Georgia

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Dear Jack: Our Christmas Eve Hike at Crockford-Pigeon Wildlife Management Area in Lafayette, GA

14 years, 1 month.

Dear Jack,

You are the member of our family who is most focused on keeping traditions. Leading into the holiday season, I assured you that despite now living in a different state, traditions will still be an important part of our family. It’s just now that will have to replace some of our traditions by creating new ones.

On Christmas Eve, you decided to join me, Papa, and Uncle Andrew on a Jeep drive I headed up. I found a place less than an hour from us, in Lafayette, Georgia: Crockford-Pigeon Wildlife Management Area.

Your favorite part was when we checked out one of the stops of the tour: Walker Rocks, a rock village high up on a mountain; far removed from civilization.

As much as you loved exploring all the rocks, some which were nearly as tall as trees, I had to make sure I got us back home in time before it got dark outside; even though you could have easily spent the whole day there.

If this becomes a new Christmas Eve tradition, you can check out more of the rocks a year from now.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Hiking to the Secret Cabin in the Woods!

5 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

I’m so glad our family was able to go back to Big Canoe, Georgia. And this time, I got to take my Jeep- and take it out on the Jeep trail near our cabin we stayed in.

Halfway through the Jeep trail there is a very old cabin that we got to explore.

You loved it! And you loved Disharoon Creek that flowed right in front of it.

I think one of your favorite parts of our trip was hiking and exploring around the cabin with me.

It is my hope that as you get older, you and I can become hiking buddies.

I always loved hiking and exploring in the words.

That’s one of the traits you got from me- that, and not eating bread or popcorn!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Papa’s “New” Jeep in Big Canoe, GA

10 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack,

Last week our family went back to Big Canoe, Georgia. Back in March, it was for your Spring Break.

But this time, it was for Mommy and me celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary and 4th of July weekend. And this time, Nonna and Papa were there to celebrate with us as well.

I had been telling Papa that just a mile or so away from our cabin, there would be a customized Jeep trail; which only 4×4 vehicles could traverse.

Just in time, Papa bought a 1999 Jeep Wrangler, to go along with my 2010 Jeep Wrangler: “Goldilocks” and “Black Beauty”.

Aside from the swimming pool, I’d say your other favorite memory was getting to ride in the back of Papa’s Jeep.

Compared to my Jeep, both you and Mommy said the seats are more comfortable.

Maybe it’s because his is the fancier version- the Sahara.

Also, I think it’s cool how Papa’s Jeep is from the year Mommy and I graduated high school: 1999.

And mine is from the year you were born: 2010!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your New Trusty Slingshot

10 years, 4 months.

Dear Jack,

I was curious what would end up being your souvenirs from our trip to Georgia.

Obviously, the best place for your sister to buy a souvenir was the Cabbage Patch place in Cleveland.

But the best place for you to buy a souvenir was in Helen, the town where our family rode the Georgia Mountain Coaster.

You chose a really nice (and expensive!) sweatshirt that you wear every morning now on our walk to school…

And your very first slingshot, which you definitely enjoyed shooting rocks from the back porch of cabin we stayed in.

It’s such a 10 year-old boy kind of souvenir!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Visiting Cabbage Patch Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, GA

4 years, 11 months.

Dear Holly,

Last week on our family Spring Break, one of the stops on our tour of northern Georgia was the Cabbage Patch Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia.

Mommy and I had visited there back before you or your brother were born, but we had never been since we had kids; as funny as that sounds!

Of course, we couldn’t leave without you adopting a baby from there.

You chose a little one named Ruby.

For the rest of our stay in Georgia, and everyday since then, you have taken very good care of her!

Love,

Daddy