Blame it on the computer, or Revisiting Christmas 2011 in Georgia

My computer problems kept me from posting a blog for several months, including the holiday season.  So I am just now getting around to showing some photos that I took over Christmas; that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  ;-)


My family gathered again this year, as we have for many years now, at a state park in Georgia at Lake Russell.  The park has lakefront cottages for rent at reasonable rates.  There are some hiking trails and swimming area - it wasn't quite warm enough for swimming, but was perfect for walking - or waddling, as was the case after our various Christmas feasts.

Mist floating over the lake.  The far side is in South Carolina.

Several mornings there was a wonderful mist rising off the lake that nicely diffused the light from the rising sun.

This cottage has a ramp that leads down to the boat dock.

Great views from the cottages look across this small part of this huge lake that is actually a reservoir formed after construction of the Russell Dam across the Savannah River which is the border between Georgia and South Carolina .


Inside, the cottages are basic, but nice.  As you can see, we had the requisite chimney by which to hang our Christmas stockings.

It was just cool enough to enjoy a fire all day long.

In those stockings were little airplanes to assemble, along with candy, trinkets, oranges, games, etc.

Each little plane was a different Christmas=themed name like the "North Pole Airlines".

Outside, were the hiking trails

A little bit of the lake is visible toward the left of the photo.

with lots to see and photograph.

A lovely lichen, don't know the name.

Young sporocarps on this moss.

The recent rains brought out nice, fresh wood ear fungus, Auricularia auricla.

We had a wonderful time eating, playing, eating, hiking, eating, talking, eating, drinking.  This is a great place for family and friends to meet and enjoy each others company.