Notes on Georgia: California goes South!

Notes on Georgia: High Falls State Park

2010-05-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for something interesting to do in Georgia, perhaps on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it may be worth it to take the drive to High Falls State Park.
We found this park in our favorite hiking trail guide. It's about a 45 minute drive from Atlanta, but worth it!

We arrived close to the end of the day, so families were wrapping up their picnic spreads and fishermen were getting ready to tow their boats home. We got out of our car and surveyed our surroundings. The parking lot provides a nice view of the man made dam and falls. But of course, we wanted a closer look.

Matt and I wandered down to the edge of the river, and noticed an overlook a few hundred feet away. We ventured up towards the highway and back down again to gain access to this wooden 1/2 bridge overlook. There are a few postings here stating the history of the area, the old mill, and the mill stones that are strewn about pretty much everywhere.

The view from the overlook was gorgeous. To our left, the dam. To our right the rocky river and moderate rapids. I noticed a well hidden trail head across the road. We felt adventurous and headed in. There were quite a few people exiting, so I didn't feel too apprehensive about going into the forest in the middle of no where.

Much to our surprise we saw a flight of wooden stairs heading down towards the river, and providing an awesome view of the natural waterfalls this park is actually named for.

These falls are not your average 'straight over the edge streams of water'. They are more like multiple levels of rock formations creating a spectacular base for the rushing water to escape over.

Here you have to raise your voice a bit to have a conversation. As always, I'm in awe of the power of rushing water. The sound it makes is unmistakable, and the ground almost feels like it's vibrating besides the falls.

If you follow the stairs all the way down to the last step and take off on the dirt trail, more surprises await!

You will find the ruins of a mill on your left. On the right, the ruins of the cement track that was used to push lumber down the hill to the mill. These pieces of cement now blend into their surroundings. Covered in plants and dirt they are barely noticeable.

You can climb down the steep hill next to the Mill Ruins to get a closer view. At the very base you can see the Mill's outlet into the river. The moss and water damage to the old brick is reminiscent of a different time period.

So, we were able to add another small adventure to our list. Try visiting in Spring, because the wildflowers here are abundant!

Who decided the Atlanta Dogwood Festival was amazing?

2010-05-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

Seriously? Who decided the Atlanta Dogwood Festival was amazing?

Set in Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta, hundreds of vendors set up tents, hoping to sell their goods to the hundreds of thousands of visitors this festival draws in every year.

First, let me point out on major issue. By the time the Dogwood Festival takes place, about 92.6%(sarcasm) of the Dogwood trees throughout Atlanta have lost their blooms, or are in the final stages of blooming. So....there weren't many actual Dogwood trees presentat the Dogwood Fest.
And to top that off, since it's the end of their cycle they are dumping their pollen, literally in clouds, all over anything beneath them. That included us! So, it was officially attack of the allergies.

The vendors that were there to sell their art were interesting enough. I always appreciate unique creativity. But for each lovely booth filled with abstract color, there were 4 selling junk, or trying to get people to sign up for something.

And whoever decided to place the food vendors next to the Porto-potties. Well, need I say more?

We paid $14 for two "freshly squeezed" lemonade, from a man who had about three teeth.

I was also quite surprised at the amount of alcohol being sold at the festival. For a state that doesn't sell alcohol on Sundays and won't allow gambling, there certainly plenty of alcohol options.

I won't say I'll never return. But it's not likely.

Notes on Georgia: Atlanta Botanical Garden

2010-05-29T14:24:00.001-07:00

Sitting in the midst of the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta is a secret garden, a fairy haven. Well, the truth is it's not a secret garden per-say.

Atlanta's Botanical Gardens are completely worth the price of a ticket. The whole environment reminded me of zen. I went in happy, came out happier and almost centered, relaxed and inspired.

The first impression of The Gardens is magical. After paying for your ticket, you walk into a large and modern building. From the ceiling a giant whimsical green glass chandelier hangs proudly.

A short winding walk takes you to The Garden's lunch spot. A small Hippie-Bo-Ho stand serves gourmet sandwiches and salads, and exotic teas and beverages. While you pay a bit more than average for a sandwich and chips, it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

The rest of your trip is filled with winding paths through overgrown vines and small open ceiling gardens. It truly had the feel of a Secret Garden. You constantly encounter iron gates, which in themselves were lovely pieces of art, shaped like butterflys and other creatures. Behind every gate lies some mysterious secret. Whether it's just a large space covered in tulips of all colors, or a fantastic fountain in a cobblestone courtyard, your imagination is never at rest. It's hard to not feel like a child in this amazing space.

The best part of The Gardens, for me, was the strange tropical house. You walk through a tropical jungle setting. We spotted tons of quails and heard what we later found out was the song of frogs. There are thousands of tendrils coming down from the ceiling, which we also learned were roots of a tropical plant running rampant.

The tropical jungle leads into a desert room with cactus and through a narrow hall filled with trees that produce some well known flavors-cinnamon, chocolate, etc. And at the end, the Orchid rooms. Truly amazing design, amazing care-takers, amazing budget...all these elements equal stunning Orchids like I've never seen before.

I am definitely a fan. It would be worth it get a season pass to this wonderful place. I officially dub this one of my personal "Gems" of Atlanta!

San Diego Gems

2010-05-28T19:47:00.001-07:00

Each city has something special. Something unique that makes it's residents proud. Something that makes them think "yep, that's where I live". I can only think to call these somethings a city's "Gems".

I've spent the last year discovering Atlanta's "Gems" with my husband and family. And boy have I found them. And through all this searching, I forgot about San Diego. The home sick feeling went away. The nostalgia faded.

As my husband and I began planning our vacation to (Vegas) San Diego, and the countdown suddenly got down to single digits, the "Gems" started popping up in my head once again.

So we had a list of things we had to see. And we saw most of them. And as we checked off the list, we began to realize the only thing San Diego holds for us anymore is our family and friends. While we still found it beautiful, it was lacking.....something.....personality maybe.

None the less, we had a wonderful trip. We filled each and every day with lovely memories, and I snapped over 400 pictures.

So, my list of the top 5 San Diego "Gems"!

1) Balboa Park

2) La Jolla Cove-specifically the Children's Pool and the Water Walk

3) Petco Park
4) Sunset Cliffs

5) Sea World

See Rock City........or don't...whatever.

