It was a hot day...but the climb was worth it

But we made it to the top! In the background you can see off to Cartersville. Beautiful view on a clear day...I used to fly from Cobb County airport to Cartersville airport to shoot takeoffs and landings, and on a clear day you can see the runway off in the distance easily and Ladd's mountain that was the landmark to start my turn to Base while landing...

The Petester likes to hike too...

We've taken him with us the last two years to the mountains, and he is a hiking kind 'a dog! He loves it!

The Great Hiking Duo...

Anne is BDs youngest daughter, lives near Charlotte, NC, and comes to visit often. She too likes to hike and when with us last we took her to Pine Mountain. It's only about 5 minutes away from our house near Red Top Mountain, and is a nearly 600' vertical climb in about .8 of a mile. But at the top it's the highest point in Bartow County and the views are wonderful!

North and West towards Chatsworth, Georgia, up Hwy 411

Chatsworth is where the "Chief James Vann" house was built in the early 1800s and still stands as a historical location. He was an early leader in the Cherokee Nation, owning a nearly 1,000 acre plantation on which the house was built. His son, Joe Vann, inherited the home and plantation after his Fathers death and became an even wealthier businessman and planter. All was lost, though, when President Andrew Jackson blatantly ignored the Supreme Court decision against the State of Georgia when the question of Cherokee Nation sovereignty and removal, and the extension of Georgia State Law over the Cherokee Nation, was handed down by Justice John Marshall. The Trail of Tears was the result.

Cohutta mountains and Cohutta Wilderness

This is from the West overlook off of Fort Mountain looking to the East and North to the Cohutta mountains and Cohutta Wilderness. It was a beautiful day and clear skies for the most part. You can look more to the West and still North to Chatsworth, Georgia, the center of power for the Cherokee in these parts prior to their removal. I'll post another picture looking that way...

Don't know if you can read this...it tells the legend of a Welsh Prince, Madoc, who sailed here and built the wall for defensive purposes. Cherokee indian lore tells of this guy too, and even speaks about light skinned, red haired and blue eyed indians that roamed these mountains. Of course, there is the Spanish legend as well, and the legend of the Creek Indians that identified this place as a "honeymoon" spot for newlyweds...still, someone built the wall, though it's genesis will probably never be learned for sure.

Tower

You can see the brokes stairs on the lower left that prevents anyone from climbing up into the tower...supposedly, though, in times past, this was a great place to view the Cohutta mountains...

Fort Mountain

This was shot driving up Fort Mountain to Fort Mountain State Park. You an see just the beginning of color in the foliage. We're still about 3 weeks from 'Peak" season here, but it's getting close. Haven't been up Fort Mountain or to the Park in many, many years. It is noteworthy due to an 855' stone wall that legend has it dates back to the 1100s and Welsh sailors walking these mountains. There is also a 38' tall rock tower that is, unfortunately in these litigous times, closed to climbing.

Sunrise Tuesday morning on the back porch...

The low lying clouds add such a "mystical" aspect to being up here...

Morning on our porch...

We were up here last year and rented a cabin across the street from some really nice ones that we thought might have a better view of the Rich Mountain Wilderness Area. We walked down the street to look at them, and decided this year we'd rent one of them. It was a good move...beautiful mornings on the back porch. Cool temps in the 50s, hot coffee on a rocking chair...

Black Rock Mountain on the Tennessee Rock Trail

Sunday and Monday were rainout days. Didn't get to do much except lay around, drive into Dahlonega (one of my favorite little villages up here), and decide what we were going to do when the rain cleared out. First stop was Black Rock Mountain State Park. This looks out towards the Carolina. Black Rock Mountain State Park is in Rabun County in the Northeast corner of Georgia. This trail is one of my favorites...