Lake Jackson

A few weeks ago we visited the beautiful Lake Jackson.  It is in the little town of Florala, Alabama, about 40 minutes north of us.  We had decided that we were going to go camping, but couldn't decide between Lake Jackson or the Chatahoochee River.  I've always thought of the Chatahoochee as such a symbol of the South and thought it would definitely be the ideal place for a weekend camping trip.  So, we called the state park and asked if campfires, swimming, dogs, etc. were allowed.  To our excitement all of the above were permitted at Chatahoochee state park.  However, the park ranger advised us against letting our dog swim.

"Why is that?", asked Mitcheal

"Well, you don't want him gittin eatin' by a gator." replied the unconcerned park ranger.

"Eaten by a gator?  So, is that something that happens frequently?"

"Well, we had a dog git eatin' right off the dock last year."

"Wow", Mitcheal responded "So, you said it was okay to go swimming.  If there are that many gators in the water, is there any danger of a human getting eaten by a gator?"

"Oh no," said the park ranger "If you see a big one, just get out".

So, it was decided! We were off to Lake Jackson, which after another phone conversation was deemed 'safe' because there were minimal gators (I would have been much happier with no gators, however, that is not easy to find in these parts).  Only a 40 minute drive north and we found ourselves in a picturesque little town filled with historic southern homes and big front porches with rocking chairs.  The town feels like it was frozen in a 1930's film about life in the south.  

If anyone is taking a road trip through the southern states, Florala, Alabama is definitely worth a stop.  We had a great time taking swimming and exploring and made it through the weekend gator free.

     There were trees surrounding the lake

         Lots of Spanish moss

       Ozzy chasing the ducks

        My favorite tree