Georgia

Confused? 

Where I am staying is less than 5 miles from the Georgia border , so I will be venturing out into both states during this 2 week stay.

Yesterday I went into Seneca, SC to pick up a few things and get a mani/pedi and a haircut (the worst haircut I have ever had).  I was going to eat at this grill that received good reviews, and the parking lot was pretty full, which I always take as a good sign .... but when I stepped in the door the smell of old grease was so strong, I turned around and came home.

I woke up today to rain and thunder and lightning.  I know the rain was needed; I hope it helps with the terrible fires in Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains .... but, being from California, I know sometimes the rain can cause more problems so I will be holding good thoughts for all.  It is an anxious feeling, watching the video coverage of the streets I was driving down just a couple of days before...

The rain let up for a couple of hours in the afternoon, so I took off.  As I mentioned, I am only here 2 weeks and I have the ever- present list .... ha.

My first stop took me 30 miles out of my way - thank you directions - but no drive is ever a waste of time if you have the time.

Cornelia's Big Red Apple was built in 1925 as homage to the apple and apple growers of the county. The statue weights over 5000 pounds and stands almost 14 feet tall.

I had the roads pretty much to myself for the first part of my trip, which was nice.  There seemed to be a lot of Highway Patrol out though.  The trees along Highway 17, Veterans Memorial Highway, were still pretty, but as I looked at them, remembering the fires, they took on a whole new dimension of being dried leaves.  A shame.

The next stop wasn't worth the drive, but here it is ..

Outside Lula is a huge 15-foot orange and white rocking chair that was originally built for photo opportunities after school kids had visited Goldbrook Pumpkin Farm. Now folks from all over visit and snap photos of the giant rocking chair.

I originally added the Cabbage Patch hospital to my list because of memories I had of the year they were so popular, but it turned out to be a fun experience.  I arrived just as they were having a "birthing" and it was really fun ... the LVN took us through the process - like it was a human baby - but with play on words that are actually associated with a birth.  We even got to name the baby and pick the sex, and then see him in the nursery.  The rest of the "hospital" was a huge store.

LVN assisting in the birth

Voted as one of Travel Channel's Top Ten Toyland's, the Baby Land General Hospital sits on 650 acres, offers free admission and is filled with Cabbage Patch Kids

My last stop before the rains came back ....

The Gourd Museum is a free permanent exhibit of more than 200 gourds from many different countries from around the globe. See contemporary and even ancient gourds

The rest of the list for today included hikes and waterfalls, so with the rain, I tabled it for another day and headed home.

Thursday's excursion has both Georgia and South Carolina stops, so don't get confused.  ha.