On our way TO Ocean Isle Beach on May 5, 2012, we made another trip to the mountains of North Georgia to see some new waterfalls. We visited this area on 2/14/12 --but knew that there are other waterfalls to see there!!!! This area is near Helen, GA (White County) and the Unicoi State Park.....
WELL--we tried to enter the forest service road at the same place we went in February.. But--to our surprise, they had that road closed.... Hmmmmmm... So --as we do alot, we went to Plan B.... We went to another entrance into the area.
What a nice route... We followed the Chattahoochee River up the mountain on Forest Road 44. AND ---we were able to park and walk down to the river... What a fun surprise for us that day!!!!
These two waterfalls are on the way (off of Forest Road 44) toward Horsetrough Falls. Since we hadn't been this way before, these were two new waterfalls for us...
Today, I'll share some pictures from these stops along Forest Road 44. Be sure to click on the pictures in order to see enlargements. Above is a picture of the Chattahoochee River ---where we stopped to take pictures along our way.
I took this picture of George along the Chattahoochee River... You can see that the river is quite small here... It heads south from here, gets larger --and heads all the way to Lake Seminole in Florida. It then spills into the Gulf of Mexico as the Apalachicola River.
Here's another picture of the little rapids of the Chattahoochee River.
George took this picture of me trying to do some rock-hopping at the Chattahoochee River. (This girl seriously needs some clothes that fit her.... We have about 35-40 sets of matching t-shirts --and they are all too big for me now... AND--those shorts have to be held up with a belt!!!!! ha ha ---- I'm not complaining though since I desperately needed to lose some weight!!!)
The Mountain Laurel along the road was really beautiful when we were there.
When we got to the area where we parked to hike to the waterfalls, the first thing we saw was this gorgeous little cascade.... Neat, huh?
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| Lower Double Culvert Branch Falls --30 feet high |
The hike to the two waterfalls was short ---but steep, and quite wet and slick.... I stopped at the first waterfall and George made it to the 2nd one. However, he fell---and if you saw some scratches on his legs on our Ocean Isle photos, you'll know what happened to him. He didn't get hurt --but did get scratched and dirty!!!!! (He loves to tell our friends that "I" scratched him!!!!! ha ha )
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| Upper Double Culvert Branch Falls--40 feet high |
Here is the Upper Falls... As I said, I didn't see this one ---but I'm glad that George made it up there on that steep trail.... I certainly have enjoyed seeing his pictures though. While I waited on him, I enjoyed the little cascade (pictured two photos above). That is more my style!!!! ha ha
After seeing these two waterfalls, we headed on toward Horsetrough Falls (saw it again --which looked so different than it looked when we saw it in February). We also hiked and saw 3 other waterfalls near there.. That will be on another blog post...
It was a great day for waterfalls (5 new ones total plus Horsetrough Falls) ---and a nice break while on our way to the beach.
Hope you have a nice weekend. Try to stay COOL. It's horribly hot here (hotter than I can remember since we moved here in 2003) and VERY VERY dry..... BUT--- there are areas of the country struggling much worse than we are. Prayers for the people effected by the fires in Colorado (and other places) --and also for the people who had flooding and/or damage in Florida due to tropical storm, Debby. I'll see you on Monday!
Hugs,
Betsy
62 comments:
These look so cool and refreshing and it's so achingly hot here, just looking at these is like a breath of fresh air.
I'd sure like to have your problem, with my clothes!
Lovely images, Betsy! The waterfalls looks like a great place to hang out on a HOT day like today. Stay cool and have a great weekend!
Lovely pictures Betsy!! I've seen pics of this river and it's HUGE in places, how come it's so small in places?
i love the "Upper Double Culvert Branch Falls--40 feet high" ... that is an awesome shot. you both look like real photographers with all your gear. cute. (:
Wonderful photos and I almost feel like I am there with you. I can smell the ancient earthy scents, and feel the mist from the falls and sense the wet and slippery ground underfoot. There is awe and excitement, peace and joy.
Thank you ~ FlowerLady
Looks like a challenging trail. I dont think I can make it without falling coz am quite clumsy. lol.
where God closes a door, He will open a window. glad your plan b brings you two pleasant surprises
a great weekend to you.
The waterfalls and cascades are very nice. Both of you had lots of fun always for being so adventurous and excited to discover new trails. I love the way you both dress up at the perfect matching couple.
Happy weekend Betsy and George!
Great photos! I'll have to see if my son (who lives near Athens, GA) can take us there next time we visit. Stay cool!
