Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Anna Ruby Falls: Day 4 in North Georgia
Yes, there are twin falls ...
... and yes, they are that beautiful.
... and yes, they are that beautiful.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
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?
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?
Friday, August 5, 2011
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.
Click HERE for full Gerogia slideshow in new tab or below to view on this page
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.
Click HERE for full Gerogia slideshow in new tab or below to view on this page
Thursday, August 4, 2011
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.
Click HERE for full Gerogia slideshow in new tab or below to view on this page
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.
Click HERE for full Gerogia slideshow in new tab or below to view on this page
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