GA: Georgia Winnie Rebels

GWR March 24 – 27 Outing at
Lake Pines RV Park & Campground
Midland (Columbus), GA

Our March “no host” campout was a perfect weekend all the way around and began with a welcome filled with southern hospitality from Connie & Sandy as we checked in. We were given a beautiful basket full of great snacks for us all to enjoy! It was John Keener who found and booked Lake Pines RV Park and Campground for us – this place is a gem and is perfectly suited for our kind of camping with lots of activities to choose from in the area. Eight of us made the trip out in 5 campers for the weekend. Pictured above from left to right: Linda Tomsett, Fred & Kathy Genrich, John & Leslie Keener, Sandy Starrak - GM of Lake Pines (and new GWR member!), Sarah & Roy Sowers and Lyn Brown. Sandy joined our group Saturday night!
We were all in a row and Lyn was parked between the Keeners and the Genrich’s which made a very nice spot for us to set up our place to hang out together – we had a spot for grilling, a spot for sitting, and a spot for chilling around a campfire. On Thursday, once we all arrived, we loaded up and drove to Ellerslie to dine at Luke’s Pub and Family Steakhouse. They had a nice variety of meal choices. Some of us went for the special of the night – all you can eat catfish with 2 sides, others picked grilled shrimp & toast, and some stuck to their diets and ordered salad (boo). We finished our evening out by Fred’s campfire and he called the evening over by 9pm. He and Kathy got hooked with cooking us breakfast the next 2 mornings!
Friday morning, we awoke to the smell of bacon that Fred was cooking on his Blackstone. Breakfast was made up of scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, applesauce and orange juice – they were delicious! It was this breakfast where we made our plans for the day.
Fred and Roy were waiting for the rest of us to start our day of adventure. As soon as the trash was put away – we could load up and go.
Our day began at the top of the Chattahoochee River Walk in Bibb City – just north of Columbus.
After the River Walk, we spotted our next event and our guides. Four of us suited up in unflattering zip gear and headed to the tower.

Over the river and through the woods, A zip-lining we did go; We Grammas & Grampas forgot our age and got engaged to fly!
Over the river and through the woods, Oh, how the wind did blow! It stung our nerves but we pushed through, and off the tower we flew!
Over the river and through the woods, A challenge we did have; making our way through the paths and webs proving that we still have some flare!
Over the river and through the woods, A big adventure was had; We had so much fun that we’ll stay on track
Hurrah to our Guides and our Big Day!

And back to Georgia’s zip-line base.
So, what did the other 4 do?
Watched... waited… and tried out the rafting gear. Next time we are going white water rafting!
Finally - Back to Camp!
It was another beautiful day and evening. Friday night Roy and Sarah provided and grilled our hamburgers with all the fixings, and the rest of us provided sides of potato salad, baked beans, pea salad and desert – it was all so delicious and fun sitting outside! Then we went to the Lodge to play 5 Crowns where Kings go Wild for the last round – Linda won that night.
Saturday morning Fred and Kathy provided another excellent breakfast of eggs, sausage and a cinnamon swirl crumb cake for us -yum!! We then walked to the Lodge and held our State Club Meeting that was run by Vice President, Fred Genrich.
This was a very serious meeting. Imagine a couple of Generals coming here to have some serious strategy discussions to help the war effort. We never did ask Lyn what she was doing inside that old cabinet? Curious!
After the meeting it was time for our next excursion – to Warm Springs, GA! We took a nice long drive and toured the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Museum, the grounds, and the Little White House. It was a very enjoyable visit remembering FDR and looking at what this Museum had to offer.
Some of us stopped in town for a snack – others headed to the grocery store. We got back to camp for a happy hour and to prepare our chickens for dinner. Some of us had chicken salad, but, most of us had grilled chicken. We moved our dinner plates and left overs to the Lodge as the wind really kicked up late afternoon. After dinner, we enjoyed a nice variety of deserts: carrot cake, brownie bites, cheese cake bites and pie.
We finished our night with another game of 5 Crowns - Where the Kings go Wild on the last round (in case you already forgot!). Leslie won that night - everyone was happy about that. Can you tell?
We all really did have fun this weekend and are so thankful for the Lake Pines RV Park that we found and the adventures we had.

I hope to see y’all next month in Hiawassee at the Georgia State Rally. Until then, Safe Travels!
Leslie Keener,
Secretary, Georgia Winnie Rebels