Saturday was one of those rare rainy days when Toccoa Falls  really began to churn as the water poured over it. Later that afternoon, the clouds broke up and the sun came out and so did the butterflies.

And the students came out, too Here’s Jacob taking time to walk to the falls and enjoy it’s beauty.

The other day I was walking back from “the falls” when a visitor ask me, “Is it still there?” I said, “Yep! Just like it has been for at least 200 years!”

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!

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.

When I was young, my dad would put me up in a peach tree and tell me to climb up to the top and pick the ripest fruit. A child can easily wiggle his or her way through the tender limbs to where the very best peaches are located. Without fail, I always came home itching like crazy from the peach fuzz on my skin. Peaches like the ones in this photo ripened by the hot summer sun are just down right delicious!

Rows of peach trees in a local orchard are a beautiful sight, especially at sunset. Too bad this was taken at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

I bought peaches at the orchard and white peaches from Jaemor Orchards just north of Gainesville. White peaches (the fruit or “flesh” inside the peach is white) are the best in my opinion. Nothing compares to Georgia Belle peaches. Without a doubt, they are the best for home-made peach ice cream.

Earlier, we stopped by the farmers market in Toccoa where we purchased homemade jelly and pickles from Mrs. Smith. That’s right, there is really a Mrs. Smith, and she has wonderful canned goods.