This post is not about making or saving money, it’s a travel post.
I have worked hard the past few years, and rarely travelled. I want to change that, and start taking a few more day and overnight trips with my wife and kids. Especially in Georgia and Florida, since we live on the border.
This post contains affiliate links
In the time of COVID, we have been trying to go to less crowded places and having picnics. The last trip we took was to Bald Point State Park in Alligator Point Florida. There was less than a dozen people at this beach, with miles to explore. There is parking, you just take a tag and put $4 in an envelope.
Our next trip was to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park in Macon Georgia. This park is only open from 1pm to 5pm right now and no facilities are open (museum and restroom.) There is no cost and the gate opens and closes automatically.
We live 2.5 hours south, so we got up and took off on a Saturday morning to the park for a day of exploring. I had been there a few times as a child, but this was my wife’s and daughter’s first time.
There was a line waiting for the park to open. When we arrived, there was probably 15 families. Luckily, everyone headed toward the Earth Lodge (which is not open currently), so we headed to the McDougal Mound that is hidden through the woods. Going that route, then back toward the creek and river, we did not see anyone until nearly 4pm when we got to the Temple Mound.
It takes about 4 hours to see all the mounds and wetland area hike. We walked 6 miles in less than 4 hours. Not an easy feat in 97 degree heat with a 7 year old daughter. There are plenty of park benches on the trails, most in shaded areas. We had to stop and drink a lot to keep my daughter from overheating.
The biggest challenges right now are the heat and the fact that the restrooms are not open. That was an issue for my daughter, she has never had to go “in the woods” and could not. There is only 1 drink fountain outside, so make sure to pack plenty of beverages. It was hot enough we each downed a 20 ounce Gatorade and 2 16 ounce water bottles while at the park.
All-in-all, I definitely recommend Ocmulgee Mounds. It’s a great budget trip, with natural beauty in a fairly large city. It’s probably worth the wait for the museum and Earth Lodge to re-open though. Plus visiting in the morning would help beat the Georgia heat.