2010-05-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about living in Atlanta, is the ability to drive to other states in under 2 hours. Our favorites have been The Smokey Mountains in North Carolina and Chattanooga in lovely Tennessee.
Last year we made the drive to Chattanooga with my husband's parents. We went to Ruby Falls and then to the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg. We loved Ruby Falls, and saw all the signs pointing to Rock City.
So, after we returned home, we put Rock City on our list of "to-do's".

I suggested Rock City to my sister, who was looking for a family outing. We looked it up on the Internet (http://www.seerockcity.com/) and got pretty excited about what we were going to see.

It's a pleasant drive to Chattanooga. I hold a special place in my heart for Tennessee. We've had nothing but good experiences there, and it's such a gorgeous state. The Volunteer State.

It's a nice winding drive up Look Out Mountain, with some heart pounding views down the side of the mountain. From the outside, Rock City has all the web site promises.

One adult ticket runs about $18. It's do-able, though I can't imagine many large families can afford the ticket costs. There is one main restaurant at the entrance. The food here...well, maybe I should just say..."don't waste your money". Bring your lunch. We saw one family BBQ-ing out of the back of their truck.

The park is not exactly stroller and wheelchair friendly either. With my 16 month old niece in tow, in her comfy stroller, we were forced to take to the abridged tour of the park. We snuck into some areas were weren't supposed to. We went into the exit of the children's area.

The park's map makes it appear much larger than it actually is. This combined with our tiny tour really just had us frustrated. The spots we did see, like Lover's Leap, were amazing. And from one point you can see all the way to 7 states. I can certainly appreciate the amazing geological oddities, and I snapped quite a few pictures.

The children's area is a different story. This is a cave of scary. I'm an adult and I was disturbed. So I can't imagine what this must look like to children. It was a psychedelic interpretation of all the classic nursery rhymes. Topped off with a strange fairytale castle. Perhaps I'm just California biased when it comes to fairy tales, having lived an hour and a half from Disney Land the majority of my life.

I wouldn't take this particular trip again. I'll head back to Chattanooga. I'll head back to Pigeon Forge. I won't take that twisty trail up Look Out Mountain.

So, in my opinion: "See Rock City.........or don't....whatever.

An ode to Summer

2010-05-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

Living in San Diego, Summer doesn't mean much weather wise. It's gorgeous year round.

But there is a difference in the ambiance during the Summer months. The beach calls you, the delicious smoke from charcoal barbeque's fills the air. Coconut scented sun block seems to never leave your nose.
San Diegans make their way to their favorite beach spots. We always made our way to Sea World.

Summer in Southern California means swimming, 4th of July get togethers and riding the Big Dipper in Belmont Park.

There's quite a difference in the "feel" of Summer in Georgia. I've come to love and appreciate this difference, even though I've only experienced one Southern Summer.

Here, Summer means humidity. A strong musty smell from the abundant trees mix with honeysuckle. The sky is clear, but Thunderheads constantly sit on the horizon.
A Summer thunderstorm is constantly in the forecast.

The wildlife is constantly chattering, after staying dormant for the Winter months. The baby chipmunks have emerged. The birds are hungry for seeds.
And the cherry on top? Lightening bugs. They slowly begin to flicker in the dusk hours.

Today I feel optimistic about the approaching season. I'm soaking up the rays and only slightly missing the beach.

Here's to Summer in the South!

Arabia Mountain

2010-03-10T22:29:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it's obvious at this point that I'm looking for the strange and unique, lesser known Georgia "gems" to explore. For the most part, I explore a couple of different places each weekend. Most don't end up on my Blog. I attempt to pick the most interesting of the places I've been, ones that I hope readers will be inspired to check out for themselves.

Arabia Mountain is definitely one of those lesser known gems.

It's a State Park and a wildlife preserve. It's not too crowded and it's beauty is truly spectacular. It's a place to check out on a lazy weekend afternoon. It's not too far from Atlanta (about 20 minutes or so) and it's free!

So, drive on out and take a look for yourself! The following is just a tiny bit of what you have to look forward to!
The mountain itself is actually the tip of a giant piece of granite and stone. You might know it's sister: Stone Mountain. The main difference is Arabia Mountain is still natural, untouched for the most part while Stone Mountain is...well we all know how tacky and dirty it is. Arabia Mountain is not as large as Stone Mountain, but it's just as unique and gorgeous!

After parking in a very small lot (don't park at the Nature Center, go about a mile further and park in the main lot-it's only about 10 spots, but it's a very direct entrance to the mountain)you will pass through the trail head kiosks and read about the red moss that grows there, then cross a short wooden bridge into another world.

This place is truly alien. You are walking on stone the entire trail (unless you enter the woods). You can see the grooves and lines in the stone and water and other elements have caused discoloration in many places. It doesn't sound like it, but it's an amazing array of color and design. I can only equate it to walking into an abstract painting.

There are natural dips and craters everywhere. Vibrant moss has grown in some of the holes. Others are full of standing water. I felt as if I had stepped out onto the rocks at La Jolla Cove (San Diego, CA) and half expected to see crabs and fish in the water holes. In my mind I could almost hear the rush of waves and smell the salt in the air. In reality, there isn't anything in this water. Except more moss and plant life.

My husband and I climbed up to the peak easily (it's really a moderate climb). From the top, the view is trees and more trees. It's nice to feel secluded and "one with nature" after being in the bustle of the city every day. We spent about 20 minutes exploring the top. You can see the too perfect "shelves" in the rock where the mountain has been quarried. The debris from the quarrying is still scattered near the "shelves". You'll know it when you see it. It's the strangely rectangular pieces of rock.

We wandered into the woods at the base of the mountain and turned around and went back up Arabia Mountain. You can go further. At the base of the mountain, in a clearing, is a small lake and Panola Mountain (the 3rd sister rock).
I recommend climbing the peak at dusk and watching the sun set. It reflects off the puddles of water, making the mountain appear to have spots of fire.

This is an amazing place to bring your family, but be aware that there is quite a bit of broken glass (partiers?) scattered about. Arabia Mountain is sure to stick in your memory. Take a break from the shopping and spending and experience Georgia's diverse ecological wonders. Because that's what Arabia Mountain is. An ecological wonder.

In the land of the sparkling waters.........03/01/2010

2010-02-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

3 lakes. 1 park. Beavers. Otters. Bald Eagles. Wild Hogs. Quails.

Nope, it's not the zoo. It's rural Georgia, specifically the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center and it's surrounding trails.

Today we discovered one of Georgia's many best kept secrets. 45 minutes south of Atlanta, tucked back behind the tiny railroad town of Mansfield lies a land of sparkling water. This preserve was founded by Charles Elliot, a conservationist and the founder of Georgia's state park system. His ashes are buried at a white oak tree in the center of the preserve.

