***************WARNING--LONG POST**************
This past Labor Day weekend, we had a blast camping with our good friends, the Koehlers again. This time we headed North to Tallulah Gorge in the Northeast corner of GA. We set out on Friday night and met up with them at Pizza Hut in Cumming, where we waited FOREVER for our pizza and breadsticks. We then headed to the campsite so that we could get set up before it turned dark.
We had a little bit of sunlight left. The campsite was very nice. We were right next to the gate and road but it was fine. The good news is that the bathrooms/showers were really nice, and we had electricity and water right at the campsite. We got set up, started a fire, and went to bed early because we knew that we had to get up early. The adults had a tent each, with the boys having a tent and the girls in their own tent. It works really well to have a dressing room for everyone as well. We pumped up all the air mattresses and headed to bed.
We got up around 7:00 in order to go down to the interpretive center. You see, we wanted to go to the sliding rock which meant we had to get a pass to hike down to the gorge floor. They only give out 100 passes per day starting at 8 am, and once they are gone, they are gone. Saturday was the only day we could do it, so we HAD to get down there in time. We got there right at 8:00 and was near the end of the line. We got our passes(despite the fact that 3 of our members had on flip-flops and they wouldn't let us get the passes without tennis shoes). There was a large group from Roswell Street Baptist Church camping with us and about 60 of them were ahead of us. But we got them.
We were told that it was a strenuous hike and how to get there and that we would have approximately 600 stairs down and that we would have to climb back up those 600 steps at the end. We had been warned of the stairs and decided to go for it anyways. We really wanted to get to that sliding rock!
So, we went back to the campsite and fixed breakfast and then went back for the hike. We walked down about 300 steps and got to the suspension bridge which was 80 ft above the gorge. Then we walked down the other 300 or so steps. When we got there, everyone's legs were shaking-even the kids. They thought the deck was shaking as they have probably never experience that before. We met some other people there that told us they had done the hike down and would never do it again. This was the point that you could hike down to without the pass so there were others there. We started watching people trying to pass across the river and it was tough. The rocks were spread apart and you could jump from rock to rock if you were careful (the rocks were very slippery) and your legs were long enough. But the kids couldn't do that. And all of our legs were already rubbery and not too stable. And to add to the stress of it all, I had my expensive new camera and we had both cell phones. We sat on the first rock for forever debating whether we should do it or not. Obviously, we wanted to go, but didn't want to risk our electronics or kids' lives in the process.
While we were debating, Chris made it to the other side and then got his kids across. Eventually, with Chris's help, we were all across and I really hoped that that would be the hardest part. Was I ever wrong!!! There really isn't a path down there. you just go anyway you can, jumping over and around rocks and trees the whole way. There are times where you had to crab crawl on your butt and grab the rocks so that you wouldn't slide down the rocks into the river. At one point we were on a rock that had a 45 degree angle heading straight down into the river. The kids did really awesome and were very careful and listened to our directions. But let me tell you, we would have NEVER gone down that had we had any idea what it was really like. There were times that I couldn't believe we were out there. Dale & I have gone on some pretty tough hikes, but this was by far the most treacherous hike we have ever been on. It really was more like rock climbing without any protection. I was amazed that they would let kids go out there. Dale was amazed that they would let anyone go out there without a guide. And you are out there all by yourself. I think we crossed another group once or twice the whole way. It probably took us 2 hours to get down to the rock slide.
Now, that I have whined about how tough it was, it really was amazing and beautiful. We saw waterfalls that the "public" can't see. They were really beautiful. And I would have taken more pictures, but I had the camera in the backpack and literally didn't want to risk my life by letting my grasp of the rocks go so that I could take a picture. But we saw God's handiwork in an
amazing and up-close way. When it was all said and done, I was so glad that we did it. And I was SO glad that we made it all back safely. Thank you Lord!!!
The rock slide was cold, but fun. I didn't go on it even though I loved rock slides as a child because I had on denim shorts and didn't want to have to make the trek back with wet clothes on. I wished I had worn my swimsuit underneath, but I didn't. The kids had a lot of fun on the slide and went over and over. We then had a snack and drink and headed back. I was really worried that going back would be tougher because there were so many times that we had to slide on our butts because it was so steep that you couldn't walk or stand. But we went back much quicker than we came down. I really think that we had gotten through such tough spots that the places that were tough seemed easier on the way back.
There was one spot that you had to jump about 5 feet down from one rock down to another rock and the rock you were jumping onto was another 45 degree angle down under the rock you were jumping off of. It was kinda scary jumping down, but we helped each other and everyone made it fine. Now going back, Chris led the way and then he was going to help the kids. Dale and Tina and I went another route to try to avoid this spot. Well, Chris got his 2 kids up but when Justin went to jump/climb, he slipped and fell down that rock underneath the one Chris was on so they couldn't see him anymore. I really thought he was headed to the Land of the Lost and we would never see him again. What actually happened though, was that his sister grabbed him and helped him climb back up to daylight and then Chris helped him climb up to the other rock. It was really scary for all of us though.
We managed to make it all the way back to the point that you don't need a pass for. We were done with the dangerous part...now we just had 600 steps and a suspension bridge to get back to the top. Needless to say, that was very tough. Your legs are already very tired and then you get to go up all those steps. We expected the kids to complain, but there was never one instance of complaining EXCEPT complaining that we were going to slow and they were tired of waiting on us. They were doing "Rocky" runs where they would run up the stairs-the little show-offs. At that point, I had even given Jennifer my backpack so I wouldn't have to carry it. But they were all troopers and did an awesome job. We all made it back to the top safe and sound-thank you Lord! In the end, we were all really glad that we went and worked together and made it.
