"Dad, please cut me a stick from this bush for roasting marshmallows". Or "I'm just going to put a nail in this tree to hang my Coleman lantern up high so all can see".

These are all statements we at Trackrock hear frequently and hate to hear. Our trees and shrubs are part of the natural beauty of Trackrock and breaking off limbs, cutting branches and hanging hot lanterns on trees are all things that can hurt, or even kill our plants and trees. Please follow a couple simple rules:

1. Don't cut limbs or break off branches. If it is attached to a tree or bush leave it; if it is on the ground, have at it.

2.  Make sure your hot lanterns and campfires don't singe our plant life.

3.  Don't cut down wood to burn. There is a lot of wood on the ground; use it as you wish and remember we sell firewood.

4.  Talk with your children about preserving nature.

We at Trackrock, our plants, and your fellow campers appreciate your consideration. Remember, our young trees are YOUR future shade!.

And there are some behaviors that help maintain our family atmosphere and let everyone enjoy a peaceful camping experience.

1.  Please enjoy your alcoholic beverages at your campsite and in moderation as befits our family campground.

2.  This is a FAMILY campground which means there are many younger children around. Please make sure your language is appropriate for them.

3.   By 10 PM most of your neighbors are tucked in; please keep your activities quiet so that they may enjoy the peacefulness of our campground. Our quiet hours will be enforced!

4.  ATVs, golf carts, and off road motorcycles may only be operated by licensed drivers and only for transportation to and from your site to campground amenities. The owner must have a signed off road agreement on file in the office.

Fish Tales and Fish Tails

As we all know when two or more anglers get together a few fish tales are inevitable. It seems the fish that got away are always very big ones, in fact they seem to get bigger with each telling of the fish tale.

I once saw an anglers prayer on a plaque in a little fishing village. It said, "Lord grant that I may catch a fish so big that even I, when telling of it afterwards, may have no reason to lie." I've also heard that the fisherman's Golden Rule is: The one that got away is always bigger than the one you gotta weigh.

Knowing fish tales are an inherent part of our culture and life, we here at Trackrock take our fishing seriously. There is no better place to spend a few hours of a day than down by the lake. Often times, as we get new folks here, questions come up about our lake and I'll attempt to answer a few of them for you here. If you have others, do not hesitate to email us your questions (trackroc@windstream.net).

Q. Can I fish in the lake?

A. Absolutely! The lake is for your enjoyment for both fishing and swimming.

Q. What kind of fish are in the lake?

A. We have many bass and bream in all sizes living in the lake.

Q. Do I need a GA license to fish there?

A. Not at all. This is a private lake, no license is required.

Q. Should I catch and release?

A. It's up to you. You are welcome to catch as many fish as you need for dinner. However, if you do not plan to eat your catch, please be considerate enough to return them to their habitat alive.

Q. Are boats allowed in the lake?

A. Nothing gas powered is allowed. Canoes, kayaks and blow-ups are welcome.

Q. Do we use the lake as a dump?

A. Hardly! Trackrock is very particular about where garbage goes. The old tires and dead trees you see at the bottom of our lake were put there for fish to use as beds to ensure we continue to have fish to enjoy.

We just ask that you remember, if we are all good stewards of the lake here at Trackrock it will serve not only us but the generations to come after us. Trackrock thanks you for your consideration.

"The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing."   -Babylonian Proverb

"Kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but pictures, keep nothing but memories." (author unknown)