This 3 mile loop trail within the preserve follows creeks, watershed areas and circles 3 lakes. With the gorgeous weather today, it seemed as if the place sparkled. Warm sunlight streams through the tree tops and reflects off hundreds of surfaces, from wet rocks to tiny trickling streams. The park is completely secluded. You won't hear cars on the highway from here. And the park's location has made the foot traffic on the trails minimal. We passed a man and his son playing in the creek, but they were the only other adventurers we saw.

The 3 lakes within the park are pristine and reflect the trees on their shores creating a stunning mirror effect.

Towards the end of the trail we followed Murder Creek for quite awhile. The creek's water is perfectly clear and painfully cold. The creek also has multiple small cascades. We mused to each other about the creek's name, of course. My husband's theory is it's named after the large amount of crows that live in the park. My theory is the creek's reddish tint caused by Georgia red clay.

This preserve is known for it's amazing wildlife. There are countless species of birds, including bald eagles and wild turkey. This is a bird watcher's paradise. We kept our eyes open for turtles, otters, beavers and wild hogs to no avail. Perhaps we'll see some of these animals on our next trip to these trails, but today we only saw 2 blue herons, quails and birds of prey circling far off in the distance.

We left the park with our minds centered. I can only attribute this to the naturally spiritual ambiance this amazing preserve possesses. It's amazing in Winter so I can only imagine what it must be like in Spring. I will just have to wait (impatiently) and see!

Haunting hike. 02/24/2010

2010-02-24T18:31:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have been very fitness oriented lately. As of the 1st of the year we made the chronic resolution to lose weight. It's one we've made before. It's also one we've broken before. This year, something snapped in both of us. We've stuck with it and have lost a combined weight of 50 pounds so far! We frequent a small local gym and have recently started hiking.

As a reader of my blog would know, the first hike was a bust! Big Trees Forest Preserve was downright disappointing. So, I kept my expectations low as we headed to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield in Marrieta, GA. The drive wasn't promising. The road leading in runs right through an industrial area. But let me tell you, as we rounded the corner and caught our first glimpse of the park....my spirits lifted!

Our first view was of a large open field leading up to a heavily wooded mountain. To the right a huge hibernating tree stands watch, heavily armed with Civil War cannons. We entered the Visitors center first, hoping for a map. The attendant was very friendly and we got to see a few Civil War artifacts and items found on the mountain. There is also a small museum in the gift shop, which we didn't go into. He handed us a map and we were on our way.

Initially, we entered the woods and the sharp mountain trail loomed ahead. A few hundred feet up we stopped to read a sign that stated the trenches we were seeing all around us were actually rifle trenches, used by the Confederate Soldiers that guarded this direct mountain path to Atlanta. I had though the terrain was naturally uneven, as it is covered in leaves and foliage. At about .2 miles up the mountain, we were completely enveloped with mist and barren trees. Looking up the hills, I imagined what it must have looked like during the Civil War. Men hiding in trees and shadows.
The mist definately added to the haunting feel of the woods.

Another aspect of the mountain that I found amazing was the amount of bright green moss covering just about everything the eye could see. Rocks and trees and fallen branches had been taken over by this sea of amazing green, which contrasted with the black and white of the winter forest.

At our first overlook, once I finally caught up to my husband (I'm not quite in hiking shape yet!) I rounded a corner and found him stopped, silent and staring into a mass of trees. He shushed me as I approached and I tiptoed to where he was standing. He had spotted a deer. She was grazing quietly just a few feet away from us, completely unaffected by our presence. I was exited of course. You just don't see that in San Diego! I saw perhaps 3 deer the entire time I lived in California, and they were always up in the mountains and usually out at night.

I snapped a ton of pictures and we moved on. Together we rounded the next corner and there were 4 more deer grazing on the path, right there in front of us! Again, they were not disturbed by us and continued nibbling. They kept a close eye of course. We watched them a while longer. I especially enjoyed watching one deer stretch her neck and head way above her body to nibble on a leaf hanging above her head.

While I was taking pictures of the deer, I looked down to see a huge centipede gliding along near my feet. It was neon pink and green and had what looked like hard plates all over it's body. I'll never tire of seeing these beautiful creatures.

After plenty of huffing and puffing, we finally reached the top of Kennesaw Mountain. The point has been made into a memorial to the Georgia born soldiers who lost their lives in this place. There are several more cannons at the top, surrounded by "earthworks" created again by the Confederate soldiers. From the top of the mountain there is a 360 degree view of surrounding areas, including downtown Atlanta. However, on this day you could not see anything past the edge due to thick fog.

I did some research after leaving the park. I'm drawn to the history of the place, because I felt what I can only describe as a connection to the place. The top of the mountain has been dubbed the "Dead Angle" because the battle at that spot turned into hand on hand combat. Many men lost their lives. 4000 or so, in fact. I can't help but believe that there has to be something left of those souls on the mountain. It feels like a cemetery. Not creepy, necessarily...but mournful.
Needless to say, the place is beautiful. It's serene, calm, isolated and peaceful. I imagine it's even more amazing in the spring and summer. I've read that there are several birds that live in the woods and one hiker claims to have seen a bald eagle at the top. I felt emotional when I thought of all the souls that had been lost in this place.

This hike is a bit difficult. It's steep in most places and you have to climb between rocks and roots. But the prize at the end of the trail is something you will keep with you forever. I know I will always keep Kennesaw Mountain in my "amazing file".

Notes on Georgia: Sandy Springs, Big Trees Forest Preserve. 02/21/2010

2010-02-21T16:09:00.001-08:00

I've lived in Sandy Springs, GA for 8 months. I've passed the sign about 500 hundred times. Off Roswell Road next to the Fulton County Government Annex Building (they literally share a parking lot) is the large and professional looking sign boasting: "Big Trees Forest Preserve".

Out of curiosity I googled it a few months ago. It has it's own website that tells readers of the history surrounding the preserve, and directions and rules of course. It sounded interesting but it took us all this time to actually stop and check it out.

With very low expectations, we ventured into the strange little preserve. The parking is free and ample, and there were plenty of visitors. This makes sense. I assume they were all there for the same reason we were. Today was absolutely gorgeous. Sunny and 60 degrees. I know my California readers are chuckling as they regularly let me know how wonderful the weather is in San Diego. But after snow and cold for weeks and weeks in Georgia, 60 degrees is perfection.

