The Last Adventure, But, Certainly Not the Least

This is the adventure we almost didn't take. And, that would have been a shame. The highest point in Georgia was a little over an hour from where we were camping. And, by the time we got home from the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, we were tired families. And, then to make the decision even harder, the trolley that would to take us to the top, closed at 5. And it was already 3:30 and we were just finishing up lunch.

If we didn't make it there by 5, we would have to drive most of the way up the mountain and then hike the last half mile or so. The families got together and decided to make a go of it!

The roads to get to this place were incredible. Winding around mountains, going up and down two lane roads. At one point, I said to hubby "If you love me you will put both hands on the wheel and SLOW DOWN." He obliged as best he could. NG got a little carsick and I couldn't blame her. The other kids enjoyed the scenery. And there was lots of fantastic scenery!

The picture below is from the parking lot of the state park of the highest mountain in Georgia. It was practically deserted. We got out of the cars and it was very cold and very windy! My friend's hubby was afraid a storm was coming because of the wind and dark clouds (he has done some hiking before). He mentioned we might not be able to "make our climb." By that time, I was so excited and really ready to go, I told him I didn't come all that way, through the crazy, scenic roads not to make it to the top. We were hiking if I had anything to say about it! I made a mental note that I had extra food, just to be on the safe side. :)

The men had baby duty. I felt for them. It was a steep incline and there was a warning that it was a strenuous hike. The kids, of course, had no problem whatsoever. And, would run up a little ways and then run back. At one point, we had to tell them to wait up!

As we were sitting, resting, a young couple (who didn't speak much English) were on their way back down. We asked them how much further, they just kind of laughed and said something like "3 minutes." I began to wonder, just a little bit, what I had gotten into.

The different types of vegetation were neat to look at. As we got closer to the top, we could see the change in trees. They were more worn and tangled looking, from the continual affect of the wind.

The next picture is at the very top of the mountain. There was an observation deck and a museum but the museum was closed. That did stop hubby from chatting up the park volunteer. He learned that the land originally belonged to the Cherokee (I think) and that the government took it away from them. The government let loggers come in and they destroyed the forest. It has taken them up to just a couple of years ago to get all the little indigenous critters back.

From on top we could see North and South Carolina and Tennessee. And on a clear day, you can see the Atlanta skyline! The views were amazing. The scenery stunning. The whole climb was exhilarating. I, personally, felt so accomplished and so overwhelmed by the glory of it all.

We couldn't believe how close we were to the clouds.

We took our time, looked around and just enjoyed nature. The trip back down the mountain, by foot, was a little easier. The drive down, at dusk, was still a little traumatic, for me. We dined at Moe's in a local town. And our plan was to roast marshmallows when we got back to the campsite.

Everyone was silent on the way home, sleeping or at least resting, I am sure. We got back to the campsite and EG refused to walk up. My friend's son was down for the night. Boop was awake but grumpy. We postponed s'mores out of shear exhaustion. But, it was a good exhaustion. From doing all that could possibly be done in a day.

I can't believe I even contemplated not going on our last adventure . . .

Incredible

I didn't have many requests for our camping trip. But, one thing I wanted to try to do was pick apples with the kids. We have gotten plenty of apples recently and have a lot of fun eating and baking with them. So, I thought it would be fun to get our own. What we got was sooooo much more than just an ordinary apple orchard.

The first thing we did was to get a seat to see a pig race. I mean, really, how can you miss a pig race? We lined up along the fence just waiting for the contest to begin. The anticipation growing. Six pigs in all raced, at least I think so. It was over in a blink of an eye, but the kids got a kick out of it.

There was a playground and zip line. And a big huge slide going down the side of a hill. There was also bungee jumping, which Nature Girl really wanted to do. But, it cost extra money, in addition to what it cost just to get in and enjoy all the other activities. She had to pass on that one and was a little disappointed.

I don't have a picture of it, but we learned a little bit about honey bees. And, got to taste a couple different types of honey. Honey gathered locally can actually be used to help fight allergies. That was kind of cool.

Finally, after doing most of the other "free" activities that the apple orchard offered, we went to pick apples. They grew all kinds of apples: red delicious, granny smith, mustus and rome just to name a few. I believe we got at least a couple from each type of tree. The kids really wanted granny smiths so we have mostly those.

I think they had fun. I had fun! They next thing on our apple orchard adventure was to milk a cow. Each kid got a chance to do it. Just one little pull. NG said it felt like an old man's finger. Still trying to figure that one out. Anyway, I don't think they honestly believe that is where milk comes from.

They had live music. So hubby and EG took a break and listened for a little while, while my friend and I took the bigger kids on the jumpy pillow. (He got the better end of that deal.) ;)

Of course, the kids thought the jumpy pillow was a hoot.

