Etowah Indian Mounds

 Stretching near the hills and mountains of southeastern Tennessee in the plains of northern Georgia, strange plateaus rise toward the sky surrounded by vast expanses of flat farmland. Prior to large Native American nations such as the Cherokees, the Etowah tribe inhabited this area near modern day Cartersville. The first picture is my oldest son, Elijah, entering a mud hut replica that the natives would have lived in here called a daub.

There is a large trench that surrounds the village, which was dug out by hand using primitive tools for military defense.The trench is conspicuous against the flat plains that surround it.

Yet, the most conspicuous element in the area are the plateaus that protrude from the plains. This is the namesake of the historic landmark, the Etowah Indian Mounds. The highest mound rises 63 feet from the ground to a flat platform where the chief lived.
The original mounds appeared like primitive pyramids, resembling the much larger pyramids of the Aztecs and Mayans. The chief would speak to the people of the village from a particular corner, which I found would easily carry a man's voice some great distances. I suppose George Whitefield probably could have preached to 30,000 from this platform!

The view from the highest mound, entitled Mound A, is spectacular. One is able to see great distances in the flat lands that surround the mound, which is ideal for defense. In the distance, a series of smokestacks from Georgia Power's Bowen Power Plant.


 There is an enduring breadth of wooden stairs that reaches to the top of the Indian mound. The walk is good exercise, and beholding the view from the top is worth the walk. Imagine the chief forgetting something from his home and debating whether to walk up the mound to retrieve it or not!

There is a spot on the corner of Mound A where the chief would speak to his people. You are able to see one of the lesser mounds from here as well as the large flat land where the village would have been. Some of the lesser mounds have the remains of some nobles, who were buried with elaborate costumes and with earthly treasures for their idea of the after-life. From earliest times, humanity believed we could buy, bribe, or earn our way into heaven. Entrance into heaven is purchased in blood by a perfect Man, who is Christ Jesus, and the payment is not earned or bribed for, but given by grace through faith.


 One is able to see the hills that lead to Appalachia from this part of the mound. The stillness and breath-taking view of God's creation calms the soul. The Mississippians believed that these mountains and valleys were formed by an incredibly large vulture that settled here after a long flight, and after flapping its wings the ripples throughout the mountains and valleys developed. Seeing this wonderful view with the knowledge of the truth that God created this marvelous landscape with His word provides a peace these natives did not know.


The Etowah River flows on one side of the village area, which the natives would have been greatly dependent on for fish as well as water for drinking and cleaning. 

The view of other mounds from Mound B reveals a lesser mound and an excavated side to Mound A, along with the smokestacks in the distance. The smokestacks adds a bit of human technological advances to a primitive human landscape.

A Day in Atlanta

 Recently, my family packed the mini-van and headed south to the big city of Atlanta, Georgia. The capital city of Georgia is home to nearly 5 million in the metro area, of which the hectic traffic and massive interstates show evidence to. The city skyline is best viewed at night as much of Atlanta is new. The downtown high-rises are of differing contemporary architectural styles; hence, much of downtown is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The first two photos are taken from the hotel balcony, which was on the ninth floor of the Hyatt Regency.
If you are not up for walking, the MARTA mass transit system has buses and subways to take you to any attraction the city has to offer. I took my boys to the Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Park (no pictures, sorry). However, Atlanta is certainly not to be considered a family friendly city. Downtown seems to be geared specifically toward businessmen, and family tourism seems an afterthought.
There is a nice shopping district in Atlantic Station. Again, this area is visually appealing and a good place to walk around. Yet, I found the locals to be incredibly loose with their language and very rude, including those in the service industry. Smiles were rare, and a great cultural depression seems to grip the city. Perhaps it is a culture in identity crisis; there is nothing uniquely Atlantan. It is a new city sort of bunched together like a term paper written the night before it is due.
There is a large number of homeless people as well as cheap liquor stores. The Lord presented a few opportunities to bare witness to the saving power of Christ with a couple while we were there. If you are called to missions, Atlanta is a place of great need for the powerful message of Christ and Him crucified.
 Atlanta is a city primed for good photography. Beside the stunning architecture, the city seems to be devoid of life in the golden hours of the evening.
I felt compelled to show you guys the inside of the Hyatt Regency (the black and white photo). The hotel is 22 stories high, yet you are able to see each room door from the ground floor. In the center of the hotel is a series of elevators which are basically glass tubes that resemble the elevator in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and shoot up and down at a high rate of speed. A ride on the elevator is an experience to be had!