Vogel State Park, GA

  It was a smooth and beautiful drive today.  We left Tims Ford and made our way across the hills toward Chattanooga, TN.  I say hills because much of the drive still reminds me of home in NW Arkansas. Altitudes vary from 500 to 1500 ft sometimes steep, always curvey, 2 lane roads, 3 lane hills, 4 lane divided sections.  All in all still quite beautiful, and quite why I love living where I do.  This afternoon revealed so much more. We went from Tennessee to North Carolina to Georgia, all the while watching the mountainous horizon grow closer.  We were soon upon the mountains and some of the highways even made Georgie Girl strain to keep up the pace. Harder yet, holding back as we rolled down the other side. 

At one point, I'm really not sure just where, we were back on 2-lane road, this time riding the side of a mountain with a beautiful white water river flowing down to our right as we wound our way upstream along its edge.  It was clearly a popular white water rafting attraction, I was searching for a convenient pull off to stop and take a break.  There was no shortage of small pull-offs along the river but few were big enough for us and had a decent view to the rear so I could get back on the road safely without causing any other traffic concerns.  Alas, A perfect spot just ahead before the next curve.  I'll pulled off and stepped outside.  Cool, Just Cool....  The river was about 100 feet across and there were several huge boulders leaving about 3 choices to take in a raft. The largest and widest option had a 6 foot drop but hid a big backwash that spun several of the rafts coming down that didn't quite make it far enough to either side before the drop.  The largest of the boulders was squarely in the middle of the river and was wide enough to create a safe rest area for those who took the path on the left or those very capable rafters who could manage enough control after taking the central drop.

The air was so cool, I'm sure the river had a lot to do with it, but the sheer slopes and density of the forest blanketing them surely played a role.  This was a lot of what we had been looking forward to, Deep dense forests, Clear mountain streams, and blissfully temperate breezes with expansive views.  As we neared the top of the mountain, the next curve revealed the launching point for all the rafters and a large parking lot to return them to after their whitewater adrenaline rush has played out.  And of course, now we head down the back side of the mountain racing to the next uphill battle.  Fortunately, were no longer winding alongside the river and the road is now 4-lane divided. 

We arrived at Blairsville, GA. and stopped to get some groceries.  I stayed on the outer fringes of the parking lot and leashed the boys up for a break while lynn went in to shop.  then back to the entrance to pick her up and collect the groceries.  It was only a 20 minute drive from here to the campground.  A bit of a windy road and known to the locals as a major hazard to those who have yet to respect it.  There are few guardrails and steep slopes, with a speed limit that makes for a nice sunday drive, unless you're in a hurry.  The entrance to the park was narrow and winding, comfortable in a car or SUV but, in a Motorhome, pulling an SUV on a dolly it was just plain sensible to come to a stop as close to the edge as possible when another vehicle was approaching from the other direction.

There was a lot of construction going on outside the Park visitors center and only a handful of car parking spots.  We could never have gotten in to check-in at this time and would have to wait till we got setup and situated.  I misread a sign and ended up taking a grand tour of the campgrounds.  It really is a beautiful park.  The sites were well planned and although laid out a little closer together than I would like, the thought behind its design is careful and clear.  Eventually making it back to my wrong turn I made my way to our site and got setup.  I'm impressed considering all the geological challenges, after I got backed into the site, It was nearly level, with plenty of space for the slideout and awning.  There was a clear footpath leading into the woods behind the campsite so I took the boys on a little walk to explore it and about 30 yards from the RV was a beautiful babbling brook and we all dipped our feet in it and sat to relax and enjoy the moment.

We'll be here for 3 nights.  I have an old friend I haven't seen in 40 years driving up to visit Saturday morning.  We've got a lot to catch up on.  Thankfully, there is good Wi-fi here in the park,off and on at a whim, but cell service is almost non-existent.  I wish you could be here to enjoy this weekend with us.  Take care, I'll write again soon.