June 21, 2004

• This past Saturday, I had the good fortune of being the designee to hold a covered pavilion at the park where my office planned their summer picnic.  Below are thoughts from my 3 1/2 hour stay alone by the Chattahoochee River.

  
  

   

  
  

  Pre-Picnic at the Chattahoochee

  
  

   

  
  

  Like the good camper that I am, I hiked from our apartments up on the granite hill to the Chattahoochee River Park just below our apartment complex.  Well, not exactly right below even though it seems like it when we drive there.  It was more like half a mile or so.  Anyway, at 7:30 in the morning the air was already thick with humidity and the sun when not hidden by the trees was very hot.  I discovered soon after starting the hike that the road was closed for several hours to make way for runners who were participating in a race on Azalea Drive.  If I had known that sooner, I would have waited an hour or so before coming to the river to hold the covered Pavilion.  However, to my surprise, I am glad I arrived to early.

  
  

   

  
  

  I picked the covered pavilion that was within 8 feet of the river and was surrounded by beautiful tall trees.  A sweet breeze drifted in off the river to keep the pavilion cool. When I arrived the geese sleeping on the tables were only slightly offended that I disturbed them.  After a small bit of noise and the ruffling of feathers they resumed their morning siesta.  I found a table that was clean and set about writing in my journal.  It was so peaceful on the river that early in the morning.  There was one young man about 20 feet away leaning against a big old tree at the edge of the water fishing.  When I started talking to the geese, I saw him move further away.  Well anyone who would fish in the Chattahoochee should move out of my sight.  I wouldn’t eat the fish.  The river unfortunately is not that clean.

  
  

   

  
  

  I watched the mist rise off of the water.  It was so magical especially when scullers from the local club came swiftly out of the mists for their daily rowing practice.  Not a sound but the slicing of the water by their oars.

  
  

   Not everyone understands quiet though.  A two-man scull went by where I was sitting and the man in back says that his girlfriend has a pool in her back yard that they can use.  The man in front responds, "What?'  They didn't see me and I was so tempted to respond to the scullers but was afraid I would cause them a panic attack at least thinking that God was really a Goddess and could hear everything they said.  Had a good silent laugh at the thought of my possible joke.

  
  

   

  
  

  To my surprise I got to see the runners going up and down Azalea Drive.  A hearty bunch of folks.  They made me hot just watching them.  There were men and women of all ages and sizes out in the heat showing their lack of good sense (and a few with bad taste in jogging outfits) but tremendous personal endurance.  I had to cheer on the stragglers for their determination.  Where they continued on to the finish line, I would have given up in favor of water and a nap under the trees.

  
  

   

  
  

  By 9:30 the race was over and the road was open to cars.  How sad in a way, because at that point in time, parents were arriving with their kids.  The solitude that I had experienced prior to that time was now being shattered.  Fortunately, everyone was having a good time and the children were not chasing the geese.  Geese can be very noisy. 

  
  

   

  
  

  By 10 the set up crew began arriving.  Excitement was in the air.  Tables had to be cleaned for obvious reasons and plastic table clothes were purchased.  Dawna took charge of the balloons and we began to look very festive.

  
  

   

  By 10:45 am I was tired.  Called my daughter to come and get me and I went home for a nap in a very cool spot.  Missed the picnic.  Heard it was fun.  But the experience at the Chattahoochee before anyone else arrived was priceless. 

  • 10:13 am
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