GREETINGS!!  Just found out I won’t be spending 10 days in a 14x16 ft cabin in Alaska with no electricity or running water.  I guess I can relax now when I’m watching “I Should’ Be Alive” or “I Survived.”   (I was encouraged to apply next year.)

Sunday, I decided to head out for the mountains on Monday morning.   Sitting down here in the green pines, palms & palmettos of Florida, I became overwhelmed with the urge to see some golden autumn leaves.  I have relatives slightly south and east of Hot’lanta, Georgia so I took off to find some Fall colors in the trees.
                                             
 
Then the reality of my quick escape occurred.  I had to make sure anyone pertinent knew I would be gone for a few days and could live with out me.  Then, on to packing  for this road trip----that meant I’d have to whole car for luggage & stuff...awesome!

I began hunting for my car phone charger.  Couldn’t find it. Had to borrow one from my husband.  Let’s see, where did I see my ipod...oh, yeah, it needs to charge.  Now for the camera, batteries, other batteries, battery chargers, lenses, memory cards---that means I need to make sure I’ve already downloaded all the cards to my computer & a cd.  Then I can format them.  Clothing---where to find my clothes---not as easy as one might think...as our walk-in closet does not currently exist. 
                                            
                                             

Monday was a 6 hour drive to Lake Oconee. Tuesday, another 2 or so up to the mountains and the waterfalls . Two hours back. Toccoa  Falls seemed like a good start,  fancy square, old buildings, a little town, some nice leaves and a tiny stream with some rocks.  The falls was kinda underwhelming in volume, but the height was good, 175 feet.  It had a rainbow at the bottom formed by the mist.  It’s extremely easy to reach.  Just behind the college bookstore.  No hiking required.  Lunch in town at BJ’s Cafe was good---egg salad sandwich.

                      

Several other sites are nearby once you get up into that corner of Georgia.  It’s the very beginning of the Appalachian mountains.  We headed for Tallulah Falls Gorge State Park.  That is one DEEP gully.  Close to 1,000 feet from the highest point.  We arrived at the state park “interpretive center” for a $5 fee. (And several detours, thanks to the GPS.)  We walked to just 4 different points that overlooked the gorge.  We were right up there with the birds swooping by at eye level.  We didn’t have time to actually climb down 300 steps to get to the waterfalls.  There are 5 & a suspension bridge we didn’t visit.  The gorge is two miles long.  Lots of beautiful spots.  I would definitely go back there and spend more time.  
 
                                           

Now I’m back to real life.  It was a great way to escape the mess that has become our living space.  I long for the day we have complete order in the house.  But, I definitely had a visual & spiritual vacation.  I almost feel really refreshed.  My body fells me that I spent 3 days in the car.  After 950 miles, you can understand why.  Was it worth it  ???   You be the judge.

PHOTOTIP:  Have a desire for a seasonal delight?  Make the time to go and do it.
Who knows what next year will bring.  Grab a friend and your camera gear.  Get out there and shoot. Make sure you have the right supplies with you: a hat, sunglasses, pockets, a phone, bug spray, batteries, memory cards & water.  Remember to use a small aperture to get the most landscape in focus.

BLESSINGS!
Psalms 104:10
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