North Georgia Dendrology

Always in discovery and on high alert, I noticed that trees covered with yellow tulips were beginning to show up everywhere. As luck would have it, I had my very own Forester in tow! I could not stop exclaiming over the tulips in the tree while close examination of the branches, leaves, bark, etc. was underway. After careful consideration, it was indeed pronounced a TULIP TREE...liriodendron tulipifera. Apparently, it is in the Magnolia family and not the Poplar as its name suggests, and it does not grow in the far north or the Deep South. Hence, my lack of exposure to this stunning spectacle. How my very own Forester could keep this tree a secret from me is just inexplicable!! The tree is extremely large (quite unremarkable except for the flowers) and getting a close up of the tulips was tricky...but persistence paid off. A tree growing at the bottom of a very steep embankment some 40ft. down gave us free access to the high limbs and the blossoms! You gotta love a happy Forester!

High Shoals Falls

Have I mentioned that it has rained a lot here in No. Georgia?? I believe 23 days out of the 30 days we've been here. Yesterday morning was cloudy and overcast...but no rain. Optimistic, we headed for High Shoals Waterfall--a short 1.5 mile hike in. The sun was actually shining when we arrived at the trailhead. It was a pleasant walk--getting darker, but we were descending rapidly and the canopy overhead was covering us. It began to rain...really pour just before we reached the falls. We took a cursory look, not daring to expose the camera to the deluge, and slogged back up the trail to the truck. Expecting nothing less of him, Al had various rain gear in the truck...and drenched and dripping, we exchanged our soaked clothes for the only dry stuff we had. I chose the yellow, ankle length, drover style raincoat with detachable hood and stylish snaps. Al selected an ensemble of forest green rainpants with matching jacket--very chic! And thus attired, sun once again shining, we drove the 10 miles back to the RV park. It is pouring again...

Tomorrow is a travel day. We're headed to Bluff City, TN.

Rhododendron Gardens

As I continue this BLOG, I've figured some things out...but darned if I can go back and edit what's already done. Let's hope I get better at it.

We have been waiting patiently for the rhododendrons to bloom. Hurray! Yesterday, was the day to visit the local gardens. Spectacular doesn't begin to describe it! Click on the photos for a better perspective. They come in so many different colors it is amazing. They really are more like small trees than bushes. We spent a couple of hours walking the trails. There is an RV Park adjacent to the gardens. Space might have been a little tight for us...but to be in that garden would have been incredible every day. Good to know for next time. The wild rhododendrons are not blooming yet and don't look like they will before we leave. If we lived here, I'd have a yard full of them. What a Spring show!! I miss my garden.

So, the frequent rain has been a bit disheartening. The little stream running adjacent to the RV Park has turned into a river. However, the amount of rain that has fallen has made great viewing at the numerous waterfalls around here. We hiked 1mile down to Dukes Creek Falls for a worthwhile show. The falls were booming! We're retired. It doesn't take much to amuse us! Some days we don't even need waterfalls...a bag of boiled peanuts will do just fine.:-)

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge is one of the Seven Wonders of Georgia...bet you didn't know that! It is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the South, and it is quite breathtaking. Who knew the state of GA had so much to offer? :) The park has nice trails with appropriately placed benches etc., etc. and THEN 550 stairs down to the bottom of the gorge. You guessed it 550 stairs back up and a suspension bridge for fun!

Cleveland, GA: Home of the Cabbage Patch Babyland Hospital!! Nope, didn't visit. Just thought everyone should know this bit of information.

After much research, searching and shopping...WE GOT BIKES...and roof racks...and helmets! Yippee! Al let me ride for about 10 minutes on flat ground...and then up the hill we went--almost.

It has been raining a lot. Did I say really a lot? The temperature is quite mild and chilly at night. We're still using a quilt at night. That was for those of you already experiencing 90 weather in Alabama and Florida.

Hiawassee, GA

Hiawassee, GA is over the mountain...up, down, around...many times. It is quite beautiful here! Bald Mtn. RV Resort sits in a valley surrounded by the mountains. The town borders fairly large Chatuge Lake.

Tulip update: Marginally better travel this time. She actually slept the last 50 miles or so. Hallelujah!

Adrienne arrived to begin hiking the Appalachian Trail--Springer Mtn. GA to Mt. Katahdin, ME. Al decided to hike the first few days with her. I delivered them to the base of Springer which required much over the mountain, twisting, curvy driving. The last 6+ miles was up (and then of course down) a steep, gravel, one-lane, hairpin turn road. I can drive that dually anywhere now!

Three days later when I got to the appointed pick-up location, Adrienne was already there looking perky and rested having socialized with many others whom had congregated there. Al came along shortly after...looking not quite as perky, but upright and smiling. Adrienne went smiling up the trail...and we returned to the RV.

We had a bit of a water leak...the RV basement flooded. Al located the offending cracked water connection and replaced it. Thank goodness for plastic tubs! Minimal damage but annoying.

Again, being further north than Pine Mtn., it is spring here. This must be the dogwood capital as they are everywhere. Rhododendrons are huge and plentiful and getting ready to bloom. On a hike last week, we also saw lots of what I believe are Lady Slippers almost ready to bloom. I had a bit of a snake encounter on that particular trail. Not sure I'll return to see the blooming flower.

We saw Adrienne on her first re-ration stop and she is doing quite well. She stayed overnight with us, and she is back on the trail.

We are here in Hiawassee for a month. Our plan is to continue on north around 16 May. To where, I don't know. We'll figure it out soon.

Our First Destination

Our first destination is Pine Mtn. GA. Our first observation is that Tulip does not travel well. After many decibel levels of howling, we thought she was distraught over being confined. We released her from her chariot which then allowed her to sit on the back of the seat and howl directly into our ears. It was a long 250 miles.
After arriving and readying the RV for living, both cats went window to window looking for familiar sites. This is going to take some getting used to!

Pine Mtn., GA is home to Callaway Gardens, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park and The Little Whitehouse--all of which we visited.

Callaway Gardens is a great place to commune with nature. We hiked most of the trails, took in a Birds of Prey demonstration and visited the huge, marvelous Horticulture Center. It would have been a great place to have bikes.

We hiked some in FDR State Park and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Little Whitehouse was very interesting and well worth the time...and we have plenty of time. So much, in fact, we forgot what day it was and stayed in the RV Park after our departure date!

It is spring here. The dogwood trees and azaleas are in full bloom...and rain is frequent. Sorry about the photos. My digital camera is being repaired.

Our next destination is Hiawassee, GA.