Georgia state parks and historic sites e-news [Mar. 2014]

March 2014 E-News
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March 2014
Spend Spring Break in the Great Outdoors
Af f ordable & Close to Home
We guarantee you won't hear "I'm bored" while your kids are kayaking through a salt marsh or hiking along a waterf all. Georgia's State Parks of f er a variety of outdoor recreation and accommodations to make this spring break one to remember. Choose f rom f unky yurts (like a cross between a cabin and tent), cozy cottages and modern

campgrounds, then f ill your days with f ishing, geocaching, nature walks, ranger programs, minigolf , canoe rental and more. Accommodations book quickly during spring break and summer, so reservations should be made in advance. Call 1-800-864-7275 or visit GaStatePark.org. (Tip: High Falls State Park is of f ering 25% of f yurts on weekdays in March.)
Spring Birding Walks -- From Beginner to Expert
If songbirds put a spring in your step, join our birding experts f or an uplif ting walk in the woods. You don't have to be an expert birder; just bring your passion f or these beautif ul creatures. A selection of March birding events is listed below, and a complete list is on GaStateParks.org. Photographers wanting to capture that perf ect pose can visit the bird blind at Crooked River State Park near St. Marys or the birding room at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah. (Tip: T his spring, lucky visitors might see our nation's most colorf ul migratory, the Painted Bunting.) Close Encounters of the Bird Kind, Saturdays, 1 2 p.m. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville, GA Atlanta Audubon Beginners Bird Walk, Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m. Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge, GA Morning Bird Watches, Monday, March 3, 8 a.m. and Sunday, March 23, 8 a.m. Crooked River State Park - St. Marys, GA Backyard Birding, Sunday, March 9, 8:30 a.m. High Falls State Park - Jackson, GA Atlanta Audubon Society Bird Walk, Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m. Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge, GA
Plan Your Dream Wedding
Congratulations to all the couples who became engaged this past Valentine's Day! If you're planning a wedding, we can help make your special day a beautif ul and af f ordable -- af f air to remember. Georgia's State Parks have a variety of venues f or your wedding, reception or portrait sitting. Many of f er budget-f riendly packages f or both indoor and outdoor spaces, perf ect f or an intimate ceremony or a large celebration. Plus, our network of planning partners

can help make your dream wedding a reality and alleviate any stresses.
All Aboard the SAM Shortline Train
Climb aboard the SAM Shortline Excursion Train in Cordele to discover the "real" Georgia. Riding in air-conditioned vintage cars, you'll enjoy a mix of romantic yesteryear with the excitement of today's South. T he train stops in small towns with interesting attractions, including President Jimmy Carter's boyhood f arm, Habitat f or Humanity's Global Village and a f ascinating telephone museum. (Tip: Make sure your camera is ready when crossing Lake Blackshear at Georgia Veterans State Park. You might see alligators below.) Buy tickets at www.SamShortline.com or by calling 229-276-0755.
2014 Park Guide Available
Order our "Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites" and take an armchair tour of the Peach State. You'll f ind photos and descriptions of more than 60 destinations across Georgia. Call 1-800-864-7275 to order your f ree copy or view on GeorgiaStateParks.org. (Tip: Keep one in your glovebox f or when you're passing brown directional signs on highways.)
March 2014 Events
Below are just a f ew programs to keep you having f un in the great outdoors. For a complete calendar, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
Okef enokee Swamp Tours Saturdays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. March 1, 2014 until May 31, 2014 Stephen C. Foster State Park - Fargo, GA Join us f or a tour of historic Billy's Island. T his island was home to Native Americans, pioneers, and lumbermen f or thousands of years. $15-$20 $5 parking. 912-637-5274.
Basics of Photography Saturday, March 8, 2014 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Crooked River State Park - St. Marys, GA Join Randall Hollis f or a three weekend course combining classroom discussions, image presentation, f ield experiences and student work critiques to cover the basics of photography. Adults only. Register in advance. $75 per person $5 parking. 912-882-5256.
T he Magnif icent Marsh Kayak Trip Saturday, March 15, 2014 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Crooked River State Park - St. Marys, GA T his low-tide, f our mile loop paddle is great f or beginners. Reservation required. $35 f or single kayak, $45 f or tandem kayak. $5 parking. 912-882-5256.
Georgia's Native American Heritage Saturday, March 15, 2014 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville, GA We will spend the day examining how people and cultures f rom the past have helped create today's world. $2.00-$6.00. 770-387-3747.
Hills of Iron Iron Pour at Lake Allatoona Saturday, March 15, 2014 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Red Top Mountain State Park - Cartersville, GA Discover the park's iron-mining history by touring an iron mine with a park ranger, visiting our blacksmith, etching a scratch block, and watching an iron pour. $5 parking. 770-975-0055.
Flies and Fly Water Saturday, March 15, 2014 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA In preparation f or the upcoming spring f ishing season, we will have a show and tell, helpf ul hints, and "how to" on f ly tying, stream reading, casting and more. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.
Full Moon Hike Sunday, March 16, 2014 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Indian Springs State Park - Flovilla, GA Learn about nocturnal creatures and sensory awareness at night. $5 plus $5 parking. 770-5042277.

Ranger-led Lake Paddle Sunday, March 16, 2014 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs, GA Join us f or a ranger-led, peacef ul outing on the lake and up Beaver Creek. Register in advance. $15 includes canoe or tandem kayak, PFD, and paddle. $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Scottish Heritage Days Friday, Saturday & Sunday March 21, 2014 until March 23, 2014 Fort King George Historic Site - Darien, GA A variety of living history demonstrations devoted to Scottish and colonial culture will be f eatured. A battle re-enactment will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday. $4-$7.50 912-437-4770.
Owl Prowl and Night Sounds Hike Saturday, March 22, 2014 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge, GA Listen to the music of f rogs and crickets as we search f or the elusive owl on the Beaver Pond Nature Trail. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-557-3001.
Fort Yargo Colonial Market Faire Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. f rom March 28, 2014 until March 30, 2014 Fort Yargo State Park - Winder, GA During this 18th century living-history event, tradesmen and artisans will demonstrate craf ts and knowledge of the time. Enjoy f rontier f rybread and kettlecorn. $5. Children under 12 f ree. $5 parking. 770-867-3489.
Wildf lower Hike Saturday, March 29, 2014 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cloudland Canyon State Park - Rising Fawn, GA Take a walk through Sitton's Gulch to observe the abundance of blooming wildf lowers in our limestone rich soil. Reservations required. $10 plus $5 parking. 706-913-7170.
Colonial Wormsloe Lantern Tours Saturday, March 29, 2014 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wormsloe Historic Site - Savannah, GA

Guided tours by lantern take you to the oldest tabby ruins in Savannah. T he colonial lif e area will be aglow with a lively village celebrating the arrival of spring. 912-353-3023.
See more events at GaStateParks.org/events.