Fall Break

I finally have some time to catch up a bit and post our Fall Break activities - since it's been over a week.

Tallulah Falls, GA

The kids got a 5 day fall break holiday, starting on Thursday and ending with Columbus Day. After doing a catch-up day on Thursday, Friday we packed a picnic and headed up to Tallulah Falls, GA and went to the gorge. It was overcast and drizzly, but the rain stopped by the time we got there and we even had the sun peek out a few times.The gorge has a series of waterfalls going down it. Waterfalls are a favorite of mine. It was beautiful. They have a path that goes along both sides of the gorge. You can cross the gorge at the dam or by taking the stairs down into the gorge that takes you to the suspension bridge. There are over 1000 stairs total (we went down to the bottom of the gorge). Looking at the website, I thought the "stairs" were step rock or logs and wasn't planning on taking the kids down by myself. The website said "please do not leave children unattended." But, when we got there and saw that they were nicely build wood and steel steps, we took the stairs. The kids thought it was scary going down. The steps are grated, not solid, and they didn't like looking down to the ground below the step. Logan didn't go too far before he wanted to be carried. I didn't go too far with carrying him on my hip before I moved him to my shoulders - much better for me, much scarier for him. By the time we got to the bridge he still was unsure about the whole thing.

Natalie's legs were shaking - not from the rigorous decent. But she and Jake managed a look over the side.

This is the view straight down from the bridge.
The bridge did get to swaying a bit as we crossed it and the kids were grateful to get to the other side. (Alyssa was ok with it.)

Once on the other side, we took the rest of the stair down to the bottom of the gorge and had someone take this picture of us at the bottom of the falls that drop under the bridge. Logan was still not sure about the whole thing.

When we got back up to the bridge I said we could go up the stairs to the other side and walk the path on that side, then we could either come down the stairs again and go back across on the bridge, or we could stay on the other side and go back across the dam.
They opted for the dam.
Our ulterior motive for heading a bit farther north was to see some fall foliage (we don't have much color in Watkinsville yet). We got to see some!

The picture below shows the gorge through the tree.

And some pretty flowers.

Here are some pictures of the different falls down the gorge.

The one below is looking up the gorge from the start of the stairs to the bridge.

Jake loved watching the water at the dam - and took this picture. All the kids were amazed at how powerful water can be as they watched it crash into the sides of the gorge and over the rocks.

Once we were done walking around we went into the visitor's center and looked around the history room of the area. It was a booming town during the building of the dam - and even had a railroad station. Jake and Logan loved looking at the models of the town and trains and the exhibit about hydroelectric power.

Everyone had a wonderful day - we missed not having Robert with us (his Fall Break is at the end of the month).

Mayfield Dairy

Monday we planned on going to a covered bridge that is close to us, but it was raining all morning, with no signs of letting up. So, we had an early lunch and headed out to Mayfield Dairy. I've always wanted to check out the tour (I love going on tours) and getting ice cream (can't pass up the chance for ice cream).
The tour was short, but all the kids thought it was really cool! We had to wear hair nets which Logan was not pleased about, but he kept it on. Alyssa now thinks I should by nothing but Mayfield - now that's a good tour!
After the tour we looked around their shop and got ice cream. Logan opted for the chocolate milk. Even though it was chilly and rainy out, the kids wanted eat their ice cream outside and take pictures . . .

by the dairy wagon (the original and other plant is in Athens, Tenn.) . . .

and the cow.

Jake liked the fall decorations they had, especially the big corn on the cob made of milk jugs.

We enjoyed our day and had fun during our Fall Break. It was hard waking up early the next day for school, for all of us! Five days off spoiled us. When are we off for Thanksgiving?

p.s. keep scrolling down for two other posts I did recently - if you haven't seen them.