A Family Trip to the North Georgia Mountains
Friday, June 16, 2016
My friend Gigi McInnis arranged for us to stay at the Mountain Lakes Resort just outside Helen, GA. She’s a longtime member there & knew this would be a fun adventure as Perry & I continue to test & grow in our Glamping experiences. So, with Wilbur in tow, we hit the road to this most fabulous resort! After a stop to pick up Lily at Summer Camp we were on our way. It would have helped if I had loaded the correct address in GPS to begin with (we would have avoided driving through downtown Helen) but we got to the resort in short order anyway. And Lily got to see Helen as we slowly drove through to which she has declared was the coolest place ever. We will return soon, I’m sure, so she can see it more closely than through a car window.
We found our campsite & got set up & immediately decided we HAD to rent a golf cart because it is crazy hilly & HUGE! The good people at the office got us set up with the people at the General Store & we drove off in BooBoo (the name of the golf cart – they really do name the golf carts). Robby & Lisa got to the resort later that evening & set up in a tent site overlooking the BEAUTIFUL lake & not far from where we had set up Wilbur. We had Cajin Mustard Chicken on the grill along with veggies & more. YUMMMM! Nothing tastes as good as camp food! Robby, Lisa & Lily returned to their campsite soon after for an early night of shut eye.
Lisa told me the next morning she had to get up to walk their dog Bella & make a trip to the restroom using only her cellphone flashlight. I thought it best to tell her bears are frequently seen in the camp so she could maybe take a few more precautions the next night. YIKES!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Saturday morning ushered in the most fabulous weather – clear skies & cooler temps. Lily & Robby spent a little time casting their lines into the stunning lake just down the hill. They didn’t catch anything but had the best father / daughter time together.
After breakfast we all climbed aboard BooBoo & drove to the docks by the front gate. We wanted to use the paddle boats which are included in the visitor package (as are various other boats & a huge list of amenities). First in the boat was ME & I was nearly the first in the water, too. I flopped in that little boat & nearly fell out the other side. Lord! We used two paddle boats & rode around for just a little bit. We took pictures of a turtle sitting on a rock & had some geese chase us – I guess we got too close to the babies. When we returned to the dock it was equally embarrassing (& probably comical to anyone watching) as I got out. I’m not a boater! Lily jumped into Robby & Lisa’s boat & went around the lake a little more as Perry & I attempted to regain our composure on shore.
Next up was a tour of the clubhouse to check out the offerings – table games (pool & such), an indoor & an outdoor pool, a hot tub, sauna, weight room & more are all available. Amazing! We then drove to the horse stables where Lily was able to ride around on the beautiful pony named Lolypop. The abundance of GORGEOUS horses ready for riders is astonishing. And the staff is awesome. They offer trail rides daily. FUN!
We drove around some to see even more of the amazing resort & then stopped for lunch at the little restaurant on sight. It’s located by the country store, another outside pool, a waterslide & a put-put golf course. We returned to camp & everyone took a much need nap. Although Lily declared she wasn’t tired, she fell asleep in 5 minutes & slept longer than anyone else.
Later, Perry & Robby drove into Cleveland for a few supplies & Lisa took Lily over to the waterslide. The girl loves water! I stayed in camp to get dinner started. When everyone got back we did showers & had another grilled meal of Parmesan Chicken, grilled squash & salad.
Then we walked over to the lake & roasted marshmallows & made Smores. Lily LOVED that – especially making fire bombs (just burning the marshmallows on the ends of the sticks until they fell in the fire). Robby went back to his tent & got their fishing poles & he & Lily fished some more. No fish, but a great time.
Lily came back to Wilbur & spent the night. Her little voice telling me her favorite part of spending the night with us is when she & I talk in the bed after the lights are out – about whatever we are thinking. THAT is very special to me.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Sunday morning started out fine with me making scrambled eggs on the stove in my new (used) cast iron fry pan. That is, until the glass on my cooktop shattered AGAIN. It happened before, soon after we got the camper & was replaced at no charge by the dealership. But I think I’ll forgo them replacing it again even though it is most likely under warranty. I will order a metal cover this time. GRRR! Glass got in the scrambled eggs so we headed over to the resort restaurant & had a great breakfast there.
Robby & family packed & left for home mid morning & we cleaned up the mess from the shattered stovetop.
At about 2, my dear friend of MANY years (nearly 40?), Debbie, & her husband Dave came to visit. Debbie’s birthday was just a few days before so she had to put on a party hat & all of us wore leis & we toasted her birthday as well as Father’s Day! We toured the entire resort again & then returned to our campsite for some grilling. Steaks, salad & a fabulous summer squash casserole Debbie made which was delicious. Fun conversation & lots of laughter made the day the best ever.
After Debbie & Dave left for home, Perry & I did the “non-camping thing” – sitting on the couch watching a little TV. Wilbur is COMFORTABLE & is perfect for glamping. When dark was complete, the neighboring campers quit playing cornhole & went to bed. It really wasn’t an irritation, just a bit amazing that they did it as consistently throughout the day. Whatever floats your boat!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Morning arrived with even more sunshine & great temperatures for packing up. After a bit of breakfast (toast with my friend Alana’s apple butter was delish), we started the clean-up & getting Wilbur ready for his ride home. Suddenly, I heard a woman’s voice telling Perry on the other side of the truck that she thought she recognized me. Sure enough, it was Stacy Reed! I have known this incredible woman for YEARS & did not realize she was at a campsite within yards of us the entire weekend! We talked & laughed with her & Scott (her husband) for awhile & promised to check with one another in case we end up at the same campground again. I don’t usually post on FB where & when we are heading out for safety reasons & neither does Stacy. We will have to send PM’s about that stuff – we’d love to visit again when we have more time together.
The trip home was smooth & Wilbur pulled behind the truck with ease. Getting the trailer back in the fence is getting easier each time. Now to clean it up & replenish some things & get it ready to go on the spur of the moment for the next adventure! Not all who wander are lost!
