Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, August 27, 2012

A Fabulous Georgia Hike

George and I went to North Georgia on Friday,  August 17, 2012,  in order to check out some new waterfalls... We took a marvelous hike (almost 3 miles roundtrip) on the High Shoals Trail,  near Unicoi Gap north of Helen, Georgia.  We saw 2 gorgeous waterfalls plus a cascade.   The elevation when we started was 2,873 feet ---and we descended 950 feet down to the waterfalls... Going DOWN was easy---but hiking back up that mountain was harder..... ha

All in all,  it was a beautiful trail ---with lots of great mountain views... As I said on Facebook recently,  I absolutely love hiking in the woods.  Getting away from the 'crazy' world we live in  is just marvelous...  Hiking is truly good for the soul.

Hope you enjoy some of our photos from this hike.  Above is a picture of us taken at BLUE HOLE FALLS.  Blue Hole is 30 feet high, and the area around there is gorgeous.




Look at the beautiful woods around us!!!!!   God's creation is so marvelous!




The trail was well-maintained ---and they had built several bridges along the way.  Here's one of George taken when we first started down that mountain.  We both began with jackets on ---but those jackets came off quickly as we hiked!!!!!




George took this one of me on another one of the little bridges on the path...  You can tell that I already have my jacket off --and tucked into my camera vest!!!!!  We both wore our hiking boots and carried our hiking sticks.





I called this  "Seashells in the Woods"....   One neat thing about loving photography and hiking in the woods is all of the neat things we see... Some of my Facebook friends said that they look like little frilly skirts!!!!!   Pretty,  aren't they?




The 'ham' in the group ----ME---- decided that I wanted to pull that fallen tree-trunk back upright!!!!    Wonder how strong she was??????   If 'looks' count----she's a winner... Right?????  That girl is such a nut-head!!!!!! ha ha ha




Here's another picture I took of George along the trail.   I just wanted you to see again how beautiful this area is---and what a good trail it was!!!!! I loved it!




On the way back up that mountain,  the old woman had to find a place to take a short rest....  (This was AFTER she pulled the tree trunk up!!!!!! ha)




Here's another picture of us taken at the other large waterfall,  HIGH SHOALS FALLS.   This waterfall is 125 feet high.  There was another waterfall,  a beautiful cascade (White Shoals Cascade), which we saw ---and I'll show it on another blog post...

If you love hiking and are ever in North Georgia,  this is a great hike to take... It was one of my favorites that we've taken recently.

Have a great day.  We are out-of-pocket AGAIN today.... Don't know when life will settle down for us!!!!!! ha

Hugs,
Betsy

63 comments:

Christmas-etc... said...

This was such a nice adventure! I can just feel the clean spray of the Falls on my skin! Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings!
Ann

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, what a lovely place for a hike. I enjoyed all the photos of the waterfalls, forest and the ones of you and George. The last shot of you two is my favorite. Great post, have a wonderful day.

Andrea said...

Oh Betsy and George, you are waterfalling again, while I am still stranded in my condo unit trying to be stronger from the allergic cough and the food poisoning! How i wish we have a lot of waterfalls like in your vicinity. That waterfalls is so lovely, of course you know i love whatever waterfalls there could be! And...I love your boots too!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Oh Betsy, you and George would be such fun to go hiking with! (I have my own hiking sticks!!) Gorgeous waterfalls - is there no end to your 'finds'? and, beautiful pictures!
PS: I'm sure it is not my imagination, but I'd swear that blogger has made W.V. even worse (on some blogs who insist on keeping it!)
Happy Hiking!!
xx

Beth said...

Wonderfull photos, bets! Love your 'hamming it up' photo!
Cool fungi--frilly skirts indeed!
Blessings to you this week!

Jeevan said...

This place truly fascinates looking at and inviting to take a trail! I love the presence of nature their and the woods and small bridges are simply awesome and I liked seashells or frilly skirts :)

That’s funny how u try to put back the tree and the waterfall is a picturesque at background. I enjoyed the photo as it’s a kind of place i wish to go.

MadSnapper said...

a wonderful trip to a beautiful spot. i like the bridge shots and of course the beauty trying to pull the tree back up

Snap said...

Looks like a wonderful hike and you can't beat those waterfalls!

diane b said...

The trail looks terrific. I would love to hike there. The waterfalls are super too. Glad to see some one else besides me hams it up when they are 70. Go girl!

