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

North GA Waterfalls 2008

In June of 2008, George and I went on our Anniversary trip to the Charleston and Savannah areas. Like we usually do when we are on vacation, we leave a day early and check out new waterfalls along the way... 2008 was no exception! We stopped in North Georgia to see some new waterfalls on June 20. This was LONG before the new cameras --so the pictures aren't as good as our recent pictures... But --I hope you enjoy them just the same.

Above is CUPID FALLS ---near the campus of Young Harris College, in Young Harris, GA. Young Harris is a small United Methodist College. We loved the area where Cupid Falls is. Below are five more waterfalls we saw that day.

All of the remaining waterfalls are found in a retreat center called Enota Mountain Retreat. There were people 'on retreat' here (what a gorgeous center) --but the people were gracious enough to allow us (for a small fee) to roam the area to see their waterfalls. I felt as if I was on 'retreat' on this day myself! The waterfall above is named UPPER GURLEY CREEK FALLS. This was our favorite one of the day, even though the hike was steep. This waterfall is over 200 feet high.

We hiked past this huge rock on our way to and from UPPER GURLEY CREEK FALLS.

George stands in front of one of the retreat housing areas. LOWER GURLEY FALLS is in the background. It was also a large waterfall (200 feet high)--but difficult to see in Summer. (Bet this area is fabulous in winter!)

This is JOEL CREEK FALLS, another huge waterfall found on the other side of the retreat area. We had to hike to see this one also--but it was also worth the steep hike. George wanted to find a way to get a better picture, but couldn't due to the steep terrain. We need to go back in winter.

On our way back down the mountain, we passed this cute little waterfall called FISHPOND FALLS. I sat on a bench swing for awhile and just admired the falls and the rhododendron all around.

Our last waterfall near the Enota camping area is named HENSON CREEK FALLS.

Well---this was just the beginning of a wonderful trip (Charleston, Savannah, St. Simon's Island, etc.)... BUT--it was a great beginning, and we enjoyed seeing SIX new waterfalls that day.

Have a great Wednesday!!!!

Hugs,

More from Tallulah Gorge, GA

This is a continuation of our latest trip to Tallulah Gorge, near Clayton, GA. Before reading this post, click HERE to see the other two posts about this incredible hike (which we took on October 14, 2009). There is also a post showing the gorge in Summer (when we went there in June).


WELL---if you remember from my last post, we were on the top of the South Rim---wondering how we would get back to the North Rim. Hmmmmm---should we go back down those 600 steps and then back up 600 more on the other side???????? I may enjoy hiking and it may be good for me to get all of that wonderful exercise---but my answer to this would be: "I think NOT." ha ha


Today ---I want to show you more of the beauty we enjoyed while on the South Rim. Above is one of my favorite waterfall in the gorge, TEMPESTA FALLS. Isn't it just totally amazing???? Below are more!









Even with all of the rain that day, I still loved seeing the Autumn colors all around me.









Besides the 5 waterfalls that are part of the Tallulah River, there were two wet-weather waterfalls/cascades flowing down the mountain on the north rim into the river. You may have to click on the above picture to make it larger in order to see the CALEDONIA CASCADE as it flows down the rocks (on the left side near the top) ---and on to the bottom of the gorge. That cascade falls for 600 feet. Amazing!









Here is a close-up of the bottom part of CALEDONIA CASCADE.









This waterfall is harder to see from the South Rim. Its name is OCEANA FALLS.









The fog was quite heavy while looking across the gorge at the other wet-weather waterfall, as it pours down the rocks toward the river. This waterfall is named HIGH BLUFF FALLS.









I loved seeing the huge rocks all around the gorge--on both sides. This gorge is 1000 feet down in some spots. Amazing!









O-ke-dok-ee... We have seen everything there is to see on the South Rim .... SO--now where do we go?????? To be continued (for one more post)...


Hugs,

Down and UP in Tallulah Gorge

On October 14, George and I revisited Tallulah Gorge near Clayton, GA. Please click HERE in order to see our first set of pictures and read an explanation of why we were there on that particular day. Today I will show you more pictures from our fabulous hike down into that gorge and then back up on the other side. Pant-Pant!!!!


It was raining cats and dogs that day---but that didn't stop us. We had the gorge all to ourselves almost all day long. You'll have to excuse the raindrops in many of the pictures ---and the fog all around us!!!!! But---I wanted you to see more of our hike that day!!!!


There are seven waterfalls in the gorge ---and we saw six of them while there. The picture above shows the Tallulah River as it travels through the gorge. The waterfall is L'Eau d'Or Falls (which is French for Water of Gold). Below are more!!







Gee---that's a long way down into that gorge (about 1000 ft. down at some points)... Are you sure we are walking down those 600 steps into the gorge???????? Okay---I'm game... Let's GO!







Well----I made it all the way down to the Swinging Bridge---and I'm still smiling!!!! Coming down was not too hard--and this bridge isn't too wiggly!! I will walk gingerly though!!!! ha







Yipes.... Look at that water underneath the bridge... Hold on tight and don't fall!!!!! SCARY!!!!!







Whew..... I made it to the other side. See the bridge?????







Oops-----I guess I have to go UP now!!!!! That's harder than going down!!!! Think I can make it up to the South Rim ???? It's only another 600 steps!!!!! Yipes! Where's the elevator when I need it?????







Uh Oh, George..... Do you think I can make it all the way up THERE????????







