Unfortunately we happened to pick a cloudy day to go to
Brasstown Bald, the highest point In Georgia. The mountain elevation is 4784 feet above sea level. The term bald refers to a mountain which has an unobstructed view in all directions as is the case for Brasstown Bald.
At the observation tower this little bird sang and sang to us. I looked around and noticed several young folks texting away on their phones. I wondered why someone would visit such a beautiful place of natural beauty and spend their time on the phone.
Four states can be seen from the observation deck including Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
We'll have to go back when it's a clear and sunny day. Temperatures never reach above 84 F on the mountain top. The lowest recorded temperature was minus 27 F.
On a clear day in late summer the tall buildings of Atlanta can be seen from the summit.
That's the parking lot below. A shuttle or a paved walking trail can be used to get from from the parking lot up to the top of the mountain. We took the shuttle up and walked down the trail. The trail is only a little over a half a mild and very steep. About half way down I was wishing I had taken the shuttle. Sometimes I think walking down hill is harder than going up hill.
The top of the observation tower is a fire lookout.
This rock wall is the base of the visitor center and museum.
Two bears are the centerpiece of the museum.
Normally I hate to see stuffed animals but I guess that's how folks are educated.
Native American exhibit in museum. The Cherokee had a village in the Brasstown area
The
rhododendrons were in full bloom.
This tree had a hole in the trunk, I was hesitant to get too close, who knows what lurked inside.
On the trail down to the parking lot there were lots of ferns.
I spied what I thought was a clump of mushrooms. On closer inspection I saw they were tiny white flowers with white stems. Do you know what they might be?
UPDATE: Suzi correctly identified these as
Indian Pipes, see link for more info on this strange plant without chlorophyll. This one was not opened up but the link show what they look like after opening.
The forest was dense and trees were gnarled from the weather they get on the mountain top.
Here's a native pink rhododendron.
It was windy on top of the mountain as you can see from the flag flying. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
It looks like you had a good visit even though the weather didn't cooperate!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers look like Indian Pipes. They're very common up here. We call them a flower but I seem to recall that they are a fungus. We see them a lot during humid weather or after summer rain.
Good morning to you Linda...I agree, going down a steep path uses muscles that we just don't engage every day. Lovely pics, and at least you could see a few peaks over. You better go back on a sunny day, 'cause I want to see more!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, oh I'll have to
ReplyDeletelook that up no wonder I couldn't find anything on them.
Hi Barb, thanks, I'll definitely go back but will take the shuttle both ways. I seem to have pulled a muscle in my groin and my shins are aching. Ha.
I haven't been there for a few years. Thanks for taking me back. You really should go on a sunny day, the view is even more breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteInteresting visit.
ReplyDeleteYou might take us back another day, but this trip was quite satisfactory. I completely agree with the texting business; my granddaughter is being tested at this moment to see if I need to block her boyfriend's number, as she believes it's OK to work for wages and spend time texting her boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, it's really close to our house so we'll definitely go back; we went early and avoided the crowds.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, high places are inspiring.
Hi Joanne, thanks, we went to lunch after and a girl in line to order a sandwich was texting all the way in line and between ordering and getting her drink, way too much time on the computers and phones that's for sure. Heaven help all of them if the satellite goes down.
What a glorious outing you took us on - clouds or not.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, it was very enjoyable but my legs were worn out the next day. Ha. And I learned about Indian Pipes, strange little plant it was.
ReplyDelete