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,
As usual I enjoyed the tour and pictures from one of your hikes. Lovely woods indeed, it seems very peaceful too.
enjoy your week.

Hugs
Eva

Debbie Jones said...

I do love to hike also! This looks like a great trail. I would love to hike there. You and your husband must be in great shape. Hiking is really good, as you said, for the body and the soul. It is always wonderful to be out-of-doors enjoying the wonders of God's creation. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!

Catherine said...

Looks like you and George had another terrific time! You two are adorable!
Have a beautiful Monday Betsy!
xo Catherine

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Lots of fun! I like seashells in the woods - that's creative!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

That really was a beautiful and well-maintained trail. It looks so inviting. And the falls made the hike extra special. Thanks for sharing.

PCovi said...

You are SO strong and cute too!!
If I intended to grow up I'd want to be just like you when I did. (I've said that on several visits here I think)
That surely was a clean trail!
I love the bridge and all those rhododendrons...would be fun to go back when they are in bloom, right?

I Am Woody said...

Love it!! I love when people ham it up for photos. They always turn out to be some of my favorite photographs!

Donna said...

I swear, you are getting smaller and smaller, LOL! Looking great! The trail appears to be well maintained. But that change in elevation - yikes! Glad that you two are having fun together. That's what matters!

Nellie said...

Beautiful area, Betsy! It does appear that you were having a marvelous time!

xo Nellie

Jo said...

That trail looks fantastic, Betsy. Grant and I are out on leave (to SA) next week and ultimately we'll ride our bike down to the Cape. This province has huge old trees like you show in your post. Hopefully we find some waterfalls! Thanks for sharing. Blessings Jo

Jeevan said...

You are invited for the 'Capture the Color' contest.
Pls look at my blog!

Dorothy said...

Betsy, I like to go on hikes with you and George! Jeep doesn't share my love of walking in the woods:-(
It's one of my favorite things to do! Great pictures!

Kay said...

You always find the neatest places to hike.

Linda P said...

I always enjoy your hiking posts. The trail looks well-maintained with all those sturdy bridges and the names of the waterfalls are so descriptive. How satisfying to be able to go hiking in such a beautiful area!

Mary said...

Looks like a great place and you two are just having too much fun :-) Do those hiking sticks really make a difference? I need to try those. Love the "seashell"...sure looks like one.

Farida said...

How often do you go on trips or hike? You two are really adventurous. My parents are just at home and if I'm not mistaken, they have never tried this before.

The photos are indeed remarkable. You have such rich forestry :) Take care!

Dar said...

Well Hello there, I sure have missed commenting to you...for some reason, could not. Anyway, glad to see you two still hiking the falls. Such wonderful trails you had to walk. That's my kind of hiking and I would have to be the old gal taking a break.
BlessYaBoth~~SuchCuties

Sylvia K said...

I love your captures for the day, Betsy! Such a beautiful place and gorgeous waterfalls!! I can only imagine what a great day the two of you had!! Thanks for sharing it with us!! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Fun60 said...

Your commentary always takes us along with you on your adventures. Terrific countryside so thanks for sharing your walk.

imac said...

Great hike and photos Betsy, also to see you Jiving with a tree.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I don't do much hiking since I broke my ankle many years ago. When I was young growing up on the farm and then again at our previous home in the country, I spent a lot of time in the woods. I used to love to take a walk there and find a log to sit on to listen to the birds and rustling in the leaves and just soak up the peacefulness of it all. I think that is why I love the SDC park at Branson, it reminds me of those days even with all the tourists there! I would love to see some waterfalls, so maybe one day I'll venture out on a trail again.
Lovely photos, Betsy! Have fun this week!

Carletta said...

Enjoyed that hike with you and it didn't hurt my knees one bit!
You both always look like you are having such a nice time and I know you are!

Karin said...

So lovely to go on these hikes with you! Great shots - can almost feel the spray of the cascade!!

Ms. A said...

All the trees and greenery is breathtaking and all that shaded area is a big help when you get hot from hiking.

Your seashell fungus reminds me of Scroll Coral. Great shot! They're all great!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Looks beautiful, Betsy! You two find the best hiking spots!

Sharon said...

I'm not familiar with either of these and you are right, it looks like a great trail. I'll have to look em up - might be a great fall weekend for us!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a beautiful hike and a beautiful "ham" too.
Love the mountain fungi!!!

