On The Road Part 2 :-)

I am writing this from a quaint little library in the town of Helen, Georgia. The library is small, maybe as big as a convience store gas station--but, very nice that they have internet access here.

I've been lonely for my quiet time with God, so before I allowed myself to write here, I enjoyed a little book by Corrie TenBoom called Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle which was full of good advice for the very thing I am bad about in my life - worrying! I feel much more centered now. Wouldn't you think while you were on vacation that you would have MORE time for devotions! One little tidbit from it: "Be sure you remain covered with a canopy of praise. It is like a tent over and around you. Satan has no entrace as long as you pin down the sides by praising and thanking God for His wonderful promises." I also liked her little story about Susana Wesley's private place of praise - when the kids and life would just get too overwhelming for her, she would just lift up her skirt and cover her face with it, like a tent, for that quiet escape. Wouldn't they be surprised at work if I gave that a try--instead, I mostly just hide in the bathroom :-)

We've had wonderful, sunny weather. The first morning we explored Helen. Forty years ago the folks here got the idea that they needed an attraction here so people would stop on their way to the larger towns. Basically one person came up with the idea of turning it into a Bavarian (Alpine) Village, and the rest is history. It's not very busy right now, even though it is their big Oktoberfest Festival during October.

So far we have:

1) hiked to Anna Ruby Falls. A.Ruby is about 150' high. When we arrived the sun was shining directly on the falls, so they stood out starkly white against the rocky background.
2)drove up to Brasstown Bald, and then hiked to the top. The Bald is the highest point in this area, about 4,870' or something like that. They've built a circular building on the top of the bald - it looks like it was crafted from area rocks and such. You can see 4 states from the top, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Basically we were hemmed in by mountains. It was awesome in the truest sense of the word.
3)hiked to Dukes Creek Falls. These falls are 300' high, once again the afternoon sun was shining directly on the falls for a fabulous view.
4)hiked to Unicoi State Park Lodge. The plan was that we would have lunch once we arrived - but we arrived at 2:05 and they don't serve past 2. That was a bummer because it was over 3 miles, and we had to go back 3 miles to Helen before we could eat. Fortunately we carried water, but had taken no snacks as we planned to lunch when we arrived. A candy bar from the gift store shored off the crabbies. This was a nice nature hike, but we didn't notice much on the way down cuz we just wanted to get back!
5)ate lunch at Hans Restuarant and Lounge when we got back. There are a lot of motorcylcists in this part of the country and a number of bikes were in the front, so we hoped that meant good food. It did - a delicious burger (you know the kind, you have to use 2 hands to eat it). This restaurant was filled with wonderful black and white photographs of, you guessed it, motorcyclists! The photos were great character sketches. I wish I could have read the photographer's name so I could have learned the history behind the photos.
5) ate an outrageously expensive dinner at Natacoochee Grill and discovered a new wine from the Habersham Winery - White Muscadine a semi-sweet white - very yummy. The Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake wasn't too shabby either!
6) today, Ron is golfing and I'm hanging out in Helen. I'm getting to enjoy this lovely library and soon, I can go in and out of as many shops as I choose without having to wonder if Ron is getting impatient. He always tells me to take his time, but I will enjoy it so much more knowing that there is no-one waiting on me. I may have to get a chocolate caramel covered apple later in the day from the Hansel and Gretel Candy Factory to tide me over till dinner. From here, I'm planning on going to the Helen Craft Center where I can also dawdle for as long as I choose!

It is beautiful here. It is so nice of God to have created all the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, fall colors, and to have given us such a nice time of refreshment and rest before heading back to real life!