The area around Pine Mountain and Warm Springs in western Georgia features some of the most rugged terrain outside the mountainous northern part of the state. A high ridge runs for about 15 miles from the town of Pine Mountain on the west, to Manchester on the east. Much of the western two-thirds of the ridge is included in Franklin D Roosevelt State Park.
FDR’s connection to the area began in 1924, when he sought therapy from polio in the pools at Warm Springs. He soon bought land nearby. Eventually he built the residence that came to be known as the Little White House.
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The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Today’s Bucket will focus on the landscape of the area. A future diary will feature the Little White House. A map of the area:
State Highway 190 follows the high ridge. The visitor center is to the west of the junction with Highway 354.
We’ll start at the visitor center in the west part of the park. I was there late in the afternoon on March 28, 2024. A stiff breeze was blowing on the exposed ridgetop.
Two short videos. This 25-second clip was taken from the viewpoint, panning from southeast to southwest.
Note the many shades of green, as the various hardwood species are leafing out. Pine trees are dark green.
Here is a view of the visitor center, a 16-second clip. Note the huge lightning scar on the oak tree. Turn up the sound to hear the Northern Cardinal singing.
Back to still pics, an amphitheater with a view.
Hang onto your hats, it’s windy up here!
Next, we travel east for several miles along Highway 190, and follow a side road leading south to Dowdell Knob. This was one of FDR’s favorite picnic spots, and its easy to see why.
The road to Dowdell Knob. Once the trees leaf out, the view will be obstructed.
A wider view of the diary’s lead image. Enlarge.
Something that I didn’t know:
On April 10, 1945, two days before his untimely death from a brain hemorrhage, Roosevelt asked his secret service to drive him to “the Knob.” Requesting to be alone, FDR spent several hours on this rocky outcrop overlooking the budding canopy of trees and blankets of wildflowers. The final of his undelivered Jefferson Day address reveal that, once again, his stay in Georgia had left him with a renewed strength.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
FDR picked a good place to spend his final days. Here’s a nearby historical marker.
The grill described in the historical marker sits at the edge of a dropoff. FDR and his guests had a commanding view of the rural countryside. The grill is still here, capped with concrete to help keep it intact.
Enlarge.
I returned to the area on April 2 and took a few more pictures. Here’s one that looks to the left of the above scene, showing a bit more green in the forest.
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is one of the first understory plants to leaf out in early spring.
Signposts on Pine Mountain Trail. Enlarge.
Okay, folks, it’s time for me to wander down the trail. The floor is yours. Share your pics and adventures from your part of the world.
