Last week, Mountain Man asked me if I’d like to take off for a couple of days and go to the Smoky Mountains. He knows how much I love the mountains, and I was touched by his sudden desire for spontaneity. However, I’m on book deadline. (If you’ve read my first three books, you may be happy to know Ryan’s story is due to my editor in a few short weeks. 💕)
As tempted as I was to load up the SUV and go, sometimes adulting means knowing when you really can’t be off galavanting because you need to stay home and work. However, I was torn, because Mountain Man was trying to be sweet and do something thoughtful.So, we compromised. Instead of driving four hours to Gatlinburg, we drove two-and-a-half hours to Dahlonega, Georgia.
Dahlonega is a small college town that looks like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie. It’s such a fun place to visit. Added bonus, our niece is a freshman at UNG so we were able to visit her for a couple of hours and treat her to dinner. The next day we went to Amicalola Falls State Park and hiked 2.1 miles (round trip) and walked up 604 stair steps to the top of the falls. It was so beautiful!
After we finished our hike, we went to an apple orchard and spent time in the town of Ellijay. Then, on the way home, we stopped to visit family who live in the area. All-in-all it was a nice, quick getaway.
Rhonda Starnes 
Looks like a beautiful …and challenging….place to hike! You know we’d love it! Isn’t it restorative to take a break now and then? You were wise to spend some relaxing time together….even if it did involve all those steps. Worth it, I’m sure!
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Thank you! It was so restorative! I didn’t realize how much I needed the time away. So glad Mountain Man suggested it. 🙂
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