Unicoi State Park - Helen, GA

Even with a passing boards score, I'm required to wait for my official PT license before practicing. With Britton having time off and me being temporarily not included in the work force, we decided that a 3 day weekend in the mountains was in order.

Then we heard the weather forecast: the coldest 2-3 days of the year in the southeast would be this weekend. The weather in the Appalacian foothills would stay in the 20s and 30s. Fearless (ha!) and wanting a vacation that did not include board review books, we headed for the Unicoi State Park, just north of Helen, Ga. Situated in the mountains of north Georgia, the park was the perfect place for us to do the various nature trekking that we enjoy without giving up certain luxuries like heat and hot water at the lodge.

On Friday we hiked about six miles and then headed into Helen for dinner and a quick walk around the frozen city. Thank goodness the fudge shop was still open, it made the cold walk more bearable.

On Saturday, we hiked 5 miles including over 1000 vertical feet to enjoy a view of the Anna Ruby Falls. Two rivers descend into falls side by side making the Anna Ruby falls very unique. Then we turned around to hike 5 miles back, making sure to return before sun down. That evening, it started to snow and the ground was quickly covered in a light layer of snow, we welcomed the added romance.

Sunday morning we got up and decided that we really should go mountain biking since we did take the trouble to bring the bikes. We tried out a moderate hiking trail covered in leaves and wet snow from the morning's rain. It was challenging and fun; the initial cold was quickly replaced by intense heat as we worked our way up the mountains.

I'm still a warm-weather-loving Florida girl at heart, but this was a really wonderful winter weekend!