Vogel

Vogel State Park
December 28-31

We, as in Kim, Scott, Carlos, and I went on what started as a two night camping trip to Vogel resulting in an extra night being added. Vogel actually is my favorite park. I used to go there when I was growing up with the family.

It all started as a Christmas present. I gave Scott a dutch oven for Christmas and purchased the camping trip reservations sometime in November. I also got some new hiking boots for Christmas that prepared me well for the trip! It actually snowed in GA on Christmas day, which was sort of a miracle for this part of the country. By the 28th, the snow had melted and we expected clear roads and just a chilly trip. Some mis-happenings occurred trying to get up there but we arrived just as the sun set around 6pm and there was 8 inches on snow on the ground! I was not only pulling the camper for the first time but the first time also with my hitch! Unfortunately my Xterra was caught on a patch of ice and we ended up getting some help from local campers. I ended up reversing maybe 50 ft and high tailing it up the hill to gain the moment to overcome the ice. It was pretty awesome hearing comments from the guys saying, "man she really knows how to drive that thing!"

We got the camper in site 5 rather quickly and started to put things up as quick as we could. I'm not sure the exact temperature but it easily had to be less than 20 degrees F.
After maybe 25 minutes of getting things out of the car and putting the camper up we realize the electricity is not functioning properly AND there was no running water!! At this point I think we were all expecting it to be a long, cold night.

The same guys who helped out with the ice patch came over to see if we could find the problem. Somehow, a connector on the outside of the pop up, near the roof mind you, was disconnected. Scott was the only one tall enough to reach it which fortunately saved us all from a long night! We finished setting up, ate hotdogs over a fire that would almost refuse to start, and basically headed to bed.

The next day was cool still but now quite as windy. The water was still frozen but we were on a mission. The park rangers had finally brought some rock salt to spread on the roads enough to break the ice. Some of the campers were talking about freezing rain that would be approaching that night. We decided to enjoy the morning before making a hasty decision. Breakfast was cooked by me, a delicious omelette with chocolate milk. Then we headed out. Something unknown about the Vogel is that at the back of the 1 mile lake trail they have a beautiful waterfall. It's a mini version of what you would see at Amicalola but with less people. We hiked down there almost slipping a bit due to the slick path.

After the hike we decided to take a short trip to any sites surrounding Vogel. I did not realize how close Brasstown Bald was! Unfortunately we were unable to enter the area due to the roads being iced over but we all agreed on a spring trip to see the highest point in GA! We went about 16 miles to the next closest park, Unicoi (to be told in next posting). After our excursion around the mountains we returned just after 5pm and unanimously decided to stay an extra night regardless of the rain that may lay ahead. The majority of the RVs and campers left leaving only 7 sites occupied.

Afterward we got back to Vogel we headed to straight to the Visitors center. Scott, Carlos, and I purchased matching sweat pants, Scott bought some gloves, and I bought some warm wool socks.

The third day was spent just relaxing around the site. It actually did not rain that night as everyone had predicted. Scott and I ended up knitting and crocheting while Kim and Carlos went on another hike. We had a nice bon fire that night pretty much using the remaining fire wood and just hanging out. Scott and I made some mini pizzas in the dutch oven and had an amazing apple cobbler to end the trip. He bought one of the flame color changing packets and we tried it in our fire. It was supposed to last a couple hours.. I think it was more like 20 minutes. Regardless the blue, purple, and green flames were pretty awesome.

The water never ended up turning on but we never had any more trouble with the electricity. There were several mishaps that kinda through the trip of guard but I think thats what makes the trips more fun and memorable.

The next day we left around 12 not even realizing it was the last day of the year. It was almost surreal coming back to civilization.. A fact none of us really wanted to face.

Unicoi

Unicoi State Park
Drive By on December 28, 2010

In the middle of a camping trip to Vogel we, Scott, Carlos, Kim, and I, decided to check out Unicoi which was roughly 25 minutes away.
I remember driving by the signs of the park as a kid thinking how I didn't like the park name. I always thought it would be ugly and just weird in general. Not really sure where that stereotype came from.. just a weird name I guess. Regardless we decided to visit the park to see exactly how amazing it truly was. I was surprised to see it was only 2 miles from Helen. I had been there so many times and didn't realize how close.

The park itself was sort of weird. I was not really sure where the park boundaries were and we drove around for about fifteen minutes looking for the visitors center. The park entrance is gorgeous and has a beautiful lake tucked away in between two mountains. Due to snow and ice conditions we were also not able to see Anna Ruby Falls.

We finally found the visitors center after driving around the campground. the sites looked to be well up kept, the only downside is the distances to the restroom facilities. For some reason I have yet to understand, RVs always park next to the restroom..
Anyway we were also really amused by the cabins they have. Instead of the usual wood log cabins you would see at other state parks, they have these round barrel looking metal cabins! We weren't able to get too close but I really want to stay in one of those! Carlos thought we were crazy but it just looks so strange!!

