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| Here is the gorgeous Amicalola Lodge, located at the top of the mountain. |
I told you that we had a busy March planned... WELL---if you have missed out on my posts, let me just tell you that this is the FOURTH trip we have had this month. First was Arkansas; second was Ohio; third was North Carolina; and this past week, we were in Georgia!!!!!
We got a great Groupon coupon --so we spent a few days (March 24-26, 2014) at one of our favorite lodges, the Amicalola Falls Lodge near Dawsonville, Georgia. We have been there before --but this visit was one of our favorites... This time, one of the things we did was to hike the loop around that HUGE waterfall.
Amicalola Falls is Georgia's highest waterfall and is 729 feet. It is the third highest waterfall in the eastern United States. There are SIX HUNDRED and FOUR steps which lead from the bottom to the top of the falls (and back)... The hike is hard since there is about a 1000 foot elevation change---but just being close to that huge waterfall all of the way either up or down is awesome!!!!
Today I'll share a few photos from Amicalola Falls... Hope you enjoy them!
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| From the bottom, looking up at the top of the mountain; You can see the top of the falls--but they do cascade ALL of the way down the mountain.,... Ready to head up there????? |
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| Betsy on some of the 600 steps!!!! Pant Pant!!! |
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| Some of the cascades along our way |
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| I wanted you to see some of the elaborate steps they built. |
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| REST TIME!!!!!! |
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| Here's George (carrying his tripod) as we got closer to the top. |
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| George crossed the bridge to get to the other side of the falls. This is a neat area since they have built a handicapped trail for those in wheelchairs to see the top of this falls up close. |
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| This is the top of Amicalola Falls. I took this photo from the bridge. |
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| The other part of the hike was away from the waterfall. AND---it got colder and very windy (as you can tell) ---and we even experienced some blowing SNOW.... (Crazy us---our coats were in the car!) |
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| The views from the other part of that hike were incredible --on the top of the mountain. |
A family of three (lady and 2 children) were hiking this part of the trail also ---and my comment to them was: "I hope you all are hiking like this when you are 72!" (Not sure they will be!!!! ha)
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| Us at Amicalola Falls, Georgia |
We made it --despite the steepness and the horribly cold, windy, snowy weather. We finished our day having hiked for 3.8 miles..... This is an awesome place ---and we highly recommend it to YOU.
Have a great weekend, and I'll see you on Monday.
Hugs,
70 comments:
Enjoyed seeing and reading your post! Lovely! Enjoy your trip well!
What a wonderful trip! Great shots. And lucky you - all that travelling - what fun.
HI Betsy That is AWESOME. I would have been puffed if I even made it!! Well done at 72, both of you must be very fit. Love all the shots. Was just thinking you should link up with Tex's new meme 'Good Fence' this week as all railings would be good. Have a great weekend.
I admire your strength! Those stairs would kick my... well, you know. They'd have to send the rescue squad!
Fabulous shot of the falls from the bridge, Well done for climbing all those stairs, beautiful views.
I can see you are staying happy but also most certainly healthy!
goodness - that is a lot of stairs. what a view of the waterfall from all angles. very lovely. nice trip for you guys. so fun!! thank you for sharing with me Betsy. i hope we can one day see it in person. happy weekend!! ( :
Sounds a wonderful place to visit!!!
Nice photos!!!
Enjoyed seeing the Falls. Now when (hopefully soon) I get there I'll know what to expect. A lot of resting and panting. The stairs remind me of Talulah Gorge. Have a great weekend
Glad you've got the energy for 640 steps! I'm not sure I would.
You two sure have a good time! Been there and it is a beautiful place...but we didn't climb the steps!! :-)
I enjoyed the hike very much. It's just too bad that it couldn't have been downhill both ways!
Looks like an awesome place Betsy and good for you and George for making that climb! Have a wonderful weekend :)
I'm not so sure that Doug and I are ready to attempt this one, so we'll just enjoy it through your photos. :)
Awesome waterfall and what a lovely place! That is a LOT of stairs, but I know you guys had so much fun -- as always!! It does look SO cold though!! Glad you had each other to help stay warm!!
You surely found some beautiful falls!
We were at this waterfall a few years ago when we took friends of ours down to hike the AppalachianTrail. Didn't have time to hike up the waterfall.....just viewed it from the bridge.
