So this summer, I was hoping to continue with my chasing waterfalls page. It was a busy yet productive summer with teaching summer school and major landscaping activities at both houses. No regrets. I lost close to 10 pounds and will continue to eat healthy and get the needed exercise.

With less than two weeks to go before the school year begins, I found one day to drive around and take pictures of local waterfalls. The original plan was to go to High Falls and Starr’s Mill. The day-long driving would allow me to listen to my summer audiobook, The Power Broker by Robert Caro. OK, it’s not too exciting, and it’s extremely long (over 60 hours), but I’m interested in the history of my birthplace and how it became the place I know and love. For those of you not familiar with the book, it is about Robert Moses. Basically, he is responsible for all the highways, parkways, bridges, and recreational parks and beaches in NY

In my research of local waterfalls, I stumbled upon the GEORGIA WATERFALL MAP. It contains over 700 waterfalls throughout the entire state, ranging from the large, popular waterfalls to smaller roadside spots. The blue spots indicate the falls that are open to the public, and the red spots are waterfalls on private land ( closed to the public). You can even click on the mobile-friendly interactive map embedded in the Google Maps app.

The map found the closest waterfall to my town, Albert Shoals. Located in Rockdale County, the waterfall is on the South River, part of the Arabian Mountain National Heritage Area and the Daniels Bridge Road Trailhead. It’s a perfect trail for hiking and biking. I hiked along the path and enjoyed the silence. To my left is a peaceful river. To my right are some nice secluded hillside homes. As I reached RC 225, I heard the river. I must be getting closer. I approach this beautifully carved stone.

From here, I took a left and continued down the path, listening to the river grow louder until I reached another sign that said deCastro Pavilion. On the way to the pavilion, you pass by the tombstone that simply reads deCastro.

I hear the waterfall loud and clear.

But how can you get to it?

This connector has a narrow dirt trail that you can follow to the falls. Hiking and biking are allowed. Horses and motor vehicles are prohibited.

Next time……

Now that I know where this is and what it provides, I will return with a walking stick and a friend or two.

I learned the hard way that I couldn’t take pictures with my Nikon. I remembered the battery, lenses, and bottles of water. I forgot I took the memory card out to transfer pics and forgot to put it back. Good thing I had my phone.

I came home and immediately ordered an extra memory card to always have in my bag in case I forget it again.

Meanwhile…..

Who are the deCastros?

Instead of chasing waterfalls as originally planned, I came home and began researching the deCastro family. Perhaps they were the masterminds of nature walks and recreational places in Rockdale County, similar to Robert Moses in The Power Broker. Wouldn’t that be ironic?

Ramon deCastro

Research brought me to his obituary from the New York Times, March 6, 1999. He was born and raised in NYC, graduated from Manhattan College, class of 1931, and was a member of the New York 7th Regiment. He lived and died in Conyers, Georgia, and donated 120 acres of land to Rockdale County to be maintained as a park. He lived to be 91 years old. That is all that was written.

Robert deCastro

At the time of Ramon’s passing, he was survived by his brother Robert of Brookhaven, GA. Once again, the only item in the research was a New York Times obituary. He passed two years after Ramon at the age of 94. Born and raised in NYC, graduated from Manhattan College, and attended Columbia Law School. He was very active in the US Navy and Coast Guard during WWII. After the war, he was a successful businessman and sailor (yacht racing) and a member of the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. A memorial service was held at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, and he was buried in Queens, NY.

So the only common bond that the deCastros had with Robert Moses was NY. They most likely witnessed the beginnings of the parkways and parks being built as they were growing up.