Moto Mountain ATV Park - Fairmount, Georgia

Moto Mountain ATV Park is located near Fairmount in North Georgia. It's very convenient to Atlanta and Chattanooga, just about 20 minutes off Interstate 75 from Calhoun. It is also near some of our other favorite destinations like Fort Mountain State Park and Carters Lake. 

Check-in is at Motorcycle Bob's, a local icon situated on Highway 53 east of Fairmount. This little shop sells gas, rents motorcycles, ATVs, and helmets, serves food, and sells various other supplies and trinkets. The ladies behind the counter are very nice and eager to make your visit pleasant. Once you sign the release forms and pay-up, it's a short jaunt to Moto Mountain. As you enter the park, you will begin to see the many trails to your left. Pretty cool!
 

The area has obviously been logged, and I would assume many of the tracks are remnants of old logging trails. The large property is covered with snaking one-way trails that resemble motocross tracks in some places. There are mud bogs, jumps, and numerous play areas all for the powersports enthusiast. There are some places you may want to avoid with novice riders, but for the most part, the trails are in pretty good shape and not incredibly challenging. Don't get me wrong, when we first arrived for our visit, I was a little apprehensive about whether the kids could handle the mud and hill climbs, but they all came through wonderfully. It was actually a great learning experience for them. Additionally, all trails are one-way making riding much safer for everyone.

The environment itself is made for motorcycle and ATV lovers. There is a culture there that, if you are not familiar, could be a little scary at first. There is a lot of dirt and mud, and lots of machines running around, but it's all pretty safe. In fact, we camped at the back of the property near the Pee Wee Play Area and had a couple of nice long trails virtually to ourselves. Note: If you are a citified yuppy that doesn't like to get your fingernails dirty, STAY AWAY! 

The folks that run Moto Mountain are down to earth good-old southern country folk (and I mean that as a compliment) that bend over backward to make sure you visit is the best it can be. If you are camping, they'll come by and check on you, even dropping-off some firewood if you wish. Thanks guys! You made our visit to Moto Mountain feel safe and comfortable.

Moto Mountain is a purpose-made retreat that is designed for one thing: riding. Yes, there are other amenities they offer like a zip line, but off road riding is what it's all about. If that's what you seek, then you won't be disappointed. In summary., we can't wait to go back (but we'll need to save-up a little). We suggest a family plan.

For lots more pictures, a video, a review, and a journal entry about Moto Mountain, click here.

Twelve Days of a Dixie Christmas #8

A Countdown to our Favorite Christmas Destination The Christmas season is taken pretty seriously in the southeastern US, and the Richardson Tribe has a dozen suggested destinations to make your holidays more adventurous. Over the next 12 days, we will reveal each of our favorite RV camping and recreation spots until we reach our #1 Christmas Holiday Destination. Come back each day to see the places this southern family has grown to love. #8 - Helen, Alpine Village - Helen, Georgia Ok, I admit it's a bit crowded and touristy, but Helen has to be one of our favorite Dixie Christmas holiday destinations. The "ginger bread" architecture of the simu-German alpine village lends itself to the Christmas season. Enjoy Christmas music and bratwurst as you browse through dozens of nic-nac shops offering-up all sorts of candy, fudge, t-shirts, knives, and otherwise, pretty cool stuff. The Chattahoochee River flows through Helen, barely a creek at this point. In the summer season, visitors can "shoot the Hooch" in inner tubes and kayaks. Tubers can pull over and enjoy a brew and sandwich before proceeding downstream. The water is a little too cool this time of year for such activity, but you will still enjoy sitting by the river enjoying a hot beverage as the sun sets. Then the light show really begins. Everything in the village is outlined with lights, even the horse-drawn carriages. It's an awesome experience. On one particular visit to Helen last winter, the kids found a phone booth. They had never seen a phone booth, but soon discovered the cold hard fact about public phones, they seldom work. While visiting Helen, we like to camp, pan for gold, and collect rocks at Gold n Gem Grubbin' in Cleveland, Georgia. Helen is also very near Unicoi State Park, Vogel State Park, Blairsville, Dahlonega, and Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the great state of Georgia. So, there you have it. Our #8 Christmas destination is Helen, Georgia. Check- in tomorrow to see what our #7 favorite Christmas destination is.