We did drive up Springer Mountain and hiked to the southern terminus of the AT.
Hi Betsy!
That's a grand lodge, wow! I bet the views were amazing! I love the name of it too, Amicalola! I love that you two are on your fourth trip this month, I can't keep up with you! where do you get your energy from! The waterfall is an absolute joy, it's beautiful, and I adore your 'rest time' pic, actually I adore all pics of you and George! your quotes are inspiring on the sidebar especially 'Quit Worrying' - have a wonderful weekend! x x x
Oh, it's been forever since I've been to Amicalola Falls! From your pictures I would say it is time to go back... Thanks for sharing!
That is a LOT of steps. I love the photos of the waterfall and scenery, but the best ones are the pictures of your happy, happy faces. How blessed you are to be able to be so active and do it all together. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
How many steps??? You lost me at 27…..ha ha
This is why you two stay young. You get plenty of exercise, fresh air and sunshine!!!
Glad you had a nice trip. So, can you keep yourselves home for the month of April??
XOXO
Looks like a pretty area and I'm glad you walked the stairs and posted shots for me to see.
There you are--at the top of the world. What fun you all are having. A very full month of March. So the question is--was it easier going up or coming down???
And what's up next? MB
That looks like a really beautiful area.
That looks like a great place to visit! Thanks for sharing the photos with us.
What a hike! I think I would be resting a lot with all those steps! Beautiful place and so glad y'all have had such a good month of hiking - despite the loooong winter!
What a great hike Betsy! I'd say you and George are doing fantastic with your hiking trips. Mark and I went through GA in 2006 and stopped at the Tallulah Gorge on the way to NC and it was August. I thought I was going to die, climbing back up and had to take breaks every few steps. People told me it was the change in altitude and heat. When we got back up to our van and I had some water and rest I felt normal again, but it was very scary. I told Mark he might have to go get help, but he gently encouraged me one step at a time and what a joy to make it back up to the top. We didn't even do the whole hike either. I sure miss him and all the ways he encouraged me our whole life together. Memories fill my heart and mind.
Love and hugs to you two ~ FlowerLady
The lodge looks so exciting to sit on the edge of the cliff. I bet the view was fabulous and Betsy sat there gazing the sunsets like a happy gal. The cascade is pretty interesting too and I like the angle you shot in between the trees! Fantastic!
As usual, you both looked so sweet like sugar!
I have the utmost respect for you both to do all this. I am so out of shape, I would not make it up one step. Wonderful photos of such a lovely area. Keep on doing what you both enjoy while you can.
I really admires you stamina. I wish I will be doing that when I reach your age.
Amazing views:)
It looks like a huge UP trail and then a HUGE down trail. I could hear the thunder of the falls clear through your blog!
❤⊱彡 Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
This is a lovely spot, Betsy. My knees wouldn't permit me to enjoy all those stairs, though. You've had some marvelous trips this month!
Hugs,
Nellie
How nice that you and George got to have another vacation.
Wow that's a lot of stairs!!
You got some great photos. I love the waterfall. Its nice to hear they have a handicap pathway.
You've been very busy on your travels in March! I admire your stamina, Betsy. The waterfall looks spectacular as it flows down the mountain and under the bridge.
What a fantastic month you have had. I have missed your last couple of posts and checking back they have not come through on my blog reader. Not sure what has happened there.
That is an accomplishment!!! My Dad wouldn't even do any of this and he's a decade younger. So congrats to you both for pushing the envelope and keeping yourselves busy with this fun life!
Beautiful scenes. I glad you did the hike and took lots of pictures,so I can just rest my knees and look at your pictures. LOL
Betsy, Tou've sure been taking some nice trips... Nice photos and beautiful waterfalls! However, they'd have to be giving way money at the top of those stairs for me to make the trek! I love waterfalls...but not with that many steps of climbing involved! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Mercy Betsy, 600 steps? Think I would just have someone send me a post card. Your lovely shots will have to do.
You and George really are doing retirement right. You go guys.
600 steps, wow that is a workout.. You and George are just amazing.. Lovely photos, the waterfall is beautiful. Have a happy weekend!
Betsy, you are BEAUTIFUL laughing with the wind in your hair!!!! All your other trip pictures pale in comparison with that one. I am going to print it and put it on the fridge to replace your old one. You made ALL those steps, I am impressed! Guess, what, I am starting to get tiny like you...lost 30 pounds so far. I'm glad you left the full effect of the fall till the end, he is a real beauty!
