Exploring in the Backyard

Hello fellow explorers.  Does anyone else get the feeling that you need to go to exotic places or you are not really exploring.  Often we are driven by the "need" to travel to the famous sites to capture the grandeur of nature.  It is almost a status of us full time travellers to stake our claim to Yellow Stone, the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls or you just aren't exploring.  I really wish that we were in the position to go to one of these premium locations, but my career is currently keeping me tied to Georgia at this time.

So we are keeping our focus on the local.  Indeed, there is much to see wherever you are.  Every location has its own unique history and narrative.  We want to uncover the beauty of the local.  While everyone is looking for greener pastures ... elsewhere.  Maybe, we can help them find those patches of green in their neighborhood.

In that spirit, we have begun exploring a place that is only 8 miles from our home base.  We nearly ignored it because it does not allow dogs.  The place: Sawnee Mountain Preserve. 

 
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What did we find?  Only a very easily accessible location to monitor and track the emergence of Autumn in the Blue Ridge/Appalachians without have to trek to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.  Now for some of the breathtaking views from this backyard gem.

 Here are some bright blue skies and a picturesque horizon.  Amazingly, 20 minutes later, we were scurrying down the mountain in a pop-up thunder and lightning storm.

 This picture, taken from the Indian Seats which are at the pinnacle of Sawnee Mountain, shows the view that the Cherokee and Creek had as a lookout and place of meditation.

Kat taking in the view

Kat and Kit catching a glimpse and braving the heights.

Kit does not fear heights, only falling

Here bear!

Kit examines a relic left from the Georgia Gold Rush, an abandoned mine.  Whew!!! No bears this time.

On our second trip, we managed to capture this couple enjoying the view.

From this vantage point, we will capture the change of seasons over the next few weeks. 

Until next time - Kit.