Twelve Days of a Dixie Christmas - #12

A Countdown to our Favorite Christmas Destination The Christmas season is taken pretty seriously in the southeastern US, and the Richardson Tribe has a dozen suggested destinations to make your holidays more adventurous. Over the next 12 days, we will reveal each of our favorite RV camping and recreation spots until we reach our #1 Christmas Holiday Destination. Come back each day to see the places this southern family has grown to love. #12 - Parks at Chehaw: Albany, Georgia Albany Georgia may not register high on some lists as an ideal winter destination. They would be wrong. Chehaw is especially inviting this time of year. The air is cool and crisp, the campground is beautiful (virtually empty), the creatures in the wild animal park are in plain view sunning themselves, the native snakes are hibernating, and the seasonal Festival of Lights is pretty spectacular. It's hard to define our favorite feature of this destination. The Jim Fowler (Wild Kingdom) designed  Animal Park is most definitely one of the nicest we've ever visited. However, the kids would have to rank the playground as one of the best they've ever seen too. The bike riding is easy here because it's very flat. In fact, once you're here, you can ride bikes pretty much anywhere you'd want to go in the park. Albany is just a short drive from the Parks at Chehaw and features many entertainment and dining  opportunities. We especially enjoyed bowling at the local lanes and eating delicious seafood prepared locally at Blackbeard's. For details about the Parks at Chehaw, including dozens of pictures and an Adventure Journal entry, click here. So there you have it. the first of our Twelve Days of a Dixie Christmas starts in Albany, Georgia. Where from there? Tune in tomorrow to solve the mystery.

Outdoor Adventure Day at Sloppy Floyd State Park

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: September 2012 - More

Each September, James H (Sloppy) Floyd State Park hosts an incredible event called Outdoor Adventure day. We try to attend every year if possible. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate, but this year was perfect. We always camp when attending this event because the park is beautiful and Sloppy Floyd features one of our all-time favorite campgrounds. With just 25 sites, the campground isn't as large and crowded as some state parks, and the sites are level, spacious, and plush with native trees and shrubs. 

With all that said, perhaps the greatest bonus for the Richardson Tribe is the abundant supply of fossils and semi-precious gemstones scattered over the ground. Sloppy Floyd is a rockhounding paradise, and we are rockhounds. On this trip, we found mostly druzy quartz and fine lace agate, but we also found a geode or two.
 

We arrived at the campground on Friday evening, set-up the camper, and built a fire. The evening brought a slight chill, one of the first of the Fall season. Early in the evening, some other campers stopped by and told they used the PB&J Adventures website to plan their family camping trips. Their extended family was visiting the park for Adventure Day because they had learned of it on our website. Needless to say, that made my day.

The Adventure Day festivities began at 9am Saturday morning, and we were there bright and early, beating the crowds. The kids started with a virtual video hunting game, but I think one or two thought it was a little too realistic. Then it was archery. All the kids did great, but Lainey actually received applause after her round. She put five arrows in a perfect grouping, all within just a few inches of one another. Santa brought all the kids bows and arrows two years ago, and their practice has paid off.

From the archery arcade, we wandered to the opposite end of the lake where the rock climbing wall was located. Lee Thomas and John Micah opted to try their hand at fishing while Lainey and Heath conquered the wall. Then it was bb guns where all the kids did very well. Again, practice makes perfect. Soon it was lunchtime, and that meant free hot dogs and soft drinks for all. Heath thought they were the best hot dogs he'd ever tasted.

The afternoon was spent in much the same way. We rode the pedal boats and canoes and fished. I'm not sure how many times the rock wall was scaled or how many hot dogs were eaten, but a good time was had by all. When 2pm rolled around, we were ready for the snake show. Each year at Outdoor Adventure Day, Jason Clark from Southeastern Reptile Rescue provides an educational and entertaining reptile demonstration. He teaches what snakes are dangerous and how to recognize them at a safe distance. We all learned some great lessons about how snakes keep the rodent population under control, and how venom is being used to cure certain illnesses. We now know and respect snakes a lot more.

We spent the balance of the day enjoying the campground. Lee Thomas and I enjoyed a game of chess while the others made a movie with Lainey's new camera. The movies' main stars, made from marshmallows, were Marsha and Marshall Mallow. They went on a camping adventure that ended tragically with a fire. Perhaps we'll air it on YouTube after a little editing.

