Our mornings often started slowly, with a walk through the cabin area and a good breakfast. The cabin area in the hills near the Unicoi state park consists of a number of large cabins with log facades. They are scattered about and new, each having its own little differentiations – a hot tub, different windows and different views of the mountains.
A pajama walk with Aunty and Frank
Granny and Brano capture the morning quiet
Morning poses for Gran and Early
The view from the front porch
Brano shows his athleticism
Maddie already tired of having pictures taken
Morning swimming
Morning BallooningThe day before we had gone to the Helen tourist center and had asked about places to swim. The jolly Helen woman directed us to an out-of-the-way place called “Sliding Rock”, where you can, you guessed it, slide down a rock.
We drove from our cabin in the opposite direction of town and north toward Lake Burton. When there we took a small county access rode up alongside a creek to this infamous watering hole. When we arrived there were only two people enjoying the lovely weather and we jumped in. No one had the urge or the guts to go sliding down this natural rock formation. Savannah wanted to, but as it got more and more crowded, she began to lose her nerve.
So, Earl went. A couple of times.
Finally Savvy took a turn. Then again and again. In the meantime, we went of a reconnaissance mission with the locals, swam around, and watched the general shenanigans of the groups of people ferociously sliding down sliding rock.
What fun! A gorgeous location with sunshine, fresh mountain water running (and sliding) past and lots and lots of laughter.
We drove from our cabin in the opposite direction of town and north toward Lake Burton. When there we took a small county access rode up alongside a creek to this infamous watering hole. When we arrived there were only two people enjoying the lovely weather and we jumped in. No one had the urge or the guts to go sliding down this natural rock formation. Savannah wanted to, but as it got more and more crowded, she began to lose her nerve.
So, Earl went. A couple of times.
Finally Savvy took a turn. Then again and again. In the meantime, we went of a reconnaissance mission with the locals, swam around, and watched the general shenanigans of the groups of people ferociously sliding down sliding rock.
What fun! A gorgeous location with sunshine, fresh mountain water running (and sliding) past and lots and lots of laughter.
Madison, the water fairy
Aunt E, the life guard
Earl slides as an example to Savannah
Mimi and Madison have a discussion
Earl and Savvy have a discussion
Savvy's internal debate
Earl pulls Mimi in
Madison as a mermaid
Earl slides again
Probably discussing where to go next
Before the slide
After the slide
Talking about the slide
Savvy goes it aloneFrom there we took the “long route”, i.e. got lost on the way, to the public Lake Burton beach -- great spot for the kids, with lots of fish in the warm, soft water. Savannah and Madison are truly fish. They swim, the hunt rocks, Savannah snorkled and watched the minnows and blue gill swim about. We ate sandwiches and fresh cherries. Maddie was very surprised to find the pit. It was her first fresh cherry… she ate them by the handful. Savannah lost a tooth, so we had a visit from the Tooth Fairy to look forward to that night.
Charlie Mountain on Lake Burton
Savannah chasing blue gill
Madison's rock collection
Earl gets tan
Mimi and Papa -- the Sopranos
Madison's first cherry
Savannah loses a tooth
Swimming with Aunt E
Back at the cabin for some relaxation, napping, eating more and having some family fun with crafts and cards.
Nap time
Scrap-booking the day
Everyone needs a collie for a pillow
Playing cards
