Lake Chatuge, Tallulah Gorge & Gurly Creek Falls: Day 5 in North Georgia

Anna Ruby Falls: Day 4 in North Georgia

Yes, there are twin falls ...

... and yes, they are that beautiful.

Forest Roads & High Shoals Trail: Day 3 in North Georgia

Out of the campground nice and early heading for the forest: specifically forest roads 44 and 283 looking for waterfalls.

Just driving these roads is an adventure as we hope never to meet another vehicle. We drive with the windows open and see a pair of (some kind of) yellow warblers flying along the side of the road from bush to shrub.

This is what some may call a "bonus falls": just water sliding down dark rock along side the road. I absolutely love these!

Another rabbit by the side of the road and Sarah actually notices. When we were driving to the campground on the first day, we kept seeing small brown creatures along the side of the road. If we were in Minnesota, I would have said that the were woodchucks. But not being in Minnesota and now that I see the ears, we know they are rabbits. They don't seem to be afraid or bothered by much.

Our mission for the day: High Shoal Trail. Only 1.2 miles. However, that is 1.2 miles DOWN and then 1.2 miles UP. I like "down" better than "up". Of course that is personal opinion.

We see full size trees growing out of rocks and small openings in the side of the mountain with flowing water.

High Shoals Falls. There is such a tendency to hurry down and hurry back up (HA! like I actually could hurry going up the mountain) Still in work mode not vacation. We step back and absorb where we are. High Shoal Falls.

Finally, we head back up the trail. The upper falls, known as Blue Hole Falls, is a popular swimming place. As popular as a place can be knowing you have to walk 2 miles round trip to get to it. Apparently the jump off the top of the falls adds to the attraction. We watch, fascinated.

Somehow, I missed this single flower in the woods when we were walking down. Hiking back up, I see it. Haven't found it's name yet, but WOW.

Our forest road ends a mile outside of Helen. After hiking and driving backwoods trails for over 6 hours, we are not psychologically prepared for bumper to bumper traffic that is Helen, Georgia on a Saturday afternoon in August. We take a different road "home" to camp passing by the historic Stovall Mill Covered Bridge.

And we are home in time to feed the goats down on the farm.

After today, what could we possibly do on DAY 4?

From Coffee to Goats: Day 2 in North Georgia

Good Morning, World, from the front porch of The Bears Den. That's the second cup of coffee in the beverage holder of my chair. Listening to the brook in the background and breathing fresh pine air. Linda and Sarah discovered goats and ducks in the farm area of our campground while on their morning walk. Definitely worth the long drive up yesterday!

After a very respectful time allotted to relaxing and coffee, the five of us (four human and one canine) drive off in search of adventure.

We're right down the road from the Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state of Georgia at 4,784 feet. The road up is a bit twisty but when we arrive in the parking lot, we discover that we are not yet at the top. For this, we will either need to hike UP 6/10s of a mile or take the shuttle van. "Friendly lap dogs" are allowed in the van so we four humans and one 42 pound "lap dog" are soon on our way to the top. The view is fantastic!

The visitor center itself is quite interesting with a quilt exhibit and two animated forest rangers (sounds hoakey, but really a very well done insight into both early and current forest rangers in the Chattahoochee National Forest.) Several other exhibits covered the history of the area from the earliest Native Americans to the Trail of Tears relocation, the first white settlers, early logging techniques and the coming of the tourists.

Some of us walk DOWN the trail to the parking lot before we all move on down the road on our scenic drive ...

...stopping, of course, for short hike on the Appalachian Trail.

We meet a group of teenagers from Clearwater, Fl. who had been on the trail for the past three days and were waiting for their shuttle to pick them up. One of the adult leaders of the group sent his daughter up the trail after us to take our picture. Perhaps, we should be a titch embarrassed by that gesture, but it was fun interacting with them as well as sharing a bit of awe for something as historic as the Appalachian Trail.

The day is beautiful, sunny and "not-so-hot" as we've been experiencing. We're almost to Helen when we spot "Goats on the Roof", a gift store which has goats living on it's roof.

Ok, so this IS hoakey. But fun.

So ends "Day 2".

Tomorrow, we hike to waterfalls.

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The Road to North Georgia: Day 1

So much for the idea that we were leaving at 6 a.m. and having breakfast in Valdosta. LOL. However, we were packed and read to hit the road before the Burger King on Archer Rd. and I75 stopped serving. Here Sarah is all packed and ready while we're picking up breakfast.

