| When we first arrived we were surprised that | | | | like we blended right in somehow. |
| this place even existed! Trail's End Resort and | | | | In the afternoon we become part of an amateur |
| Marina(TM) ( is carved out of a 70-acre spread of | | | | volleyball pickup game that some of the kids |
| land that borders a state wildlife refuge with a | | | | started with a few parents. It was an invigorating |
| ranger station nearby. The entire landscape is | | | | half hour to say the least. We went back to the |
| dotted with private ponds and woods to explore. | | | | clubhouse afterwards and doodled around the |
| Not the dense saplings and low laying evergreens, | | | | main room, making some new friends along the |
| but the tall older forest variety of soaring pines. | | | | way. When we did head back to the cabin early |
| The pine needle paths are easy to trace and | | | | evening was setting in. We heard there was going |
| make for a great exploring adventure. | | | | to be a tiki hut gathering that night so we picked |
| We parked our van near our upscale cabin, | | | | up some snacks to bring along. Someone brought |
| located in the portion of the resort dedicated to | | | | a boom box and put on music. Others stoked the |
| the RV park with RV sites spanning the inner | | | | fire pits and brought drinks to share. It was like an |
| channel of the COVE waterway off the main | | | | old-fashioned fish camp gathering but the |
| Chattahoochee River. Whether we chose to go | | | | amenities were a lot nicer. I don't go anywhere |
| rustic and camp in a tent along the banks of the | | | | there aren't modern bathrooms. |
| inland water, or park our RV we would have been | | | | We were so full from lunch and snacking all day |
| just as happy with the location. Our cabin had a | | | | we really didn't bother with dinner. Or watching |
| view of the water. Because we lived under that | | | | television or many of the other things we find to |
| tall canopy it never got too hot or cold. Even in | | | | occupy our time at home. In fact, Trail's End |
| the heat of day we had dappled sunlight hitting | | | | Resort brought out a different side in us we |
| our faces when we went out to play. | | | | hadn't experienced for years. We were playful |
| The air was crisp and the day was bright for a | | | | again, just going with the flow and enjoying the |
| Saturday. We got up early and walked over to | | | | moments as they happened. There were some |
| the General Store. The management was already | | | | planned activities we could have done while there |
| on duty and had our pontoon boat rental ready to | | | | but it was just as fun letting nature take its |
| go. We wanted to pack and go explore the little | | | | course. |
| islands off the main run of the river, and get in a | | | | We slept like babies that night tucked in our bed. |
| little fishing before the morning mist burned off. | | | | As night set in we noticed how utterly quiet it |
| David Allen was especially helpful and even | | | | was out there. You could really see a million stars |
| showed us where to stow our gear while we | | | | and the silence was only broken by an occasional |
| traveled. The boat was very easy to operate and | | | | owl, or someone taking a late night stroll. We |
| inexpensive for a half day's use. The General | | | | were very peaceful. |
| Store had everything we needed that we forgot | | | | Sunday came and we spent part of the morning |
| to bring for a day of fishing, including the fishing | | | | lounging around the cabin. We sat on the deck for |
| licenses! We headed out in the channel following to | | | | a short while to watch boaters come and go. A |
| markings to navigate into the main river. We | | | | lot of the traffic in the morning seems to center |
| were alone. Except for the occasional bass boat | | | | around launching from the public dock, although |
| we had a good mile section of the river to | | | | some new arrivals came in to use the covered |
| ourselves. We put up the canopy on the boat and | | | | boat slips. I did notice that they have electric and |
| head out for some of the more interesting terrain. | | | | water available so cleaning up our catch and |
| Looking back at the COVE luxury houseboat | | | | getting set was a snap. If it had rained we would |
| community we could see others in the distance | | | | have been dry loading and unloading which is very |
| prepping the boats docked at their front bows, or | | | | nice. |
