Mount Oglethorpe, the southernmost peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is located in Pickens County, and was the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail from when the trail was completed in 1937 until 1958. In 1958, as a result of over development around Mount Oglethorpe, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail was moved to Springer Mountain. Mount Oglethorpe is considered by some to be a more dramatic mountain than Springer Mountain, but the construction of a gravel logging road on the mountain and the development of a number of pungent chicken farms along the route, contributed to the move.
Jasper, Georgia is also the hometown for my friend, Margo. Margo and I met when we were in high school on a 4-H trip to Washington, DC. She remembers the group from Maine and the group from Georgia became fast friends because no one else could understand our accents. She and I have exchanged post cards, letters and the very important Christmas Cards since first meeting. The last we remember meeting each other was about 15 years ago, and being so close, we decided on a visit. What better time than now.What a great time we had!! From the minute I arrived to the second I left there was an activity planned. Margo's has a 24 year old son with Fragile X syndrome and he attends the Burnt Mountain Center. BMC offers a comprehensive continuum of services offered in the least restrictive appropriate environment. It is a viable part of the Community and offers services to a variety of Clients who are physically, mentally or socio-economically challenged. Along with these services, there is also entertainment.
Margo and Ryan invited me to the Lion's Club dinner followed with a hayride. After a fun hay ride we visited the goats, chickens and rooster, and a few people purchased green pumpkins. Yes, in this part of Georgia they harvest green pumpkins claiming they turn orange after awhile. In Maine, where I grew up, we harvest orange pumpkins!
Thursday afternoon we decorated the gym where Ryan's center had their Halloween party Friday night. He went as The Bachelor, and gave the red rose to his sweetie. He gave it to me a couple of times, but kept telling me "there just might be someone else!" Story of my life!!During my visit I was treated to Southern Cooking. Hushpuppies are delicious, especially when jalapenos are added to the batter, and the catfish at Last Catch restaurant was delicious!
Since I was in North Georgia, I wanted to visit Tate, Georgia and see the pink marble house. Margo drove me to where the main quarries of the Georgia Marble Company are located, the second largest stone company in North America. These quarries are internationally known for their marble quality, and have supplied the marble used to build the New York stock Exchange annex, the statue in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C., the National Air and Space Museum, the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art, The Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, and the Buckingham Foundation in Chicago.
Thank you Margo and Ryan, I had a great time!!
Sandy
