Anna Ruby Falls

Yesterday we hiked to Anna Ruby Falls. It was only a half mile up and back. Beau went with us and he made it up and back too. Everyone who saw him was amazed that he was hiking. The falls were pretty and the woods around it were awesome. We spent the rest of the day at the campsite. It was a relaxing day.

Today I dropped Jim off at Hogpen Gap and picked him up at Neels Gap again. After my post he will give you his hike update and the details. We had dinner tonight at the Lodge. They have a buffet for $12 and it was awesome. Some of the highlights were fresh Georgia Mountain Trout and fresh Peach Cobbler. The salad bar was awesome too. Better than most I have seen at fancy restaurants. So we are stuffed and happy.

Tomorrw we head out to another camp ground. So far so good with the driving. And now that it has warmed up it hasn't been bad sleeping in the van. And Beau makes a good hiking campanion for me. While Jim was hiking today we went for a hike around the lake here. It was a total of 2.4 miles but we only went about a 1/3 of the way around. So out and back we probably did 2/3 of the 2.4 miles. You do the math. I don't have a calculator with me and I'm on vacation.

Todays hike: Hogpen Gap to Neels Gap, backtrack to an easy pickup. 6.5M in 3hrs 15', easier trail, with rolling trail along tops of the mountains. Can see for miles if you look to left or the right. Lots of butterflies and mountain wildflowers along the trail, the forest here is not as old, this area was logged a lot at the turn of the last century, until the Chattahoochee nathonal forest was formed and the forest is growing back, therefore smaller trees and more light gets to the forest floor. Breezy in the hollows but the wind picks up on the higher ridges and has a dramatic cooling effect and must me 15 / 20 miles stronger there, got to hold onto your hat!

Bear Facts: Hydration: Using about 1/2 qt of water per hour, dring one qt before I leave so, the cool has helped, but still sweat a lot going up the hills.

Animals : Bambi's mother, lots of bees and flutterby's, squirrels and alvin the chipmunk.

Great hike today.