For lots more details and pictures of James H Sloppy Floyd State Park and Outdoor Adventure Day, click here.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

Home of the Great Locomotive Chase - Kennesaw, GA - More
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is a Smithsonian affiliate located just north of Atlanta in Kennesaw, Georgia. The significance of Kennesaw in Civil War history is notable on several fronts. Not only is Kennesaw the site of one of the most savage battles of the war between the states, and home of a massive National battlefield cemetery, it (Big Shanty Station) is also the beginning point for what would eventually become famously (or infamously, depending on loyalties) known as the Great Locomotive Chase. The key subject of the action-filled story is housed here at the Southern Museum. Let me explain...

On April 12, 1862, a small band of rough-cut northern spies led by a civilian northern scout (secret service?) by the name of James J. Andrews, boldly stole a train in plain sight of the southern army. Their objective was to push north to Chattanooga, cutting telegraph lines and destroying track and bridges along the way. Their ultimate goal was to cut off supply lines and communication between Atlanta and Southern Troops in Tennessee. Unfortunately for the spies, a single enthusiastic train conductor named William Allen Fuller would have nothing to do with his train being stolen by a bunch of Yankee spies. He set out on foot to chase his train, the General, until he got it back. Mr. Fuller's resolve proved to be more than "Andrew's Raiders" expected, and the train was captured near Ringgold, Georgia, remarkably near the spy's destination. Some of the northern spies were captured and some escaped to return home. The Union survivors were awarded the very first Congressional Medals of Honor.

In 1956, the Great Locomotive Chase adventure was made into a Disney film starring Fess Parker, an actor who later (1964) became the star of the popular TV series Daniel Boone. Rebecca and I were young children during that time period, and Fess Parker was a star to us. So, when I first saw The Great Locomotive Chase at camp at the ripe old age of 9, it was a immediate hit.

Ok, sorry about the tangent, but the point is, the steam engine named The General, the real star of "The Great Locomotive Chase," is here in all its glory. Yes, the original, 200-year-old locomotive is displayed here at the Southern Museum. Also, an abbreviated 20 minute film tells the Great Locomotive Chase story in the museum's theater, and the full length Disney DVD is available for purchase in the museum's gift shop.
 

Now, I don't want to neglect the rest of the museum because there is much more here. The Southern Museum features many displays portraying life of the soldiers of the Civil war, both northern and southern. Most displays are static: pictures, clothing, eating utensils, and weapons. Additionally, the museum has a series of displays portraying the manufacture of train engines by the Glover Machine Works during the time period. This is a really cool display showing the processes of engineering, machining, casting, and manufacturing.
 

For the children:
While much of the museum is targeted at adults, there is a portion of theSouthern Museum dedicated to children. There are displays of historical significance that encourage children to role play (dress-up). There is also a full-size model of an engine in which children can experience the thrill of piloting a train. Additionally, the museum is adjacent to a very nice playground, a sure cure for childish boredom.

In summary, the Southern Museum is a must-see for adventurous families. Much of the static portions of the museum are not the most exciting places for small kids, but there are plenty of distractions to help keep them occupied. We really recommend the purchase of Disney's Great Locomotive Chase DVD in the museum's gift shop. It's well worth it! 

While in the Kennesaw area, we suggest a short drive up to Cartersville to visit the Tellus Science Museum, the Booth Western Art Museum, and the Etowah Indian Mounds. If camping and recreation are what's on your mind, check out Red Top Mountain State Park and McKinney Campground on nearby Lake Allatoona.

Lake Sidney Lanier - A Labor Day Weekend Adventure

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: September 2012 - More

We were so excited to visit Lake Sidney Lanier on this Labor Day weekend. We'd heard about the LanierWorld water park, and it looked like the kind of place we could have some serious fun. We arrived at the lake on a Friday afternoon with just enough time to set-up the camper and take a walk around the campground. We chose Shoal Creek Campground for this visit because of its proximity to LanierWorld. We expected the campground to be pretty full. It was, after all, Labor Day weekend. Surprisingly, the campground was sparsely populated. In fact, our site hadn't been camped in for almost a month. Why? I guess it might have something to do with the lake's water level. We visited the campground's beach and boat ramp, both left high and dry by the receding waterline.
 
Saturday morning came with a few sprinkles, just enough to give us an excuse to sleep in a bit. Fortunately it soon cleared off and we emerged from our home away from home, ready for adventure. One of our first priorities was to investigate Lanier World. We decided to take the short drive over to the park to find out what the admission would be, and if there were any special package prices for Lanier Island Resort guests. We learned there is a discount  admission, and Shoal Creek campground is a part of the resort. Additionally, as a guest, the $15 per car fee to enter the resort is also waived. That benefit alone reduces the actual cost of staying at the campground considerably. We were favorably impressed with the resort's beautiful landscaping and maintenance. Very nice!
 
