A History Lesson

IT'S been a while since we'd visited Sweetwater Creek State Park and we'd forgotten how beautiful it is. By chance we were offered an unusual peek inside the ruins of the textile mill, and what a treat that was! A ranger explained the history of this impressive five-story building and how it was destroyed during the Civil War to hinder the production of Confederate supplies.

Of more interest to the children was the salamander peeping from behind the ivy. Later that day, Emma wanted a story about a house that used to be used by people but now was home to animals.

But the mill in all its former glory couldn't hold a candle to the thrill of the water, with its seductive babble, gentle whitewater, shells, tadpoles and such delights. We hadn't really planned on a swim, but oh well. Doubtless those mill workers cooled off in much the same way over a hundred years ago.