When writing a blog, it's important to keep the reader interested. As much as we would like, Mike and I don't travel all of the time. Work does call. This poses a question.....in between our road trips and travels, how do I keep you coming back? After communicating with one of my cousins about a state park in Virginia, it occurred to me that state parks are often overlooked as a destination. We have been to many interesting and beautiful state parks across the country. For me, they can be just as rewarding an experience as a national park. I am, however, a little embarrassed to confess that we have not visited many of the state parks in our home state of Virginia.
But hey, sounds like a good excuse for a road trip!!
As a 'filler' for this blog, I thought I would take this idea of state parks and turn it into a series. Many of these we have not visited in years, so it will be a walk down memory lane. My hope is that when you are thinking about something different to do or when exploring an unknown area, you will consider state parks. I don't think you will regret it because there are some real beauties out there. Don't worry, if you aren't into camping, many provide beautiful lodges in which to stay or dine.
I'm going to begin at the beginning of Mike's and my married life. It was in February 1986 that these two kids got hitched in Florida and traveled to the mountains of north Georgia to honeymoon at Unicoi State Park near a small town named Helen. Why here you ask? Mike and his family visited this area when he was a teenager. He always had fond memories and it sounded so lovely, that I couldn't wait to see it. This area would grow to hold a very special place in our hearts for many years to come. In fact, it still does. Looking through many pictures of the area, I realized that not much has changed.
I like that.
I like that.
The following photos show our visits to this particular spot over the years. It was a favorite for us not only because we spent our honeymoon there, but also because it became a tradition to visit my parents at Thanksgiving after they moved to the area in retirement. The day after Thanksgiving was often spent, not shopping, but visiting Unicoi and the surrounding area.
Our honeymoon cabin. Still looks exactly the same
Beautiful trail around the lake and into the park.
Unicoi Lodge
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View from the cabin
Fall colors don't disappoint
Always a favorite event:
The Festival of Trees at Christmas
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Here we are enjoying the place it all started.
Not far from Unicoi are the beautiful Anna Ruby Falls. A moderately easy walk follows the creek up to the raging falls.
Honeymooners enjoying the falls 💑
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The falls today.......not much has changed
A little movie trivia here. Who remembers the movie Smokey and the Bandit
with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field? This little bridge is where they stole their first kiss. You will pass it on the drive up to Anna Ruby Falls from Unicoi.
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A scenic drive from the park to the town of Helen will take you past some historic landmarks:
The Old Sautee Store. A step back in time. A museum display at the front of the store shows you how the store would have originally been set up. To the back of the store are more modern offerings with Nordic sweaters and hiking gear. Be sure to try some glog if they offer it.
The Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound with Mt. Yonah in the background.
Nora Mill. Still produces flour products, grits, and other local specialties.
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The creek behind Nora Mill
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The town of Helen Georgia has seen a few changes over the years. Some of those changes were through acts of nature. Tornadoes have changed the landscape quite a bit. For example, a catalog distributor business was destroyed as well as an outlet shopping center. In their place, wine sellers, restaurants and small local shops have opened up. It still has its alpine/bavarian theme, but that looks a little tired now. The town still draws crowds year round. Summertime brings families to tube down the Chattahoochee, fly-fish, zip line, hike, or pan for gold. Fall brings leaf peepers. In December, the town lights up for the holidays.
Carriage rides at Christmas time
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Up the road, close to the NC border lies the town of Tallulah Falls, GA. It is here you will find Tallulah Gorge State Park. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1000 feet deep. This place also has a connection to a Burt Reynolds movie. The canoe scenes of Deliverance were filmed in the gorge.
Who can forget that movie? Hearing banjos yet?
Seriously, it is a beautiful spot and a nice way to spend a day. Be sure to check out the town of Clayton GA. Great spot to shop and grab a bite to eat after hiking the gorge.
With a permit, one can hike along the bottom of the gorge
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Tallulah River
A suspension bridge crosses the gorge. Not for the faint of heart.
This is an old tower used by tightrope walker Carl Wallenda to cross over the gorge.
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Nestled in the NW corner of Georgia is Cloudland Canyon State Park
This one is a hidden gem that not many people know about. Like Tallulah Gorge, the canyon is 1000 feet deep and is on the western side of Lookout Mountain. Hiking trails lead visitors past waterfalls, caves, dense woods and sandstone cliffs. We discovered it right before we moved from Georgia. That was a shame, I would have liked to have spent more time exploring it. Oh well, at least we got to see it once.
Misty canyon in the fall
Leaf-covered creek
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Sandstone cliffs
Waterfall was a trickle the day we visited
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There are other state parks that we have visited in this part of Georgia, but I've driven myself batty trying to find our photos. They were taken pre-digital era, so who knows where the heck they are. In the meantime, here are the links to other of our favorites:
That concludes this walk down memory lane and the tour of some of Georgia's state parks. I encourage you to check out the parks in your own state and discover the natural beauty in which you live. After all, you are paying for them, why not enjoy them?
Until next time when I take you to five of our all-time favorite parks, I wish you.....
Happy Travels ✈🚗🚢
Melody
