Georgia

August 19-25 we traveled to Georgia to visit our family. The week was full of lots of adventure. Evan requested we go back to the sliding rock - Wild Cat Falls, so we did that the day after we got there.

Monday we witnessed a Total Solar Eclipse in Dillard, GA. We were invited to a private party on an unbelievably beautiful landscape. It was such an awesome experience. The color outside during the full eclipse was eerie - but cool. Hard to explain. Traffic was crazy because people were travelling from all over to see it and experience it. We didn't realize that we would be witnessing it while we were down there until a few weeks before we left. So glad we did!

Tuesday we wanted to give the kids a down day, so they stayed with their Aunt and Cousins at the house while Eric and I had a day out together. We ventured into North Carolina. On our way to Maggie Valley we spotted a Cat Museum. It was $5 for each of us to go in, so I opted for some pics instead. We stopped at a couple of shops in Maggie Valley before going to Soco Falls. A beautiful waterfall just off the road. It was a bit of a steep hike to go down to the falls, but it was worth it. After the falls, we got on the Blueridge Parkway and drove for a couple of hours enjoying the sites, the cool mountain air and sunshine! We ended up in Asheville, NC at Packs Tavern for dinner. We walked around downtown for a bit before heading back. It was such a nice day out together.

Wednesday we went to The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The boys and I had been there 4 years ago and Eric had never been. The boys enjoyed it more this time and so did we! The Sea Lion show and Dolphin Show were both really good. It is such a great aquarium! Very happy we went.

Thursday Eric and I were ready for a down day - and that is exactly what we did. The boys hung out and I took some nice shots of them on the property. That evening us 4 adults went out to dinner which is always nice.

 Friday Tappy wanted to take us on a hike to Panther Creek Falls. You can access the waterfall from their property, but it isn't a hop skip and a jump away. It is a long, steep, rugged hike. It was probably one of the hardest things I have done - and I even hiked the 1500 step gorge with her a few years ago! I may have disappointed her by saying it wasn't worth it. I take it back, now that I look back, it was. I am proud of myself for doing it. It was NOT easy. But it is something that I can say I did now. I am still not sure if I would do it again!

Saturday we packed up and left. We stopped in Gatlinburg for a few hours before getting a hotel for the night in Kentucky. Sunday we were Home Sweet Home. It is always such a great feeling to be home.

It was a good visit. It always is with family. I just wish we lived closer. The boys really enjoyed their time with their cousins!!

Until Next Time.....