Georgia

17 – 21 Oct
Springer Mountain, Gold Rush and Apple Festivals

We travelled from Tennessee into Georgia to a camp site near Dahlonega.  On our first day here Paul went fishing and caught many small fish but only one worthy of a meal (for one).  So we put it in the fridge for another day.

We met some friendly folk from Alabama, Joyce and her family.  We experienced their “Southern Hospitality” and shared their BBQ, and company around their camp fire every evening.  They taught us some American words and we now know what a ‘Rutabaga’ is.  Rick kindly gave us one of the walking sticks he creates from tree branches he finds. 

On the Friday we set off to climb Springer Mountain – the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.  Unlike Katahdin, at the northern end, this was soooo much easier.  We drove up a dirt track for just over 10 miles.  The walk to the summit was only 1 mile with a 400ft climb!  Easy peasy!  ‘Rick’s stick’ was given it’s first outing.

As we still had most of the day left we went onto Amicalola Falls State Park.  It is a small stream but water falls over 700 feet down a series of rapids and rocks.  There are 604 steps which follow the water fall and of course, if you walk down them, you have to walk back up!

Dahlonega, GA, is the site of one of the first “Gold Rush” in 1829, and where the phrase “Thar’s gold in them thar hills” emanated.  This weekend happened to be their ‘Gold Rush Festival’ which we enjoyed on the Saturday and watched the town Parade from the balcony of the Gold Museum, an excellent front row view!

A little further up the road is the town of Ellijay and they were holding the Georgia ‘Apple Festival’ this weekend.  So Sunday we went along to that.

At the festivals we tried some American food – Corn Dogs, Blossom Onion and fried apple pie. Bring back “Fish & Chips” says Paul!

We are now off south again to New Orleans, travelling over 3 days with a couple of dry camps on the way.