From Grits to Chopsticks

It was wonderful to have our whole family together at Christmas this year.  With our plans to move to Asia next year, it may be the last chance for a while to get everyone together.

Laurie, Jeruid, and Stephen escaped from the Northeast just in time – two feet of snow fell the next day in Oxford, PA.  We were able to drive to SC together, attend a wedding, and visit family members.  While visiting with Dixie and Chris, we got the following family photo:

Back in Georgia, we drove up north for some hiking together.  We followed the recommendation of the owner of the North Georgia Mountain outfitters (http://www.hikenorthgeorgia.com/), we hiked the Cartecay River loop trail.  It was a perfect day and the river was beautiful.

We then drove up to spend the night at the Lodge at Amicolola Falls state park.  If you happen to be in North Georgia (and on a tight budget), the lodge is comfortable and the local trails are beautiful (http://www.amicalolafalls.com/).  After eating our fill at the buffet dinner, we spent the evening playing board games and taking a night hike under the stars.

On Wednesday, we hiked the loop trail around the falls.  The waterfall is billed as the largest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi river.  The trail climbs a staircase with 604 steps, so be ready for a little exercise if you take it.

During the hike, we all shared in a re-enactment of Laurie and Jeruid’s marriage proposal four years ago at this very spot.  You can see why this place has special meaning for all of us.