Beautiful waterfalls, I love it.
Have a lovely Day!
Hugs,
Eva
What a great area, I love the Upper falls shot. I would think you could almost make a quilt with your shirts if you aren't going to wear them. A nice way to retain the memories.
Beautiful photos--and refreshingly cool looking (we are in a heatwave). I say go shopping! You've earned a new wardrobe.
Best,
Bonnie
It's interesting that you had to take an alternate route to get where you wanted to go. So often what we see on our little detours in life have a way of surprising and delighting us. Sorry to hear George fell, but I'm glad that he's OK. Great pictures!
I think most of us are so anxious to see some rain or a cool and refreshing day, it makes your pictures look all the more delightful.
So glad that George wasn't seriously injured in his fall! And seriously, needing smaller-sized clothes is a fantastic problem to have!!
Speaking of George slipping, you know in all the pictures I see you guys never have walking sticks with you. As much as you guys hike I figured you would have a pair. It could help on those slippery slopes. As always the photos are gorgeous! I love, love, love the moss on the rocks.
Your photos are pretty and so refreshing! Have a great weekend.
How wonderfully beautiful. I could stay there for hours.
that whole area is just fantastic, love the rocks in the creek and the falls are divine. and it is well worth having shirts to big to lose all that weight.
Those Georgia forest service roads....gotta love 'em!!
Congrats on needing smaller shirts. I bought a t-shirt in Maine and had to buy TWO sizes smaller than last year's Colorado shirts. Speaking of Colorado, so happy you mentioned those folks. The Waldo Canyon fire has broken our hearts as it is a place we hiked extensively on last summer's trip and is (was) some of the most beautiful hiking we've done. So sad for those folks who've watched their landscapes go up in flames and even worse, their homes!
Agree with Randy about the hiking poles. You have no idea how much difference it makes. Less than $20 a pair at Walmart.
Looks like a beautiful area to spend on a hot summer day! Glad to hear that George didn't hurt himself badly on the fall. Those slippery rocks scare me too much, LOL! And congrats on the weight loss!
Your photos create such a sense of
you and George enjoying that beautiful area with those fantastic waterfalls and woodland walks (and climbs). Glad George didn't hurt himself, though. It can be very slippy underfoot rock hopping where it's wet. It reminds me of our trips into our local Italian wooded hills.
I'm thinking of the poor people in Colorado right now as we've seen the news on our national television. We are having such extremes of weather here in parts of the UK with flooding, landslips and hailstorms.
A peaceful weekend to you and George.
Hello there.....gorgeous pics and beautiful waterfalls! What a great time you both have.
the double is really neat, but even the small cascade is gorgeous.
This is beautiful, Betsy, especially the last three! Wonder why the roads are closed so often? Do you think rockfalls or something? You two DO worry me,though. I am VERY glad that you stopped when you saw how slippery it was, but I don't know what I'm going to do with George!!! Maybe make him wear a Hello Kitty or Fairy Princess bandage for awhile!
With the weather we are having now, these shots are so inviting. Such a beautiful place to be.
I really enjoy taking these virtual waterfall hikes with you, from the comfort of my computer room. That last photo...the one that George took of the upper falls...is stunning.
Lovely golden light in your first photo. And glad George forged onward and upward--despite his fall--so we could see his waterfall shot--looks like a sheer curtain of water.
Bravo on the weight loss. Have you found that when you're busy and happy with the activities you love the weight comes off without so much obsessing? I need to concentrate over next two months on getting more fit before Russia trip. Travel takes a lot out of you physically and mentally while still stimulating, don't you think?
That water looks so refreshing. I'd like to have my feet in there right now!! : )
You two do find the most beautiful waterfalls, Betsy!! Your captures are really breathtaking! Thanks so much for sharing the beauty with us!! Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Sylvia
beautiful as usual Betsy, so - George had an itch, so you scratched him lol
Wow, the walk and the waterfalls are beautiful as usual.Thanks for sharing. I was just thinking that you're drowning in your clothes, slim-my Betsy, when you mentioned it. You look gorgeous! Blessings and hugs Jo
All of your blog posts are like a personal tour of the area. I always feel like I am right there beside you.Thanks for taking me along,even if only virtually.Beautiful pictures once again.
i CAN ALMOST FEEL THE COOL mOUNTAIN AIR, AND HEAR THE WATER RUSHING OVET THE STONES.
Beautiful pics. Definitely treat yourself to some new shirts - congratulations on your weight loss!! I bet it makes all that hiking you do much easier.
