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,