January 7, 2012 Providence State Park

Sam and I went to Providence Canyon State Park today. I have lived in Georgia all of my years and had never heard of this park until recently. Many of you know that we do not have cable or satellite TV. That means we only get about 6 channels. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the weather. Anyway on GPB there was a show about the "7 wonders of Georgia" and at Providence Canyon Park is Georgia's little Grand Canyon. The canyons were not made by God like The Grand Canyon out west. Instead these canyons were made from farmers in the early 1800 who knew nothing of soil conservation. Once the top soil was gone, the canyons formed by wind and water. The park it self is not very big and has a 3 1/2 mile trail that goes down into the canyons but mostly trails around the top edge. Makes for some pretty pics. Sam and I hiked down into the canyons and took the white trail. The white trail is the 3 1/2 mile, where as the Red trail is 7 miles. Maps are at the Visitor center and hikers must register before going into the canyon. There are camping sites on the longer of the two trails. I would recommend boots or keens because the bottom of the canyon has water running through it. The white trail was steep at spots but I made it ok with a bum knee and 100 extra pounds.

The drive was a little over 2hrs from our house so not bad for day trip. The park is just below Columbus and Fort Benning. Funny that the first weekend in January, Sam and I were riding around the back roads of Georgia with the top down in the bug. Strange seeing 70 degrees in January. Enjoy the pictures.