Amicalola Falls State Park

Here are some views of our Monday afternoon at a waterfall near Dahlonega, GA. The trail crossed over the creek here. Isn't it beautiful? And we noticed a grapevine swing along the trail so Vernon showed me how it worked.
Another view of the creek and woods. Vernon likes walking along creeks like this. If you double-click on any of these pictures, you'll be able to see them better.
This is the view from the top of the falls where we stood on a bridge over the water.

Here are the trees along the water at the top.

At the visitor's center we noticed some Gulf Frittilary butterflies.

We were sorta tired by the end of the day and as I took a photo of us, he kept his eyes closed.
For the next picture, I closed my eyes, too. Someone passing by offered to take our picture for us and I burst out laughing when Vernon replied, "This is the blind tour."
Here's another branch of a tree that has red leaves while the rest of it is still green.
There is a beautiful place to stay called Amicalola Lodge. We entered to look around but didn't try to stay there. Maybe another time.
There is a three story sitting room. I'm looking down on the huge fireplace from the upper level.
This wall of windows allows afternoon sun to warm the room. I imagine it would be nice to view sunset here, too, but we didn't stay for that.
We ended last Monday in Helen, GA, and the next entry will share some of that story with you.

Views of Dahlonega, GA

Dahlonega is a town in North Georgia with a quaint area of shops and restaurants surrounding the square that houses a Gold Museum. This area is where the first discovery of gold was made in the U.S. Monday afternoon we enjoyed walking around the square. I noticed the name of the shop behind Vernon, The Humble Candle. We didn't shop but stayed outside enjoying the pleasant weather and scenery.
I really like these wood entry doors to one shop with the autumn decor adding color. Below is one of the side windows of the shop, advertising fresh apples that have been dipped.
Needing a bite to eat, we selected an outdoor place with a second floor porch overlooking the square. I'm looking at the building that houses the gold museum. We're shaded by sycamore trees.
The plants at the entry to another shop caught my eye and liked the arrangement. The shop's name was Treaures Within.

And there was a bit of color change to appreciate and enjoy in these maple leaves.

Notice the gold-covered steeple? It tops the county courthouse.

I took many pictures of this house because of all the detail on it, both the fence and house itself.

What do you think? I like it alot! Notice the chains of a porch swing?

Here's a close-up of the detailed woodwork trim.

I wonder what it is like inside!
We passed this house as we left Dahlonega headed for Amicalola Falls, a short distance east.

Vernon & Morgan

Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12, Vernon and I were at his brother's home in Kennesaw, GA. This is their beautiful front door. Richard and Susan are professional musicians and were gone for the afternoon playing in the opera. So Vernon, his mother and I got to have Morgan all to ourselves.
We started by sitting on the deck to enjoy the fresh air. Morgan had her game boy and showed Vernon the fishing game.

She caught a "neptuna" a mythical creature, and was very happy about it.

Next, on their Wii, they played a driving game that Morgan usually won - she's had lots more experience on it.
I'm writing this from a hotel room in Winston-Salem, NC, where we've stopped during our week driving trip, to see an aunt of Vernon's, Mary Jane Brady, who had a stroke several weeks ago. She is in Forsyth Medical Center. We visited with her yesterday and plan to this morning before we drive north to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see other relatives.

Please pray for Aunt Mary Jane's recovery. She still has a long road ahead for full recovery. Her three daughters are taking turns being with her. She is not able to talk yet but seemed to respond to some of what Vernon said and did as he held her hand.

In Atlanta

Brown High Rebels? Yes, that is what the cake says. Today Vernon and I went to a gathering of students who attended Brown High School in Atlanta. We drove here from Orlando Friday afternoon and are staying in house Vernon grew up in. His mother still lives here. The cake was served at the reunion.Vernon's brother, Richard, also attended Brown, class of '69, so he joined us today. Vernon and I wore our "Donate Life" shirts to make it obvious we were together, since most of the people didn't know me and also to promote organ donation awareness. Vernon was class of '65.

I took this one of us.

Vernon is kissing Gail. When they were in the 10th grade, he asked her to run away to Texas and marry him. (They retold that story today). Her answer to him was, "My mother won't let me." Aren't we glad that was Gail's answer? Otherwise, our lives would have been very different! She is one of two women I enjoyed talking to. I found it interesting that she is writing three books all at the same time. She also reads several books at one time.

Deb's Birthday Dinner

Sunday evening, October 5, found us at the California Grill, a restaurant atop the Contemporary Resort at Disney. Vernon and I were accompanied by our dear friend, Dodie, and her boyfriend, Jeff. Dodie and I have known each other at least 14 years. She is one of the two friends who came to Shands to wait with me during the heart transplant surgery.
We were seated by the window so behind you can see a lake and in the distance the Grand Floridian Resort. The Magic Kingdom is to the right of this photo.
We had a great time and of course, a birthday dessert was served and they sang. I'm wearing a "birthday button" I was given at the restaurant with my name on it.
There is an observation deck outside the restaurant and this photo, though not distinct, shows the colorful lights in the Magic Kingdom.

"Win" party

This banner proclaims what was celebrated by some employees and managers of Lockheed Martin Thursday evening and we were invited because Vernon contributed to the missile. In the picture below, Vernon is pointing to his contribution, the millimeter microwave radar device in the front of the missile that enables it to see through smoke and fog in order to strike the target. The missile can be used on fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft by the Army, Navy and Marines - all can use the same missile. It isn't yet in production but will be a great weapon.
It is called a "win" party because Lockheed's product was deemed best and won the contract over competitors who also wanted it. I'm holding the camera to get us and the banner in one shot.
A man who saw me take that picture, offered to take some of us so we let him. Vernon always offers to do that for other people so it was nice to receive that gift from someone else.
Some of the party was inside the hotel but there were also tables outside on this terrace and it was a perfect weather night for being outside. The shirt Vernon is wearing features the logo for the project and was given to him a few months ago. So now maybe you have a little more idea what he does at Lockheed and why they are glad that he is still with us and contributing to the team.