Our next objective was to get the boat in the water and explore the lake a bit. As I mentioned before, the Shoal Creek Campground boat ramp was closed, but another ramp was located just outside the campground's entrance. It was sufficient to put in, but the end of the dock was several feet from the edge of the water. This made for some muddy feet when loading the boat. The water seemed very clean, and traffic on the lake wasn't terribly bad. Some of the boats that were on the lake seemed to be rather erratic, so we tried to maintain our distance from most.

We explored the coastline for a while before heading to Sunset Cove, the location of LanierWorld. We thought we might be able to grab a spot at the dock, or maybe even park the boat right off the beach. When we pulled into the cove, it was very crowded. There were numerous large boats densely anchored with dozens of people on the boats and on floats drinking. There was a lot of partying going on, and it made us wonder if anyone was policing the activity. It seemed to be a very dangerous situation, and the rangers didn't appear concerned. We left immediately, opting for the land route to the water park.

When we finally made it to the park that evening, many of the boats in the cove had dispersed. We paid our admission, and proceeded to each of Lanier World's attractions. The first stop was a large inflatable obstacle course in the lagoon. From there, we visited each of the attractions (some were not open). The kids especially enjoyed the water slides and the wild river tube ride. As the sun set, we settled in at the wave pool to watch Jurassic Park. They call this a "dive-in movie," and it was really cool. The kids spent the entire movie watching from the pool. It was after 11pm by the time we headed back to the campground that night. What an awesome time we all had.

Sunday was spent at the campground exploring and looking for rocks.  When the water level is this low, it makes for good rockhounding. Lake Lanier is fed by the Chattahoochee river which flows from the gold-rich mountains around Dahlonega. That means lots of quartz of varying clarity and color. We found some pretty nice rocks, but we didn't pan for gold here because the Army Corps of Engineers frowns on such activity. We did have a fire-building contest though, and the kids collected dozens of shed cicada exoskeletons. Pretty much a typical day camping with the Richardson Tribe.

For more about Lake Lanier, LanierwWorld, and Shoal Creek Campground, including details and dozens of pictures, click here.

Fort Mountain - There's a Fungus among us.

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: August 2012We have visited Fort Mountain twice this month, so I guess I can make single journal entry for both weekends. Fort mountain's altitude is especially inviting this time of year because of the oppressive heat and humidity in the valleys. In the south, we call these the "Dog Days" of summer. Fort Mountain State Park is a great escape from Dog Days.

On each of the two weekends we visited Fort Mountain during the month of August, we took a stroll around the lake. The lake path at Fort Mountain State Park is always beautiful, but each visit offers something different to see, hear, and smell. There always seems to be new flowers blooming, or leaves changing, or, in the case of this past weekend, fungus! As we walked along the path this time, we were watching for deer (and bear), reading the informative plaques that identify many of the species of plant, and photographing the picturesque view of the lake. Then one of the kids noticed a colorful mushroom. Then another, and another. Soon, it was a mushroom quest. We saw dozens of sizes, shapes, and colors of the neat little fungi. It was an unexpected surprise that we talked about well into the evening. (see more fungi photos). Note: When visiting a park, please leave all wildlife and vegetation just as you found it so that others may also enjoy its beauty.

When we returned to the campground, we grilled a bunch of peppers (from our garden), tomatoes, garlic, and onions, then combined them into a wonderfully hot batch of salsa that complimented our evening meal of burritos and tacos. The kids really enjoy spicy food, but there were a lot of cold beverages consumed during that meal.

Fort Mountain State Park has a new naturalist, and we had the opportunity to meet him on the latter August visit. He is a retired high school teacher with a lot of energy and knowledge of the mountain and the immediate area. He hosted an evening by the campfire and supplied s'mores for anyone that attended. He has begun a series of weekend activities like knot-tying and orienteering, scavenger hunts, bear talks, and wagon rides. We are excited that Fort Mountain has funded a naturalist again. It's so important to offer fun and educational activities to the park's visitors, especially the younger generation. We still miss Ranger Ruby, Fort Mountain's previous naturalist.

