My brother and his wife knew exactly what to do to release leftover gas after our big burrito dinner: BONFIRE! We spent the evening listening to snaping twigs, crickets and "barking spiders". ;)
Next morning we headed up to the mountains, this time to a cabin we had rented in Blairsville, Ga. Blairsville sits at the tip of the Georgia/Tennessee state line, high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's home to the Chattahoochee National Forest and to many waterfalls, state parks and high mountain peaks.
Which brings me to my next question: How DO you folks drive on them mountain roads!
I don't know how on earth you can navigate them in the winter during ice storms.
During the week we were there, voters in Georgia were headed to the polls to vote for Governor and a host of other issues on the ballot. In Union County, where our cabin was located, the big issue on the ballot was whether or not to allow the sale of alcohol in stores.
All I can say is, I'm not surprised the referendum was defeated. Not so much because of the presence of the mighty 1st Baptist Church, with it's blue and white warning signs posted everywhere: Alcohol KILLS! VOTE NO!
But because, folks.. it's the roads. When you're heading downhill on a steep grade and come around a hairpin curve out of nowhere, the last thing you want to be is DRUNK.
I can just see all the Budweiser boys in their pickup trucks going airborne as they fly off the mountain instead of down the highway.
Moving right along, we headed north on hwy 129 and stopped at one of the foothills of the Appalachian trail to do a little sightseeing and some hiking. We were still wearing Florida flip flops, so that didn't get us very far up the trail.
Then on to the cabin. which sits on a steep grade. Once in a while, Rick would put the truck in lower gear to get up and around the corner. My legs got a hell of a workout just walking Buddy.
<------
entrance to the girl's bedroom.
Two Bedroom Cabin. This is the master bedroom. Beds were COMFY. Bathrooms were new and clean.
Rick began reading the real estate ads almost immediately. (what else?!)
Traveling with Buddy was a piece of cake. He was sooooo good on this trip! We took him hiking every day, except for the main hike, which would have been too much for him. Hiking pictures are next....
Wow ... cabin looks great! And what a ham Britt is in that pic! Wherever does she get THAT from? The Leader of the Paint People?
Posted by: Nils | July 25, 2006 at 09:36 AM
Too many beans on those burritos eh ;-D
I loved the picture of you and the girls...you don't look much older that them...hiss-hiss!
Beautiful cabin...I would wanna stay all summer if it was me.
I spoke of you comment on one of my posts today if you feel like dropping by later...
:-D
Posted by: tammy Kentucky Gal | July 25, 2006 at 09:42 AM
Looks like a wonderful trip, I can almost smell them thar mountains! I'm glad you're home, I miss yer bloggage!
Posted by: Sara Sue | July 25, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Great place did rick find a good deal in real estate there? I'd love to spend the summer there.
Posted by: mom | July 25, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Now Laura, you KNOW not to take pictures INTO the sun. You don't? Oh....
Posted by: Old Horsetail Snake | July 25, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Great pics! Hope you're having a wonderful time!! :)
Posted by: pam | July 25, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Oh wow! That looks amazing! I'm putting that on the list for our next family trip!
Posted by: InterstellarLass | July 25, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Ick, Hoss.. hub took that picture. LOL! In his defense, he normally does take great pictures.
Took me a few minutes to darken and highlight that one, however. hehehhe!
Lass, I can send you all kinds of info about it. Also check out Gatlinburg and the Pigeon Forge area through Google. There's a lot to do there and we might go there next July instead. The fall would also be a GREAT time to go up there.
Pam, we're home again *sigh*. what i'd give to go back!
Mom, he brought home a bunch of catalogs and is still going over the ads, still trying to come up with a way to do it. Actually talks about selling his boat, which is unheard of.
SaraSooo, At least YOU missed me. can't say the same for your friend, Mr. HalfaTruth, over in Canada. ;) LOL...
Nils, gee, I don't know where she gets it from? hmmmmm. My kids seem to have this displaced gene...
Tammy, I could have stayed there all summer too, if we could afford it. It was really good to get out of here for a change.
I loved your latest post, Thanks for the linkage! I went to your site, wrote another commment and lost it. arggh! My back button didnt save the comment, as usually happens. I'll go back in awhile and post it again. Just have to go out right now. soon!
Posted by: Laura | July 25, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Welcome home, Laura. Really enjoyed reading the posts about your vacation. Sounds like everyone had a great time, including Good Dog Buddy.
What a gorgeous place you rented. Have a feeling you might be signing on the dotted line soon for real estate in that area.
Posted by: Terri | July 25, 2006 at 08:05 PM
It is nice in those Georgia mountains but not all that many good fishing holes. I like it up around the Lake Fontana area in N Carolina. Same pretty views with a lot of lakes
Posted by: GUYK | July 26, 2006 at 08:43 AM