A relaxing get-away to history

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It was the end of Labor Day weekend and we were packed and ready to roll early on the Monday morning. We were headed for a Corps of Engineer Campground on West Point Lake in Georgia for 4 nights of camping, swimming and relaxing. We had stopped at this campground a year ago coming back from Florida and decided to make it a destination for some old fashioned camping. So off we headed towards LaGrange, GA and the West Point Lake (part of the Chattahoochee river.)

We got in about 4PM local time (forgot we lost an hour heading into Eastern time zone) and were told we could have our pick of sites; over 94 folks had pulled out after the Labor Day weekend. We took the car, leaving the RV at the ranger station, and drove around the park, identifying several we thought looked good. One of the features of many COE campgrounds is that they are right on the water and you don't have to go to a beach to swim; just walk out your door, to the water, and get in. So we looked for sites that were a) big enough for the RV (some were best for pop up trailers), b) had easy access to the water (so Trish didn't twist a gimpy knee) and, c) had a nice view. We finally settled on a nice pull through site with a huge view of the lake, easy access to the water with a sand beach, and a good bit of shade. The price couldn't be beat, $12 a night with our America the Beautiful senior pass. We got set up, put our the awning on the RV, set up chairs and then walked to the beach in our swim suits. The water was like bath water, probably in the low to mid 80s and mostly sandy bottom with gradual decline. Little kids would have had a ball here! (Hear that, Drew and Xander??)

After a simple dinner, we sat outside in the fading light and read, watched the fishermen coming in by boat and enjoyed the sounds of nature. We left windows open in the coach because at night it cooled off nicely and the breeze was great. Koko, our cat, got to go out and explore and discovered chipmunks, squirrels, big trees to climb and lots of bushes and leaf duff to use in place of the litter box in the RV (yea!). Next morning we watched the morning show, then sat out under the awning reading and practically falling asleep to the buzz of cicadas, light blowing of the wind, and gentle lapping of waves from the lake. Before lunch, we put on suits and went back in the lake. There were no waves and the water was really clear, probably 5-6 foot visibility. We came back after swimming, paddling about and cooling off, had lunch, then....gasp....took naps. Decadent!

In the afternoon we took a walk on the camp roads and ended up chatting with a couple down the line from us who were there for a week or more and relaxing like us. We invited them to come down and visit after dinner. We went back and had our meal and sat back relaxing when we spotted the couple walking to our camper. They came in and we had a delightful time sharing camping stories, retirement stories and plans for future trips. The husband, Jimmy, said he wanted to get back and put up his awning as there were strong storms predicted for the evening. After they left, I went out and put ours up as well; replacement of a new awning takes time, is costly, and not fun to deal with. That night there was lightning, heavy rains and wind. In the morning, it was peaceful and calm, as if nothing had happened.

Wednesday we decided to take a trip a short drive away to Warm Springs, GA. This is the site of the famed Warm Springs Institute,founded by FDR in the late 1920's. Most have heard of Roosevelt's polio and his struggle to regain some control of his limbs. But this is where he actually came to get in the warm (86-88 degree) water, exercise and strengthen his muscles and start to feel better and feel good about himself. He would come here and stay for extended periods, making friends with the local residents and often formulating policy for recovery from the Great Depression. The springs were located at an old hotel and FDR realized the hotel was not equipped for his needs, so bought land and built a small cottage, later dubbed the Little White House. This is now a Georgia State Park and features a small museum with artifacts from FDR, panels explaining his illness and recovery, relationship with the locals, and also a section honoring Eleanor. Then it is outside for a walk to the Little White House and a chance to visit the staff quarters, guest house, and the actual cottage. The home is furnished and left almost exactly as it was the day FDR died in the home.

After visiting the cottage, we went into the museum and gift shop, had lunch and then visited the actual springs. Although no longer used, the water being pumped up the hill the the institute, we did tour the ground and saw pictures of how it looked when FDR commissioned a revision of the springs, complete with an enclosure over one of the pools for use in bad weather. In the springs area were more pieces from the FDR era. As noted in the pictures, this trip also had personal history, and that was really neat for us.

