Our Family Trip to Blue Ridge, GA

Back in the summer, Justin and I decided to plan a trip up to Blue Ridge, Georgia in the fall.  Since schools were closed for the entire week of Thanksgiving, we thought that would be a good time for a visit to the mountains with the kids.  Neither of us had been to Blue Ridge and this was the first time the kids had been to the mountains.

We had a wonderful time and we all loved it!  We rented a great cabin about 10 minutes from Blue Ridge.  The kids were so excited to have bunk beds to sleep in, their own TV and game room with an air hockey table and we all enjoyed soaking in the hot tub.

We stayed in the Just Ask A Bear lodge from Saturday until Wednesday.  Since we were driving most of the day Saturday, we brought dinner with us to cook that night at the cabin (hamburgers)!  It worked out perfectly!

Our view from the cabin.

On our first day in Blue Ridge, we got up and went to breakfast at the Mercier Orchards.  There was a restaurant attached to the market so we did some shopping after we ate a delicious breakfast.  There were tons of varieties of apples, jams, pies, other fruits and vegetables, decorations, toys and a fresh baked bakery.  This place had the best blueberry muffin I have ever eaten as well as massive cinnamon rolls. 

After breakfast, we went exploring in Blue Ridge. 

It was freezing!

We did a little shopping but ended up going back to the cabin to enjoy the hot tub that afternoon since it was so cold!  We went back to Blue Ridge later that night for dinner at the Blue Jeans Pizza and Pasta Factory - another delicious meal!  We were surprised that so many restaurants were closed either Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays or some combination of those dates.  Next time we will do better to plan where to eat when because we missed out on a couple places.  But hey, just another excuse to go back!

On Monday, we enjoyed the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.  We bought our tickets a couple weeks before the trip to ensure we would be able to ride the train.  The kids loved the experience and I was surprised to learn it was a 13 mile trip that took about an hour because the train only traveled 10 miles per hour. 

The train conductor punching our train tickets!

The train travels along the Toccoa River (one of a few rivers that runs north) to the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee.  We we first got off the train, we started exploring instead of going straight to one of the few restaurants in the area.  If we go again, we will head straight to a restaurant and shop afterwards since the train only stays for two hours.  We enjoyed a decent lunch (not our first choice place) and walked around until it was time for the train to depart.

Standing at the Georgia Tennessee line.

 Views from the train.

Before we headed to the cabin, we stopped at a BBQ place on the way back to the cabin.  It was some of the best BBQ I've had! 

On Tuesday, we decided to take the kids hiking.  We went to Fall Branch Falls, which was a short 30 minute hike up to a waterfall.  The kids had a great time running up and down the trail and even exploring off the trail with daddy.

Photo credit goes to Kate!

We reached the waterfall!

After our hike, we spend another lazy afternoon at the cabin and enjoyed dinner out that evening at The Southern Charm restaurant since it was our last night in Blue Ridge.   Another amazing restaurant I hope we can go back to some day. We spent equal time getting out and exploring Blue Ridge as we did enjoying the cabin.  I think we all wanted to stay longer but we had to get back for Thanksgiving!

I hope we continue to take an annual family trip since this one was so much fun!

Saying Goodbye to Pa

On Friday, November 3rd Pa passed away in his sleep. He was 95 years old and lived a very long, blessed life.  I am so thankful I was able to have him in my life for as long as I did but I know he was ready to go.  We had wanted to make it down to visit him before he passed but that happened a week before our scheduled trip.  Looking back, I think it was a blessing in disguise so that we will only have fond memories of our time together.  He welcomed me into the family with open arms and always had the biggest hug and kiss on the check for me every time I saw him.  I will miss him so much and our future Naples trips will not be the same without a visit to Pa's.  

A few pictures of Pa over the years...

Christmas 2006

Meeting Kate - October 2009

December 2009 

 Meeting Mason.

February 2013

 I love this picture of the four generations of Evers men.  

July 2013

May 2014

December 2014

 Cheering Pa up while he was in rehab from a fall.

August 2015 

May 2016 

May 2017

This was our last visit together.  We love you Pa and will miss you!

Family Pictures 2017

This year we signed up with Amber Brogdon for a full family photo session at the Alford Greenway.  It was hot once again but that was to be expected in October.  I always get stressed out trying to put outfits together and despite all my hard work, we had a last minute outfit change for Justin and I.  As he was getting dressed, he noticed something pink had bled onto his shirt so he couldn't wear it.  I knew it would wash out but there wasn't enough time to rewash and dry the shirt.  The bright side is, I think I know what he and I are going to wear next year - ha!

I managed to switch our outfits and I think everything still turned out nicely.  It's always SO much work getting pictures taken but I always love having them!

 

While we were out there, I brought the kid's FSU outfits for a quick change.  I loved the FSU pictures Amber took a couple years ago and I wanted some updated ones! 

Go Noles!