Morris is reached by a paved road, but Upper Morris Road runs through the heart of what passes for the “town” today. I always try to document and explore these dirt roads to get a real feel for the places I visit.
I’ve driven down this majestic canopy road many times, and having explored much of Tattnall County, would suggest that it is perhaps its most scenic route. I haven’t been out this way in a while and hope it wasn’t damaged when Hurricane Helene passed through the area.
There aren’t as many canopy roads as there used to be, so they are always a welcome surprise. They are loved for their shade and their beauty. The most famous in Georgia, in Thomas County, are lined with old oaks. It’s rarer to find them in other parts of the state, but if you know where to look, you can encounter them elsewhere. There are some on the coast, of course. This one was unmarked and led to an historic cemetery, which is how I found it when I photographed it in 2009. I hope it still looks like this.
Georgia is famous for its red dirt roads, and some of the reddest are to be found in counties along the Fall Line. Of course, their beauty hides the danger of traveling upon them after heavy rains. Those who have traveled them in these conditions will understand what I’m talking about. I’m reminded of a time in my early 20s when a bunch of buddies and me were out riding dirt roads and got stuck in the middle of a downpour, miles from town. The first truck that tried to pull us out of the ditch got stuck, and then a tow truck got stuck. The rollback that finally freed us had to be chained to a pine tree to finish the job.
This road, near Bay Springs Methodist Church, looks a lot different since I made this photo in 2018. The pine trees have been cut out. But Deer Hunter still seems an appropriate name.
I rarely meet an old dirt road I don’t like, and this one, punctuated by a dairy silo, is no exception. Even on an otherwise gloomy day, there’s nothing that says Georgia any better to me. John B. Gay writes: This is my family’s farm! I’m the 4th generation to farm here. It was a dairy farm from the 50’s till 2018. Now I raise row crops, beef cows and hogs.
This mill on Brushy Creek is located on private property. I photographed it from the roadside. I’d like to know more about its history.
Following is a brief look at some Long County landmarks, with a rare blanket of snow.
Cato House, Ludowici
Johnston House, Ludowici
Mary McQueen House, Ludowici
Old Well Pavilion, Ludowici
Lloyd Chapman House, Ludowici
Single-Pen Tenant House
Hughes House
Jim Parker House, Wefanie
Parker Commissary, Wefanie
Henry Walcott Road
Henry Walcott House
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that this species is threatened because I see them quite often in my rambles on dirt roads throughout South Georgia, but it faces numerous challenges. Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are emblematic of the upland pine habitat that once blanketed the Southeast but are now greatly reduced due to changes in land usage and myriad environmental factors. The Gopher Tortoise Council is a wonderful place to find information of these beloved symbols of our Southern forests.
This post replaces and expands a post originally made on 10 June 2008