You have some gorgeous photos of the area. It makes me want to plan a trip to visit and see all this for my self.
Waterfalls are always so cool and refreshing, just the ticket for a day as hot as we are having here today!
Just plain....WOW!!! That last waterfall, well, it was worth the wait for that one...but ALL photos are superb. You two always look like you enjoy this so much. As I do, just viewing your trips.
By the way, I've not heard of this "Unicoi"....is that Native American?
I would love to be wading in that great stream.....IF the water is cool/ha
I'm with nanny ~ I'd be wading in the water and sitting IN the falls for as hot as it's been. That silly George... doesn't he know if he keeps scraping up his legs he's not going to be swim suit model material for Sears? Keep cool :)
Just came in from the sauna of 108 and how refreshing those streams look. Would love to dip my feet in them and dream a little.
You really are getting so trim and fit Betsy. Way to go.
It's gorgeous there. I love everything about it. I imagine with all the hiking you two do you really are keeping in shape. No wonder your clothes are all getting big on you :) It's a nice feeling though
Feeling for you all in that heatwave! Those falls look fabulous to sit under when it is that hot out! I love your photos! Thank you so much for taking me along on your hike! Loved it!
Awesome waterfalls!! And you two look so happy. What a beautiful time you must have had.
Thanks for sharing your pics. They always give me a lift.
Hugs
Those rivers - streams - almost took on a green tint or a greenish look - I think that is so pretty.
Love your photos.
sandie
A nice cool post for HOT HOT days! 110 today!!! I barely could make it outdoors for 30 minutes! Love the lighting on these pictures and the Mountain Laurel is one of my favorites. Have fun this weekend....I know you both will:)
I enjoy visiting waterfAllS with both of you and i hope i do that too. Anyway , send some heat here coz we just have rain and cold summer here:)
The whole area looks so cool and refreshing. From the way you and George are dressed it must have been a gorgeous day. I always loved the area around Helen> The upper falls looks really familiar. In my younger days I probably hiked up to it.
Have a great weekend!
Scenic and very beautiful waterfalls! I esp. enjoy the little cascade which looks like a picturesque wallpaper and silky upper falls. It’s always fun and interesting to reveal new routes and I’m glad u enjoyed these pretty new waterfalls.
Hope the fire brought down in Colorado and Florida back to normal. Have a nice weekend Betsy!
That looks like a great area and relatively close to my home too. Great shots! And, I wish I could say I needed smaller clothes!
Ps....I'm just now getting over to my bird blog and reading comments for the week. I must thank you for all the positive and wonderful feedback.
Looks like a good place to beat the heat. We were in Cades Cove for a picnic on Wed. It was 77 when we left there and 95 in Maryville. Hit 102 here yesterday and it's only June. Fortunately TVA is generating lots of power and moving water thru the lake so it's still nicely refreshing.
Wow! Gorgeous waterfalls and river capture. Glad to see you and George there have fun around the river :)
Wonderful details on the falls and its route to sea. My prayers for those suffer in flood and fire.
God Bless!
Hugs
Shilpa
oh how I love to go waterfall hoppin with yawl. Stay cool. Peace
Betsy, this is a dream trip. Lovely photographs and scenic water falls, streams ...
Thanks for sharing.
I also wanted to ask for your permission to post, in to my blog, some of your wonderful sidebar labels. Kindly
let me know.
Thanks.
Ahhh the Chattahoochee! Isn't there a song about that? :) You are the skinny miss and good for you. I love that shot of the cascade and of course all the falls photos are great. ooks so refreshing.
Those waterfalls look so cool and refreshing- wish I was there!
Hi Betsy, Nice pictures! I had noticed your weight loss. That river sure does look invitingly cool. We are so hot but at least we have full electrical power here in TN unlike many places in states to the East. Of course we are also thinking of those near wildfires in the West as well. Stay cool. Have a super nice coming week. I am back to blogging.
I just love those crystal clear waters. One of my most memorable vacations was over by Pigeon Ford...I remember the streams...so clear!
Hope your afternoon is restful.
hugs,
Shug
Helen is so beautiful! Your pictures capture it's beauty perfectly.
These are some beautiful pictures Betsy.I love the waterfalls too. I would be tempted to do some fishing I think.
Yes, what a day for waterfalls! They were all so lovely...all so different. Very cool and peaceful to see, too. I know so many people are suffering from the heat, and it's nice to see these beautiful stream shots and falls. Bless you both!
LOVE the new header, too, by the way!
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