A long drive but it went quickly if rather impersonally on interstates I75N to I475 to I75 to I675 to I85 to I985 to 129 to Helen to highway 75 north over a mountain left on 180 until we finally arrive at the Enota Mountain Retreat (Cabins and Campground) before 6 p.m. We get our keys to the Bear's Den, a 1 room log cabin dating from when Enota was a YMCA campground.

We find Jan and Barb snugly in their own cabin and then set off along the creek to the observation deck for the "200ft waterfalls" to stretch our legs and breath mountain air. After 6+ hours in the car mostly on interstates, this is a "good thing"! This is the "why we are here!"

Back to the Bear's Den where, given the change in altitude, carrying our suitcases and food stuff up the few steps feels like the physical equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest (surely I couldn't be THIS much out of shape?)

The Bear's Den may have that "old log" charm but is also very nicely remodeled with a very comfortable bed, stove, refrigerator, air, heat (not exactly needed in August) as well as bathroom and shower. Not exactly roughing it.

The luxury of reading ...

...before settling down for a long night's sleep.

So ends "Day 1". Tomorrow, we explore.

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On the Road to Rooterville

Rooterville, a set on Flickr. Click HERE for Slideshow in new tab

What to do when one of your friends tells you they have "prepared" a mystery trip "just for you"?

Well, after much trepidation, we simply decided to "trust and obey" and offer to buy her breakfast before leaving to who knows where so at least it would take a little longer for us all to starve to death when she got us lost in the middle of nowhere.

9 a.m. We're all sitting at an outdoor table at The Flying Biscuit Cafe in the Millhopper Shopping Center. Still cool enough at 9 a.m. to eat outside. Excellent breakfast; wonderful service; company isn't too bad either.

Then we are off. East to Melrose ... then some dirt road off a county road where it feels as if we are looking for the 2nd dirt road past the stump on the right. Very intricate system of dirt roads here which the people who live there probably know very well. Judging by the "NO TRESPASSING" signs on the end of most driveways, I'd guess that they also know if one doesn't live back here, they don't want you ending up in their yard unless that is your mutually agreed upon intended destination.

We trudge on. Marcia is driving. Linda is next to her navigating from Marcia's handwritten directions taken from a phone conversation. I am providing moral support from the back seat while gently sipping my coffee.

Huh? We are now THERE and I need to get out and open the gate. It was to be left unlocked for us.

We still don't know where we are. Large area with huge Florida trees and pastures and a few barns in the distance.

Marcia parks the car and we see a tall young man in a red shirt working over by an out building. We get out of the car and slowly come to realize, there are pigs here. Everywhere. Not crowded together but in small groups lying in the dirt; the leaves, under bushes or any other patch of shade.

We have arrived at Rooterville

From their website "Rooterville is a beautiful place, providing safe haven for over 100 rescued animals. We provide medical treatment and proper nourishment for unwanted, abused and abandoned animals of all species, particularly potbellied pigs." Their web site has some wonderful information and photos on who they are, what they do and opportunity to volunteer or support their mission.

The tall young man in the red shirt isn't exactly expecting us, but he makes a noble effort to tell us about Rooterville and some of the rescue animals living here. (And available for adoption via Petfinder)

People adopt cute little pot bellied pigs but don't realize they're going to grow up or don't know how to care for them or sometimes for circumstances not in their control, the pigs need somewhere to go. Rooterville is one of very few rescue sanctuaries which specializes in pot bellied pigs. They also have a miniature horse, a pony, a couple of goats, turkeys, chickens, Guinea hens and many dogs.

We see the facilities and see all the work that's been done since Rooterville moved here a couple of months ago. The nice young man in the red shirt also tells us of all the work that they still need to do. He describes how one person was out collecting outdated produce from grocery stores and how they process it when it comes in. About the "elderly pigs" who need special food. About the 40 school children coming on Wednesday to help spread a couple of loads of sand in the new barn areas.

We are impressed and very grateful for the people behind Rooterville as well as all who work with rescue of all kinds.

We find our way safely back home.

Thank you Marcia!

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Devil's Den and Cedar Lake Ranch

Devil's Den and Cedar Lake Ranch, a set on Flickr.
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Overall sensory overload! By chance we discovered that , two places just a bit west of Williston, Florida that are not usually open to the public were open this weekend

benefit for the Hippodrome State Theater “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” filmmaker Werner Herzog

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110617/ARTICLES/110619611

Cedar Lake Ranch and Reserve, the home and passion of Dr. Ray Webber, a Williston endodontist.

For 19 years, Webber has been transforming a former limestone quarry into botanical gardens with boardwalks, waterfalls, more than 40 gardens, a

We arrived early fortunate crowded the 3 of us were able to spend time in the cave absorbing the atmosphere

next door

dark left for home

What a Saturday night!