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.

8-3-17  3rd of 3 waterfalls today---Toccoa Falls!

The couple I chatted with at the first falls we went to today, Minnehaha Falls , told me about  Panther Falls and Toccoa Falls.  I hadn't read about either of them, so I'm glad they told me about them.  We did have a bit of trouble trying to find Toccoa Falls!  We were told it was on the college grounds, so you would think our car's navigator system would be able to find Toccoa College!  Wrong---instead we ended up on another goose chase.  We were told to turn down a couple dirt roads that actually happened to be gated off.  And, of course, we were out of data range, so I couldn't look for it on my phone.  Somehow, though, we did find it.  And it was worth it!!!
It was also a really short walk to the falls---maybe .1 miles?  Even Ken went to see this one.  This is the river right by the parking lot.

 This is the path to the falls.

 As soon as you turn the corner---bam---there's the falls!