We quickly took off on the first trail we saw. It was pretty much completely flat and covered in soft wood chips. It rounded the preserve and took us over several man-made bridges stretching about 6 feet over a tiny brook. Ok, it might have been a creek. Or as some Georgians might call it, a "crick".

It was quite pretty, except that from any point on any trail you could look to your right and see the road or parking lot, or buildings in the distance. You could also hear the traffic on Roswell very clearly. A small jet even went right over our heads. It made the whole place feel....almost fake. I started to call it the "Disney Land of hiking trails". It felt like everything was man-made, not nature's handiwork.

The man-made features I speak of included: several bridges, a stone walkway over the creek, and several "fallen" trees which looked like they were placed strategically. I couldn't help but wonder if the preserve has been overly planned. There was something missing. It lacked the isolated feeling of other trails I've been on. And the overall ease of the hikes made this a place I wouldn't ever return to, for fitness anyway. I like a trail that makes you work for the natural wonder at the end of the trail. Like the moderate hike through a dense forest that leads to a waterfall. This is a easy walk that leads you in a small cirle back to your car.

I don't knock the place for being a park. I mean, it's a nice place to walk your dog or stroll with a friend. It's not a place to go and become "one with nature".

There is a notebook at the beginning of the trails where people have shared their own insights on the preserve. I may have entered the only entry that wasn't positive. I was honest.

I welcome any comments about the preserve of course. I'd love to hear someone else's point of view on what exactly draws people to the park. And the people who said the preserve "re-centered their souls". Please explain! I must have missed that part of the walk.

http://www.bigtreesforest.com/

Notes on Georgia: Has Spring Sprung? 02/2010

2010-02-20T21:51:00.000-08:00

Has Spring sprung? One week ago, I would have laughed this question off. Atlanta received record snow fall, blanketing the city in puffy snow and leaving the streets a slushy mess. Matt and I headed straight to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, hoping for snow play time. The park was gorgeous. The lights from the buildings downtown reflected off the ice and it truly seemed as if the trees were sparkling. It was quite cold obviously, but Matt and I forgot about the temperature for awhile, and walked through couples making snow men, groups of kids having snowball fights and others who like us, were looking for white zen.

The snow started melting away the next day, and each day throughout the week seemed colder and colder. The prospect of Spring seemed so far away.

Yet Spring seems to have appeared suddenly, as if trying to prove us all wrong. The sun shines, there are Robins and Woodpeckers galore and people seem to be walking with a little more bounce in their step. The magazine covers all boast Spring decorating ideas, and I even read an article about forcing Spring blooms on tree branches to open!

I understand the romance of Spring a little more. In California there really is little to no distinction between seasons. Here, after several month of real cold, Spring seems like a warm and fresh gift from Mother Nature.

The forecast claims rain will begin again early next week, and maybe it will go back to being frigid outside. But today it feels like the world is flowering around us. The trees are still barren, but the kudzu is turning green. I've gotten a taste of the upcoming season and now I really can't wait for the sun to come out of hiding.

"Light Snow" 01/07/10

2010-01-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Starting yesterday evening, the major news topics here have been snow, snow and more snow. Each weather station claimed snow would begin to fall Thursday afternoon.

A severe weather warning has been running all day. Schools have closed in most counties and my husbands building may close as well.

As promised the snow did fall today. It started at about 3 p.m. We rushed out into the cold to be apart of this weather apparition! It was like a light sprinkling of snow. Tiny balls of ice blanketed the ground outside our home for about a half hour.

Schools are still closed, but weather forecasts now show "light snow" around Atlanta. It's still coming down here, but looks more like frost than anything else. Our entire neighborhood must know by now that we are from California. We stood out in the cold in jammies and took multiple pictures.

Tomorrow the snow should be gone, until further notice. We now deal with the other problems that come with freezing temperatures: black ice, ice in general on the roads, frozen pipes and hefty energy bills.

Snow days? 01/06/10

2010-01-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

Once again I'm back to the topic of weather in Georgia.

If you had told me one year ago that I would be living in a place with temperatures that reach the low teens, I would have shrugged the idea off. However, here I am.

The temperature has reached the low 20's and into the low teens consistently for several weeks. The air is like something I've never felt before. Five minutes outside and my hands are frozen to the bone. The cold gusts of wind take your breath away and dry out my skin and throat. I'm constantly thirsty as a result.
As of recently, there is ice everywhere on the roads. Pipelines have burst all over the city and several freeways have been shut down because of the dangerous conditions.

I've personally come to appreciate a few items much more in the past weeks:

1) Slippers- I owned them but never wore them in San Diego. Here I wear them all day and night to keep my toes toasty.

2) Hot beverages- I'm loving the Chai Latte from Starbucks right now! The cup serves dual purposes. Hand warmer/tummy warmer.

3) Fleece- I'll buy anything made out of fleece at this point. It really keeps me warm! I tried to buy a set of fleece sheets to no avail. The Hubby quickly vetoed that idea.

4) Scarves, hats, ear muffs, mittens- It's not for fashion here people.

5) Vitamin C- in the past month I've had two colds and a stomach virus! The cold breeds germs apparently!

Tomorrow the weather forecasts snow. I'll be sure to take pictures and update the blog if this actually does occur!

Notes on Seasons. 12/28/09

2009-12-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite parts of this move to Georgia has been the weather experiences I've had. From muggy days with thundery nights to frigid cold like I've never felt. I've also discovered the meaning of a wind chill factor.

With the ever changing weather comes the amazing seasons. I absolutely loved Fall. The colors and smells and feelings of warmth. I am still loving Winter. Crisp days and chilly nights make my home feel that much more comforting. Now I can't wait until Spring.

The stores here in Georgia are a bit ahead of themselves in this sense. The winter clothes, decor, etc are already on the clearance rack and bright springy colors are beginning to crowd the shelves. It's a constant reminder of what's to come. I must say, I really can't wait!

A strange miniature world in the middle of nowhere, Georgia. 12/20/09

2009-12-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

Miniature goats, donkeys, horses and roosters? Yup. In the middle of nowhere Georgia.

Today I set out to find Tanglewood Farm, a petting zoo that houses 100 plus strange and interesting miniature animals. The 10 acre farm is in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, in Canton (about an hour drive from Atlanta).

I must admit I did not set my standards high, especially as I drove through the "backwoods" of Canton. And upon arrival my car stood solitary in the parking lot. I made my husband venture ahead of me to "check out the place". You see, from where I was standing I was concerned about the farm becoming the setting for my very own horror film, starring Leather Face.

