It is New Year's Eve. 2012 is almost over, 2013 is almost here. Karen and Robert's Christmas present is due to arrive today, I wonder if deliveries here are as fraught with difficulty as they are at home. We have decided to visit Chewacla state park. It is only a few minutes away, and it will be the first proper walk we have had since arriving. The GPS announces "right turn", as I look left there is the park entrance -two enormous sliding black gates. We turn left and pull up by the entrance kiosk. Entrance to the park is $2 per person. The park ranger provides us with a trail map and advises us that the waterfall is where new visitors start. We drive around the park, up the hill steadily to the main parking area, a sign points into the trees 'trail to waterfall'. Really, that's a trail? There doesn't appear to have been either human or animal in that direction recently, so we make our way through the trees. The fallen leaves are covering loose rocks, about the size of a child's fist, and I now realize that my first mistake of the day is quite serious. I didn't bring my walking boots, yesterday's park has given me an entirely false expectation. This is the real outdoors - well it is if you ignore the restrooms, water taps and barbecues Slowly and carefully we proceed down a rain gully, at least there the dry leaves have been removed and we can see the rocks.
The waterfall is really the overflow of the dam that is responsible for the lake, we follow the sound to get there. There are some very large tree trunks that have been washed over the waterfall, l'd to see it in full flow. We then walked along the edge of the lake trying to spot birds, there are a few, but only a few. The woods must provide less food than it appears capable of producing.
We walk for about thirty minutes, it is the furthest we have managed since arriving. Soon the trail is blocked by a fallen tree, this is only an obstacle because we are not properly dressed. Anyway, it is time to return, so we make our way back, and choose a different path to reach the road, it turns out to be a mush easier route.
Close to home, we pull off the road into Flint's Crossing, and eat at Panera Bread. The food is really good, the cost is rather high and the portions on the small side for America, so I wouldn't score it highly on the value for money scale.
Later one of Robert's friends arrives to take us to the Gridiron football game, the Chick fil-A bowl - LSU vs. Clemson, it is near Atlanta, so it is a long drive. On arrival, we eat at Varsity, the biggest burger bar I have ever seen, it has multiple rooms to eat in and also has a drive in, so you can eat in the car. Everyone who visits Atlanta will eat there, including presidents and the King (Elvis). They have pictures to prove it, it is an amazing place.
We then head to MARTA, the City train service, and purchase a breeze card to get us to the stadium and back. I put a $20 note in the machine for a $10 fare and get 10 x $1 coins back. I'd forgotten that Americans had a dollar coin, I assume they still hate it -I certainly do.
The stadium seats near to 80,000 and is a sell out, although only 67,000 odd are actually there. Free tickets have that effect. We are seated at the Clemson end, 7 rows from the top. The field is small, but I can see it all, which is important as I am trying to learn the game. There is a touchdown almost immediately for each side, LSU score first, then the game settles down, and I start to get the idea of 10 yard advances and 4 stops (downs), fake plays and flag on the field. LSU start to have the upper hand. It is a game of two halves, each split into halves again, but these breaks are barely noticeable in the game, which appears to be all wait and a few seconds of explosive action. The half-time show is made up of three marching bands, a stunning show, then we settle down for the second half, but almost immediately we are called down to level 1 where there are seats available 8 rows from the front. Once seated, we realize we have missed a touchdown, LSU are taking a strong lead. In the final quarter, Clemson begin a comeback. They are two points behind with two minutes to play left. The atmosphere in the stadium is electric, the announcer pleads for order at the end of the game, and reminds people not to go on the field. At the start of the final play, Clemson need a field goal to win. They are inside the final ten yards on fourth down, the clock is stopped at 2 seconds. The goal is scored, and the noise is deafening. I could not have been at a better first game. Football is a very technical sport, I hope I can keep in touch, at least now I will have some idea of what's happening when the Super Bowl is on.
We return to the packed train, the mood of the crowd is friendly, with lots of chat between strangers, yet there has been little alcohol sold.
In the car on the way back, we talk about the church plant that Robert's friend is planning. He has a brilliant vision and is planning carefully and listening to God for direction, to make a church that disciples well, but doesn't become a show, like so many of the US churches are.
The last day of 2012 and the first hour of 2013 were so exciting.
