Odds 'n Ends, and a Pretty Good Dose of Yuck!

Today's entry has no real rhyme or reason. Instead, it's simply composed of images that have been accumulating in my files over the past couple or so weeks.  Here we go ...

Several times over the past few weeks I've seen a group of folks SWIMMING (Yes, you read right.) from the curved steps behind the CSU Theatre Department to the old City Wharf behind the Ironworks Trade and Convention Center.  Dumb, if you ask me -- especially since folks drown in the River on a right regular basis (three so far this summer, I read in the Ledger-Enquirer), and these swimmers don't have with them a single lifejacket or float or ANYTHING to grab onto if any of them should need it. These photos are from the first day I saw them -- two men and five women.

 

 

When they finally arrived at the City Wharf, having swum down underneath the Dillingham Street Bridge, they were  "worn out."  One of the women actually was so zoned out (or something) that she swam way past the Wharf and one of the others had to jump in and go get her.  

On two subsequent occasions I've seen the men, but sans the womenfolk, who must have wised up.  Now, these folks look fit, and they look as if they know what they're doing. They have nice swimwear, including swim caps, and I assume that they're engaging in some sort of fitness program or something -- I mean, I don't think they're doing what some folks do and just get drunk and dive in -- but no matter what their inspiration, swimming there in that stretch of the River is dangerous.  And you know what? It's illegal, too.  I looked up the rules of the Riverwalk -- of which there are very few, I'm happy to report -- but one of them is "No Swimming."

Here's a more sensible way to have fun on the Riverwalk:

 

How'd you like the way I snuck in those grandchild photos? Slick, huh?

Here's an oft-photographed spot on the Riverwalk ...

 

I do believe the heron population has increased this year. There are lots of them.

This is the second time I've photographed a heron only to learn when I look closely at the photograph that the poor bird is entangled in fishing line.  Makes me wonder how many of the creatures find themselves in this condition.

Yesterday morning the train came by just as Fred and I walked underneath the Railroad Bridge ...

Here's a sight you don't see very often -- folks up on that rickety platform inside the Powerhouse ..

 

But here's a site I see all the time -- Now, are you ready for the YUCK part of this blog?  Are you really ready?  If not, do NOT scroll down ...

Folks be usin' the tops of the posts for cuttin' bait.

 You know I'm not going to leave you with something so ugly. Here's a sight so interesting to me that I took about ten different photos of it ...

You're wondering what it is?  See that plant sticking up sorta tall in the middle of the photograph?  Well, it has a big white bloom right at the top of the stem.  It's a MARSHMALLOW plant.  I love the idea of a marshmallow growing on a rock in the middle of the Chattahoochee River. That just makes me happy on this, the 28th of July, 2011. Sayonara, friends, till next time.

Rotary Park to the Alabama State Docks

By far the majority of the photographs I've posted on this blog have been taken on this stretch of the Riverwalk right here in front of my house, and a little north -- from the Promenade to the Powerhouse at Eagle and Phenix. There are more folks here, and more "remainderings," and just generally more activity.  Occasionally I do venture to other parts of the Riverwalk, though; and that was the case one day last week when Fred and I took a leisurely stroll from Rotary Park south to the spot on the Georgia side which is directly across the River from the Alabama State Docks.  It's really a BEAUTIFUL stretch of the River and the Riverwalk, partly because a big curve in the River affords some very nice downriver (or upriver) vistas.  Here are some photos:

This is the boat ramp at Rotary Park.

I should have taken a photo of my beloved Bulldog Bait and Tackle, where one can buy both live bait and a barbeque sandwich -- both in the same room.  Maybe now that I'm retired I'll think about tryin' to get a part-time job at Bulldog.  Maybe.

Every now and then a little beach.

The bridge over Bull Creek.

And Bull Creek himself.

The nice little park around the curve from Bull Creek ...

...complete with a gazebo.

Alabama State Docks.

Silos at the Alabama State Docks. I guess that's whatcha call 'em.

From the fishing pier near ... well, I can't tell you what it's near ... Dolly Madison, maybe?

I think I can see the ocean off in the distance.  Can you?
Wait! Maybe I'm lookin' north here -- toward Columbus.
Yes -- I see the Rotary Park boat dock on the right, so I'm lookin' north.
So, can you see Columbus in the distance?

Return to the Riverwalk

Believe it not, y’all, fair readers, here’s a new entry on the Chattahoochee Riverwalk blog!  Yeah, yeah, yeah – I know it’s been over a year since last I posted. My excuses for not posting are not even very exciting: The weather got hot, and then it got cold. (Go ahead. Call me a fair weather friend. I deserve it.) Then I got busy. (Well, there was the McCullers Conference, and we did go out to Mississippi to help birth a fifth grandchild.) Maybe a little more interesting is the fact that I joined the terrific new downtown Y and do much of my walking there, on a treadmill on the second floor from which – Guess what?! – I can look out over the Chattahoochee!  YAY for the downtown Y and whoever designed the place; it’s great in more ways than one.

But back to the Riverwalk. Lots has happened in the past year and three months. The “new part” right north of the Powerhouse has opened, the shad have run yet again, and, sadly, “Tricycle Man” (Mr. James McMinn) moved away. I’ve really missed seeing Mr. McMinn and his trusty tricycle, and I’ve missed our occasional conversations. Mr. M. has moved over into Phenix City, nearer family, where, he assures me, he has a good place to ride his tricycle.  It’s not on the River, though. In honor of my Riverwalk friend Mr. McMinn, I post this photograph from last year:

Here are a few photos from the brand new part of the Riverwalk just north of the Powerhouse (Eagle and Phenix), just south of the 13^th Street Bridge.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm interested in the presence of so many arches -- some even half-buried --

 

 

 

 

 

I know that picture is sideways, but you can see the arch better with it sideways, in my opinion.

Just a half-arch.

 

I love this one coming up -- the mullein, the message, the arch ...

 

 

I think that wall is so beautiful, with its several arches and its green plants.