Okies head for Georgia

brushogger

Explorer
Post*
We had never spent any time in this part of the country and decided it was time for some exploring. The new FJ was needing a shakedown cruise, so we prepped it and headed out.*
Packed and ready to go!
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We headed out from Norman, OK the evening of 16th and pretty much drove straight thru to Chatanooga Tn for breakfast at Aretha Frankensteins. It has a funny atmosphere and great food.
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This is where we left the interstae for the next week. We then headed for Dawsonville, Ga to meet up with Jeff Dodgen from the Southeast Expedition Society on this forum. His advice and help was invaluable on this trip. We met near Amicalola Falls State park and he gave us directions to the coolest campsite of our trip. We were the only ones in the area. It was surrounded on three sides by a stream and next to a waterfall.
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We did some driving around in the forest roads and headed into Dahlonega for some St. Patty's celebration at Shenanigans. We had some wonderful burgers and met some new friends.
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Our next morning started by meeting Jeff for a climb up the 600 steps ascending the falls
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Once again Jeff pointed us towards cool spots and we also did some exploring on our own.
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This was a really neat swinging bridge on one of the hiking trails.
We headed back to camp for supper and relax time to prepare for the next morning. *We hated to leave this beautiful place but more adventures lay ahead. The next morning we drove into the park and prepared for our hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn. The hike is 5 miles up a trail and this is the only way to access it.*
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This is a gorgeous spot on the mountain with great views and good food. The best part was meeting all the people from everywhere and hearing their stories.
 
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brushogger

Explorer
We spent the night there after a wonderful dinner and comaraderie with the other guests. One was a young Russian, Andreyev, who had tantalizing stories of off roading and mountaineering in Siberia and Kazakhstan, he and his girlfriend were a blast to hang out with. We awoke to sunrise on the vernal equinox and got to watch it thru the lodges mini-stonehenge like observatory.
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After breakfast and goodbyes, we headed back to our truck. This time we hiked the approach trail for the appalachian trail which runs close to the lodge.
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After arriving at the truck, we decided it was time for more exploration.
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Since we didn't have time to actually home the AT, we decided to drive the forest service roads and see where the trail crosses them.
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brushogger

Explorer
We met some very cool people on the AT.
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The Rainwater's and their 8 & 15 year old sons sold their farm and have taken 7 months off to hike the whole 2181 miles of the trail. We will be following them on their blog http://rainwater2012.com
If you are in the area, you have to.see Anna Ruby falls.
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It was then time to start working our way into the Carolina's and the Smokies. On the Cherokee reservation we came upon this herd of elk in the river.
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We even ran into Mr.& Mrs.Claus vacationing!
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We camped at he Smokemont campground in the National park. The next morning we headed back to Georgia to raft the Chatooga river made famous in the movie "Deliverance". Believe it or not, we actually saw a guy sitting on the bank playing his banjo! I wish we could have gotten the camera out faster.
We did section 4, and it was the highlight of our trip. If you ever get there be sure and do this.
We headed west on the two lane to Chatahoochee state park in the western part of the state. The next morning we made the short drive to Whitesburg and kayaked the Chatahoochee river for a few hours.
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We decided to stay off the interstate on the way home, so we went thru many small burgs in Alabama and Mississippi. After overnighting in Helen, Ar, we headed to Hot Springs for a meal and quick drive thru. To finish up we wanted to drive up the Talimena scenic drive on hwy1 to Talihina, Ok. My wife had been wanting to see a bear the whole trip. Lo and behold, what did we see 5 miles into Oklahoma-
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The Ouachitas were beautiful as always and we had to hit the high point at sunset.
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We stayed true to our two lane promise and as usual arrived back home too late to get a good nights sleep, but that seems to be the way our vacations end. Thanks again to Jeff Dodgen and Hilldweller for directions and advice. If you go to this area, be sure to contact the Southeasters on this forum.
 
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Hilldweller

SE Expedition Society
...To finish up we wanted to drive up the Talimena scenic drive on hwy1 to Talihina, Ok.
Thanks again to Jeff Dodgen and Hilldweller for directions and advice. If you go to this area, be sure to contact the Southeasters on this forum.
Great report and great trip! You know how to do it, sir.
I'm really sorry that we couldn't come out and hang with you but glad that Jeff was free. I'm sure that you had difficulty like the rest of us keeping up with him on the stairs.

And it looks like we pick the same sorts of roads...

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Jeff Dodgen

Explorer
So glad Sarah and I got to meet y'all! We hope you guys come back again and we can go camping together! There is still alot more to see here! Thanks again for dinner and the green chile beer. You were right, its VERY tasty! I may even order some! Keep in touch and for sure let us know if you think about coming back!
 

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