My Aunt Dosia, mother's younger sister, developed polio as a child. I don't know the whole story, but it was obviously extremely serious and scary. She was in an iron lung at various points (they had one on display at the warm springs pool area) and eventually went to Warm Springs in 1943 to work on rehab and strengthening her limbs (like FDR). I first remember my aunt as a young boy and she had crutches, brace on a leg and a wheel chair. (This was in 1950-52?) She was young, vibrant, exciting, but needed assistance. I was really proud when I was old enough to push her in the chair and help (maybe age 8?) Seeing the leg brace that FDR had and the crutches at the museum, I understood why my Aunt's crutches looked so different; she had gotten them from the same place as FDR. And that was over 70 years ago! Today my Aunt is having new issues and may need a new brace. I understand today's doctors have no idea about her brace and some are probably seeing polio for the first time. Just as FDR never let polio stand in his way, neither has my aunt; she has traveled all over the world, written books and articles, written and published music, gotten a PhD, and been ordained as a minster. Warm Springs talks about the Warm Springs spirit, and clearly that is embodied in both FDR and my aunt, Dosia Carlson.

Thursday was another relaxing day. We had rain showers off and on and still managed to get out walking, down to the beach, and sit and read. Yes, very calming and relaxing. The only downside was we wanted a campfire but the showers in the evening kept us from doing that. Still, a good get-away with a nice tour back in history and personal nostalgia.

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Photos

Old Milk Truck
We pass this on our way to Anniston, AL. Reminds us of the milk trucks that we remember as kids. Having just spent time at my 50th reunion with Julie Moss, I thought of her dad and the Moss Farm Dairy in Chesterland, OH.

Campsite at COE campground
A wonderful pull through site with some shade and wonderful views. It was nice to walk out the door, across the lawn and down to the lake to swim.

The Little White House
FDR bought land here and built a small home for when he came to recuperate at Warm Springs. This is the only house he ever owned! (Hyde Park belonged to his mother.)

Where FDR died
FDR was sitting in this chair, at this table, having his portrait painted, when he complained of not feeling well, collapsed and was carried into his bedroom by the Secret Service. He died that afternoon.

Crutch and Brace built by the Brace Shop
This was designed for FDR. But since I was little, I recall my Aunt Dosia wearing the exact same brace and using the same type of crutch. She got hers at Warm Springs when she was in her teens.

Dining area of Little White House
The house was extremely small but well designed. This dining area was across from the fireplace and sitting area FDR used. Note the nautical decor, reflecting his love of the sea.

View from the RV
We had a 160 degree view of the lake and watched fishermen head out in the morning, saw birds and squirrels playing among the trees, and listened to the soft lapping of the waves on the shore. Great relaxation for a few days.

History of Warm Springs
Although the structure at the springs are no longer as they were when FDR was here, it remains an impressive structure and the institution continues to provide rehabilitation for victims of stroke, accident, or war.

The actual spring water at 85 degrees
You could walk down into the pool area and feel and taste the springs. Because of the cost of upkeep, the pools are no longer used or available to the public. But the museum shows what it was like in its prime.

The "new" warm springs
These pools were redesigned at the request of FDR (and paid for by him) to have a therapeutic pool, a play pool and the far pool at the end which in the 30s and 40s was covered so it could be used in inclement weather.

Comments

[Deborah]

Loved the old milk truck....brought back memories of childhood!

[Joshua Timmons]

Old milk crate from Moss Farms
Just found one of their milk crates under my father's deck. It looks very old, but am amazed how sturdy it still is.

[jdkinley]

Interested in milk crate
Just noticed your comment from June. Would you be interested in selling the crate? I know Julie would love to have some memorabilia from her dad's farm. I'd love to surprise her with some things, if I can find them.