Thousands of households were without power and many roads were blocked by fallen trees or power lines after a major storm hits Athens and Arnoldsville in the evening of Thursday July 20th.
Rayle EMC posted that 5,000 of its customers lost power during the storm. Our community on Lake Oglethorpe got hit pretty bad and many of my neighbors were without power for over 24 hours. I was lucky not to loose power but I did lose loose several large trees.
By some miracle the fallen trees missed my house, car and RV by just a feet.
On Friday morning, after the storm, Dennis and Tiffany from Georgia Tree Removal from Crawford GA came out and gave me a price for removing the fallen trees. They were at my house first thing Monday morning to get started and were finished around 1PM. They did a great job and I would recommend them for any tree removal needs.
I had Andy, Jenifer, Steve and Debbie over for a fourth of July cookout. We started down at the lake around 4:30 for a swim and appetizers. Jen, was still recovering from rotator cuff surgery so she couldn’t swim.
Food for the party included: Appetizers: Brat pieces with caramelized onion, brie and goat cheese and crackers – plus some yummy baked pecans that Debbie brought. Dinner: Grilled chicken, potato salad, corn muffins (Jen and Andy), broccoli casserole ( Debbie and Steve) and succotash ( Me)
Dessert: Croissant Berry Bake and Key Lime Pie. At around 7:30PM Judy and her two guest, Jill and Thomas, boated over from her house with the key lime pie and we all sat on the screened in porch and had coffee and dessert together. It was fun day with plenty of laughs and interesting conversations.
Date: Sunday July, 2 2023 Time: 11AM Guests: Ed and Mary Frey, Rick and Alice, Andy, Matt and Clare Honorees: Robin and Andrea
I wanted and Robin and Andrea to come up and stay for a few days so I could pamper them so they could get a little relieve from there intense last several months. They bought a new house in Gray, Georgia, worked very hard to get their current ready to sell and they both had new jobs. I thought a little break would be good, but because of our train trip Robin didn’t have two days off in a row so they came up Saturday, after he got off work, stayed Saturday night and they left Sunday afternoon.
At the last minute, Friday afternoon, I decided to throw a Sunday brunch for a few family friends to help them celebrate. I had already scheduled a bike ride with Ed for Saturday and didn’t want to cancel, We started a ride at 8:10AM and finished our 28 miles around 10AM. I had a chocolate protein shake to help me recover and after a shower took off to the grocery store to get everything I needed for the brunch.
Menu: Drink: Coffee, Orange Juice and Champagne (Rick brought). Fruit: Grapes (red and green), watermelon and cantaloupe. Cheese: Brie and goat cheese. Bread: Croissants and Carr crackers. Main: Fried potatoes, Berry Croissant Bake, Ina Garten’s Breakfast strata
Berry Croissant Bake 6 – medium croissants, cut into small pieces 1-1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries 1-1/4 (10 ounces) cream cheese soften 2/3 cup sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup whole milk
Spray a 7×11, 2 quart baking disk with cooking spray.
Add croissants pieces to baking dish, Sprinkle berries over croissants, place optional the raspberries for a touch of color.
Beat the cream cheese for a minute with an electric mixer. Gradually add in sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk. Continue to mix until well blended.
Pour cream chees mixture over croissants and berries.
Cover and refrigerate over night.
Take out of refrigerator at least 30 minutes before baking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and set in the center.
Let rest for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm with powdered sugar sprinkled on top.
Ina Garten’s Breakfast Strata 8 – cups (about a 12-ounce loaf) of a cubed crispy baguette of sourdough loaf. 8 slices of uncooked bacon. 1/2 cup chopped onion. 3 gloves of garlic. 3 packed cups fresh chopped spinach. 9 large eggs. 2 cups of whole milk. 1 teaspoon salt. 1 teaspoon ground mustard. 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper. 1-1/2 cups shredded parmesan 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar.
