GEORGE L. SMITH SP

January 11 2026

LOCATION: George L. Smith State Park
ADDRESS: 371 George L Smith State Park Rd, Twin City, GA 30471
DATE: Nov 2-6, 2020
IMAGES (full resolution viewing): Pixels

Located in central Georgia is this little ‘gem’ of a park. I recall the first time seeing an image of this park online. I was so taken with the shot, that I had to find out more about it’s stunning location.

It was still summer, and the photo had been taken in autumn. I had two months to plan, and I was able to pull together a full week to make the journey.

I waited as long as I could to make the reservations at the little RV park they have on site. The autumn color change is later in Georgia than it is in my area northwest, so I had to do a lot of estimating as to when it would be peaking, and then hope all the sites weren’t reserved by that time. They were filling up pretty fast according to the online site. I changed my dates twice before I finally settled on November 2-6, Now all I had to do was wait.

This was to be my first photography workshop with a guest, Lisa, attending. Though we were in the mist of Covid restrictions, we were both essential workers and still active outside our homes daily.

Due to those restrictions though, they weren’t renting boats, but your could bring your own. Check before you go, as sometimes their boats are not available due to water levels as well.

DAY 1, Nov 2:

Lisa has her kayaks strapped on her minivan with a makeshift bed inside, and I have everything else loaded in the Chinook (mini RV), firewood included. We head out in the morning to make the 5 1/2 hr drive from our western North Carolina hometown.

Keep in mind, some parks won’t let you bring your own wood due to transporting of invasive insects. We are in the same geographic area so there is no issue. We have the same bugs.

We arrive at the park late afternoon and pull into the #21 lakeside campsite I had reserved. After getting unloaded, and a fire started, we realize we have no direct access to the lake. Technically this spot is on the water. But with the water level so low right now, it was pure mud sludge here for a few hundred feet, and a grove of trees so thick there is no way to get the boats out. Bummer!

We took a stroll around the park to get our bearings. We found a public boat landing, but weren’t happy that we would have to load and unload the boats everyday. That would be a major pain. It’s getting dark and the office is closed. We head back to camp to settle in and walk the other RV sites, some are still empty. I have a plan… I hope I can pull it off.

DAY 2, Nov 3:

It’s barely daylight, and I can hear the owls in the darkness. We head out for a morning walk to check out the famous Parrish Mill Museum on Watson Pond and hike some other area trails across the lake while we waited for the office to open.

At the time of our morning stroll, I didn’t know that I would get the shot I had hoped for within the first half hour of effort. Nor did I know I would and take it from land without ever using the boat.

I usually don’t look at my images while on the trip. It wasn’t known until I returned home, and worked the images over the next few weeks that I realized it. Success is so sweet!

The office opens at 8, and I planned to be the first one through the doors. Just as I had hoped, the campsite #15 I had spotted the night before is available for the days we are there, as long as we check out by Friday. Not a problem. It just so happened that was our last day here anyway.

We head back to our campsite, pack in all up, and walk the boats over to our new spot. This is perfection! Easy lake access right from the camp.

While I was in the office, I incurred about the photo. I learned that when the photographer had taken that image, the lake was drained about 6 ft to do repairs on the Mill. And that specifically is why the picture was so special and had multiple tree rings.

Usually the water is higher here, and the rings on the trees are not always visible. And while it isn’t as low as I had hoped for, it’s low enough to get similar photo ops. So this news brings a smile.

We’re ready to take a spin and go out to test the boats. I am weary at first as I haven’t used this boat before, and not trusting of the tipping capacity with my gear. But after a half hour or so… I feel quite safe and dry. Just pay attention and don’t turn to swift, the boat is very stable.

The water has lots of ripples from the wind, so it’s a little tricky to hand hold a large lens in a constantly moving boat, but this lens (Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM) is fast and sharp so I think I’ll be fine. This is my favorite lens, and I use it in most situations on a daily basis.

Often in photography at the time of capturing an image, you aren’t quite sure the picture will come out as you envisioned. And then sometimes during editing, an image brings out your creativity. There are no rules to your imagination. Sometimes you want the image gently edited and natural. Other times, the artist in you wants to explore digital manipulation to create something unique.

Both are fine. It’s your vision. Make it anyway you want.

Prior to dusk, we head out on the water again, and paddle together for a short time. Eventually we split off, as we were both taking pictures and it led in different directions.

I happened upon this lovely scene right as the sun was setting. The ‘golden hour‘ is always my favorite time and the woman silently taking in the view was so serene. Shortly thereafter, I would find her husband (John) also a photographer, tied to a tree nearby with his tripod taking pictures. Neither knew they had become my subject. I hope he got his shot! I certainly got mine!

I ran into the woman later, (Linda), as she was talking to Lisa, and got verbal permission to use the image. She shared her contact info, and I made sure to send them links.

DAY 3, Nov 4:

I head out early for a quick morning trip and then return to get Lisa. We take the boats all the way to the bridge. It’s such a peaceful setting under the canopy of the trees and we pass some other kayakers as we go. I think I’ll test out my GoPro 7 for the first time. I bought it a few years ago, and this is the first time I’ve put it to use. Not knowing what the battery limits were, I stopped and started it a lot of times. But I have the hang of it now.

The evening winds down after dinner with conversation by the fire. It’s a cool evening, so the warmth soothes the chill in my bones and the crackle of the embers soothes my soul.

DAY 4, Nov 5:

Always an early riser, I text Lisa and give her the heads up that I am heading out before daylight if she wants to join me. She declines, so I grab my gear and slide the boat in the water with GoPro on. Mornings were very cold, and layers of clothing is a necessity. Hats and gloves too.

There was a thick mist coming off the water. It was heavier in the days prior, but I’ll take what I can get. This morning I’m heading back to the bridge to video without stopping, or at least limited stops 🙂

When I get near the bridge, US 80 E, I come across a deer standing in the knee deep water. I tried to catch a shot of it, but didn’t have any luck. It bolted the second it saw me, and I still had the paddle in my hands. I reached for my camera and just captured a blur of an object on the move.

Trying to photograph wildlife while paddling, it’s likely you’ll miss more than you capture.

Though I didn’t see a lot of wildlife on this outing… no gators, no beaver, no otters, just knowing they are here was enough. There were plenty of turtles, squirrels, insects, and birds to keep me amused as I paddled through this serene location among the historic cypress grove.

Having the ease of the boat being at the campsite right at the water’s edge gives us much more freedom to come and go individually. I want to utilize every possible moment of daylight. Especially in the early mornings, and pre dusk when animals are most active looking for food. And there is a peaceful silence as the other campers are still at rest. But not camper John, he too is out here as I spot him frequently each and every morning. He is already on the water by the time I get out. I try to give him his space and go in the opposite direction.

DAY 5, Nov 6:

On our last day I paddle in the morning prior to breaking down camp. It was a lot of fun getting out there on the water, and spending time with my good friend Lisa during this getaway.

The trip isn’t over, it’s just over at George L. Smith State Park. Today we will make our way to Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen, Georgia for a couple of days, where the adventure will continue!

Reservations, Accommodations & Facilities

https://gastateparks.org/GeorgeLSmith

1,634 Acres
412 Acre Lake
8 Cottages
24 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites
4 Primitive Campsites
4 Picnic Shelters (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
1 Group Shelter (seats 94. Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
1 Pioneer Campground (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
Historic Covered Bridge & Mill
Playground
Wi-Fi — available in the park office

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