Having never been to an apple orchard before, at least not that I can remember, this one takes the cake! There was soooo much to do and see. We didn't even do it all. They had a Moonshine Museum and a place where you could buy all kinds of apple desserts and snacks. Hubby did buy a potato ribbon, which was a big long ribbon of fried potato. We all had a taste.

I think we were there until mid-afternoon. We hadn't even had lunch, but the kids didn't seem to care. We were pretty tuckered out and went back to the campsite after that. To eat and rest. But, the adventure continues. Gonna have to wait until tomorrow to get the "rest of the story" . . .

Phenomenal

Phenomenal is what the third day was. We did so, so much really cool stuff. I decided to break the last day down into three separate posts because, otherwise, it would run on forever and I don't think I would be able to upload all of the pictures! Anyway, we started out with another great camping breakfast, cooked by us this time. I really do enjoy eating outside.

Our plan was, for in the morning, to visit a really big, massive pumpkin patch which had really, big and massive pumpkins. We had passed by it the day before when we were out looking around. The place was packed and it was only 10:30 in the morning. There were rows and rows of pumpkins bigger than I had ever seen before.

I tried to get a decent pictures of the kids. But, I don't have the patience for it. It is like corralling cats. I would get two or three in position and one would venture off. Or I might get two looking at the camera and a third would not and the fourth would be trying to climb the pumpkins. So, I gave up and just kind of snapped away.

There were even blue pumpkins. I think they were good for baking.

What is a pumpkin patch without a John Deere tractor. Obviously a photo op for Boop!

They had a covered area that sold all kind of gourds and squash. Hubby grabbed himself a basket and did a little shopping. We picked up some acorn squash (my personal favorite with bacon and brown sugar) and a spaghetti squash.

I think our greatest purchase was our 8ft corn stalks that will be gracing our front yard this fall. They had tons of them and I just had to have one, or two. They are great!

The day, was again, gorgeous. Sunny, cloudless and breezy. And, the pumpkin patch was just the first stop on our very busy but phenomenal day. Tomorrow, the out of this world apple orchard . . .

Fabulous

That is what the second day was. We started out with a fabulous breakfast cooked by our friends. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. It is great to eat a big ole breakfast outside in the cool air. It just makes you want to eat more.

The boys had to do a little skating after breakfast.

Our plan for the morning was to do a little hiking along the stream and up a little ways to the falls. We gathered all the provisions a hiker would need, such as water and craisens, rice cakes and Slim Jims. And of course, comfortable shoes. And, babies, in backpacks of course. (Hubby did great hauling EG everywhere.)

We started out at the visitors center where we gathered a little information and an Amicolola State Park sticker to put on the back of a camper and, of course, a book, native flowers in north Georgia I believe. Then we set off on our hike.

It was an absolutely perfect day for our adventure. Sun was shining and it was cool. The first thing we came upon was a stream, which I believe was fed by the falls. Mrs. K thought it would be great fun to let all the kids take off their shoes and wade in the freezing cold water. Then, she took off her shoes, too. All of this activity was way out of my comfort zone. I just kept thinking, wonder if someone got wet, or worse, fell in!

But, as you can see, all the kids had big fun. And, yes, they got there pants wet. But you know, it was OK! They had a blast and climbed a little way up the stream and onto a rock. Even daddy and EG got in on the actions.

And, so did I!! Oh boy, was it cold! But very fun! Thanks Mrs. K for encouraging crazy behavior, on my part!!

The little stream was just the beginning. As we found out, the trail we were on was an approach trail to the actual Appalachian Trial. That was kind of cool. Although we were not really on the AT itself, we were kind of part of it. Probably as close as I will ever get! (It is my understanding approach trails don't count towards the actual mileage of the trail itself. But, it was still pretty cool all the same.)

Our goal at the beginning was just to go a mile or so. And it was a steep and winding climb up a dirt trail, swerving around trees and rocks and roots. But, as we got close to the end of the dirt trail we came upon stairs that lead us a little further up the falls, to a bridge that kind of crossed in front of the falls. 175 steps if I remember correctly. We hemmed and hawed and debated if we wanted to continue. I left it up to hubby because he was carrying EG on his back. But, after a nice break of water, Slim Jims, craisens, rice cakes and granola bars, we decided to continue our adventure up the falls.

And, as you can see from the pictures, it was so worth the extra effort! I am getting chills right now just remembering how I felt looking up and seeing those majestic falls. The water just cascading down. It was incredible. I couldn't stop staring and smiling. Not to mention, feeling so accomplished in just pushing to go a little bit farther. So, so worth it! Of course, we still had to get back down! But, we took our time and took a few more pictures.

