Mistletoe Mountain

We escaped Mardi Gras this year and headed to the North Georgia Mountains.

It was a great trip for where we are in our life right now.  Plenty of adventures but just fine to stay inside the cabin and hang out.  We did both and for once I'm not returning home from vacation exhausted.

I've got lots of pictures...sorry.  Too many fun things to remember.  Finally we arrived!

Our first morning we headed out to do a little hiking on the Appalachian Trail.  

 

We may have broken the rules...we were prepared to defend ourselves on account of Philip's disability but not surprisingly we weren't stopped.  We carried on to Long Creek Falls.

one wants to hike...one carries all the weight...neither one ever complains

After lunch at the cabin and a nap for John, a trip to the hot tub to relax was called for.  Daniel, aka Godwin, loved the hot tub.  "I got my hot tub...I got my hot tub."

The next day brought a trip to Dahlonega.  

The boys loved the gold mine where we panned for gold....

each got to take a small vial of water with a few flecks of gold they panned home

and then toured a retired gold mine.  Daniel's curiosity which led to a million questions for the tour guide provided entertainment along with John's explanation of his very own "fire in the hole."  Definitely a highlight of the trip for these guys.

On the way back to the cabin, we stopped by Mercier Orchards.  This orchard is huge...offering you pick sessions for strawberries, blueberries, and apples.  Unfortunately, we weren't in season for any of those.  So we settled for some of the goodies that they are well known for.

Our last full day brought a trip to McCaysville, GA and a chance to step into two states at once!

yes...Flat Stanley traveled with us!

We finished the day off with lunch in downtown Blue Ridge and cupcakes to go from The Sweet Shoppe (they won the Cupcake Wars on Food Network!).

Lots of fun activities but the memories of time away together are of course what will stick.  It's listening to John ramble on about Batman, Mistletoe Mountain, deer, etc.  Seeing Daniel get so excited about the hot tub.  Lots of time with Daddy.  Searching for the 50 states on license tags (we got 39!).  Time.  Time.  Time.  

Time together.  Time to strengthen bonds.  Time to make memories.  Priceless.