Road Trip to Georgia

Last week, Jim took some time off and we took a road trip to Georgia to visit my cousin Ginger. Mom and Cory joined us. I think that was my first trip to this southern state. (Besides the 5 minutes you go through Georgia to get to Chattanooga.) It takes about 5 hours to get there and with stops a bit longer. I forgot my CDs (we got a rental car) so began looking for a radio station--Bingo! an oldie station. It’s been forever since I’ve heard oldies (except for the Dollar Tree). Cheesy 80s music--but HEY! it’s a road trip. Okay, radio stations are out--blah! Got my ipod out. From cheesy music to cheesy Gabe Kaplan in “Welcome Back Kotter” with Bah-bah-bah, bah Bahbarino--John Travolta in his “hey’day”--HA! “You put one end up your nose, and the other end in your mouth and then you blow real hard til your brains fall out.” Vinnie Barbarino (spoken with a Brooklyn accent). Boom-Boom Washington’s “Hi there!” and who could forget Horchak’s amazing laugh? And, of course when he raises his hand in class--oo--oo--oo--oo!!!
Interesting how 20-somethings still in highschool. (Shall we talk about “Grease”?) Well, they were sweathogs! Ha!
Going through small towns, with lots of trees in the foothills of the Appalachias. Leaves are beginning to change. I spot a tree dressed in red. Then another in yellow. Not too many though. Will be great to drive to eastern Tennessee in the fall to see more colors. Passed the Trail of Tears and believe we were barely touching the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m wondering if there is an easier route than we are going. There are so many twists and turns, going through small towns since arriving in Georgia. Kudzu climbs all over, covering trees all along the parkway.
Okay, we’re in Georgia, right? Still in the Bible Belt I believe. We stop for gas at a Chevron station--haven’t seen one of those since California. People magazine? Nope! Women’s magazines? Nope! Any magazines? YUP! At least 20 porn magazines and that was it. (No, I didn’t actually stand there and count them all, that’s just a guesstimate.)
So who needs a tour guide when you have Jim along pointing everything out
and reading the signs. WOW! My dad used to do that when we were growing up. Remember Mel? LOL!
Having a nice visit with my cousin. Tonight I’ve been finding out about some family information that I need to check on, including the possibility of being related to Pocahontas. How exciting would that be? Another cousin has been doing some genealogy research, I’ll check with her tomorrow night.

9/11/10
Today, we got up to a delicious breakfast of praline french toast. We did a little yard work (well, Jim did most of it) then headed off to the Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville. The falls are noted as one of Georgia’s “Seven Natural Wonders”. They drop 729 feet and are near the southern most point of the Appalachian Trail. (We weren’t sure where that point actually was so missed my photo opt for my feet touching the trail.) I did get a picture of the sign though. Amicalola is a Cherokee word meaning “tumbling waters” and is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi.
After walking around the falls, we headed to Dahlonega which is a small town a few miles outside of Gainesville. We walked around the townsquare, heard some bluegrass playing at a 9/11 memorial event, got some yummy fudge, a cold rootbeer at the General Store and headed back to the house.
We went to Nancy’s for some delicous Georgia pulled pork BBQ. Afterwards, I learned more about my ancestors.

Sunday we walked around the outlet malls and hung around the house.
We took off Monday morning and stopped in Chattanooga. We walked around downtown for a bit, ate BBQ again (what else is there in the south?) and checked out the mall.
It was a great trip--lots of fun!