Needless to say, Tina and I were very sore the next day and the next day... But it was still worth it. It was the highlight of the weekend.
On Sunday, we left camp and went to my step-sister's new house for a goodbye party for my niece and her sweet family. They are moving to Washington D.C. and this is really the first family to move away. Everyone met at the house on Lake Lanier with boats and waverunners. Bill hauled Dale's waverunner over for us. Tim had his parent's boat, and Brian was using a neighbor's pontoon boat. We enjoyed dinner with everyone as it had been a LONG time since we had all been together. Then we headed to the lake for some water fun.
Jennifer and Dale rode the waverunner and Tim took Justin and I out to Lake Lanier Island and Waterpark. It was so rough!! The boat was going about 50 miles an hour and we were hitting some huge waves and Dale and Jennifer were keeping up with us on the waverunner. Boy, I was glad it wasn't me on the waverunner. Everyone got a turn riding the waverunner and wakeboarding from the boat. The day ended way too fast and we had to leave. But here are some pictures from the day.
This is Mom & Bill with all the grandkids(except Owen) and great-grandchild. 
Alyse and Lori
Ansley
We didn't get back to camp until around 9:15 pm and then we roasted marshmallows and made S'mores.
Dale's stomach was starting to bother him on the way home(campsite) and by the time we got there he was having some serious pain for some unknown reason. It wasn't going away and nothing seemed to help, so after about 3-4 hours, he decided we needed to go to the emergency room. We had to go wake up the host so she could tell us where the hospital was and open the gate so we could get out. We headed to Clayton Hospital (following the signs) and got there around 11:45 at night.
After running blood tests, urine tests, and doing a CAT scan of his stomach, it was determined that he would be okay. They gave him an IV for pain and a GI cocktail and sent him on his way. We were leaving the hospital at 2 am and heading back to camp. He felt no more pain that night! :) The kids never even knew we had left. It was really kinda weird being the only patients in the ER-now THAT would never happen here. When we first got there, there were 2 other patients in there as well-both babies. The first one was diagnosed with diaper rash and the second one had strep. When we left, there was no one in there. Oh, the joys of a small town ER!!
The next morning, we started packing up (which is the worst part of camping). Thankfully, Dale was still feeling fine and was able to help with that part. I really was worried about how I was going to get all that STUFF home if he were in the hospital. Or that I would have to camp there until he got out of the hospital if they had to admit him. Justin got his first bee sting this morning and the nice man camping next to us offered to share some of his "tobacco" out of his mouth to put on it. Thankfully, the rubbing alcohol did the trick and we didn't need to take him up on his offer.
One of the best things about camping is the food-it always tastes better outside!!! But we tried some new recipes this time. We enjoyed scrambled cheese eggs and bacon, pancakes, steakumms, camp cornbread, sloppy joes, taco tents, corn on the cob, steamed vegetables, honey mustard chicken packets, and black forest chocolate cake. And of course, good ole S'mores and marshmallows.
We had a marvelous weekend. The weather was perfect with it sprinkling twice but not enough to wet anything. We had great fun spending time in God's country with good friends and family. Sorry this post has been so long, but you were warned... :)
This is Mom & Bill with all the grandkids(except Owen) and great-grandchild. 
Alyse and Lori
AnsleyWe didn't get back to camp until around 9:15 pm and then we roasted marshmallows and made S'mores.
Dale's stomach was starting to bother him on the way home(campsite) and by the time we got there he was having some serious pain for some unknown reason. It wasn't going away and nothing seemed to help, so after about 3-4 hours, he decided we needed to go to the emergency room. We had to go wake up the host so she could tell us where the hospital was and open the gate so we could get out. We headed to Clayton Hospital (following the signs) and got there around 11:45 at night.
After running blood tests, urine tests, and doing a CAT scan of his stomach, it was determined that he would be okay. They gave him an IV for pain and a GI cocktail and sent him on his way. We were leaving the hospital at 2 am and heading back to camp. He felt no more pain that night! :) The kids never even knew we had left. It was really kinda weird being the only patients in the ER-now THAT would never happen here. When we first got there, there were 2 other patients in there as well-both babies. The first one was diagnosed with diaper rash and the second one had strep. When we left, there was no one in there. Oh, the joys of a small town ER!!
The next morning, we started packing up (which is the worst part of camping). Thankfully, Dale was still feeling fine and was able to help with that part. I really was worried about how I was going to get all that STUFF home if he were in the hospital. Or that I would have to camp there until he got out of the hospital if they had to admit him. Justin got his first bee sting this morning and the nice man camping next to us offered to share some of his "tobacco" out of his mouth to put on it. Thankfully, the rubbing alcohol did the trick and we didn't need to take him up on his offer.
One of the best things about camping is the food-it always tastes better outside!!! But we tried some new recipes this time. We enjoyed scrambled cheese eggs and bacon, pancakes, steakumms, camp cornbread, sloppy joes, taco tents, corn on the cob, steamed vegetables, honey mustard chicken packets, and black forest chocolate cake. And of course, good ole S'mores and marshmallows.
We had a marvelous weekend. The weather was perfect with it sprinkling twice but not enough to wet anything. We had great fun spending time in God's country with good friends and family. Sorry this post has been so long, but you were warned... :)
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