Wow, these are awesome photos. You both are awesome. I'd never be able to hike that far. I enjoy your adventures so much and you both bring them to life through your eyes and the eye of the camera. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Lots of Love and Hugs, Susie
We've done the hike many times. I love the place. Many of our youth retreats have been in Helen or Toccoa so it's on the way. I know you had a great time. Ready to go myself!
Betsy
You and George are a great role model for all of us!
Oh my! That looks like quite a hike! Beautiful view, though. Sounds like you had a great time.
You really love waterfalls!
Georgia seems to be an adorable place to go!
Cheers
Bia
Hi Betsy, Looks beautiful. I am not sure about those stairs though. I have a bit of arthritis in my knees so I would have a tough time going up. Down is not so hard. Ha! Have a wonderful weekend!
The waterfall is amazing! So awesome that the stairs don't scare you off. Use it of lose it, right?
Thanks for sharing the trip.
I love that you both have something that you really enjoy doing together.
Looks like a lovely place and your smiles say it was.
Have a restful weekend. :)
What a pretty place to stay and beautiful waterfalls! I love getting good Groupon deals--the sleigh ride we took was a Groupon discount.
Did you walk up all those stairs, Betsy? You are a marvel!
What a pretty place to stay and beautiful waterfalls! I love getting good Groupon deals--the sleigh ride we took was a Groupon discount.
Did you walk up all those stairs, Betsy? You are a marvel!
Oh you two. You will have to take a backpack with you for a light rain jacket from now on. I can not even believe you climbed those stairs. How is that knee?
This was an awesome trip. I don't know how you both keep it up. I'm so glad you can and you do. Hugs!
What a great trip. That picture of you that you have "rest time" underneath, is absolutely fabulous. I love it.
Hello Betsy, That sure was allot of hiking and steps. The Waterfall was most beautiful so well worth the efforts. You all are so lovely together. Hugs Judy
Hello Betsy, That sure was allot of hiking and steps. The Waterfall was most beautiful so well worth the efforts. You all are so lovely together. Hugs Judy
Hello Betsy, That sure was allot of hiking and steps. The Waterfall was most beautiful so well worth the efforts. You all are so lovely together. Hugs Judy
Now THAT's a cardio workout!! Betsy, there are not many at any age who are doing that kind of hiking. LOL! Kudos to you! Wow, that is such a beautiful waterfall. Think we may need to add that spot to our bucket list! Have a great weekend. blessings ~ tanna
I struggle with 3 flights of 11 going up to my friends condo... yowsa on 600 steps
I really like the last pic of you both with the height of the falls in the background. You two are tough - - - not only the strenuous hike but doing it in that kind of weather!
my gosh, what a wonderful place to visit! sounds like a great trip!
i absolutely enjoyed seeing your photos, betsy..the waterfall is really amazing!!
happy to hear that you both had a great time. fantastic photos as usual.
big hugs!!
xoxo
Oh my, all those steps! My poor ankle would never make it, so I'll just sit back and let you show me the pretty pictures! Glad you had a good time. Great photos as always! Have a lovely weekend!
I can't believe that you were so close and that you didn't call me! lol We are like an hour away.
It is still windy here - I can't believe it.
I have gone there once a few years ago - and I hate to say someone slipped and died that day.
I love the picture with your hair blowing.
Oh my goodness - that is a lot of steps! But such good exercise right?
Hope you and your sweetie are having a most wonderful weekend Betsy!
xo Catherine
I'm retiring in May, and I am going to go back through all your posts to figure out where I want to go for near us little trips!
Simply awesome!
We visited there around Thanksgiving in 2012. Looks like there's a lot more water coming down in March. It's a beautiful place!
What lovely pictures to recall that adventure. As you have travelled a lot and post ed many photos of the trips I wonder if you ever thought of putting together a coffee table book of your memorable times?
Salute to you both on being SOOOOO active! Please keep on doing and enjoying them.
600 steps? that reminds me of my friend's story of her (and some other friends) hiking up somewhere in Kathmandu Nepal in December last year, took them 1 hour to reach one base. Then she realised that she left her dark glasses at the rest house..so their guide went down and up again...in 15 minutes!
hahaha...
:-)
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