Well - I have had some unexpected downtime from work so I've been trying to squeeze in some short day rides the last few weeks. Trying to do some nice riding, see some cool places, but not spend money. So trying to mostly just ride and hike with the only real expense being gas money.
Few recent trips:
1. McCaysville GA on border with TN. It is a very small town right on the river about 10 mi north of Blue Ridge GA. The name of the river changes as you cross state lines. I took a picture of me on the bridge where that happens. Also had a nice lunch and beer at a restaurant on the river (pizza place). I sat outside on the patio and i could actually watch fish swimming by (i think they were trout). Ok...so i did spent some money there. Worth it.
2. Starr's Mill down in Fayetteville GA. This is supposed to be one of the most photographed sites in GA and like visiting old mills on the water. But this was really just a old red building on the water with a few relics inside. No evidence of a water wheel outside. It took me about 2.5 hours to get there i think and then i couldn't find it. My GPS kept telling me to take a U-turn. It is off a main road but down a little dirt road (no signs!) and there is a lot of road construction near by. Not really worth the trip in my opinion.
3. Whitewater Falls, NC - This was definitely the star of these trips. I headed out 85 until I got into South Carolina (stopped at visitor center) and then you head due north up 11. Almost as soon as you cross the state line into NC the parking lot is on your right. It is a short 1/2 mile walk on a paved trail to a couple of observation decks which are gorgeous. Especially the lower one. There was some pretty fall colors in the trees but definitely does not seem to be peak yet. Diane and I will be in the mountains the last weekend in October - I hope the colors are still there and we don't totally miss it.
In addition to the falls there is some great hiking on Foothills Trail. It goes for miles and miles....which I of course did not do. I had a packed lunch at a picnic table near the parking lot and then hiked down mountain towards the base of the falls where you can cross the river on a cool bridge and relax on some rocks. I think I only hiked about 1.3 miles down (about 2.5 mi total) but it was a good workout and I think it took about 1.5 hours. But i was taking my time, enjoying the moment, and taking some photos. I would definitely love to go back and do some more hiking here or maybe backpacking/camping. I saw a recent presentation on thru hiking the Appalachian Trail and now I'm really daydreaming of doing some more serious time in the woods.
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| My happy place after about 1.3 mile hike down. Could stay all day :) |
