11-7-17   on our way to the Wyndham at Sapphire Resort for a couple days:

Awhile back I picked up another VIP reservation for 1/2 points and a free upgrade.  This time it was for Sapphire Resort in the southern area of N. Carolina.  We had never been there before, but after going to Lake Lure a couple times, I've been smitten with N. Carolina.  So many beautiful mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.  Sapphire Resort is situated in the middle of a bunch of waterfalls.  It's also listed as a ski resort!  I wasn't looking for snow, but thought this might be a good time to see color in the mountains.  It ended up being past peak season, but it was still beautiful---even with the almost constant overcast, fog, and rain that we had all 3 days.

Since we had a 2 bedroom lockoff unit reserved, I asked Angie if she wanted to go.  She said yes.  To which Ken took it as his chance to beg off the trip and stay back in Buford.  So it became another cherished mother/daughter trip.

With it only being about 120 miles away,  we took our time and made the drive an excursion.

 First stop----Toccoa Falls.  Ken and I had been here once before so I knew it was worth seeing again.   Plus Angie had never been there.  Found out this time that if you go during the visitor center hours, you have to pay to see it, but it's only $2 (or $1 for seniors), unless you're a student there.  We paid the fee and headed in.

 It's a short walk, but a pretty one---especially with all the colorful leaves of Fall all around.

 the short walk is along the river from the falls.

 the falls has a vertical drop of 186 feet (57 m) and is on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. Toccoa was the Cherokee word for "beautiful".

 During the early morning hours of November 6, 1977, after five days of almost continual rain, the dam that impounded the waters of Kelly Barnes Lake (located above the Toccoa Falls College campus) burst, and 176 million gallons of water surged through the campus below in the space of a few minutes. Most of the college personnel who lived in the path of the flood were asleep at the time, and 39 of them were swept to their deaths in the raging waters of Toccoa Creek. The dam was not rebuilt.

 Some claim that Toccoa Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the Eastern United States, though at least four others are taller.

 Looking downstream

 admiring the colorful leaves.

 even a few flowers here and there---it's been a mild Fall, so far.

 Looking back at the visitor center/gift shop from the little parking lot as we were leaving.

 And we were back on our way.  Got a kick out of this painted Coke bottle as we headed down the highway.

 The beautiful North Georgia mountains.

 On into Dillard, Ga.

Angie had heard about a restaurant in Dillard, Ga., that got rave reviews, so we went there for lunch---the Dillard House. 

  It was an interesting place!  We had no idea what to expect, so when we didn't get menu, we were a little confused at first.  Turns out, it's a buffet brought to your table of lots of great Southern food: cabbage casserole, sweet potato casserole, squash, baked beans, beans, corn on the cob, stuffed peppers, fried chicken, ham steak, fried green tomatoes, fried potatoes, rolls, muffins, and I'm sure I'm missing a few things.  I really enjoyed it and loved the selection.   Plus all the refills you wanted---all for something like $19@.  They even gave out to-go boxes for the leftovers, but we didn't take any since we knew we would be eating out the next couple days, too.

a plate of deliciousness.

We stuffed ourselves silly, then got back on the road---after taking a few pictures of the area around The Dillard House first.

 beautiful little town

 roses still blooming in Nov.

 Yes, it rained---and continued to rain for a lot of the next 2 days.

 Continuing on the "highway" into N. Carolina. 

 Soon we were up on top of the mountains.

 a little covered pavilion in the middle of nowhere.

 love the painted hay bales.

 A lot of the trees have already lost their leaves, but there were still a lot with colorful leaves on some of them.

 even passed a Christmas tree farm or 2.

 I stoic old barn along our way.

 interesting how this tree is 2 toned.

 with all the rain, there were waterfalls right alongside the road.

 we found ourselves on a scenic highway with pull offs.  Bet it would look really pretty with sunny skies and the color in the trees, but this misty cloud shrouded view was pretty nice, too.

 some of the color near the road.

 Love this sign, "Merrily in the Mountains"

 pretty awesome

It was a beautiful ride up to Sapphire.