Providence Canyon State Park

I had a restless night as my mind raced with anticipation and excitement. Tossing and turning, I checked the clock frequently until finally shutting it off before it rang out at 5 a.m. “An early start is wise,” I muttered to myself, trying to be convincing. “We’ve got a long day of driving ahead of us.” Our daughter also chimed in, saying it would be better for her and the baby if we left early. “Maybe the baby will fall back to sleep,” she suggested. Yet, as I pulled away just before six o’clock, a hint of uncertainty lingered. Were we truly prepared? After all, it had been quite some time since we embarked on a long road trip. But despite the lingering doubts, the call of adventure was too strong to ignore. It was time to go.

Today marked the start of the first leg of our four-month-long road trip. We had done trips like this before, towing our trusty travel trailer behind us as we meandered around the country. After a hiatus following an abrupt end to our 2022 trip, we were ready for a fresh start. Now, we begin a new adventure. Our daughter, her husband, and their adorable 7-month-old baby girl would be joining us for the first two weeks with their own travel trailer in tow. We were forming a joyful caravan, ready to create some cherished memories together.

The morning unfolded perfectly as the baby fell asleep just half an hour into our journey, making for smooth sailing until we crossed the Florida/Georgia line. Just as I started feeling like a road trip pro, a text from our daughter shattered the illusion: “Baby’s awake.” Time to stop. While we fueled up the truck, our daughter fed and changed the baby, ensuring she would be content for the rest of the journey. We continued on, arriving at Florence Marina State Park by mid-afternoon.

Located in southwest Georgia, Florence Marina State Park offers a quiet escape along the beautiful landscape of the Chattahoochee River. Boating and fishing are the top activities, but hiking and picnicking are also great ways to enjoy the park. Cabins and covered boat slips are available for rent, and there are 43 full hookup campsites. Florence Marina is the perfect destination for families to reconnect with the great outdoors. However, this is not the reason we are here. We are here because of its proximity to another state park.

Just ten miles away lies Providence Canyon State Park, nicknamed the “Little Grand Canyon” due to its resemblance to the iconic landmark. Providence Canyon was created by poor farming practices in the early 19th century when settlers cleared land for farming. Over time, erosion cut massive gullies 150 feet deep into the layers of sandstone rock, creating striking views of towering cliff walls and unique rock formations. The vibrant hues of red, pink, and orange accented by lush greenery make for stunning picturesque views. An intricate network of hiking trails in and around the canyon offers visitors a unique experience.

We spent a good part of a day at Providence Canyon, hiking into the canyon and exploring its nooks and crannies. It was a warm day and even warmer down at the bottom, but it was worth every ounce of sweat to see all the beauty. A pro tip: carry plenty of water and wear sturdy waterproof shoes when venturing into the canyon. The erosion hits the water table, so the bottom is wet and muddy. For those unwilling or unable to make the quarter-mile hike down, the rim trail around the top offers great views.

Since Providence Canyon State Park only offers primitive and backcountry camping, we camped at Florence Marina State Park. We had a site next to our daughter and enjoyed the time together despite the constant buzzing from the 13-year cicadas. We went for walks with the baby and bike rides around the park. One afternoon, our daughter, who typically works from home, needed internet service for work. There was no Verizon phone service, and AT&T was spotty at best. We drove a few miles to a microbrewery so she could use their Wi-Fi, and the rest of us played pool. Cheers to multitasking, right?

All in all, it was a good start to our journey. The only hiccup came on the morning we were to leave. When I plugged in the TPMS, it showed a low tire. After further checking, sure enough, I had a leaking valve stem and had to change a tire. We were lucky to discover this at the campsite before we hit the road, thanks once again to the trusty TPMS.

Until next time, happy days and safe travels.