Amy E Wilson | Digital Marketing | Paid Media, CRO & Lifecycle

As I left the shore behind me, leaping from rock to rock, the roaring of the river filled my ears. I heard no cars whooshing by, though the road was less than a mile away. I heard no chattering voices, though I was certainly not the only one in the park. Seated on a boulder in the middle of the river’s surging waters, the only other sound I could hear was the merry chirping of birds as they gathered twigs to build nests for the eggs they would soon be laying. It was bliss.

All this week, the weather in Athens has been warm and sunny, and it has given me a pretty bad case of spring fever. Since the past week had been pretty stressful school-wise, I decided it was time to give in to the lure of the sunshine and spend the afternoon outdoors. A friend had recommended Watson Mill Bridge State Park to me weeks ago, so that was the destination I Google-Mapped.

I can now pass that recommendation on to anyone else in Athens. The park is less than 45 minutes northeast (but mostly east) of Athens, and it really is a lovely spot. There are about 7 total miles of hiking trails in the park, as well as several picnic areas. It was the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the sunshine. It does cost a few dollars to park there, but if you plan ahead, you can avoid paying the minimal fee. The Athens-Clarke County Library has a several annual passes for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites which you can check out as long as you have a library card. Before I left work on Friday morning, I checked one out, hung it on my rearview mirror and voila!. Free parking for me!