We both made it to the top, even though I stopped a few times (MANY TIMES) in order to catch my breath!!!! George is standing at Lookout 10 on the South Rim Trail, checking out the gorge and the waterfalls below.





Here's one more picture of the Swinging Bridge that we crossed. Can you see it????







Do you see that 'house' across from us on the other side? That is the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, where we started our hike on the North Rim Trail. NOW--that we are on the South side, how do we get back over there???????? To Be Continued!!!!!!!


Hugs,

Tallulah Gorge (Clayton, GA)

The visit to Tallulah Gorge was fantastic despite the fact that it rained the ENTIRE time. We had driven to see the waterfalls with TONS of water coming over them --and we were not disappointed. This gorge or canyon is unlike most any other we have visited. Besides just seeing the beauty of the gorge itself, there are five main waterfalls plus two wet-weather waterfalls in the gorge. SO--you can only imagine how much George and I love that place!


Before construction of the Tallulah Falls dam in 1913, the mighty Tallulah River thundered through magnificent Tallulah Gorge, plunging over 600 feet in a series of six renowned waterfalls. Once the area became a state park in 1992, trails and overlooks were added. And --a few times during the year, the Georgia Power Company releases water from the dam. We were there on one of those dates. Seeing waterfalls with THAT much water was totally awesome.


When we were here in June, we stayed on the north side of the gorge. This time, we hiked down the MILLION (felt like that many) steps to the bottom of the canyon, crossed the swinging bridge and went up a million more steps to the south rim of the canyon. The views from the south rim were even more spectacular than the north side. Today I am posting just a few of our many pictures from Tallulah Gorge. I'll share the entire hike over the next few days/weeks ---and I hope you will add Tallulah Gorge to your list of places to go. It is located in the North Georgia Mountains not far from Clayton, GA. AND--if you cannot do much hiking, you can see the gorge and waterfalls via the overlooks. It is an awesome place!


Above is a picture of L'Eau d' Or WATERFALL taken on Wed., October 14, 2009. I wish you could have HEARD all of that powerful water---pouring down the gorge. You can see some fall colors --and also some fog. Below are more pictures.









Did I tell you that it was raining???????? Luckily, it never did rain really hard ---and we didn't mind getting wet. That is L'Eau d' Or Waterfall in the background.







This gorgeous waterfall is named HURRICANE FALLS. It is one of the most awesome ones in the gorge.







See that bridge???? George and I hiked straight down about 600 steps and crossed that bridge. We then hiked UP about 600 steps to the south rim. All of those steps didn't bother me too much--until the NEXT day... I found some muscles that weren't used to that kind of climbing!!!! ha







The state park has incredible trails---including benches around in many areas where one may rest and enjoy the beauty around us. I asked George to sit on this little bench since I loved the way it was tucked up under a rock overhang. Neat, huh????







This beautiful waterfall is named TEMPESTA FALLS.


This is just a few of our pictures from Tallulah Gorge. Many more to come!!!!


We're headed to Jacksonville, FL this weekend to attend a Memorial Service in memory of my brother. I'll try to do some 'catching up' on my laptop...


Have a great weekend.
Hugs,

Beautiful Drive from Tennessee to North Carolina to Georgia

As many of you know, George and I have been in Dillard, GA for a couple of days. (We're on our way home today!) We drove here to spend yesterday at Tallulah Gorge. We were here during our wedding anniversary this past June, and fell in love with this beautiful gorge and its many waterfalls.

At that time, we learned that there are a few times during the year when water is released from the dam.. Yesterday was one of those days----so we traveled here to see all of those waterfalls with TONS of water coming over them. All I can say is WOW.... Even though it rained the entire time we were there, we LOVED it... I will show pictures (since we only took about 135-- ha) soon.

Today though, I will show you some pictures taken on Tuesday on our way to Dillard. As I've mentioned several times before, when George and I travel we usually see some waterfalls along the way. That was true on Tuesday since we saw three new ones.

We had a beautiful drive through the Fontana and Franklin areas of North Carolina. Above is a beautiful picture taken from the top of the mountain on the "Tail of the Dragon" (Highway 129) between the North Carolina and Tennessee borders. You can see the Cheoah Dam in the distance. IF you saw Harrison Ford in the "Fugitive", this was the dam where he jumped. Remember????? Below are more pictures.

We saw this waterfall in Rabun Gap, Georgia. Its name is SYLVAN LAKE FALLS. There is an old mill beside the waterfalls --and includes a Bed and Breakfast.

We were looking for a waterfall named Dick's Creek Falls, but didn't find it. However, we did find a pretty cascade named WARWOMAN CREEK CASCADES. This cascade is in Clayton, GA.

This is my favorite picture (George took it) ---and my favorite waterfall of the three which we saw on Tuesday. This one (also near Clayton, GA) is named after some of my blogger friends --since its name is BECKY BRANCH FALLS. This waterfall requires a short hike UP the mountain. But--once you get to the falls, there is a little bridge where you get an 'up-close-and-personal' view.

The trail makes a loop around the area ---and I enjoyed seeing Rhododendrons and Laurels along the creek. Beautiful area!!!!

The Sugar Maples were in full bloom in Clayton, GA this week.

Here's one last picture of the beautiful mountains surrounding the Cheoah Dam. I love this picture---showing the puffy clouds. You???

As I said above, we are on our way home today from Georgia. AND --tomorrow morning we leave early (about 5 a.m.--yawn) for Jacksonville, FL. We will attend a Memorial Service for my brother on Saturday morning. We'll be home on Sunday.

Hugs,