We have mixed emotions about Fort Mountain now. On one hand, we are pleased to see the park is becoming more popular. On the other hand, it's getting more difficult to find a campsite. Both campgrounds were almost full during our recent visits. We met numerous first-time visitors to the park. I'm not sure if it's the economy, or the desire to get back to nature that is attracting these folks, but it's ok. There is plenty of nature to go around. If you're considering Fort Mountain State Park for the fall, you'd better get on the ball. The campgrounds will book-up quickly.

For more details and hundreds of pictures of Fort Mountain State Park (and the fungi within), click here.

Q - Why was the mushroom always invited to parties?
A - Because he was such a fungi!
 

Tanglewood Farm - Canton, Georgia

Miniature farm animals are so lovable! Tanglewood Farm is located less than and hour north of Atlanta near the town of Canton, Georgia. The two key attractions of this destination are the animals and the atmosphere. The proximity to Atlanta also makes this an easy afternoon trek for many fun seeking families. Admission is $10 to enter the park (as of May 2012) and if you love cute huggable farm animals, it's a fair price. Just inside the entrance of Tanglewood Farms is a nice little picnic area with shade trees, a fort with a tower, and a mechanical bull, all kid-size. Pony rides are also available in this area. It looks like an excellent place to have a birthday party. This is also the location of the first of a series of "green gates" that guide you through your miniature animal adventure maze. The first miniature animals you encounter are the Nigerian Dwarf  goats. The adults can be viewed, and the babies can be petted and held. From there, just follow the green gates. There are miniature Babydoll sheep, turkeys, calves, donkeys, bison, guineas, chickens, alpaca, lambs, rams, horses, and more. If you fall in love with an animal and want to take it home, just ask, it may be for sale. Their website has a whole section on which animals are available, but you'd better bring your checkbook. Miniature animals are usually pretty valuable. The buildings emulate a miniature version of an old wild west frontier town. Kids like it, and it's a perfect disguise for a bunch of old farm buildings and animal habitats. The facility really very clean considering the number of animals they have. We noticed no significant odor problems during our visit. In conclusion, Tanglewood Farms is a worthwhile destination that's pretty convenient. There are many other attractions in the area like Lake Allatoona where you can camp at Red Top Mountain State Park or McKinney campground. It's also just a short drive over to Amicalola Falls State Park, and the goldmining town of Dahlonega where you can pan for gold at Consolidated Goldmine. If panning for gold is what you like, check out Gold n Gem Grubbin' over in Cleveland. Of course, if you go to Cleveland, you might as well visit the alpine village ofHelen. The options are endless Note: When we paid our admission, we had to sign a liability waiver. I can certainly understand this considering the occasional unpredictability of animals. Farm animals are typically pretty docile, but accidents sometimes happen. Watch smaller children, especially around the larger animals. An alpaca kicked John Micah (no damage), and a sheep with horns butted me three times trying to get my attention (I had a pail with bread in it). I suggest leaving the bucket outside the habitat areas.

Rocky Mountain Recreation Area - Armuchee Georgia

Peace, quiet, fishing.  -  More

Rocky Mountain Recreation Area is located off the beaten path in Northwest Georgia near Armuchee (pronounced ar-mer-chee). The 5,000 acre park is the product of a partnership between Oglethorpe Power and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Rocky Mountain Recreation Area is a wonderful local resource that is almost free ($5 parking fee) for the public to use. There are two lakes, a beach, a playground, and a beautiful campground with water and electricity.

The campground is filled with tall hardwoods and pines that go right down to the edge of the water. As can be expected lakeside camping sites are not very level (typical for lakeside campsites), but they are large and shady. Non-lakeside campsites seem much more level. One of the best things about Rocky Mountain Recreation Area is the ability to pull your fishing boat (or canoe or kayak) right up to you campsite. You have to make sure to secure your watercraft though because water levels fluctuate based on electricity demand. Water is pumped into a reservoir on top of the mountain during low-demand times, then released to generate electricity as the demand increases. It's like a battery.

The fresh lake water provides more than just electricity, it's also a cool refuge from the heat of the day. The beach is big and sandy, and the water is cool and refreshing. The park's beach is pretty popular with the locals, so it can be just a little crowded on holidays and weekends. Fishing is another way to enjoy the lake, and fishing is great here. Antioch lake is known for largemouth bass and sunfish, but there are plenty more species than that in the lake. Rocky Mountain Recreation area's second body of water is Heath Lake. Heath Lake is open the first ten days of each month.