He came back and reported that the place seemed nice, and that the person he spoke with had given him directions, instructions and made him sign a waver.

I'm often surprised by these strange Georgia gems out in the middle of the woods. This trip was no exception. The grounds are set like a maze, each animal has it's own section. You walk from pen to pen and feed the animals, pick them up and cuddle them and snap photos. We were actually encouraged to pick up the animals, for the record.

I've seen a few petting zoos in my 25 years, but this one was different in every way possible. We fed the animals whole wheat bread from a tin bucket. The animals were sweet and ran straight up to you. We were followed by a herd of Miniature Minx cats that jumped from fence post to fence post. Basically, what I'm saying is....this place is a little circus-esque. You can't take your eyes off the beauty of the animals, and they melt your heart because of their strange tiny size.

To name a few miniatures we pet and fed: goats, horses, a cow (which was dressed up like a reindeer-moodeer?) rabbits, donkeys, pigs, turkeys, chickens, roosters and more. My favorite was definitely the alpacas. There was a new baby that I made friends with.

So if your looking for something really strange yet really cute....Tanglewood Farm is your solution! I imagine in spring it's really something, with all the babies.

http://www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com/

Kindness shines through in Georgia. 12/16/09

2009-12-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

Being from California, I consider myself something of an expert on the topic of neighborly love. In California, this time of year especially, cold shoulders and dirty looks abound. Everyone is in a hurry. The stores are packed and the overall mood is....well let's just say "Christmas Spirit" is not all around.

From our first day in Atlanta I've noticed the vast differences in people's general attitudes. While I wouldn't say that the "southern hospitality" myth is completely accurate, I will say that striking up conversation with strangers in more likely here in the South. People say hello, nod when they pass each other, hold doors open, etc.

I'm not saying that California is a horrible place to live, or that Californians are a certain way. I just think that everyone is so wrapped up in their busy lives that they've forgotten the little things that make a community a community.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Holiday shoppers here in Georgia, kindness shines through every where I go. From the neighborhood police officers enjoying coffee and conversation at the local Starbucks (there's only one in my town) to the large amount of companies running charities for families in need. In the last few weeks I've talked to more strangers than I have in the years I spent in California. Our town isn't decorated to the hilt. It's not so crowded you have to spend 45 minutes looking for a parking spot. And it's cold outside. Yet, the Spirit does seem to be everywhere around me. It's enough to warm the heart.

Sweetgrass. 12/01/09

2009-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Being a self proclaimed artist myself, I greatly appreciate other artist's skills and talents. I've seen all sorts of art from wood carving to sculpture to the layering of paper. I had never seen nor heard of sweetgrass baskets until we took a trip to Charleston, SC to visit my cousins.

400 years ago, the slaves in Lowcountry practiced the art of basket weaving. This is a tradition that was in essence, kidnapped and brought to America much like the slaves themselves. The tradition has been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. In fact, there are very few instructional books or classes on this specific weaving because of the way it has been shared within families.

This is a dying art, as the artists themselves have fewer and fewer family members to teach the art to. Sweetgrass baskets are becoming increasingly rare.

The baskets themselves were originally created for practical reasons, as tools on a plantation. They were used to gather rice and cotton. Now, they are pieces of fine art.

Today, you can drive down the "Sweetgrass Basket Maker's Highway" in South Carolina, and see about 20 roadside stands selling the baskets. Each stand is run by family, often on the families property. As time goes by, there will be fewer and fewer stands.

A stroll through the old slave market in downtown Charleston will give you a much closer look at these baskets. Women sit on the ground and weave, and sell the baskets they have finished. A very small basket, about the size of an egg costs $35. A very large basket can run $400 or more.

Walking in a Georgian winter wonderland. 12/01/09

2009-11-30T21:10:00.000-08:00

As we being our descent from 2009 and begin to see 2010 on the horizon, I can only say one thing. Where has this year gone? As a child we wait impatiently for earmarks throughout the year, making time drag. As teenagers we crave eighteen and complain about the pace of life. As an adult, we stand on the sidelines unable to stop the quickness and frenzy called life. What a year my friends, what a year.

Matt and I made the largest and most difficult choice we've ever been faced with this year. Our move to Georgia has yielded so much in the way of experiences and life lessons. I struggle here and there with my new environment, but overall....I will always cherish the memories we've created.

It seems that most editions of "Notes on Georgia" contain weather information. I suppose this is because the weather has been one of the most drastic changes we've faced as of yet. People move to San Diego for two reasons: 1) the mild amazing weather and 2) scenery. People move to Georgia for one reason: to appreciate sun.

Were walking in a winter wonderland in Georgia. I can tell you one thing for sure! I have a new appreciation for Christmas lights. Without the sparkling homes throughout this state our environment would be just plain depressing! The trees that I found so amazing upon moving here are now dormant, barren and cold looking. Without a leaf in sight on the branches, Georgia looks like a tree cemetery. At night branches are illuminated by the moon, creating a sea of contorted arms, reaching for who knows what.

I also have a new appreciation for the saying "chilled to the bone". The air is so incredibly crisp and cold. You can see your breath, and the occasional gust of wind is enough to knock you down.

Christmas saves the day of course! Businesses and homes alike are decked out in white twinkle lights. Our town of Dunwoody, GA has morphed into a Christmas dream. We've watched the temperature drop to the high 28 degrees in the last few nights. My California blood was certainly not prepared!

Apple orchard and pumkin patch dreams. 10/25/09

2009-11-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

I can now say in my lifetime (as of yet) I have witnessed the most amazing sunset. It trumped all beach sunsets at the cliffs in Ocean Beach, the sun setting in the mountains of Julian and any pallet of paints I have ever worked with.
The Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee are a mirror of the sky at sunset. The colors of fall foliage are vibrant and striking in the morning and the afternoon. Oranges, yellows and reds like I have never imagined exist here in this famous National Park. But the magic happens at dusk. As the sun begins to set across the hills a vibrant light hits these leaves and creates gem like sparkles as far as the eye can see. In the sky itself, the reds and oranges mimic these leaves....or is it the other way around? You lose sight of horizon as the sunset and the swaying hills become one in an amazing show of nature.

Hundreds of other tourists toured the mountains the same day we did. It was refreshing to watch crowds of people stop and wait in line to appreciate this sight. For once we weren't spending money to see something, we weren't waiting to catch a glimpse of an actor...we were waiting to be part of something spectacular and natural. ( On a side note, we sat in traffic for a half an hour because of a bear in a tree!)

