Monday, March 14, 2011

Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia

In order to celebrate George's 69th birthday,  we spent a few days at Amicalola Falls State Park near Dahlonega, Georgia.  We had seen the waterfall in May of 2005 --but had not stayed in their gorgeous lodge before, until now..

Amicalola is about a 4 hour drive south from where we live.  SO--while driving down we managed to stop and see some waterfalls.  I will blog about them later.  Today,  I'll share with you one of the things we did on Wednesday,  George's birthday...

Above is a google earth map of Amicalola Falls State Park.  Wish this picture had have been taken while we were there since there was SO much water coming over the falls. You could have seen it better.

On the map,  the lodge is on the top of the mountain.  You can see the road leading up to it on the left.  I marked where the waterfall is...  There is a parking lot below the pool at the bottom of the falls.  You then hike up on a trail next to the cascades which leads  to a couple of bridges.  Below are some of our pictures.





It was rainy and foggy, but I did manage to get a few pictures of the lodge.  We had a fabulous room --with a view of the surrounding mountains.  The lodge sits on top of the mountain above the waterfall.   The lodge also had a wonderful restaurant.  We had free breakfasts both mornings and we ate both dinner meals in the restaurant... VERY nice!!!





Even though it was raining cats and dogs,  we decided to put on our rain jackets and hats and go waterfalling anyhow...  A little bit of rain doesn't stop us!!!!! ha...  ANYHOW--- since there had been MUCH rain lately,  the waterfalls were RAGING this week.  The picture above was taken from the first bridge (observation deck)  looking up at the falls above us...

I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be at Amicalola on this particular day...  First of all,  there was TONS of water coming over the falls... You should have heard the sound of that water.... Wow!!!!!  AND--even better than that was the fact that we were the ONLY fools ones there.  We had the waterfall ALL to ourselves... That was tremendous--since we hate being in crowds and this particular waterfall is quite popular and is usually crowded.





I am still on that Lower Bridge (Observation Deck) --and this is looking at the waterfall as it cascades down the mountain.  We followed the cascade up the mountain on a paved trail which leads to the lower bridge.  It is impossible to get the entire waterfall in ONE picture, since it is about 729 feet long.





This is a 'drenched rat'!!!!!  BUT--as you can tell,  she is still smiling --despite the rain (and even some thunder)...





And this is the WET Birthday Boy ----after climbing up that last 175 steps and then back down!!





Even on a rainy, cloudy, foggy day,  my Birthday Boy can still get 'creative' with his photos.  He loves taking close-up pictures of the raging water and rocks... This picture above is one of my fav's.

OH--by the way,  did I mention that it was RAINING????? ha ha ha.... BUT--we were like two little kids playing in the rain!!!! It was GREAT...

I have another set of pictures from this waterfall to show you in another blog post.

Hope you have a wonderful day.
Hugs,

52 comments:

  1. Betsy,
    I love, love LOVE the pictures of the both of you; you both look so happy! and I agree, what better way to spend the day than in the rain and by yourselves!
    The photo George took of the ragin falls is very stunning...so spectacular!
    It defintely seems like a place to visit :)
    xoxox

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  2. I can almost hear that rushing water right now.This is another beautiful place,and ye,the rain didn't take away from the beauty.Glad to hear you had a great time.

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  3. Beautiful pictures, Betsy!
    I can tell those falls are raging! I'm sure it was quite a sound!
    So nice that you had it all to yourselves!
    I'm so glad George had a nice birthday!
    Hope you have a great week. :)

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  4. I just love that you two geared up and went out in the rain. How often we pass things up as adults that as kids we wouldn't hesitate to do. Glad to see yours and George's inner child is alive and well.
    This is really the time of year for waterfalling with thaws and spring rains.
    So glad you made it a wonderful Birthday.

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful time, rain and all. I love that last shot of the falls!

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  6. Nothing stops you two from having fn with waterfalls. Living life to the full come what may. I love that attitude you both have. That hike looked a bit steep with how many steps?The lodge sounds a nice place to stay.

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  7. So glad that you didn't let a little thing like rain get in your way of enjoying what you like to do. I bet you took a nice long hot shower when you got back to your room!

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  8. GREAT pictures! Looks like you both had a wonderful trip!

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  9. Rainy days in the woods with soggy leaves underfoot are great. Throw in a raging waterfall and it's perfection. I think your George knows how to celebrate in style!! Glad you had such an obviously wonderful time.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. Wow, that is some waterfall. And you two look STUNNINGLY happy and carefree. Yes, isn't it nice to have a place all to yourselves especially when you were celebrating such a special man's birthday? The lodge looks and sounds super. Thanks for sharing. Blessings Jo

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  11. Another wonderful waterfall and happy birthday to George... you two certainly have a marvelous life together! Larry

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  12. Great shots Betsy, especially the last one - hard to beat a good camera in the hands of a good photographer. You guys are my get up and go heros.

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  13. This was the perfect surprise birthday trip for George. I love your pictures of the falls. What nice pictures of you and George too.

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  14. betsy, this is one of my most favorite of all your waterfalls, amazing shots of it looking up and looking down. i like how it goes through the wooded area and i am sure the photos are better because of the rain. i really like this one a lot. what a wonderful and fun birthday trip. i am jealous

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  15. You two are real troopers! Lovely pictures inspite of the rain.

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  16. I just explained to a fair weather friend, the 2nd person can hold the umbrella while the other shoots.Lovely area I could almost hear the roar.

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  17. RAIN or shine, you two always manage to smile and have fun. That is what I love about you both!!
    Glad you made his birthday as special as he is. XOXOXO
    Suz

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  18. Wow, such beautiful pictures. That's a beautiful place and I love your blog. Thanks Susie

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  19. That was lovely, so vibrant and cheerful. We have lots of waterfalls where I live, one literally down the street. Between our usual March rain and the melting snow, they are in full blossom and raging.

