Millen, GA
Named for the aquifer of clear water pooling up millions of gallons of water a year at the site, this park is a bit out of the way but well worth the visit for me. I happened to be there when many things were in brilliant bloom–waterlilies and bladderwort on the water as well as the flowering shrubs throughout the surprisingly well-landscaped park. While the trails are a bit nondescript, the areas that have boardwalks (especially at the spring) are quite nice, and the few cottages here have a very homelike appearance. The small lake there was quite fun to navigate just for the challenge of all the lily pads everywhere but even more because it’s gator country which always adds an air of anticipation as I paddle around.
Kayaking on Magnolia Spring State Park Lake (28 acres)
The rather blandly name Magnolia Spring State Park Lake is a small pond in the middle of the park. I did not expect much excitement in navigating it, but at the time I went there it was so covered in thick mats of lily pads that it was quite a fun challenge to navigate around. It was actually beautiful because the white blossoms of the lilies were everywhere while yellow pond flowers also dotted the landscape. My only disappointment initially was not to have seen an alligator though they were listed as active in the area. But then just as I was about to pull up to shore at the dock, I saw a small black “log” that soon opened a pair of eyes! I watched for a while and you can see him swimming past one of the camp areas in the photo at top.
