Well, it isn’t September anymore but the old songs lyrics still apply. “The leaves of brown come tumbling down, remember? In September, In the rain.” That's all we've had since September around Lower Alabama–rain. We bought the Super Fly on September 18th, and I swear there has not been one entire day when I could ride in the sun shine. It rained the day I bought the bike and has poured ever since. But, oh the fun I have on that motorcycle!
Richard and I rode to Providence Canyon up near Lumpkin, GA last weekend. The sky was overcast, and the temperature was in the 50s when we left at 9:30 A.M. It threatened downpours at any minute. However, cabin fever held both of us prisoner. If we didn't escape, we faced emotional overload. You can only be confined with your spouse, no matter how much you love them, for so many cumbersome days in a row before you go bonkers. So off to Providence Canyon we rode.
We take the long way from Hartford to get there, mostly back roads with a few good curves along the way. We headed out AL 123 to AL 134 to Headland then we went County Rd. 59 to AL 27 and headed East toward Abbeville. From Abbeville we took AL 95, this is a beautiful ride with some good curves and hills along the way. AL 95 dead ends into US 431, we leaned right and rumbled into Eufaula to US 82 to cross the causeway headed East. It parallels the Chattahoochee River and roams toward the town of Eufaula, AL, where Lake Eufaula is located. (We enjoy the parks around the lake on both the Alabama and Georgia side, sort of the best of both worlds.) In Eufaula we fueled up and rolled to Georgia across the causeway. In the little town of Georgetown we turned north on GA 39/alt. 27 and peeled approximately a mile, then took GA 39 to the left. From there we encountered another beautiful ride for about twenty miles to GA 39C where we aimed East for another 8 miles to the entrance of the park.
Providence Canyon is known as the “Little Grand Canyon.” Its deepest gulley is about 150 feet. The canyon was caused by poor farming practices back in the 1800s.
The rangers face constant dangerous episodes maintaining the rail fence around the canyon edge because the walls tend to collapse after heavy rain, causing an ever-changing scenic view. They are forced to retrieve the fences and hoist them back into place. They mounted viewing platforms on skids, so all they can hook chains to the eyehooks and drag them out of danger, when the walls start to crumble.
If you are adventurous and feel the need to walk in the woods there are two trails you can follow. One starts at the information center and winds 3 miles down and across the top of the canyon. For those who want more, they offer a 7-mile backpacking trail. It is only recommended for the very healthy individuals willing to risk it.
The park contains 1003 acres of ever-changing beauty. July and August the rare Plumleaf Azalea blooms. It only grows in this region of the country. At night, in the summer, they organize stargazing meetings. There are also pioneer campsites for those who want to step back into nature.
These photos were taken at various times over the years. Providence Canyon is one of our favorite rides. There are rest rooms and picnic tables available and playgrounds for the children with slides, swings and monkey bars.
The canyon is a short day trip from Hartford, around 200 miles round trip. We usually ride up one-way and hardly ever roll home on the same route. Whatever direction we take there are always things to see and places to explore.
Ride safe.
–Camy
