abundant, and the salad cucumbers are just starting to come of age. The string-trellis tomato vines are covered with over 100 tomatoes of various sizes that will be mature, red, and ripe for the picking within a week or so. With the radishes all harvested, we used the newly freed-up space to plant pumpkins. Hopefully, they will be ready right around mid-October. Also, I'm not sure if it was because of the unusually early heat this year or what, but we had very little success with our spinach. We harvested and ate some, but it just wasn't hardy. We pulled the last of the spinach out of the raised bed and planted purple hull peas in its place. Purple hull peas are a southern delight, and they just love heat, something of which we have plenty. The children have slowly become more an more attracted to the garden since everything is blooming and producing food. They're amazed at how fast the zucchinis and yellow squash grow (but we still can't get them to eat either). They have all participated in the planting and harvest, and one or two have helped with the weeding. It has certainly been a learning experience for all of us. Here are a few pictures of the garden. Click to zoom.

This Week's Top Five Destinations:

<> Friday, June 02, 2012 1- Chester Frost Park - Hixson (Chattanooga), TN 2- Chattahoochee Bend State Park - Newnan, GA 3- Ridge Ferry Park - Rome, GA 4- McKinney Campground - Cartersvile, GA 5- Doll Mountain Campground - Ellijay, GA The weekly "Top 5" is defined by the number of visits for each destination page on the PB&J Adventures website. This data doesn't indicate these destinations are better, just more searched. Performance data is provided by Google Analytics®.