Video of Walk to Angel Falls

Posted by AR on August 10th, 2010 filed in Memories, Paw Prints
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Thought I would post a short video of Cocoa and Chip on their way to Angel Falls. I would do more of these but I absolutely forget that I have a Flip video camera!

Afternoon @ Angel Falls

Posted by AR on August 8th, 2010 filed in Hiking Through Northeast Georgia
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Hey, looks who’s here: Cocoa Joy! Doesn’t she look great?! She’s smiling and also looking at the camera! On Sunday we hiked to Angel Falls in Rabun County. This photo was taken at base of Angel Falls, which is located at the end of a moderately strenuous one mile hike. We were all pretty hot and in need of water, but I thought Cocoa looked rather good considering she had to jump over at least two sets of fallen trees and tunnel under a couple more. Oh, how ready I am to sing the praises of Dog School 101 again. What a perfect hiking companion she has become. She also had to hike back out another mile. At the end, she played in the water and helped me eat trail mix minus the raisins!

To reach Angel Falls take US441 north out of Tallulah Falls for about 2 miles. Turn on to Old 441 at the Rabun Beach Recreation Area sign. Travel along Old 441 for 2.5 miles and turn left on Lake Rabun Road. Follow the shoreline road around the lake for 4 miles (it is a beautiful drive around one of the top lakes in northeast Georgia) to the Rabun Beach Camping Area #2. Drive to the back of the camping area to the day use area. There is a small 3 dollar parking fee because the area is run by the National Forest Service.

Here’s Cocoa again at Panther Creek Falls. This is the first set of falls you come to and is a great place to sit for a few minutes and cool off beside the spring fed falls. Cocoa waded into the water and just stood there taking in the beautiful surroundings.

Panther Falls is the first falls you come to about 1/2 mile in on the trail that parallels Joe Branch Creek. Both falls are covered with rhododendron canopies.

A Quiet Saturday Morning!

Posted by AR on August 8th, 2010 filed in Hiking Through Northeast Georgia, Living in Stephens County
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There’s a park in the city where an old mansion once stood. While the house is long gone, many of the old trees and blooming flowers remain. Here is an early morning photo of an Eastern White Pine with a little bit of the dew still clinging to its needles.

Visit South America for The Food

Posted by AR on August 5th, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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Ricky, who is a student at TFC and also one of our security guards, dropped by this morning asking about my trip last week. Since he is from Quito, Ecuador, he was especially interested in hearing about where I ate while I was in Sarasota for a day. I told him that I had pictures of one particular meal. And he asked, “Can I see them?” “Sure,” no problem” I replied. (Notice I have mastered the standard reply spoken by most college-age students).

I had a wonderful dinner at The Columbia Restaurant located along St. Armand’s Circle. It is a tradition now. Every time I head to southwest Florida, I have to stop at The Columbia, and I’m never disappointed. This time I was in casual clothes and just didn’t care. My only interest was in the food and boy, was it good.

For the next 15 minutes we talked about food from South America and Cuba. I know little about either, but do know what I truly love to eat and some of it is pictured above: fresh grilled Mahi Mahi, yellow rice, yuca, platanos and mojo. This came after an absolutely legendary house salad The Columbia is known for. It is prepared at your table and served with house dressing—a 100 year old family recipe—that is just plain delicious. All I know is that after Ricky and I finished talking and looking at these photos, we both were suddenly hungry.

And then there was desert . . . also prepared at my table. I was absolutely good for nothing the rest of the evening even though all of Saint Armand’s Circle surrounded me.

WoW! What Would A Trip . . .

Posted by AR on August 4th, 2010 filed in Islands and Beaches
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What would a trip to the beach be like without photographs taken at sunset? Everyone does this. They take the cameras to the beach— big or small—elaborate or a simple point and shoot. Trust me the beaches in the evening at Sanibel and Captiva are always busy.

The end of the day become some sort of celebration where everyone smiles and talks. The water is so warm that it is literally  healing to the mind and soul. And walking along the shoreline with sandpipers dashing along in front of you becomes one of the most relaxing things you can do.

And there is always a mindless hobby waiting for you: picking up sea shells. Once you are there, you quickly abandon the desire to collect only the prettiest and the largest shells. In fact, once your toes hit the sand even the most common of shells become pretty special.