The Day in the Canyon

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Back in February I kept a tally of the number of state parks, Chuy’s, and Sonny’s BBQ restaurants I visited. At the moment on this particular jaunt, the score is state parks 2, Chuy’s 2, Sonny’s 1. While at the Cloudland Canyon State Park, which is in northwest Georgia near where Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama meet, I bought an annual pass. That way I can have lots of fun in Georgia all the way until next May!! (The admission to state parks varies by state. Kentucky and Tennessee are free; while Florida has a fee but also gives disabled veterans a free lifetime pass. Indiana has no discount for anyone other than Indiana residents. The Georgia pass, with a 50% discount for being a senior citizen, was $25, so in four more state parks it’s paid for itself.) If you look at the canyon photo (lower right) you’ll see it looks nothing like that real famous one out in Arizona. It’s a”thing” about the eastern states: our mountains are much, much shorter than the western US mountains; however, we have lush vegetation on them. And that lush vegetation gives you lovely scenery! The “tall” photo (left) is Hemlock Falls, cascading down the side of the canyon on the side opposite of where I was. Since it was so easily visible I didn’t have to brave a two-mile, 800 step climb/descent to see it up close. I’m sure as the summer gets warmer the trees might hide that waterfall, especially if it gets smaller in the dryer season. I spent my time at the previously-discussed Cherokee Falls. The photo (top right) shows a dragonfly on a rock with Cherokee Falls in the background. That wasn’t my only “wildlife” today: I spotted a raccoon trying to do what raccoons do best (pilfer garbage). As I said, the pass pays for itself in five visits; however, the beauty of this park more than paid for everything. PHOTOS: Hemlock Falls on the western side of the canyon Dragonfly posing on a rock with Cherokee Falls in the background A shot of the canyon walls from the overlook