Georgia

For the first time in well over a year, I took a real vacation.  Georgia.  I grabbed the above shot as we drove back, looking for some roadside peaches to bring to friends.  We found the Ellis Bros. Pecans store in Vienna.  They have an extensive selection of nuts, jellies, and fresh peaches.  This scene was across the street, and to me is the very picture of calm.

Which would be the word for this trip.  Well, aside from our drives on I-285 and I-75/85 in Atlanta.  The traffic always seems to get worse.  Did I ever tell you that I lived there in '95?  I'm sure I did.  Anyhow, we spent most of the week in Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, outside the perimeter.  My wife's aunt lives in a cozy home in a tree lined suburb.  I cherish the mornings we ate homemade waffles and gazed at the meticulously landscaped backyard, with its bird feeders and baths.  I enjoyed watching tiny hummingbirds quenching their thirst and the blackbirds fighting over the suet.  Most of the yard was designed and shaped by my wife's uncle, who passed away in December of 2019.   His presence was missed.

The trip was planned around the necessity of delivering an antique lamp and a plastic bin filled with items to our friends, a couple who live outside of Carrollton.  They lived in West Palm Beach for many years, but moved back to Georgia when the wife's mother passed in 2018.  We helped the husband clean out their apartment, and they asked if we could hold onto a few things.  Nearly three years later, we reunited them with their stuff.   We met them for lunch at a restaurant called Moon Indian in Marietta, which was very good.  Best naan I've had in awhile.

We took a side trip to Dahlonega, which is not quite an hour and a half north of metro Atlanta.  A very low key, charming town.  Small, too.  You can traverse its downtown square in a matter of minutes. Some cool tea and candy shops.  Also, a craft beer place called Gold City Growlers, which is filled with an impressive assortment of paperbacks and vinyl.   Among the inventory was a handheld Mattel football game, STAR WARS novelizations, and a VHS of CONAN THE BARBARIAN.  I told the young man minding the taps that his store resembled the bedrooms of my youth.

We stayed at the Smith House, an historic (est. in 1899) Inn on Chestatee Street, right next to the University of North Georgia.   Our quarters appeared to be newer, and were more than suitable.  A row of rocking chairs on the front porch.  Very friendly front desk staff, who gave us a tip on a local trail (The Reservoir) we should hike.  The Smith House is famous in Georgia for its food.  Currently, only lunch is served midweek.  Bowls of fried okra, creamed corn, green beans, ham, and fried chicken are brought to your table.   Not "all you can eat"these days, but it's more than enough.  And delicious.

Speaking of, we also made the journey to the Montaluce Winery and Restaurant.  I use the word "journey" as that is what it truly is.  You might wonder if your GPS is malfunctioning as you pass rotting farmhouses and rusted out trucks after you leave the highway en route.   But then you are treated to sprawling fields of vineyards and homes, all very European looking.  The restaurant is on a hill, with fabulous views.  I had what might be the best pork chop ever.  Down that hill, there is also the Trattoria di Montaluce, which serves Italian fare.  Will try that next time.  And believe me, there will be one. 

In Hancock Park rests the 1875 Chestatee River diving bell, a submersible used to mine for gold.  The open bottomed vessel disappeared in 1876 and remained submerged for nearly one hundred years, its hollow well (through which the miners would descend into the diving bell) a vertical mystery above the surface.  In 1981, curiosity led to the diving bell's recovery and eventual restoration and display.  Imagine working in such close quarters.

We also made our way to Stone Mountain Park, intending to ride the gondola to the top.  Once we parked, we decided to hike the one mile high slope, a challenge of tricky granite made all the more challenging by temps well into the 90s.  One guy was running up and down the mountain barefoot.  He's a pro; most everyone else should use shoes with proper traction.  I felt my age, especially as we breached the final ascent, but was rewarded with great views and a feeling of accomplishment.  At the mountaintop snack bar, I was amused and relieved to see that Dippin' Dots are still offered at the park.

We capped our time in Georgia with a breakfast at Auntie's house: blueberry cobbler, cheesy grits, and sunny side up eggs in a bacon cup.  More family joined us.  On the drive back (before we got the peaches), we met one of my grad school classmates at a Denny's next to the Tanger Outlets for lunch and catch up.

A wonderful, much needed getaway.