Tabor said...

Wonderful hike. I am jealous. Weather looks lovely.

Miss Debbie said...

Beautiful! Did you see Anna Ruby Falls at Unicoi State Park? It is pretty, too. We camped in that area many times when our kids were young. The Georgia Mtns are lovely!

Ann said...

That is a beautiful spot for a hike. I agree with you on hiking through the woods. It's always so peaceful and you can just let your head clear and enjoy everything around you

joy said...

Waht a funny lovely post. Your stamina for sure is very good and so is George. I believe you are stronger than me and have better stamina with all the hiking you are doing. Enjoy life andGod's creation. wonderful!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those trails look so inviting. Should I ever get to walk there, will be sure to check on that tree,to see if it is upright. LOL

Angela said...

Those are some gorgeous pictures Betsy! I love the woods too and of course those beautiful waterfalls! I'm glad you and George had a wonderful time!

Hugs,
Angela

Dana Koogler said...

Betsy, Love this blog! You are one of my favorite authors! You're marvelous sense of humor and adventure delight me to no end!
I esp. like the one of you trying to turn the tree back upright! Hilarious! Thanks for your positive outlook and friendship! Lots of love, Dana Bee

Neal said...

Looks beautiful. You are correct in saying that hiking in the woods is good for the soul. It just does something for me...makes me feel more peaceful....it's hard to explain.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Love seeing all the extra photos of you both on the trail. You deserve a rest after uprighting that tree! We like to take photos on bridges too.

Connie said...

That looks like a lovely place to hike. I never knew you were so strong, Betsy!! haha! :D Great pictures!

Rohrerbot said...

This trail looks dark and inviting:) What a great hike! I know what you mean about the jackets going on and then coming off:) It gets hot real quick:) Love your shots...hiking is pretty great. It's good to have superpowers to help a fellow tree friend out:) Hope you had a great Monday! Chris

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

You guys have the best times. North Georgia sure does have it's beautiful places.

carolina nana said...

That was surely a pretty trail and waterfalls. You all look so happy,glad you enjoy each other as much as you do hiking.
Blessings
Marilyn

Sally Wessely said...

I envy your hikes. I hope my health is better soon so I can hike again. The hiking trail was truly a great one and in such a beautiful area.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hiya Betsy, such beautiful photos. I can almost smell the fresh air. It is good and restful for the soul. You two are like kids having fun. Good on you!!!!xxxxx

Anita Johnson said...

SO BEAUTIFUL! And yes, I am shouting that!

Anita Johnson said...

Hi Betsy,
I tricked you with my "drought tolerant" post...they are water lilies in our pond!

Shilpa said...

Wow! That sounds like a wonderful trail and the pictures are very beautifully captured...... The photos with George are so great and the waterfalls and the Seashells are very pretty sight. Thanks for sharing Betsy :) I hope u both had a great fun and loving along the hike

Hugs
Shilpa

DeniseinVA said...

Marvelous Betsy and I do love your sense of humor.

Rose said...

You look like you were having a great time...and that is a beautiful area!

Terry and Linda said...

Fall is not there .... warm weather to enjoy the woods in! Lovely post again!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsym, Sounds and looks like a lot of fun for you both. Wonderful! I love that cute shot with you trying to pull on that giant root system. Funny. Have a great Wednesday tomorrow!

Shug said...

I would love to hike with you guys for just one day. So much beauty surrounds you.

I enjoyed seeing the 100 year celebration for dad...What a blessing.
Shug

Chatty Crone said...

You were in Georgia and didn't even come by - just kidding. It is beautiful in Georgia isn't it? Looks like you had another fabulous trip and you have a great sense of humor there too! sandie

Grandma Bonnie said...

That is some very beautiful scenery. I would love to try and hike up there some day. Thanks for sharing all the lovely photos. Hope you have a great day.

Small City Scenes said...

Excellent photos, Betsy. I cannot wait to go hiking again and it had better be soon. Pain be gone!!! I did get some new hiking boots just before I got the staph infection, so while exercising my knee and leg I wear my boots around the house. It has been a good summer and yet a not so good summer----depending how I feel I suppose.

How is Dad Adams? Did you celebrate his birthday. MB

Anonymous said...

You guys keep fit and happy with so many beautiful hikes! Lovely pics.