Relaxing In the Mountians of Georgia

Warning... get ready for a lot of pictures!

Every year our family along with my parents, and Jeff's dad go to the mountains of Georgia to a little town called Hiawassee. We started this tradition six years ago and haven't missed a year yet. Actually Pop Pop (Messner) missed one year due to a church conflict and last year my parents couldn't go, but other than that we have all been together each year. We have such a wonderful time together and Jeff and I know we are so blessed to be able to spend this time with our parents and children. (Both of our parents get along very well with each other) The boys absolutely love it there. They are out of school every year at the end of Sept or first week of Oct. for teachers convention, so it is an excellent time for us to get away for a short break. We love this time of year when the leaves start to change and the temperature starts dropping. It happens earlier in north Georgia than it does in Alabama by the way. The first night we were there it was in the upper 30's and lower 40's!! On the way over we go through a little town in Georgia called Elijay that is known for their wonderful apples. We always stop at a apple house called "Panorama Market". At certain times of the year you can pick apples yourself, but we are never there during that time. Anyway, they sell apples by the bushel and peck. We bought both cooking and eating apples. The boys love to stop in there also. They have wonderful fried apple pies (as well as blueberry, cherry and peach) and they sell fresh apple cider. You can get a little sample free and the boys tend to over do on that. Jacob loves riding around in the wagon they provide for you to shop with. Here is a picture of the front of the Panorama Market.

This is the house we stay in every year. It is called the "Cedar House". It is beautiful! It overlooks a creek that you can fish in or wade in. There are trees all around the house and two beautiful decks to enjoy. The top floor has a kitchen, bedroom, full bath, and nice living and dining area. The down stairs has two bedrooms, another full bath and a laundry room. Jeff and I and the boys sleep in the big bedroom downstairs. It has a fireplace, king-sized bed a pull out couch, a futon bed and a hide-a-way twin bed. The mornings are my favorite time. I love to get up before anyone else, fix my morning cup of "green tea" and go out on the deck in my pj's with a blanket and have my devotions. It is so relaxing and peaceful. There is something about hearing the water rushing from the creek that soothes the stress away! The house comes fully equipped with everything we need. We cooked most of our meals there and ate really good! Jeff and I took some "raw" peanuts and roasted them one day and here is Pop Pop enjoying them while my mom is snacking on something else. I am sure she appreciates me putting this picture on here. The boys loved playing by the creek that runs behind the house. Jeff took them wading one day but the water was very cold!!
Jorden and Taylor love to play risk. They talked Jeff and Pop Pop into playing with them. They take this game very seriously and do pretty good at it. I don't "get it" at all. It must be a guy thing.

Our family (both sides) loves to hike every chance we get. We have hiked in a lot of different places, mostly Ohio. We found two trails in the Franklin, NC area that were labeled "moderate" and were around 1 to 1 1/2 miles long . They were both fairly easy and it was perfect hiking weather. We saw posted signs warning us of black bears and talked to someone who had seen a bear in the area in the last two weeks. I was so nervous about running into one! We saw signs that looked to have been made by a bear, but never actually saw one. (He or she may have seen us though!) But we did see a snake! Jeff's dad and the boys had already passed it and never noticed it. I was the one to spot it and my heart nearly stopped. I grabbed mom's arm and told her to hurry. She wanted to know why but I told her "just go and I will tell you in a minute!" My dad took his hiking staff and threw it over the side of the ravine we were walking along. He said it was just a rat snake, but my philosophy is "a snake is a snake! and I don't like any of them!!"This is Laurel Falls in Franklin, NC. It was so beautiful. The boys, Jeff and his dad crossed over and climbed to the top. It was further up than it looks! I didn't watch-I know I am a "worry-wart"! I just can't bear to see one of my kids or my husband or father-in-law fall off the top of a bunch of rocks! Thankfully they all made it down safely!
We took a second hike down to see the "2nd largest poplar tree in the USA" It is quite dead, unfortunately, but still a sight to see. It has the biggest tree trunk I've ever seen. The trail wasn't too rugged and every one did well. No bears there either, thank the Lord! LOL
Daddy and mom at the poplar tree
Mom and I at the poplar tree
This was after we had walked the mile and a half hike to see the "2nd largest poplar tree" This is at the head of the trail we took to "Laurel Falls". Please excuse the look on Jorden's face, I think he was eating an apple. LOL
Jacob was so tired after we were done with the second trail. He was a trooper though and finished both trails without too much complaint. He loved picking up acorns and leaves for his "collection".

After we hiked it was too late for lunch and a little early for supper but we all were starving and decided to combine the two. Rib Country is one of our favorite places to eat in North Carolina. We go there every year and haven't been disappointed yet. They serve wonderful "southern" BBQ . We hit them at the perfect time of the day. Usually it is very busy, but 4:00 PM is a great time to go. Our service was great and the food hot and fresh!

Everyone trying to decide what they wanted to order. It all looked so good and we were sooo hungry! It was very delicious as always! Jorden and Taylor love to play checkers at the restaurant.

Sitting on the front porch resting after we had stuffed ourselves with our "leftovers"

Pop Pop brought the boys pumpkins from Ohio to carve. I roped Jeff and my dad into helping him. As you can see by the expression on Jeff's face, this was not his idea of a good time!Very yucky job!

Here are the three dad's cleaning out the boy's pumpkins. Where are the boys? Funny how that works!

Grinning like they had done all the work! Actually Taylor and Jacob drew the faces they wanted on their pumpkins then Jeff and the grandpa's carved them for them.

Jorden had a pattern for his.

Jeff and his dad and the boys on the deck below the house.It is so hard to get all of the boys to smile (naturally) at the same time. The sillies seems to have set in...

We stopped on the way home at a place in Tennessee where the 1996 Olympics had their kayaking events. I had never seen white water rafting up close before and was very excited to get to watch a little of it. The boys were thrilled! They had never seen it either and after watching it, they are all ready to go! Jacob especially was impressed. This is him sitting on a rock watching the groups go down to the water. He can't wait to try it some time! This is where the groups put their rafts or kayaks in.
There were lots of people waiting to go down the rapids. I bet that water was COLD! The spray off of it was, I can't imagine what being "dumped" head first in it would be like. We saw several doing that!
If you ever get the chance to go to Hiawassee, go! It is a really neat little town with nice people. It is close to several larger towns with plenty to do.

I apologize for such a long post. Thanks for your patience!!