Day 13 - We're Off To The Georgia Mountains!

Abandonment, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We left Greenwood, SC, and took off on the SC Historic Corridor (who knew there was such a thing?). I continue to be surprised by the abandoned homes and businesses that we see on the two-lane roads of America. About 20% of the buildings on the rural roads are not inhabited. For some reason I am especially saddened if they have frilly white curtains in the windows...as if someone went to the store one day and never returned.

In Abbeville County, South Carolina, we encountered 6 large factories that were shuttered with grass growing through cracks in the parking lots where employees once parked. The names of the factories were removed or faded away. What a tremendous impact this must have had on the economy.

It was a relief to reach Hartwell Lake, but we were greeted by the sight below.

Boats Aground!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The water level at Hartwell Lake is so low that these boat houses and boats are on dry ground now. The lake is still enormous. In fact, it is in South Carolina and Georgia with the state border running right through the lake!

Nacoochee Valley, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Our first destination in Georgia was Tallulah Gorge State Park where we learned the history of Tallulah Falls. It began in the late 1800s when thousands of tourists came to this natural attraction on the Tallulah Falls railroad. This changed in 1913 when Georgia Power built a dam and dried up the falls. It is still a gorgeous camping and hiking resource with an excellent visitor center. We met three retired couples who have been camping there for three weeks! My photos were crummy, so I haven't posted any.

After leaving the park, we made our way down "historic Hwy 441" (who knew?) to the Unicoi Turnpike where we saw this Indian mound (pictured above) in Nacoochee Valley. Note: the mound is in the foreground with the small white structure on the top. The Unicoi Turnpike was originally built in the early 1800s based on a treaty with the Cherokee Indians when it was entirely on the Cherokee Reservation. Later, it became the first leg of the "Trail of Tears" when more than 3,000 Cherokee were deported from North Carolina. Today, it is a scenic byway that leads to some rockin' motorcycle roads.

Where Are We, Sid?, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Finally, we arrived in our destination for the night. Helen, Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. This Northeast Georgia village has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and Indian burial mounds as well as early settlers who arrived to mine for gold and cut virgin timber for a thriving lumber industry in the early 1900s. Now celebrating its thirty-fifth year as a mountain community with a touch of Bavaria, Helen boasts a wide array of attractions. The area has more than 200 specialty and import shops offer everything from candle making to cuckoo clocks.

Sid was astounded by this place and kept asking me how I learned about it. I told him I did a little search on the internet for "great motorcycle roads in Georgia" and found this site: Georgia Motorcycle Roads. I never dreamed it would look quite like this or be this big! They say it's crazy around here in October during the Oktoberfest celebration.

So, we are here for the next two nights with a little time to explore these roads and this community. Unfortunately, it's a bit rainy with a dismal forecast. More to come...

Windmill in Georgia?, originally uploaded by Gail S.