What started as a small experiment over a decade ago to get a few Bengalis out of their beds on Sunday mornings to come out to and run/walk has become an excellent sustained group – Chalupa – over the years. Ironically, some of the original folks have fallen off – Sudakshina has not come in a very long time. Samaresh (who also named the group) vacillates from being very regular to very irregular depending on what he is focusing on at that time. He runs by himself though. Malobika is the only original leader (of the three) who has steadfastly come thru the years.

Of the other two regulars – Amitesh is completely focused on tennis and I usually run by myself. Once a month, I do go and join the running group for their coffee gathering after run. Often that is the only time I get to meet them.

After February, yesterday was the first time I went to check in on the group. The most delightful observation for me was how big the group has become. There were three members – Soma, Sanjib and Debjyoti that I was not even aware that they had started in this run/walk group.

There were seven couples – and of course the other consistent runner – Puja (Malobika/Ashok’s daughter).

I was the only one not dressed up for a run though! (Was on my way to Helen on my motorbike when I had stopped by to have a coffee with Chalupa)

With Parijat and Dipanjan

(Dont worry; the social distancing rules were relaxed only to take the picture)

Great discussions with Parijat and Dipanjan. Always insightful commentaries.

As seen from Safe Harbor, Aqualand

The first friends that I had brought to this spot was Amitesh and Anusuya – that was last July. (Had found out about this lakeside spot during a bike ride). That time, Sharmila was in India. Yesterday, for the first time the entire families from the two household came over.

The four girls landed up chatting incessantly while the parents enjoyed the beautiful sunset and the cool breeze after that.

(usually they are fighting with each other).
Spending some time with the Mukherjee girls..

I was absolutely ill equipped to go down a bunch of rocks. I had taken my motorbike to the trail. So, I had my jeans on and my shoes were not meant for hiking. Eventually negotiated all the way down to the bottom of the waterfall – but not before slipping on the algae on the rocks once. Missed the step and dropped my right leg about a foot in the water. It was worth it – just to be able to take a picture of the waterfall from the front.

I do not believe the Roy daughters or the Mukherjee daughters realized this when they planned to celebrate Father’s Day for Mr. Mukherjee (that be Amitesh) and Mr. Roy (that be yours truly) at the Vickery Creek Trail by the Roswell Mill. This trail has one of the few remaining wooden covered bridges in the south (and in Georgia).

There is a fascinating history of an emancipated slave and covered bridges. The following is quoted from Caroline Eubanks – a Lowell Thomas award-winning travel writer, and the author of “This Is My South”

The existence of the bridges can mostly be traced back to Horace King. He was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1807 but was freed from contractor John Godwin. King would go on to design the spiral staircase for the Alabama State Capitol as well as covered bridges in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Known for his work using the Town Lattice Truss system, you can see this style in many of the state’s bridges.

We live in the middle of so much history in the south!! This is literally 20 minute ride from my house.