There is a back story to the sunset of course! You may be asking yourself what we were doing in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. It all started with an apple orchard dream. Weeks ago I picked up a flier for the Apple Barn, a famous apple winery and baked good community of stores. An orchard. Infact it produces 65% of Tennessee's apples. We drove the several hours to experience crisp mountain air, cinnamon scents and to purchase a much coveted bottle of sparkling apple cider for Matt and myself's FIRST Thanksgiving Holiday alone! We left the apple barn with mulling spices and apple spice bread mix as well.

At this time of year in San Diego, Matt and I would have already visited Julian to capture a moment of that fall feeling. Here in Georgia we've been smacked in the face with the season! The leaves change outside of our window, we don't have to drive hours to find an unsatisfying glimpse of that change. We don't have to drive to Big Bear and drive around with the windows down to experience crisp air. Georgia has reached 35 degrees at night for a week or so now.

So here we are.

We got exactly what we had been looking for. (I now wish for toilet seat warmers and warm jammies!)

Today I had pumpkin patch dreams...a short drive and we were bouncing along on a hay ride to a patch. What a magical place! The tinkling of children's laughter, the warm love of families choosing their beloved pumpkins and the musky smell of mud. Shhh, don't tell....but we left the patch empty handed, not wanting to spend a small fortune on gourds. Wal Mart sells the same squash for $4!
Tonight we practiced one of my all-time favorite traditions (ahh memories of me drawing a face on a pumpkin and Chris carving it for me because my folks didn't let me play with knives), the carving of the pumpkins! These are the moments that make life beautiful.

Fall in Georgia. 09/28/09

2009-11-30T21:02:00.000-08:00

It's definitely feeling like Fall here in Atlanta, GA. The air is crisp and the Cicada's Lullaby has been replaced with "Swaying Tree Songs". With an occasional gust of wind, leaves trickle slowly to the ground making a crystalline sound as they reach their destinations. This time of year is truly magical. Nature takes out her brushes and paints the trees deep red with hints of yellow and orange. I swear I can almost smell the cider mulling; musky apple with hints of clove, ginger and cinnamon.

This is the season that I always seem to feel my best physically, emotionally and mentally. Fall represents change for me. It's the end of one era and the beginning of the next. And the future looks beautiful from where I'm standing.

This past Sunday, Matt and I ventured to the Appalachian Foothills in North Georgia. In this part of the state the trees are even more abundant (if that's possible). Though the leaves have just begun to change, the mountains have a yellow hue. A promise of colors that I'm positive will blow my mind.

As usual Matt and I found ourselves lost (some would worry about being lost in the Appalachians). Being lost always seems to yield a hidden treasure for us. Hence the many adventures we've had since moving to Georgia. This day proved to be the same! A sign boasting Amicolola Falls State Park caught Matt's attention. It's always as if we find our guide point! Our main goal is the Falls! Anything we find along the way is just a bonus.

We've been to a couple of "Falls" State Parks....in general a healthy hike is required to see the waterfall. It's like a teaser. You can hear the water rushing, but just can't quite get to it. You see, Matt and I are not hikers. We are flip flop wearing, drive to the attraction types. So I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find that this park was a bit different. Upon driving into Amicolola Falls Park and an insanely steep drive up the side of a mountain we found ourselves at the "Top of the Falls Overlook". A short walk and we were standing in paradise! A small bridge is situated at the very spot that the water begins it's descent down the side of the mountain. A small stream runs into a raging waterfall. In fact, the falls are so steep that you can't see all the way to the bottom! The sound of the water is very powerful and kind of makes your heart skip a beat. Oh and the view! I swear you could see all the way to Tennessee!

We drove to the bottom of the falls to see the calm pond that the falls run into. It's the strangest thing! Matt and I stopped to watch the water skimming bugs and orange leaves floating peacefully.

Yet another trip in Georgia that proves that the best adventures are the least traveled! Until the next adventure!

Savannah, GA. 09/20/09

2009-11-29T23:11:00.000-08:00

So, Matt and I emerged from our cave this weekend (finally).

Actually, the story begins with me waking Matt up at 5:30 am and insisting on an adventure. We headed to Savannah at 6 am, braving the rain and lack of sunlight. The drive is about 4 hours, and the scenery makes every minute drag by. The freeway is a two lane straight away, lined with trees and more trees. Not much to see on the way to Savannah, that's for sure.

As we drove into Savannah, I was in complete awe. The city is gorgeous. It houses the history I've been looking for these past few months. The plan was to drive straight through to Tybee Island first, and then head back to Savannah.
There is one way in and one way out of Tybee island. A freeway made up of bridges and dips over the salt marshes. And then suddenly you have arrived in what I can only describe as a crunchy little town with a definite Ocean Beach feel. We followed signs pointing us to the "south beach" part of town, eagerly trying to peer through buildings and beachy houses to catch a glimpse of the ocean we have come to miss so much. The parking lots at the beaches in this city are lined with huge sand dunes, blocking any view of ocean. These dunes are pristine (no foot prints or tire tracks) and are covered with reeds.
In this particular parking lot I found a small building at the back with a huge painted turtle standing guard at the entrance. Being a huge turtle fan, I was of course drawn to the statue. As it turns out, the building was a small aquarium. After paying the $4 entrance fee, Matt and I toured tank after tank of aquatic creatures. Turtles, snakes, fish and baby alligators! We also learned that this is nesting season for the sea turtles in Georgia! After the aquarium we headed to a wooden pier. We feasted our eyes on ocean, finally, at this point. Ahh the east coast. The water laps gently at the clean and wide beaches. There are no waves. People line their chairs up in long rows and relax in the abnormally warm weather (as we have been getting hit with rain storms non stop in Atlanta).
Along the pier there were people fishing and we stopped to watch a man struggle with his line. His fishing neighbor pulled up a small rainbow colored fish while he fought to bring his catch in. In the end his line broke and we overheard him tell his buddies it must have been a skate.
Let me set the scene of the Ocean Beach pier and compare to Tybee Island.
Ocean Beach pier is covered in fish guts and seagulls. Tybee Island pier is covered in fish guts and what we now call "Georgia Seagulls". They are scraggly, diseased looking brown birds.
I cannot begin to explain how different the people are at the beach on this side of the country. We did decided there are 3 types of people you might see. 1) Mothers in flowing, brightly patterned frocks with huge floppy hats 2) Hairy men in tank tops tucked into their cut off jeans...and sneakers and socks and 3) very pale young women, heavily oiled in skimpy bathing suits. I saw one man wearing a tank top that said "Big Bikes and Whiskey" with a picture of a scantily clad woman. His top was tucked into his cut offs, and he was proudly showing his large gold belt buckle which proclaimed "Country Music". He apparently felt the need to list his likes on his clothing. Perhaps the back had his dislikes?