 
Rocky Mountain Recreation Area is a great place to get away and relax. All activities here lend themselves to peace and quiet. If you want some additional adventure, the park is planted in one of the best areas for adventure. It's near Rome, Taylors Ridge, James H Floyd State Park, Ridge Ferry Park, the Chieftains' Museum, Cave Spring, Cedar Creek Park, Rome Braves Baseball, the Heritage Park Bike Path, and so much more. This is one of our all-time favorite areas in north Georgia.

Click here for pictures and details about Rocky Mountain Recreation Area.

Rock Town/Pigeon Mountain - LaFayette, Georgia

So far off the beaten path, it's not even on the map. 
Rock Town is located in the Crockford/Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area near LaFayette (pronounced luh-fay-ett) in northeast Georgia. Rock Town should not to be confused with nearby "Rock City," a popular tourist attraction near Chattanooga. Nope, Rock Town is just about as non-tourist as you can get, unless you are a rock climbing or spelunking enthusiast. Rock Town is off the beaten path, but it's well worth the extra effort.

The attraction to Rock Town varies based on the visitor. We love Rock Town because of the scenery, the hike, and small (safe) amounts of climbing. For many others, the towering formations present a free-face rock-climbing challenge. Don't worry, there are plenty of relatively easy and safe climbs, but be careful up on the enormous blocks of stone, especially with small children. Additionally, be smart about where you put your feet and fingers. There are snakes up on Pigeon Mountain. To me, that's one very good reason to go in cold weather when snakes are hibernating.

In order to enjoy Rock Town's beauty, you have to take a little hike. At two miles (round trip), it's not a long hard walk, but it can take a bit longer than you might expect. Various diversions such as scenic mountain views, local wildlife, and enormous rock formations tend to slow the progress in both directions. Don't worry, just make sure to reserve enough daylight to make it back to the parking lot at the trail head.

On a side note, Pigeon Mountain has a secret it keeps hidden deep within, literally. It's a secret that draws people from all over the globe. Like most limestone ridges in this region, Pigeon Mountain is riddled with caves. Pettyjohn's cave provides almost 7 miles of mapped caving. The entrance is located just up the old dirt road from the DNR check-in station at the base of the mountain. Ellison's Cave, also located on/in Pigeon Mountain, features the almost 12 miles of passages and two of the deepest vertical drops in North America.

If you plan to visit Rock Town, go with someone and be very careful. It's very rugged country up there. Stick to the trails and you'll be just fine. Take a walking stick and good walking shoes. Dress appropriately and by all means, HAVE FUN!

Don't Winterize, UTILIZE!

Why you should use your RV during the "off season"

When we purchased our first motorhome, we knew very little about RVing and the culture that surrounds it. We certainly didn't realize that, even in the southern US, most people park their RV for the winter season and deprive themselves the joys of year-round camping. We were also confused as to why many campgrounds are often partially closed or completely shut-down for the winter season. After all, it's not uncommon for 50-70 degree days in the dead of winter where we live. We have since learned some of the reasons winter is bad for camping, but we choose to ignore any obstacle that can be easily overcome. Why so eager to camp in the winter? Well let's see...

There are many ways to justify keeping the RV on the road year-round. For instance, in winter, campgrounds are much less crowded, so it's a lot easier to get a prime spot. Winter days and nights in most national and state parks are incredibly quiet and peaceful. Have you ever laid in a camper listening to the snow fall? One of our favorite benefits of cold weather camping is the fact that snakes and bears are hibernating. Granted, the colors tend to be grayish, but there are still many beautiful sites in the winter. Frozen waterfalls, frosty leaves, massive pipe organ icicles, bright sunny days, and crystal clear night skies. Views in the mountains are exceptional because the leaves have already fallen. Winter activities like snow skiing and tubing can also be enjoyed while camping. Homer II (our motorhome) was our home during our recent Cataloochee ski trip in Maggie Valley, December 2011

I will be the first to admit there are also inconveniences of winter camping. We learned early-on that RVs aren't typically designed for temperatures far below freezing. The windows are usually single pane (non-insulated), and not well sealed around the edges. In really cold weather, water supply lines can freeze causing the  inconvenience of waking-up with no water as well as possible damage. Other negatives of winter camping are shorter days (later starts, earlier endings), condensation, tons of winter clothes, coats, and boots to pack, and the fact that sometimes your favorite campground is closed (call ahead about off-season closures and available amenities such as water, laundry, and a heated bath house). 

