Middle Georgia Minute

HIGH FALLS WATER PARK: When you have lived and traveled in an area your whole life, it is rare to find a new place that somehow evaded you. This July 4th weekend, I was invited to a birthday party at a water park in Jackson, Georgia that has apparently been there since the late 1980s. I remember driving by it several times when I missed the turn for High Falls State Park but it was never opened when I did. I assumed it was abandoned. The park is fairly small, with only one full sized pool, a kiddie pool, two long slides, and a pirate ship-themed area for little kids. I really enjoyed the amount of shady spots to rest in and there were lots of people there enjoying the cold water on a sweltering day. It was just a reminder that there is always more to be discovered even in areas you thought you knew a lot about.

A few weekends ago, I went with my family to Rigby’s Water Park for the first time. It was larger than High Falls Water Park, and has a lazy river, but I found it harder to find shady seating there at the time of our visit.

The price at High Falls Water Park at the time of our visit seemed a bit steep: $19 per person. Considering how few such attractions can be found near Middle Georgia, and how much maintenance is required to keep conditions hygienic, the price is understandable.

THE SOCIAL DUCK: This past Saturday I stopped in at The Social Duck, the first duckpin bowling establishment in Middle Georgia. While this weekend was the soft opening of The Social Duck, the business has since announced that it is open.

Macon has long needed entertainment options like a bowling alley, a movie theater, or a skating rink. While Middle Georgia has many positive features, it has never had enough places families could go for fun that aren’t also places people go to drink. Hopefully, The Social Duck will be the first of many entertainment options for the families of our area.

TRAGEDY AT CAMP MYSTIC: There are no words to truly convey the sadness of the fates of the young campers who were victims of a flash flood at Camp Mystic. In all, over 90 people have now been declared dead from flash flooding in Texas. My daughter isn’t old enough to attend an overnight camp and I can’t imagine the pain such a tragic loss would cause the parents, siblings, friends, and family.

Every time I read of such tragedy, and there have been countless tragedies reported in the news almost daily for as long as I can remember, I remember the brevity of all of our lives, whether we live to old age or never make it into young adulthood. I pray that those left behind are able to heal and move forward, honoring the lives of those lost by doing service to others and loving like there might not be a tomorrow.