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  20. Water Falls, rivers, streams, these are some of my favorite things.
    Are the Falls like this during the summer season as well? Absolutely Beautiful! So glad the two of you went ahead and endured the rain in order for us to enjoy this trip too!
    Thanks for sharing
    shug

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  21. What a fabulous group of photos which are now a part of your memory package of George's 69th birthday! It's just wonderful to read how you two celebrate life to the fullest every new day the Lord gives you! You are both such an inspiration! Blessings for a great week ahead!

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  22. 1. That last photo is nothing short of phenomenal!!!

    2. Love the 'drenched rat'!

    3. And after that hike, I would have been lying across that rock waiting for an ambulance!

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  23. Oh Betsy! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 'drenched rat' and 'wet birthday boy' photos!! You two amaze me ~ how you get out there and see things. Thumbs UP!!! and THANKS FOR SHARING!!

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  24. Great pictures!! And I love seeing you two water rats smiling in the rain!! You guys must be the healthiest people I know. Probably from all the hiking. The lodge photo did surprise me, when I think of lodge, I always think of something a bit more primitive and cabin-like. But this one is very nice and modern. Great waterfall pictures!! Would you say that this is the longest one you have ever seen?

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  25. This reminds me of the great time we had staying in the Lodge there. The MS Society sent us there for a very nice retreat. George got better pics than we could dream of, even in the rain :)
    kim

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  26. Nothing like a couple of water rats smiling in the rain! LOL Love it Betsy. I've never heard of this place before so I'll add it to my list of places to visit. Can't wait to see the next blog!

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  27. Hi Betsy, What a wonderful set of pictures! My husband's great grandfather was born in that area so we will try to get there sometime in the coming year. So many beautiful places and oh, those waterfalls! Have a great day today!

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  28. This looks like total Fun!!! You two look like a couple of kids enjoying exploring the world and just playing around with water and rain and rocks and bridges and steps and... Betsy... I am so happy you had such a fun time! Thanks for sharing the adventure!
    Blessings to you both!
    Ann

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  29. Betsy, I think it's great that you and George enjoy the same things and are both in good health to enjoy them. Your description of the day was refreshing. "Children playing in the rain" with all that carefree abandon is always captivating!

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  30. Your joy is contagious. I've been smiling since I started reading and admiring your photos! You and George were "Singing in the Rain."

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  31. So glad to hear you had such a great time. those pictures are beautiful. I know for a fact that there is no way I could ever get my husband to go out in the rain like that (he's such a fuddy duddy...lol)

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  32. I love that last creative water photo. George does nice work.
    Glad you had fun in spite of the rain. The lodge looks great, and that waterfall is a long one! You certainly saw it at its raging best.

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  33. What a gorgeous place. Doug and I might have to check that out someday. The waterfall is beautiful, and I loved that close-up shot that George took of the rocks and cascading water.

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  34. Great shots, Betsy (and George!). I love that last one especially. I can almost hear that water rushing along there. :)

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  35. Nice and peaceful.
    Good job no one slipped with all that rain.

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  36. You two have sooooo much fun. I love that last picture....it is wonderful!!

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  37. If and when I ever decide to plan a vacation, I will just visit your blog. It is better than any travel agency.

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  38. Sounds like a wonderful time in spite of the weather. Beautiful shots, Betsy. Diane

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  39. I love that you two have such fun together!

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  40. So happy that you two enjoyed your visit. Isn't it grand to see all that water after many years of drought conditions? That is a popular waterfalls and I think it is great that you and the birthday boy had it all to yourselves. You both got some fabulous shots and the rain just enhanced the pictures.

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  41. Such cute photos of you and George! That must have been an amazing sight...I've seen it in a dry summer, and thought it was pretty spectacular.

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  42. yes, the dreamy falls shot was my favorite one too!Good for you guys on going in the rain...sometimes you can get better photos when you get fog and clouds anyway...I salute you for your tenacity!

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  43. I loved the picture of you! You look like a drenched rat, but a really happy with a glow in her eyes drenched one!

    Thanks
    Leontien

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  44. Looks like you two love-birds had another fantastic weekend! I am thinking no matter the weather you two always make the best of anything ~ fantastic!
    xo Catherine

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  45. You two are the most adorable lovebirds!! These pictures just radiate the JOY in your hearts! As I was reading and saw the water I was like WOW then I read your words that said just that....WOW!!

    God blessed you with being able to be here on this perfect day and enjoy HIS Creation in all its GLORY!!

    Love and Hugs!

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  46. That is a lot of water coming over those falls. Hope you didn't get your cameras wet.
    After last weeks rain we are expecting more tomorrow. I just hope we don't have any personal waterfalls around here,haha.
    Glad you all had a good time even in the rain.
    Hope you have a blessed tomorrow
    Marilyn

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  47. Your smiling faces tell it all!
    Rain sure didn't dampen your spirits. That is as it should be.

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  48. Beautiful photos! Looks like you guys had a BLAST!

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  49. Wow, Betsy! You and George can have fun in any weather! I bet it was fun hiking in the rain. The wterfalls look beautiful!

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  50. wow, very beautiful waterfall! like your pics Betsy!

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  51. That's a lot of water but it made for some great photos. I haven't been to Amicalola Falls in a really long time, I don't remember a lodge being there. It's been a REALLY long time ago.

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  52. I used to love to be out in the rain...there is a kind of hush to it. I guess what it does is drown out the other sounds..either way, I would have enjoyed being there, too.

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