We headed back into Savannah after touring the island and the lighthouse. We wandered through the streets of stately old houses, ornate gates and spanish moss covered trees. The town's atmosphere takes you back to a different time, where I imagine horse drawn carriages and parasols would dot the streets instead of tour buses and tourists. It feels very much like New Orleans and sort of what I imagine Paris in the country would look like. And along the Savannah river you can watch steamboats paddle by and eat fresh seafood. It was truly an amazing place.
From Savannah we headed to St. Simons island, about 60 miles south. The Georgia coast line drive is so much different than California. You can't see the ocean from the freeway, but there are swamps! Some areas in these swamps looked deep and had large signs that read "Caution! Manatee Area!" I thought Matt was pulling my leg when he told me there were manatees in Georgia! St. Simons island I'm afraid, was a bust. We immediately got lost and found ourselves frustrated and ready to head home.

New Rules, Georgia Style! 09/14/09

2009-11-29T23:08:00.000-08:00

New Rule: If you live and drive in Georgia, you must own a cell phone. And you must be on your cell phone at all times while driving. This will of course lead to chronic tail-gating, sudden merges and the complete disregard for the yellow lines in the road.

New Rule: If you live in Georgia and have LOTS of money, you must build a miniature White House complete with columns, ridiculous gates and lighting installed 100 feet up in the trees on your land. You must also have a chandelier that costs more than the average compact car, and keep that light on all night so everyone who drives by knows you have money.

New Rule: Preschools and Kindergartens may not teach "forming a single line and not cutting". They must not, otherwise why do people cut in line at the gas station all the time!

New Rule: If you live in the South, and have seen an episode of John and Kate plus 8, you must cut and dye your hair exactly like Kate Gosselin's. And all your children's, and your Grandma's, and any other females in your family.

New Rule: You may not claim to sell "Mexican Food" in Georgia. You may also not claim to sell "California Style Mexican" or, California style anything for that matter. I think they put mozzarella cheese on my burrito.....

New Rule: You may not live in Georgia and not devote your life to the Georgia Bulldogs or Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. You must wear the clothing, deck out your car and scream at all opposing team fans in other cars.

New Rule: You must attend church. It does not matter what church, that's not the point!

Babyland General 09/07/09

2009-11-29T23:04:00.000-08:00

Matt and I did nothing this weekend. Literally. We just relaxed and took some down time.

Brandy (my sister) and I however spent a couple of days out in 'strange country' this week. On Monday we took Madison (my niece) to the Babyland General Hospital...the birth place of Cabbage Patch Kids. There, we toured the facilities that are decked out in hospital equipment from what I can only guess were the 50's. You walk through the nursery, the clinic, the nurses station.....and into a large room in the center of the building where the Cabbage Patch kids are actually "birthed".

Yep, this place is as strange as it sounds! These are real Kids too, the ones that are completely fabric. Not the hard headed one's you buy at Wal Mart. So, Brandy and I walked slowly through this strange fun house, wide eyed and a little disturbed. An announcement came over the P.A. and startled us.....a baby was about to be born!

Apparently, Kids actually come from a cabbage patch under a tree. So, we watched as a women in a nurses uniform pulled a brand new baby girl out of the synthetic cabbage patch under the synthetic tree...what a sight! She even slapped the doll's behind! A little girl in the small crowd named her: Lucy Susan.

We let Madison pick out her first baby doll, which was really the fun part. She stared at it in it's box like it was nothing she'd ever seen before. And the look on her face when she was handed the doll...priceless....we named it Matty Christy after her two "bodyguards" Chris and Matt.

From there (the Twilight Zone?) we drove to a town called Alpine Helen, which is in the Northern mountains of Georgia. The town is completely German themed...the buildings, the names of places...everything screams Deutch.

There we found the Black Forest Bear Park, a small bear rehabilitation center. We spent about two hours feeding a Grizzly cub, who was just feet away from us, apples and bread. I have a new found love and respect for bears. They are beautiful creatures.

Friday we took off for what is called the Georgia Guidestones. We have since nicknamed them the Redneck Stonehenge. An hour outside of Atlanta, in the middle of a field, there are several 20 foot stones with the "codes of conservation" written on them in multiple languages. English, Arabic, Spanish, etc etc. Truly a strange sight, in the middle of no where.

Important facts and laws about Georgia!

2009-11-29T22:55:00.000-08:00

It is against the law in Georgia to spread untrue rumors

In Atlanta, GA it is illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole (must have been a huge issue at one point)

America's first true gold rush occurred not in California, but in Dahlonega, GA (Duh-lawn-a-ga)
I
n Georgia it is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or coroner's office

Donkeys cannot be kept in a bathtub

No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket if it is Sunday

In the city of Acworth, GA...all residents are required to own a rake

Goldfish may not be given away to entice someone to enter a game of bingo

It is illegal for one to make a disturbing sound at a fair

No one may practice the business of tattooing on Sunday

Crosses may be burned on someone else’s property, so long as you have their permission (I think the Clan is still trying to over turn this law)

Picnics are prohibited in graveyards

In Gainesville, GA Chicken must be eaten with the hands

In Kennesaw, GA all adult residents are required to own a gun

Atlanta, Georgia has the worst traffic of any city in the US, since every street in the city is named "Peachtree Road" (this may not be completely accurate but it sure seems like it)

The most common cause of death in Georgia is getting murdered in a fight over the proper way to pronounce the word "pecan" just kiddin'

The official state fish is the large mouth bass

Georgia is the nations number one producer of the three Ps--peanuts, pecans, and peaches

The Varsity in Atlanta is the world's largest drive-in fast food restaurant

It is illegal to change the clothes on a storefront mannequin unless the shades are down

Augusta, GA notes. 8/24/09

2009-11-29T22:50:00.000-08:00

Well, this weekend's adventure took us to Augusta, GA. Let's be honest here now. The brochures and website boasting Augusta's rustic olde town environment on the river...well....it's a bit misleading.
Augusta looks like it closed in 1920, and all that's left are the rotting empty buildings. It is on the Savannah river and has a long riverwalk area with benches and picnic tables for people to enjoy. From the Georgia side of the river, you look across to South Carolina and large beautiful mansions lining the water. It sort of made me think "am I in the wrong state"? It definately did have a historical aire to it, and I found out that the entire time we'd been standing on the levee built 70 years ago to avoid floods. So, Augusta...not much going on there.

