Georgia on Our Minds...

Tullahoma faded in our rear view mirror.  Two and a half special days with friends in wonderful Christian fellowship, capped with a communion service.  We cut across wooded countryside to interstate 24 and headed for Chattanooga, and soon we were headed down the Old Copper Road toward the Occee River recreational area.  Hundreds and hundreds of rafters and kayakers were braving the roaring cascade as we zoomed through the river canyon on the way to Blairsville, Georgia, our jumping off town for Brasstown Bald.  We played hopscotch through the states: Tennessee... North Carolina... Tennessee... Georgia... North Carolina... Georgia.  Then Blairsville and a seventeen mile jaunt to the high point trailhead.  Except instead of going south somehow we ended up going west on the Blue Ridge Highway until at eight miles we realized we weren't in Kansas anymore and turned around.  We then righted ourselves, found Georgia 180, and before we knew it we were having a blast on the tight turns of the drive to the trailhead parking.

Brasstown Bald involves a 1.2 mile round trip hike up an asphalt trail.  It isn't Mt. Elbert, but it's plenty steep and got our hearts pumping for a short while.  This was my 19th state high point.  And... I am 19 for 19. Every last one has been worth it, and always for different reasons.  This one was a no brainer.  A panorama that is hard to rival anywhere. Thousands of square miles covering four states stretched into the hazy distances.  I am a softy.  I got choked up for a moment, thinking about my many blessings, God, friends, country, and my dear family.

Finally the comforts of a hotel room in Hiawassee, Georgia called to our weary bodies, and we descended.  As we drove into the lake community, we viewed the distant tower of the Bald, and marveled at how far we'd come in just a half an hour.  We settled into our pleasant view of the lake and called loved ones.  Afterward we played Civilization V hot seat - a hotly contested game of wits.

Can we get four high points tomorrow? South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky?  Not much margin for error in navigation!