Ye Olde Rope Mille Parke

by Matt Neal

[Originally posted at The Patch as The Lost Towne Laker]

Location: Woodstock, Georgia

“Daddy? What did they make at the rope mill?”

“Well, I don’t know, sweetie. That was in the olden days. It’s a mystery we may never know.”

She gave me a puzzled look, then turned to our faithful guide, Bwana.

“They made rope, honey,” Bwana told her. “That’s why they called it the Rope Mill.”

We were standing at the Olde Rope Mille Parke on the banks of the Little River.  Hikers and bikers are familiar with this place. And to my eye, fly-fishermen should be also, though I didn’t see any.

A Descent into the Mines–Part One

by Matt Neal

[Originally posted in The Patch as The Lost Towne Laker]

Location: Woodstock, Georgia

“In today’s economy,” I told her, “we can’t afford not to dig for gold!”

She gave me the sort of look you would expect after a statement like that.

So come with me, good readers, as we explore some deep and mysterious gold mines and track down the history of gold in this region. And when I say gold is literally in your own backyard, get ready to be surprised.

A Descent Into the Mines–Part Two

by Matt Neal

[Originally posted in The Patch as The Lost Towne Laker]

Location: Woodstock, Georgia

Next, we grabbed vines and tree branches to pull ourselves up a near vertical cliff-side. What I was looking for, Rob told me, was just ahead.

Then, we found it!

I narrowed my eyes and gave a grim smile.

"Yes," I muttered. "There it is."