A few interesting facts....and empty streets.

The highlight of the Augusta trip, however, was Phinizy Swamp nature park. We pulled into the gravel parking lot with very low expectations of what we were about to see. A short climb through the trees brought us to a sign post announcing we were about to take the Cattail Trail to the visitors center. Several hundred feet more and we stepped onto a wooden boardwalk and looked ahead of us to see what I can only describe as an otherworldly scene.

A long winding wooden boardwalk has been built about a foot over the swamp. It takes you to the very high tech looking visitor center. Cypress trees abound, naturally beginning to uproot which has caused hundreds of strange stumps to appear in the muck they call swamp water. They look like animals until you get close enough to see that they are simply part of the trees. Moss hangs from all the branches and cattails do indeed grow here in abundance. The water itself is black with all kinds of algae. As we walk along this strange boardwalk, I watched the water beneath me through the large spaces in the planks. I was very unnerved at first. Occasionally I would hear a "plunk" in the water and feel a vibration beneath my feet...still not sure what caused that!
The visitor center had pictures of all the animals that inhabit the swamp...the only one's we were lucky enough to see were water moccasins (which literally look like tiny Loch Ness monsters, and are deadly) and a great white heron that floated effortlessy above us and landed in the water. Oh, and of course....hundreds of dazzling dragonflies in irradescent greens and purples and blues....did you know that dragonflies are called water nymphs and mosquito hawks? The warnings at this park? Do not ride bikes on trails. Do not drink alcohol or do drugs. Do not swim. Really?
Does anyone need a sign warning them to stay on dry land in this environment? So, I can say that while Augusta was a bust, the swamp experience did make the drive quite worth it. I have never seen anything like it.

California Girl goes Georgian! 8/17/09

2009-11-29T22:45:00.000-08:00

It's taken me all this time to get used to the time difference here. I think I'm finally adjusted and am coming to terms with the fact that I am just a night owl wherever I'm living...the one thing I haven't adjusted to is the weather. Honestly, I don't mind what little humidity we deal with here. It's the fact that you truly never know what your going to get on a day by day basis. The weather predictions are NEVER correct. One minute it's sunny and 85 degrees, the next minute it's pouring rain. Streets flood, traffic slows, people disappear into their homes. And five minutes later it's all over and life goes back to normal. It reminds me of the Starlight Theatre in Balboa Park that pauses it's plays as planes fly directly over. Life pauses here and then picks back up in just minutes with these insane bursts of rain.

Matt and I found ourselves in North Carolina over the weekend. It's just an hour or so drive. We didn't really have any specific destination but we did end up in the Great Smokey Mountains. If I ever thought Georgia was behind the times, I take it all back now. Any references I made about Georgia and the movie Deliverance have now been shifted to North Carolina, specifically in the Smokies. Don't get me wrong. It's absolutely beautiful. And even though it's only August the leaves were already changing. I imagine it becomes a winter wonderland during the later months of the year. North Carolina seems to thrive on it's tourist attractions. Around every turn there are small shops boasting the sale of some oddity or other. My personal favorites were the signs proudly announcing the arrival of frog jelly and moonshine jam. I was tempted, but couldn't bring myself to buy anything like that. Instead I ended up with a jar of honey with the comb in it and huckleberry jam.
About an hour into North Carolina we made our way into the Cherokee Indian Reservation. They are of course in the process of building a very large (and ugly) Harrah's Casino. And just past Cherokee we found it. Yes, the Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park.

$30 later we began the 20 minute, 4000 foot ride in a ski lift up the side of a mountain. And I mean straight up! At the top, we spent an hour exploring the strange little ghost town, watched a shoot out on Main Street and Can Can Dancers in the Saloon. The whole time I was dreading the ride down the mountain. It wasn't so bad I suppose. I was of course distracted by the five or so Groundhogs we saw on the way down. To be honest, Matt and I had no clue what they were. They look like little bears. The only reason we know they were groundhogs is that the children in front of us were screaming about them the whole way down.

For dinner we chose a Southern Buffet. We stood in line for quite awhile and made friends with the elderly gentleman behind us. He told us we had to come to the buffet on Friday nights for their seafood extravaganza. When Matt told him we love seafood, he proceeded to tell us that they have the best Frog Legs in town. I'm pretty sure frog legs aren't seafood. I tried several Southern staples and found out I haven't been missing much. I'm not a fan of collard greens, black eye peas or fried okra. I am unmistakably a California Girl.

When it rains it pours in Georgia. 07/13/09

2009-11-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

Well, when it rains it pours. Literally in this strange state. We had a full on thunder and lightning storm yesterday that went on for hours. The rain drops are strangely large here. And while it pours it is still 85 degrees. We also experienced serious thunder that shook the rooms and car. And the lightning came from all directions in 2 minute intervals. It was really an experience.

At our apartment, from our very dry screened in patio, the frogs came out in full force to apparently celebrate the rain! Matt and I of course went to Atlanta Bread again for lunch (it's just delicious). My new fascination is the sweet tea. No matter where you go it tastes exactly the same. And if you ask for iced tea, you get sweet tea. If you don't specify unsweetened, don't be surprised when you take your first sip. It's really yummy, but after a few days of drinking it my teeth hurt. I've heard the ratio of tea to sugar is 1 cup of tea to 2 cups of sugar. It's no wonder so many people are missing teeth here.

Sunday/Church Day is interesting. Most places are closed on this day. Other's open late or close very early. I've come to terms with the fact that I will always be bored on the 7th day of the week....

The Very First Edition of "Notes on Georgia" written 07/11/09

2009-11-29T22:39:00.000-08:00

Georgia sparkles at dusk. The fireflies are abundant in areas with lots of trees (most of Georgia, and luckily our new home). They are like peaceful little ghosts that appear and disappear in quick light green bursts. I love the sound of the forest as well. The locusts land in the trees and sing a very strange song in unison. People always said the beach sounds put them to sleep...I believe the forest song will be my lullaby. As far as food goes, Matt and I have decided we will try new foods as often as possible.So...tonight we tried Atlanta Bread and Bakery (sort of like Panera). It was amazing! Besides the rude older folks in front of us who yelled at the Hispanic cashier for no reason I could see! The food was very fresh and flavorful...think salads, sandwiches and pasta. And cookies and cream cheesecake!!!