Chewalla is derived from the Chowtaw Indian word "chihowa-la" meaning "The Supreme Being". This creek feeds into Lake Eufaula, which is a huge lake and is approximately 45,000 acres and is known as the "Bass Fishing Capital of the World". Being that large, we were not sure exactly where we would launch our kayaks. Before too much "daylight was wasted", we decided on Chewalla Creek and I'm glad we did since the "creek" is much larger than my idea of a creek. I think it is more the size of a river than a creek.
Regardless, we put in at the Chewalla Creek Marina and were on our way. It was a beautiful day with a slight breeze. The kayaking was smooth and easy. We spent a leisurely day exploring the area. Come along and see some of the things we found.
Some of the scenic views from kayak level
Flowers and Lily Pads with diamonds
(do you recognize this in dry floral arrangements?)
A shy bird
A not so shy bird
A hummer getting a drink along the way
A butterfly also refueling
A lone turtle
An abandoned boathouse
Natural wood art
High on the edge of the bluff was an iron entrance and brick wall (further investigated)
After pulling out the kayaks, we decided to try to find the brick wall and iron entrance. Our curiosity was leading our actions. Using the GPS, we found the road and were amazed to find an old Jewish Cemetery....
(The brick wall is on the very edge of the bluff and I wonder how long it will last without someone taking measures to save it)
Views from the bluff
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Also...I love graveyards...they are history in 3-D of a sort. Wow...it has been 22 years since that plaque was posted. I bet all the old people are gone and youth doesn't think they'll ever end up there! Hope someone preserves it.
The graveyard was a treasure to find. I googled it to learn more about it and can't find much. It is part of Fairview Cemetery now (a cemetery that combined 5 different cemeteries...including the Jewish one) and I want to go back to explore the whole cemetery. It has been vandalized pretty badly. I hope someone will take care of it too.
Thanks so much for sharing with my group.
Thanks for posting this to River Magic
I hope someone will take care of the cemetery too. It's already been vandalized :( The cemetery is part of a much larger one (Fairview Cemetery). Sometime along the way the people combined 5 different cemeteries and it is now the one larger one. The Jewish Cemetery sits far off in the right hand corner. From what I understand there are very old graves in other parts. I want to go back and check it out more to see what all is there.
Thank you for posting to Pretty Pictures.
United Jewish Communities
United Jewish Communities is a nonprofit organization that works for various Jewish causes. The organization is based in New York, NY and managed by Stephen H. Hoffman. Its official home on the web is http://www.ujc.org
Thank you so much for giving me the information on the United Jewish Communities. I'm going to send an email to them tonight and will let you know if I hear anything. THANKS!!!
Wonderful photo essay... I enjoyed this very much! Your pictures are gorgeous.
I will add my voice to Bob's. I think it is worth a letter to the United Jewish Communities if it will help preserve the cemetery. It would be a disgrace to let it go untended permanently. There is so much history in those tombstones. Surely someone will want to preserve that.
Wow it looks like that jewish cemetery has been long forgotten. This was a real visual treat.