Unicoi also had a lodge that could be used for conferences. It was kind of funny seeing as it was the same material and look as the cabins at Vogel but I think it gave it a bit of a natural feeling.

Our travel through the park couldn't have been more than 25 minutes. It was nearly 4pm and the sun was all ready setting. We needed to get to a gas station, a Walmart (for food, promise!!), and back to a park before dark.

My biggest memory.. I spent all day trying to figure out what happened to my brand new pocket knife Scott had given me in the morning.. it fell out of my pocket when we were taking the group photo at the sign.... Yeah one of those trips..

James "Sloppy" Floyd

James "Sloppy" Floyd State Park
Summerville, GA
December 18, 2010

Today was an eventful sort of day! We, Scott, Carlos, Kim, Megan, Mike, and I decided roughly two weeks ago to go on a roadtrip. It would be a one day event traveling over three hours to eat lunch at James Floyd State Park and stopping in Alabama at the Unclaimed Baggage Center.

The day started pretty gloomy at 8:45am with muggy weather and even a bit of rain to start the day. We took Scott's parents minivan for the most space... the downfall.. wipers didn't work very well! We shared a lot of fun stories and laughed a lot in the car catching up on all the crazy adventures from the semester. We stopped in Kennesaw to pick up Kim and a mini cooler. Two hours later we finally arrived at James "Sloppy" Floyd State Park. The entrance to the park was found after driving two miles down a run down road surrounded by red neck style housing, complete with wild dogs, large trucks, and I swear we heard banjo music!

Once inside the park grounds, it was actually gorgeous. There was a large lake, leaves still everyone on the floor, and these beautiful white trees by the water side. The best part was the quiet and calmness of the whole park. It felt as if we were the only ones there! There were several picnic areas near the lake and swinging chairs. We enjoyed a peaceful lunch and took several pictures at the swings. Though I did not get a chance to check out the campsites, I think it may be a good state park to check out for future camping in this area. Fortunately too, the visitors center, as small as it was, actually had the patches! The only downside from our visit besides it being cold was the bathroom at the visitors center smelled like smoke...

Upon leaving we had a pretty interesting run in with a driver under he influence... Kim couldn't have put it in better words with her note...
My friends and I planned a day trip to the Unclaimed Baggage Center stopping for lunch at James H. (Sloppy) Floyd GA state park on the way there. We make it to the park for lunch safely, with much better weather than expected! Sunny and chilly enough to know it is fall. When our yummy sandwiches were gobbled up we were off to the Center. Only about 20 minutes into our 50 min drive to the store an indecisive driver turns in front of us too close at a stop light intersection. Seriously people, if you're going to pull out in front of someone that close don't go five miles per hour! So we (Krystal, Scott, Carlos, Me, Megan, and Mike) all get rallied up in his stupidity and honk at him out of frustration. This careless driver now in front of us finally goes down the road but we notice him slightly swerving and didn't think much about it until he almost runs off the road. He corrects himself and now were are all watching him like a hawk... (It's a one lane each direction, winding road). After about 6 more times of the obviously extremely intoxicated driver cutting it close when swerving out of the road (in the grass and almost all the way in the other lane swerve) we decided to call and report him to the police for everyone's safety. About now there are a few cars lined up behind us and it is obvious they have noticed his erratic driving because they are staying a good distance behind. We leave a report and are keeping our eyes out for a cop to wave down. We all start getting antsy because its been a while and there was still no cop. We come to a t-intersection with option to go left or right. You could tell the driver wanted to turn right but his reaction was too slow, he almost runs into the stop sign. Instead of correcting himself and turning from the right turn lane he uses the left turn lane to turn right. Now the road (which is a bridge) is two lanes and we are able to pass and get in front of him as well as one or two other cars. When the long bridge ends, to the left are trees for a couple of yards and then a grassy median where we finally spot a cop! I attempt to jester to the cop as well as the drivers behind us. We are all rallied up now excited and anticipating the cop was stopping him. Because of heavy traffic it takes him a a bit longer than we expected for him to get on the road causing the tension to well up. Finally, when the cop turns on his blue lights we all cheer as if our favorite sports team just scored an amazing play. This is not the end! We are still watching out of curiosity of what is going to happen. To our humor the driver takes for ever to decided where to pull over. He finally gets stopped and we all celebrate once more!!

To say the least it was one of those days... We finally make it to the Unclaimed Baggage Center and spend just over an hour. It was pretty neat to see some of the crazy stuff people leave at airports. Could you even imagine loosing or leaving a wedding dress, a baby stroller, a laptop!? It's mind boggling! I would throw a fit after having spent so much money! Regardless I found a jacket, still with the Macy's tag of $130 and purchased it for $35! Scott and Megan both bought some books and Kim purchased a fairly new Nintendo DS for her niece and $70 with a case too!

Overall it was a fun trip and a nice get away from the normal daily routines. I'll definitely go back sometime to see if there's any more crazy stuff!

Let's see where the next trip takes us.. perhaps it will be camping!!