Our 3rd state park of this trip took us to this park that’s actually in the city limits of Reidsville that’s just due west of Savannah. Why did we come here? This park was the only one in the state of Georgia that had a campsite available over the July 4th weekend. It was built by the city in the 1940s and then sold it to the state in the 1950s or 60s. Unlike all of the other parks we’ve visited, no history is associated with it, so this post will be unlike the others we’ve shared.
Welcome!
I always like to find out how parks get their names. The name of this park is such a tongue-twister that I figured it’s meaning was probably pretty involved. I was right.
The park’s name came from a tree discovered by John Bartram and his son William in 1765 that they found along the Alatamaha River. This river is one of the largest in Georgia and empties out into the Atlantic Ocean near Brunswick, Georgia. All of the trees today are descended from Bartram’s seed collection; the tree hasn’t grown in the wild since 1803.
Of course William Bartram later decided that the tree was not a Gordonia and created a new genus. Oh well.
William Bartram, a naturalist, spent 3-1/2 years exploring 9 southern states by foot, horseback and canoe starting in 1773. Augusta and Savannah were his favorite locations to rest and prepare for his next outing. Much of what we know about Georgia’s landscape comes from his writings and drawings. He took such interest in the local American Indians that they gave him a name that meant “Flower Hunter.”
campsite
As we said, this was the only campsite available in any of the Georgia state parks over the 4th of July weekend when we made our reservation. Little did we know that it was considered to be the best site in the campground according to some campers who come here frequently. A plus for us is that it had full hook-ups, which meant we had a sewer connection so we didn’t have to skimp on showers or walk to the other end of the campground to use the camp’s showers. We felt we were in a place of luxury.
What a beautiful view of the lake. We sat here for hours looking out and enjoying. Most of the time the lake’s surface was as absolutely still.
This view of the other end of the lake shows the end the dam that stopped up the water to create the lake. Remember, there are no natural lakes in Georgia.
One morning we went out for the only hike in the park—the Swamp Trail.
The hike was only a mile long, skirting the lake and then looping around the rest of the park.
The walk back to our campsite took us by the park’s golf course that was being well used.
Footgolf is a new game for us. Here’s the rules in case you want to try it. Looks like fun.
The park has 8 cottages like this one that can be reserved.
While we were camping, we got to enjoy this full moon over the lake.
The next evening we got this view of the moon rising over the lake.
The fishing dock was just in front of us so we got to see a fair amount of foot traffic with people coming and going. Barney tried his hand at fishing but, like others, didn’t even get a bite.
4th of July morning we enjoyed sitting outside so I could drink my coffee and read my Kindle with the fan going.
For breakfast that day, we had red, white, and blueberry pancakes (and precooked bacon that can be reheated in the microwave). So delicious; a Saturday morning treat.
This town’s gave us our first time to shop at a Harvey’s grocery store. It’s an American supermarket chain with stores in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
park fun
Since the front half of the park is really for the day-use residents of Reidsville and local areas, it has a miniature golf course that looks like it was set up in the 1950s because it was so straightforward to play. We knew it was here so had brought our own putters even though we could have used theirs.
Of course Barney won even though I play according to “Margie Par,” 2 strokes over par for each hole.
The exercise area was available for use, but we never saw anyone taking advantage of it.
The rower was so tightly wound that I couldn’t budge it without Barney’s help. Working my arm muscles was welcome though.
This crape myrtle tree by the dumping area was spectacular.
sightseeing
When we checked in with the ranger, we asked what we should see and do while in the area. He gave us 3 sights to see, and we’ll see 2 of them in this post.
As we drove to the town/village of Santa Claus, about 20 minutes away, we got to enjoy these beautiful wild flowers in the median.
With a population of 165 at the 2010 census, it is actually part of the larger Vidalia area . The city has several Christmas -themed street names: Candy Cane Road, December Drive, Rudolph Way, Dancer Street, Prancer Street, and Sleigh Street.
city hall
with a red mailbox out front for letters to Santa
Of course the gift shop and museum were closed for Covid-19.
Even the street signs highlight the town’s love of Christmas.
Claxton fruitcake
Every Christmas we buy a small fruitcake in hopes that our taste buds have changed, and every year we’ve been disappointed. When the park ranger told us about a bakery in Claxton that made fruitcake, we decided to try one more time.
The shop was actually closed up and we weren’t sure if it was because of Covid-19 or the 4th of July weekend (we were here on July 3rd). As I was looking in the window, another woman came up who was interested in the shop too. As we were talking, a large, black SUV stopped, and a man asked if we wanted to go in. Turned out it was one of the owners!
Paul spent about an hour talking with us about the history of the bakery and what they sell. Such a nice man. Paul gave us a taste of the regular fruitcake and even cut open a small cake of the dark fruitcake (made with molasses) for us to try. I think I like it better than the regular recipe with its rich flavor. This is truly the Best Fruitcake Ever!
The freshly-baked bread and sweet rolls bakery opened in 1910 by Savino Tos, an Italian pastry-maker who immigrated to the United States in the early-1900’s. Here’s the rest of the story from the bakery’s website.
In 1927, an 11 eleven year-old young man walked through the white-washed doors of the bakery and asked Tos for a job. The youngster offered a wide grin as the owner tossed him an apron and pointed out a list of chores. Within a few days, Savino Tos sensed that Albert Parker would be a valuable employee. Albert hustled to the bakery each morning before daybreak and fired the large oven for the day’s baking. He helped prepare the dough and completed other tasks before heading for school. After classes, the youngster took little time in covering the half-dozen blocks back to the bakery, where he grabbed his apron and worked until dark.
In 1945, Savino Tos decided to retire from the bakery and devote his time to other business interests. Having fostered a trusting relationship with young Albert Parker through the years, Tos sold the Claxton Bakery to his long-time employee. Eventually Albert realized that people could get bakery products like his anywhere, so he decided to specialize in his fruitcake recipe that Tos developed in the early 1900s.
Now all of the fruitcake is made to order and can be bought through Amazon and the store’s website www.claxtonfruitcake.com. Please try it out!
We felt honored when Barney was invited to come behind the counter.
During the fall to get ready for Christmas orders, an average of 90,000 pounds of fruitcake is made most days and shipped. We’re not the only ones to like this treat made of real food rather than chemicals and preservatives.
Paul took us into the back room where fruitcakes are packaged and boxed to ship out.
Here’s what we bought. So delicious.
At our campsite we were able to share some of the small packets of fruitcake with our neighbors who had never tried it.
Even the Vidalia Onion Peppercorn Dressing is a do-again. Great transition to the next post.
