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...

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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,

45 comments:

diane b said...

Wow such lovely countryside the last photo is breathtaking. The waterfalls are lovely too. I see George is slowing the speed to make the water blur. Its a great shot. You are busy travellers at the moment take care keep safe.
The red trees are magic too.

Beth said...

Gorgeous photos, as always, Betsy! I like the last one, too--it's beautiful. I'm glad you and George got to see some new waterfalls.

Safe travels to you and George---may God be with you.

Kirigalpoththa said...

The dam picture is lovely!

Shelley said...

These photos were breathtaking! Amazing all the beauty there is in this world isn't it?! You and George have a great life together! I look forward to the day that Greg's retired and we can travel. You and George are an inspiration!!
Have a safe trip home!
Hugs,
Shelley

Arkansas Patti said...

Wonderful shots Betsy. Love the mountains, they seem so unspoiled. What beautiful color on the Maples. Looking for a sunny day here to see if our colors look any better with some light on them.
Have a safe trip to Jacksonville. Know it will be a hard day for you saying that final goodbye. My thoughts are with you and your brother's family.

Bill S. said...

You two have way too much fun. Beautiful pictures. Keep it up.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Wow, Betsy these are gorgeous...and I enjoyed the "Becky" waterfall very much...
How do you find waterfalls, are they on maps???

Peggy said...

Next time you are coming through Franklin let me know so we can meet in person. Love your fall photos.. everything is so full of color.

Darla said...

First and foremost, may you have God's continued favor on your journeys! Please tell me you have a book, wall, room or something with your photos displayed!!!

Susie said...

Isn't GA beautiful? No wonder I miss living there. Thanks for bringing the beautiful colors and mountains to me Betsy!

Ya'll be safe in your travels tomorrow my friend.

NCmountainwoman said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip. I know the memorial service will help you as you grieve your brother's death.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Those are just wonderful photos of the gorge area.

Becky said...

Those photos took by breath away! Love the falls! as I was reading I was wondering if warwoman was named after me also.lol I do have my days, but then I saw the Becky Branch Falls. They are all so pretty! And the leaves are so bright.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Gorgeous pictures Betsy. Glad you are both having a nice time before the memorial service for your Brother.
I love those Sugar maples...so pretty!

Small City Scenes said...

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. beautiful country and lovely pictures. As I said before we live in a beautiful country. Everywhere there is beauty. MB

Adrienne Zwart said...

Wow, that last shot is terrific, Betsy. I love the shot of the Sylvan Lake Falls. Are the rocks really that red? Amazing and beautiful. Safe journey, my friend.
Adrienne

Kelly said...

...is it ever going to stop raining down there? Beautiful waterfalls.....scenery.....color! Gorgeous...

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures!! Sugar Maples are gorgeous! Love all the waterfalls. Looks like it's time to pack my bags and head for the mountains!

Karin said...

Oh, once again your photos are amazing - but then you have amazing scenery to photograph!! But it does take the combination of the two, doesn't it! I simply love those sugar maples - the depth of color is gorgeous and comes through in the pic! Stunning! Thanks so much for sharing! Love my visits here! Have safe travels. God be your comfort during this time of grief and loss! Hugs, Karin

Elenka said...

As usual, wonderful photographs! I shouldn't visit your blog...makes me want to retire...today!
Ah heck, I'll visit anyway. Someday I'll be cruising around aimlessly taking photos.

Sunny said...

Betsy, the scenery is breathtaking. I have done a lot of traveling over the years, but I don't think I have ever seen as many waterfalls as you have posted...wow! Simply lovely.
Have a safe trip.
Sunny :)

Snap said...

Beautiful photos. Gorgeous colors and the waterfalls ... yowzer! Will be thinking about you on Saturday.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

These pictures are phenomenal.
Hope you have good travels during this busy time.
Blessings,Ruth

D said...

Betsy, the photos of the waterfalls and foliage are so very nice, but the shots of the vastness of the Gorge and the dam... amazing photos!

Sure hope you are enjoying your time away.

Betty said...

I would say that the last photo is my favorite,but I love all of the others too.It is really hard to pick.

``Hugs~~
PS My sister had a relasp she is still in the hospital.

Roses and Lilacs said...

All the rain has certainly added some extra water to those streams. Seeing the photos makes me think of a novel I just read about kayaking in Georgia and Tennessee.

Beautiful photos. I will never visit all those lovely places but it's fun to see the photos.
Marnie

Deborah Godin said...

Gorgeous series of shots from your trip. Those maples are a sensation!

Jen said...

Those maple trees are stunning!!
Have a safe trip this weekend.

Mary said...

Wow..these are calendar shots! I love that first falls in particular.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic photos, but I LOVE the 1st shot! IT'S GORGEOUS! Hope ya'll are safe

Happy Happy Weekend

blushing rose said...

Betsy, sorry to learn of your loss of your brother. May his soul be blessed forever.

What exquisite pics you have captured of God's beauty He shares with us ... in this earth.


Have a beautiful day. TTFN ~Marydon

Doreen Frost said...

Oh my goodness...such beauty!!! Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures.

Safe trip,
Doreen

EG CameraGirl said...

Wow! I can't believe the colur of the leaves! The water falls are as gorgeous as always. You certainly do seem to find any and all between where you are and where you're going. ;-)

amelia said...

What some stunningly beautiful pictures!! They're almost too perfect to be real!

Kay said...

Your lucky that you can see 3 states in just a few hours. Where I live it is several hundred miles to the nextdoor states (even Arizona and Nevada).

Wendy said...

Betsy your pics just sparkle! And so does this post!! Have a wonderful trip to Florida. Thanks for sharing your lovely pics and your trips with us. Waterfalls are just magical, aren't they??

Chatterbox said...

Amazing pictures!
Thanks Betsy for sharing those amazing shots. They are such a relief from the heat in my part of the world, where it is peak summer.

Have a safe trip :)

Cheers!!

Susie said...

Oh girl, you got to go get some Quiznos. I've never had anything there that I didn't like. Their sandwiches are delish and so is their salads. Their little Sammie sandwiches are good too.

Can you tell we like to eat there? lol

Unknown said...

That's a stunning photograph of the dam and reservoir. It looks steep. It makes me wonder how many water falls and rapids are buried underneath it?

Anonymous said...

The last photo is incredible!!!!!
I also love the sugar maples...what amazing colors!!
All of the waterfalls are beautiful.
Take care,
Marci

penny said...

Hi Betsy, You always take such beautiful shots it makes me feel like I'm right there. We stayed at the Dillard House when we were there and had a wonderful time. Thanks for taking me back.

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful, the sugar maples are so pretty in their reds. This is an area where I spent a lot of time as a child and later as an adult I backpacked and camped in this area. These are some of my favorite falls.

You look so cute in your rain gear.

Judy

Cookie said...

5 am is the middle of the night!
I love those fall colors in the pictures! And the first picutre is just amazing. I can see how you would fall in love with this place. Sounds like a wonderful trip :) and happy anniversary!

Rose said...

Love that last photo--well, I really love them all but this is my favorite.

Cheryl said...

Wonderful photos. Such gorgeous scenery you have!