Tallulah Gorge

It was supposed to be cloudy, today but the sun was shining when we got up, and we didn't complain. We took off for Tallulah Gorge. Five waterfalls with cataracts in between are within the two-miles of the gorge with trails on each rim.

There are five lookouts on each rim. Just before number ten is this undercut rock with a stone bench built into it.

View from the bench inside. Great place to catch my breath and sip water from my backpack.

We ate lunch at a picnic ground by a lake, but the chainlink fence between the picnic tables and the beach made it not very photogenic. By then the threatened clouds had come in, leaving us chilly. We were both feeling the results of yesterdays hikes, so we decided to consult our National Geographic Scenic Highways and Byways book and see what we could see from the car. Sure enough there was a route that took off from the town of Helen near Anna Ruby Falls. Wonderful backroads through a couple mountain passes. A spur off GA 180 took us to Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia. The book said there was a shuttle from the parking lot to the top, but not in April. I couldn't resist the 360-view from the top. The warning on this sign did make me think twice, but I didn't see any.

At 4,800 feet, spring was barely beginning, and leaves were just starting to come out. The view from the top would have been better in the sunshine on leaves, but it really was mountains in every direction.

 The gray square on the left is the parking lot where Steve awaits with his book. :-)

Another trip to the hot tub when we got home. Tomorrow we head back to Indy with a stop in Chattanooga for lunch with friends. Steve's ideal vacation is going from place to place, visiting friends. Mine is great places to hike. So this vacation has pleased both of us very much.

Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park

We met up with friends at Perimeter Church in John's Creek on Sunday. It's a huge megachurch with a beautiful building, multiple sites, and a vision to reach "the perimeter" of Atlanta. I liked their vision and the service, but I'm happy with our much smaller congregation at home.

After lunch with our friends, it was such a gorgeous afternoon that we headed for Anna Ruby Falls. Only we had had such a good time talking over Chinese, that we didn't get there until about 4:05. The gates close at 4. 

Supper was our usual Sunday night popcorn and apples with Burnett Dairy cheese, only this time the popcorn was made in the microwave. Not bad.

 We headed back to Anna Ruby Falls this morning and were pleased to find that our National Parks card got us in for free. (Best investment we ever made, says Steve.)

The path to the falls is steep, but it's paved and only about half a mile. Besides, it follows a delightful cascading stream.

And then there are the rocks...

and the flowers...

The falls are well worth the climb. 

I posted a video here on YouTube.

I took a picture for someone's Christmas card, and they offered to take one of us, so in case you forgot what we look like or need proof we really did make the climb...

I bought a couple Christmas presents in the gift shop. Not saying for whom. :-)

Next stop was a trail around the lake in Unicoi State Park we had passed through on our way to the falls.

It was an easy walk, mostly level with lots of fishing platforms to walk out on. 

Great picnic spot back at the beach where we started the loop.

Last walk of the day was the Bottoms Loop trail. Nice woods walk, but not as photogenic as the rest of the day. Lots of buds on the rhododendron, but no blossoms. Next week maybe. But then it will probably be too hot and humid for us. And we will be back north.

Another soak in the hot tub after all that walking. (16,000 steps according to my phone app.) Dinner in our apartment with ham brought from home and canned bean salad and German potato salad. Very nice and relaxing not to go out.

Tomorrow we are off to Tallulah Gorge. Weatherman says it will be cloudy, but not raining.

Toccoa Falls, GA

 I wasn't planning to blog this trip. It's a lot of work curating pictures every day and uploading them. But I keep thinking how much Claudia (Mom Hardy) would enjoy seeing what we are up to. So...

We stopped in Indy to see my 100-year-old dad on the way south. We also had lunch and tea with other friends. I love those friendships that have lasted decades.

Friday was drive-to-Georgia day. Drove out of rain, but mostly a pleasant day. I finished one knit hat and started another.

Saturday it rained in the morning, but stopped about ten, and we got organized to go to Toccoa Falls. The waterfall that names the town is located behind the Toccoa Falls College. There is a small fee, but well worth it.

Pleasant half-mile walk to the falls.

They were still taking pictures from a morning wedding when we were allowed in a noon. What a setting for a wedding!

There were picnic tables near a small lake (and college student volleyball game), but Steve noticed this table behind a historic hydro-electric building which had serviced the college maybe 80 years ago.

He hadn't noticed the small waterfall behind the picnic table until we were carrying our picnic basket toward it. Delightful spot to eat our cheese and crackers and hardboiled eggs.

After lunch we headed to another waterfall. Not nearly as impressive, but a nice small town park with lots of people enjoying the lovely day.

We came back to the hotel and soaked in the hot tub while we did a load of laundry.

Out to dinner to Hawg House, a fabulous BBQ/Catfish house in nearby Clarksville. I had the catfish, which melted in my mouth. Steve had a half rack of ribs. He shared some with me, and it was oh, so good too. We had missed the BBQ recommended by the hotel, but have NO regrets.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and we are going to north Atlanta to attend church with some more long-time friends and have lunch with them.