I've looked at clouds from both sides now ...
"I've looked at clouds from both sides now From up and down, and still somehow It's cloud illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all." ~Joni Mitchell
I'm amazed to find northern Georgia and its canyons and cool refreshing forests. Cloudland Canyon is just such a find.
The Park’s water-carved canyons and caves surrounded by the breathtaking views and rugged geology of the Cumberland Plateau are stunning. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, bordering Chattanooga, Tennessee, Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest and most scenic parks in the state. Home to thousand-foot deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland and abundant wildlife.
Hiking and mountain biking trails abound. Sitka and I head off to find the waterfalls. only to be stopped by the staircase leading down to the falls. Folks I encounter along the way are always helpful with him. A couple waits for me to descend and get my "shot". I was hoping to get to the second set of falls, but no way to get there with my old guy. The park also includes an 18-hole disc golf course. I drive up just to see it. Wow, now that's a way to play golf!
Camping here is our first experience with cool. I hang the hammock and watch fireflies light up the forest. This will be an easy enough stop any time on my way north. Maybe a little harder to get to, but I stay off the interstate anyway. If you ever have the chance to come through here, you don't have to have a tent or camper. There are cabins and cute yurts to rent too.
So far, we have only had to sleep under the roar of the air-conditioner, 2 nights– when we were on West Point Lake. Now that we are in the highlands, I am hoping most of our trip will have cool nights and I can open up to listen to a symphony of bullfrogs and cicadas. Sitka is starting to sleep outside.
Summer brings a profusion of mountain laurel and rhododendron blossoms, along with warmer water for tubing & rafting. Blue Ridge, Georgia is just the place to go chasing waterfalls and experience the beauty of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I can only imagine the glorious color of fall here. We settle into another boodndockers welcome site. Ed and Ruth are so helpful with directions to waterfalls and offering me electric and water. But again, temperatures are perfect and sleeping is good, no hook ups needed. Ed offers to take me tubing on the river just below their home.
First, chasing waterfalls– Long Creek Falls, can be seen by hiking down a short side trail from the combined Appalachian/Benton MacKaye Trail. These falls total about 50 feet in two distinct drops. The hike to the falls is uphill on the way in, downhill on the way out. Sitka is game, but I wonder if I am taxing that leg. I try to coax him on to worn paths along side any stairs. He is loving all the new smells and I am sure the cooler air. I hope the CBD oil is really working on him and accounts for the new vim and vigor.
Google Maps has been perfect in leading us through these back country, winding roads. Suprisingly, this time it takes us across two streams. I mean I have to DRIVE across two streams to find Fall Branch Falls. The portion of the road that goes up the mountain is one lane. I am so fortunate not to cross paths with on-coming vehicles. there is no place to get over. The drive is so worth it. The upper portion of Fall Branch Falls is a series of cascades that lead to a single major drop of some 30 feet, with the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. The upper portion has a wonderful pool to swim in. But the drop on the rocks to get down to it is too much for Sitka. These falls, along the Benton MacKaye Trail west of Aska Road are a shorter, although a bit harder walk than Long Creek Falls. This is one tired out pup.
There are so many more falls to see in this area and more mountain towns to explore. I hope to catch some more of them on our southern journey of the trip. We play around in the town of Blue Ridge. Named for the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountain Range that stretches into the area, the City of Blue Ridge boasts beautiful mountain views. With key water features, such as Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River, Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia. As well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail, the area draws tourists and outdoors people from all over. The downtown area has quaint shops which we wander and eclectic restaurants have tantalizing smells of barbecue. Tracks for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway bisect the downtown area, with the Scenic Railway itself operating out of the town's historic 100 year old Depot. This is another place to return to and take the train ride. I hear it is stunning.
Our last day and my host , Ed takes me tubing down the river. It is early evening and we are the only ones out there. We finish the evening off sharing a glass of wine and talk travel stories. Tomorrow, we move on to the long awaited Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains.
Onward
Catherine and Sitka