The weather can't be controlled, but most cold-weather camping issues can be resolved with a little common sense. For instance, techniques used to winter-proof a home also apply to an RV. We use plastic sheeting over the windows at the head of our master bed to help seal out the cold air. A heated cord wrapped the water supply hose and spigot helps prevent the loss of water and busted hardware. A small, safely placed space-heater can help conserve LP gas and maintain a more constant temperature in the camper. Many other simple practices can make camping in the cold more enjoyable, including making good decisions about the clothes you wear. Everyone in our family owns a trapper hat, one of the best inventions since fire.

Can't stand the cold? Head south. Florida is a great way to escape the cold of winter. Last year we spent our Christmas-Break camping and canoeing with the manatee in the warm waters of Salt Springs. It was a nice break from the cold winter days of north Georgia. Sometimes that doesn't work though. We once headed south to Albany, Georgia for warmer weather, and it snowed on us (see first picture to the upper right).

To make a long story short, no one told us we weren't supposed to camp in the winter. We just did, and we happened to like it. Don't let anyone tell you camping in the winter is too much hassle. It's different, yes, but if you prepare, winter camping can be very rewarding.

Helen - A Rustic Alpine Mountain Village in Georgia (No, really!)

Adventure Journal - Entry Date: November 2011 (More)
On this particular trip to Helen, we were camping at Vogel State Park. Being Thanksgiving weekend, we  knew there would be a lot of Christmas lights and decorations in the streets. Additionally, Unicoi State Park was having their "Festival of Trees" this weekend. We'd hoped to see both, but time would not allow.

We pulled into Helen mid-afternoon, and the Sun was already low in the sky. We made our way down the crowded sidewalks, and visited several shops. The candy shops and toy stores were the most popular with the kids, and there are plenty. There was a street side musician playing a violin, and I sat and listened to that for a while. He was incredible. People were lined up to ride in the holiday adorned horse drawn carriages. Toward one end of the downtown area, a bridge crosses the Chattahoochee River. Here is where the kids had the most fun. They even caught a crawdad (crayfish) the size of a small lobster.

After visiting a few more shops, we settled into an outdoor café area where a musician performed various classic rock tunes with his band in a box and a guitar. As the sun set, the thousands of Christmas lights began to glow and blink. It was a beautiful sight, but the view (and ability to photograph) was hampered by the constant flow of traffic through town. We considered having our evening meal and Helen, but the crowd made that prospect unappealing. We decided to head back to Vogel and an evening by the campfire.

The appeal of Helen varies in our family. Rebecca loves it, and the kids seem to like it as well. Me? I'd have rather spent the day at Vogel. But that's just me. For lots more pictures of Helen, plus details of places to go and things to do near Helen, click here.

Nearby destinations include Vogel State Park, Unicoi State Park, Gold n Gem Grubbin', Blairsville, Brasstown Bald, Enota Mountain Retreat, Hiawassee, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls State Park, Tallulah Gorge State Park, and much more.

 

Vogel State Park - Blairsville, Georgia

One of Georgia's Oldest and Most Popular State Parks
Vogel State Park is located near Blairsville in the north Georgia mountains. As one of the first state parks in Georgia, Vogel was constructed primarily by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. Vogel is also one of the most popular state parks in Georgia, so reserving a campsite there is sometimes difficult. The park features a beautiful lake with a sandy beach and pedal boats, two playgrounds, miniature golf, a CCC museum (call the park for museum hours), and a very nice camp store and gift shop. Regarding the park's campground, Vogel upholds Georgia's high standards by providing large RV sites with water and electric hookups (sorry, no sewer).

The park has plenty of hiking, biking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. A small creek runs through the campground providing a nice soundtrack for family adventure. If you take bikes, be aware that the ride from the campground is a breeze, but the ride back is all uphill. Vogel is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, so wildlife abounds. Be aware of black bears. They're very common.

Being just minutes from Blairsville is very convenient, especially considering the numerous events and festivals that take place in the small mountain town. Other local attractions include the Appalachian Trail, Brasstown bald (the highest point in Georgia), Helton Falls, Track Rock Gap, Helen (alpine village), Unicoi State Park, Cleveland (Gold and Gem Grubbing), Hiawassee, Blue Ridge, Franklin North Carolina (ruby mining), and much more.

For detailed Adventure journal entries and dozens of pictures of Vogel State Park, click here.