Battling temperatures in the low 90’s and tackling a total of 4,400 feet of climbing, including the notorious 2 Sisters, I completed the metric century. The Big Sister, a challenging climb measuring 0.5 miles long with a 6.7% grade tested my endurance as I ascended 189 feet. Then, undeterred, I powered through the Middle Sister, a steep 0.2 stretch with an 8.5 % grade and 103 feet of climbing. Finally, I conquered the Little Sister, a 0.6-mile ascent with a 2,4% grade, adding 84 feet to my climbing total.
Completing the entire metric century, 65.9 miles in 4 hours and 49 minutes. Throughout the ride, my average heart rate maintained a steady rhythm at 142 beats per minute. To try and prevent leg cramps, I had been spending more time, everyday leading up to the ride, stretching. I also had purchased SIS a sports energy supplement – which is an isotonic energy gel. My prep seemed to have help for a while but around mile fifty I started to get some pretty bad leg cramps. The muscles that seemed to be affected the most were the Gracilis, Sartorius and the Rectus Femoris. The cramps never got so bad that I had to get off my bike to walk and try and stretch the cramps out like I had to do during the Three Rivers Metric Century ride.
This is my second time riding in this particular charity riding event and the organizers and volunteers way always done an exceptional job. The check-in procedure was easy and fast, the roads and maps were easy to follow and the rest stops well managed with plenty of food and drinks.
Change is an inevitable part of life, and after eight remarkable years as the beloved park ranger of Cumberland Island, Robinson Barker has decided to embark on a new chapter. Robinson’s departure from Cumberland Island marks the end of an era, but it also heralds an exciting development for the Ocmulgee National Historic Park. Robinson has accepted the prestigious role of the first interpreter park ranger in a unique collaboration between the US Government and the Ocmulgee Indian Trible. This groundbreaking partnership sets the stage for an extraordinary chapter in the preservation of history and culture.
Ranger Rob on the beautiful Cumberland Island Beach.
Farewell to Cumberland Island: As Cumberland Island bids farewell to Robin Barker, there is no denying the immense impact he has had on the island and it’s visitors. Robins passion for conservation his extensive knowledge of the ecosystem, and his ability to connect with people made him a beloved figure among residents, park visitors and fellow rangers alike. His departure leaves a void that will be challenging to fill, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of park rangers.
Ranger Rob on Cumberland Island in front of the Dungeness ruins.
A New Beginning at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park: The appointment of Robinson Barker as the interpreter Park ranger at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park marks an unprecedented collaboration between the US Government and the Ocmulgee Indian Tribe. This partnership aims to ensure that the park’s rich history and culture significance are not only preserved but also shared with the world in an authentic and inclusive manner.
Robin talking with visitorsRobin giving presentationRobin walking to ferry with visitor
Ocmulgee Mounds: A Treasured Legacy: Ocmulgee Mounds, located in Macon, Georgia, holds deep historical and cultural significance as the ancestral homeland of the Ocmulgee Indian Tribe. The Park contains ancients earthen mounds, ceremonial spaces and artifacts that provide invaluable insight into the lives of the indigenous people who inhabited the region over thousands of years. By entrusting the park’s management to both the US Government and the Ocmulgee Indian Tribe, a new chapter of stewardship and cooperation begins.
The partnership between the US Government and the Ocmulgee Indian Tribe reflects a growing recognition of the importance of indigenous voices in the management and interpretation of cultural heritage sites. By actively involving the Ocmulgee Indian Tribe in the decision-making processes and storytelling, the park aims to provide visitors with a more nuanced understanding of the past while promoting cultural appreciation and respect.
Ranger Rob leaving Cumberland Island for his new post at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park.
Robin’s decision to transition to the Ocmulgee Mounds as the interpreter ranger exemplifies his commitment to championing the preservation of cultural heritage and the inclusion of diverse perspectives. His wealth of experience, deep-rooted respect for indigenous cultures, and ability to forge meaningful connections with visitors make him the ideal candidate for this position.