| fishing right off their porches in the morning haze. | | | | Around noon we headed over the Pop's Dockside |
| The river was swift and ran clear. We were very | | | | Grill and Raw Bar. We heard about the rotating |
| serene. That is one thing I will say about Trail's | | | | weekly Sunday buffet so we wanted to give that |
| End Resort. Being so far off the beaten path you | | | | a try. We were very pleased and our bellies |
| feel like you are back with nature. Even though | | | | showed it. They must have the world's best fried |
| you are only a half hour from major shopping | | | | chicken. Now I'm a good cook but the traditional |
| malls, a couple of cities, restaurants and other | | | | Southern food there just knocked my socks off. |
| stores, when you look out on the river all you | | | | From the green beans with ham, to the dessert |
| hear are a wide variety of birds, frogs, and the | | | | cobbler you could tell everything was homemade. |
| other sounds of nature. | | | | The place was hopping all morning into the |
| We headed north to find just the perfect fishing | | | | afternoon since they serve the buffet until 6pm. |
| spot and did. We nestled near the opposite shore | | | | It isn't a line up of trays though. You just tell the |
| as the sun started its climb for the day. We | | | | server what you want from the buffet items and |
| unpacked our picnic breakfast and nibbled on our | | | | they bring you a fresh plate each time. I could |
| fare while we settled in for a first day of total | | | | have lived there for a few days they way we |
| vacation relaxation. We caught our first fish within | | | | ate. |
| minutes - a beautiful bass and a couple of catfish. | | | | It was time for another stroll after that dinner. |
| No wonder they call this area the bass fishing | | | | Now I understand why a lot of folks just have a |
| capital on Georgia. | | | | big lunch and then a small supper. It felt like |
| After a couple of hours spent in the open air we | | | | Thanksgiving with all the choices we had. And I |
| were ready to head back and see what else was | | | | have to say that the whole staff are friendly and |
| going on at Trail's End. We found that the kids | | | | relaxed. It isn't one of those nose in the air |
| were settled in around the new pool and | | | | restaurants, or a diner. It is Pop's. It has its own |
| clubhouse in a couple of gazebos working on a | | | | flavor and that's one of Lake Seminole's hidden |
| craft, and that some people were hosting a small | | | | gems. |
| party in the main community room kitchen. | | | | While we were there we looked into owning |
| We were going to head back to grill our catch for | | | | vacation weeks aboard a Harbor Homes(TM) |
| lunch and add some of the beans, potato salad | | | | luxury houseboat ( in the COVE. After our |
| and other picnic items we brought with us. We | | | | weekend we wanted to know how we could be |
| decided to use one of the grills along the river | | | | co-owners and visit during the year. Once we |
| bank. While the fish cooked and my husband | | | | found out they are affiliates of RCI the vacation |
| dutifully got our lunch together I was able to lay | | | | exchange we knew we had found our spot. |
| back in a hammock and just soak up the sun for | | | | Others interested can call 888-577-4562 to |
| a few minutes. In the distance I could hear | | | | request a tour of the resort. Ask about the $99 |
| children laughing and the rustle of leaves. Every | | | | cabin getaway special vacation. We only had to |
| once in a while a small boat would cross the | | | | take a tour for a couple hours on Sunday and are |
| COVE and head up or down river. I don't know | | | | we glad we did. |
| but it felt like the air is different there. Just | | | | Anyone who just wants to rent a cabin, rent a |
| fresher. | | | | houseboat, rent a pontoon boat, or rent an RV |
| We had our feast and packed up our picnic to | | | | site should call 229-861-2000 direct and speak |
| head out along a nature trail for a much needed | | | | with the manager. Trail's End Resort is located at |
| walk. We were surprised to learn how many | | | | 3371 at the west end of Highway 253 (Spring |
| unique bird species there are in the resort area. | | | | Creek Road), southwest of Bainbridge, GA. Hope |
| Some old growth trees still stand. We read about | | | | to see you there! |
| the history of this place before we came and felt | | | | |