Snow Memories Blizzard 2010

Friday Night Adventure

Brasstown Bald

4,784 feet above sea level is the highest point in Georgia called Brasstown Bald. The climate here is more akin to Massachusette's climate than Georgia's. The highest recorded temperature year round is 84-degrees. The lowest temp recorded is -27-degrees.

From the peak you can see mountain peaks from 4 different states.

Tweet Tweet Ms Anna

Anna looks out the life size bird house at the fairie houses of Sleepy Hollow.

The Hobbit Hole

Front Porch Sittin

The kids explore the fairie houses of Sleepy Hollow. Note the attention to detail on these handcrafted houses. This is on Highway 76 just south of Hiawassee.

Fairie Houses of Sleepy Hollow

Among the places we visited while in Hiawassee was "the fairie houses of Sleepy Hollow." Here Aaron and I sit outside the porch of one hobbit hole. It looks just like one of the housese from Tolkien's writings.

Hiawasee Travel Log

Yesterday we spent the most of the day touring some of the north Georgia mountains. Beginning at the Lollipop Store in Hiawassee, the kids loaded up on candy of all sorts.

We left the Lollipop Store for a place that creates fantasy fairy houses. I was with the girls, ok? While it sounds "chick-ish," the houses were quite interesting. The craftmanship was impeccable. I'll post some pics a little later.

We left the fairy houses and went to a place called "Pappy's Riverwalk." Lots of shops and mountain nick nacks. Anna even had an opportunity to feed the gigantic carp from the deck overlooking a mountain stream. These fish were gi-normous. We speculated that none of them could live in the wild anymore since they were so used to being fed from the deck.

We went to a restaurant there at Pappy's. I ordered a BBQ sandwich. Expecting authentic BBQ, I got something that was straight out of the can. Aaron (we call him Mr. $10.99) ordered the most expensive 10-piece wing dinner he could find with hot wing sauce. He had acid reflux the rest of the day.

After our exciting venture into Pappy-ville, we went to Georgia's highest point, Brasstown Bald. (pics to come soon). Towering at 4,784 feet, the temperature there was in the low 70's. Brasstown Bald affords visitors an opportunity to see 4 states. You can hardly make out which mountain is which but the serenity was worth the price of admission ($4) + a ($3) shuttle ride up the steep slope.

Back to the cabin after a full day for steak and baked potatoes on the grill.

I'll post some pictures soon so come back to see.

Hiawassee, GA Mountain Retreat Video

This is the life!

The Hiawasee Cabin

Here's a view of the cabin from down at the pool. Notice the waterfalls. At the top of the falls is a hot tub.

Geronimo!

The pool at the cabin in Hiawasee is a terraced pool. It begins at the top with a hot tub which spills over into a picturesque waterfall that finally empties into the pool as you seen in this picture.

Here Aaron cannonballs his way into the swimming hole.

Baby Alex Hanging Out

John Hood pictured here hanging out with Baby Alex. This is the front porch of the "cabin." It's more like a mansion.

A View From a Hill

This is the view from the balcony at the cabin in Hiawassee. As you can see below, there is a swimming pool and a pool house. In the distance is a lake overshadowed by a majestic mountain.

Angie and I are sleeping in a queen size bed in a loft complete with its own bathroom. Anna is on a pull out sofa outside our room, Aaron is sleeping somewhere downstairs (I hear there's like another house downstairs), and Alex is sleeping with us.

Today, we'll try some hiking, some swimming and general exploring.

This is home for the next couple of days.

Alex First Swim

Alex went swimming in his inflatable floatie. Watch for his expression.

When All Communications Fail ...

Have you ever seen license tags that say "amateur radio"? You may have wondered what amateur radio is all about. This video gives you a quick glimpse into an emergency preparedness drill that "hams" all over the USA participate in on the last weekend in June.

When all communications fail ... ham radio gets through.

FDR Camping Trip

Watch a quick review here of our camping trip to FDR State Park, May 29-31, 2009. This will always be remembered as a very special camping trip not only because of the beauty of the outdoors we experienced but also because this was the very last time we visited with dad before his sudden tragic death.

I will always remember that dad came with mom on Saturday afternoon. He showed Aaron how to sharpen an axe, helped Aaron build a fire, held his grandson, Alex and loved on his granddaughter, Anna.

Dad was an avid outdoorsman so I consider it a privelege that we were able to spend our last time together in a place we both enjoyed.

Miss you dad. I will continue the Copeland family camping tradition. That's a promise!

Granny Cope's 95th Surprise Birthday Party

My sister, Becky Copeland Russell, pulled off a surprise birthday party this past weekend for Grandma Eunice English Copeland's 95th birthday.

Grandma was so surprised. In fact, my nephew, Jay Russell, said not only did she have tears in her eyes but he said her ears turned red which was automatic that granny was very happy.

Thanks to all her friends and family who came and made her 95th birthday so special.

Mom Retires After 33.333 Years of Teaching

Updated Baby Alex Video

It's been awhile since I've posted an updated video of Baby Alex on the blog.  Here is his sweet self making baby noises and bouncing in his baby seat.

Enjoy!

Praise for Coweta Fayette EMC

I would like to publicly acknowledge the Coweta Fayette EMC work crews that came to my house to restore power after a tree fell across their lines knocking out power to the majority of the neighborhood.

The workmen were courteous and displayed integrity and purpose in their jobs.

So many times we like to complain when the power is off but this time I wanted to send KUDOS to those Coweta Fayette EMC employees working in the Smokey Acres subdivision on Monday.

You guys are GREAT! Tony Sinclair should be proud to have you working alongside him.

Thanks guys!

Mike Copeland
Homeowner
Smokey Acres Subdivision
Newnan, GA