Hiking in Oconee National Forest

A couple weekends ago I went hiking in Oconee National Forest, in Central Georgia. The forest, halfway between Atlanta and Augusta is split in two, with a large part of it south of Interstate 20, and another sizable portion to the north. We had planned to go hiking in this northern part, but had trouble finding resources on where to go hiking there, apart from the short walk to Scull Shoals historic village. Due to the difficulty in finding a place to hike here, I decided to post some information on the trail we took, under the park ranger's suggestion, so that others can find it with less issues in the future.

The part of the park we hiked in is called Scull Shoals Experimental Forest. A map of the forest can be found here in PDF form, and the portion we hiked is in the most northern tip. We hiked the trail highlighted pink in the map below. It was approximately 4 miles long.















The trailhead is circled on the map above where it comes close to Forest Road 1231. It is just north of the intersection with Forest Road 1231D. The sign below, on the west side of 1231, indicates you have found the trailhead.

















The trail is lightly used, but is marked the whole way with plastic orange diamond trail blazes, and plastic green diamong trail blazes with an orange horse. On the western portions of the trail, there are many trees down across the trail, and new paths have circle around them. Be careful to find the blazes again!

Vulcan Hand Sign Achieved

I've never been able to make the Vulcan hand salute, that which Spock makes in the Star Trek movies.

This was always distressing to me, especially because my last name in Judaism indicates that I am a Kohen. The sign of the Kohen when they do their priestly blessing is the same.

However, just today I was reading about the rock-paper-scissor game variant rock-paper-scissor-lizard-Spock and while going through the hand motions, I just happened to do it. I've never been able to do it before, and I don't know what caused me to suddenly be able to achieve it. I am extremely happy at the moment though.

Fluffy Catepillars

Went camping last year in Panthertown Valley and spotted these interesting caterpillars. Excited to be going back next weekend!

Parking Meter Overload FAIL

Our parking meter liked the first 5 coins we fed it, but FAILed at #6. And out of coins to feed another meter. Nearby cop said he'd move the car if he were us, Atlanta Parking Authority is vicious. (Photo by Amy)

Ducks in a Basket

I visited Rangpur, Bangladesh in summer 2008 with my friend Turzo. We visited a nearby market to pick up a duck for dinner. While there, we spotted a basket of ducklings that were for sale. My fiancée found them to be irresistibly cute.

The Alphabet Song

It is stuck in my head today. Good thing I know all the lyrics.