Mountain Magic Auto Tour

Since falling on the Appalachian Trail, breaking my wrist, dislocating my elbow and doing some sort of undiagnosed injury to my knee, thus ending my attempt at a thru-hike this year, I have not been a very happy camper. Literally.

We are staying in Georgia for follow-up doctors visits and had to do something to perk me out of the doldrums. So, we went on the "Mountain Magic Auto Tour", a driving tour around some of the roads in North Georgia...

The first stop was at a conical pile of rocks on a small triangle of land in the middle of a crossroads. This is called "Trahlyta's Grave" and marks the resting place of an Indian princess who was kidnapped by a rejected suitor, "lost her beauty" and died. It has become the custom for passers-by to drop stones on her grave, supposedly to insure her good fortune. Seems to me it's a little late for that!

We continued on our tour, traveling through several scenic gaps and crossing the AT once or twice. We came to the turn off for Dockery Lake. At the end of a non-descript gravel forest road sits this little gem with surprisingly well set-up and maintained spacious picnic areas. We walked the trail around the lake, at one point under the watchful eye of a strange and unusual arboreal creature.


It really felt good to get out into the woods again, even if it's not the AT.

Our next stop was Neel's Gap and Mountain Crossings, the outfitters. We were welcomed by their three calm, friendly dogs. There were signs asking that we not succumb to their array of sophisticated mooching techniques. They are all in doggie weight-watchers.

The shop was quiet with few customers so it as easy to browse all the backpacking gear. Interestingly enough, they had hiking kilts for men but none for women! What the...???

I saw a few small items I'd be interested in if I ever get another chance at the AT. In all, I felt rather depressed I wasn't still on the trail. But there's no answer to that one.

Miles walked today - about 1