At the end we all felt like EG, well, I know hubby and I did. The kids seemed to have energy to burn!

I am guessing when we got back to the campsite and had lunch, the boys decided to throw the ball around a little bit. At least I think it was Saturday when they did that.

Mrs. K did a great job of having fun stuff for the kids to do. They had a scavenger hunt and made little people out of the stuff they found. They made a birthday sign out of nature for JD. And, she painted the kids' faces.

The afternoon was pretty peaceful. The men went to find more firewood with the little guys. And the big girls just played. I think this is the afternoon that when I tried to put EG down for a late nap, in the camper, by herself, she managed to get out of her pack and play and lock herself in the camper. My friend and I were sitting by the camper when I heard a knocking sound from inside. I paused for a moment and then realized it had to be her, at the door. When I went to open the door it was locked. Truly by the grace of God, the keys happened to be on the outside.

I unlocked it and sure enough, there she was, just standing there. My friend's 8 year old, figured out how she got out. The pack and play was kind of pushed up against the couch. She must have stepped on the couch and kind of pulled herself up. My little Hudini!

Later that afternoon, we took a ride to a small town near by. Just to check it out. After our little tour we went back to the campsite and had a fabulous dinner of pulled pork, which had been smoked all day long. We also had a little birthday party for my friend's son (who is Boop's best friend.)

Again, I was in bed very early, well 10ish. I was tired. I am not use to all that activity and fresh air! The day was fabulous as the pictures show. Such a great, great day . . .

Spectacular . . .

is just one word I would use to describe the past four days. As I was contemplating how on earth I would chronicle the last four days and do it justice, my friend, who we went camping with, suggested I break down my post into days. So, that is what I am going to do.

The next few post will be totally for memory purposes. So, when hubby and I are old and gray and the kids have families of their own, they can look back at the pictures and words and hopefully remember what a spectacular time we had.

So, here we go.

Day One

We were actually in the van and truck ready to go a few minutes past 5AM. We had a seven hour drive ahead of us. As we headed out of the neighborhood we realized daddy had not gotten the sway bar. (Keeps the camper from swaying back and forth on the road.) So, it took us a few minutes to locate it. By the time we actually got on the road, it was a little before six. But, we were all OK with that.

Driving in the dark, on country back roads, leading out of town, making sure daddy was behind me was kind of stressful. But, I had no idea what stressful was until we hit Atlanta. Trying to find our way and making sure hubby was behind me so he wouldn't get lost, while cars were flying by and not letting him make lane changes, was really, really stressful. He lost a few of the remaining hairs he has left on his head.

But, all in all, we did really great. Taking our time and enjoying the change in scenery (and temperature). We really had no idea where we were going and what to expect. I honestly thought we were going to be staying at the base of a mountain range. But, when we got to the state park, I soon realized that we were going up, up, up.

When we got to the state park, the grade to get up to the lodge was 25%, which I am pretty sure is steep. Any hair hubby had left, was gone! We later found out that the couple across from us needed to be towed up because of traction problems and wetness on the road. Anyway, I had to check in at the lodge and the view from there was spectacular. A big picture window overlooked the mountain valley. It seemed like you could see for miles.

Oh, but it was worth it! We were able to get campsites together with our friends. And the sites were spectacular. They had a fire pit and picnic table and they were kind of terraced into the mountain side. Trees everywhere. In between the sites was a green area for the kids to play soccer on and collect nature "stuff." There was also a big green field within eye sight for them to play on. In front of our site was a paved road so the boys could ride their skateboards (which each got for their birthdays) and for all the kids to ride their scooters on. The big boys even tossed around the baseball!

The first thing we did was set up and then went to explore. The campground was Amicolola Falls State Park. So, the first thing we did was to check out the falls. Well, maybe we ate lunch first. (We did so much adventuring, my time table might be a little off!!) Anyway, we checked out the very tip top of the falls, which, by the way, is the highest waterfall in the state of Georgia. The view was spectacular. (My pictures do not do it justice.) And, the sound of the falls were amazing. So relaxing. We walked around a little bit and sat by the mountain stream.

We went back to the campsite, built a fire and got ready for dinner. We split dinners and breakfasts. So, we did Friday nights dinner, hubby's delicious chili. What an appropriate camping meal, as far as I am concerned! We all hung around the fire and talked and ate while the kids played. I would say the hardest part was keeping the little girls from the road and/or making sure they didn't roll down the hill or put a hand in the fire! All the kids played so well together!

I know I am missing stuff. But, I am just trying to write down the highlights. Each day was just so spectacular. Sights never seen. Adventures never taken before. It all was just so amazing. As my friend alluded to, it is hard to deny there is a God when surrounded by so much beauty. Much more about our adventure tomorrow. Day two . . .