Road Trip – Summer 2020
Well this vacation started like most…hopping in the van and heading out. Normally we would be headed to the airport or one single location. This year, I wanted to experience more in different locations. I also thought about the possibility of restrictions at certain places/states, that there might not be in others. Doing all this switch a roo was in preparation for the volatility of COVID-19 and how it could affect our travel. There was a chance COVID might affect parts of our vacation, but we hoped that it would not cancel the whole thing. We wore our masks and social distanced and had to have some minor changes in our plans.
We headed to Shady Grove Campground at Lake Lanier in Cumming, Georgia to spend one night Glamping at Georgia Glamping Company. Now let me tell you…Georgia Glamping Company has a new site in work as well. Be sure to follow them on social media to keep up with their news and at www.gaglamping.com. The next morning we woke up and headed to Tiger, Georgia for 3 nights. While there we went white water rafting, went boating on Lake Chatuge, and just did some exploring. Next stop was Woodfin, North Carolina, where we visited the Biltmore Estate (it was my birthday, so I got to choose my activity); well who am I fooling, I chose all the activities, but this one I was selfish about. I planned the vacation with everyone in mind; what they liked to do or wanted to try. The Biltmore experience was all about ME and something I wanted to do, but knew more than likely, the kids and hubby would want to rush through or be “bored” the entire time. We only spent one night in Woodfin. Then our last destination was Isle of Pines, South Carolina. We spent the time there going to the beach and exploring Charleston. After three nights there, we had to sadly head home. It was a nice time away from home…kind of the last hoorah before all the kids head to college and we are completely empty nesters!
Keep reading for all the details of the trip!!
We left home on July 9th…On the way to our first night’s accommodations, we took a pit stop at Anderson’s Family Sunflower Farm. The sunflowers only bloom for about 2 weeks and we happened to be passing through in perfect timing. It was really packed, but the sunflowers were really pretty.
Georgia Glamping
We drove to Cumming to go Glamping on Lake Lanier at Shady Grove Campground with Georgia Glamping Company. We arrived at around 1:00 pm to explore Lake Lanier; we relaxed at one of the beach areas and cooled off. Check in normally isn’t until 4pm, but ours was ready early at 2pm. We stayed at Site 17 a Deluxe Safari Tent, 16 X 20 foot tent with 1 king size bed, 2 bunk beds, air conditioning, mini fridge and coffee maker. It was really quite phenomenal and comfortable…definitely glamourous camping! The air conditioner though didn’t really start to cool things down until after 11pm. Be sure though to bring your shower shoes and flashlight as there is no bathroom attached. You will have to take a little walk to get to the restrooms/bath house.
We brought our hammocks to lay around in and relax. There were already 2 hammocks there, so we didn’t even have to set our hammocks up. You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, corn hole boards and an array of activities. We chose to roast s’mores and just hang out on Lake Lanier. Hubby and I explored the entire park on foot. We saw so many deer along our way and they were not even phased by humans. They just let us photograph them and talk and point while all the long just eating or looking right back at us.
There are quite a few camp and glamp sites directly on the water that have quite impressive views and even a little area to get in the water right at your site. Our site though was close to the bathhouse, so no water view for us without a little walk.
Since we were only spending one night, we chose to not bring all our camping gear to cook our meals. We didn’t have enough room in the van to bring everything. So we chose to eat out for our meals. We ate Pueblos Mexican Cuisine in Cumming for dinner. Nothing to write home about, but it filled us up and had some margaritas to boot!
After a night of glamorous camping, we headed to get breakfast at Dunkin….since they had dine in available.
On July 10th, after we checked out at Georgia Glamping, we drove towards Tiger, Georgia (our next location for a few days). We had a few pit stops on the way, because we couldn’t check in until later in the day.
Hemlock Falls at Moccasin Creek State Park
For our first pit stop, we hiked the two-mile Hemlock Falls Trail at Lake Burton. Hemlock Falls is near Moccasin Creek State Park in North Georgia’s beautiful Rabun County.
Sliding Rock Cascade
After Hemlock Falls, we also hiked about 1 mile (in and out) to go to Sliding Rock Cascade on Wildcat Creek. I sat with my feet in the freezing water while hubby and Isabel slid down the rock!! It was so refreshing!
We stopped at Goats on the Roof for a light lunch before we headed to the house.
We checked into our AirBnB. It was a quaint little cabin with a babbling brook in the back with a cute little flower garden.
We all just relaxed and showered. Then we headed to dinner at Fortify Pi. Everything was delicious! Another definite addition for my must eat list.
Chattooga Rafting turned into Ocoee
On July 11th, we went to raft the Chattooga River with Wildwater LTD. I have been rafting with Wildwater LTD for about 30 years on the Ocoee River and we also used them when we took the kids on the Nantahala River when they were a lot younger. To me, their good reputation, was all I needed to decide what company I was going to use to raft the Chattooga. We had to arrive by 0730 at the Chattooga Ridge Adventure Center –Wildwater LTD. Our rafting trip was scheduled to last 7-8 hours…with lunch in the middle. When we arrived to check in we found out one guide had tested positive for COVID-19 and that our trip was cancelled. First real upset from COVID. We weren’t giving up on rafting, but all other outfitters were booked for the Chattooga River, so we decided to raft the Ocoee again, this time the Upper Section (Olympic Section). We got scheduled for the upper Ocoee River at 1 pm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said Adopt the Pace of Nature…
And in this case, we had to paddle faster! What a rush!!
Lake Chatuge Fun
July 12th, we rented a ski boat, wake board, and double tube at Lake Chatuge. All I really cared to do was lay in the boat in the sun and maybe swim a little…but all the adventure was planned to fulfill the hubby’s and kids’ desires. Of course I got in on some of the fun too, but I just love being on the water, so I would have been happy with or without all the water toys.
Biltmore Estate
On July 13th, (Happy Birthday to me!!) we left Tiger GA and drove to Biltmore Estates Asheville, NC. We had tickets for 1230 at Biltmore, so we had to arrive by 1200. We explored the estate. The house and gardens were immaculate and the views stunning!
Woodfin
We checked in at our AirBnB and I was not impressed at all….I will leave it at that. After this honestly I don’t know if I will trust AirBnB for who they call a super host. But we spent our night there and moved on.
Isle of Palms-here we come…
On July 14th, we left Woodfin (thank goodness) to drive to Isle of Palms, SC to check in to our AirBnB. I really hoped AirBnB would redeem itself on this place. We checked in at condo after 3 pm. Our condo was pretty small, but is completely renovated and right on the beach! The family thought I was crazy when I had them pack their clothes in ziplocks, so I could arrange suitcases by the location and its coordinating suitcase, so we only had 2 bags in the condo instead of 7 or 8…In my opinion my packing method was very successful. We only had to bring in one large bag and a bathroom bag at every stop!
Once we arrived to the condo, Baylee had to take a test for her online course, so we headed out to explore Charleston and try another escape room.
We parked near the US Customs House and walked to the Waterside Park.
We went to the Waterside Park with the Pineapple Fountain.
You can see Ravenel Bridge between Charleston and Mt Pleasant from the waterfront park. But I knew I wanted a more up close view.
We checked out the Circular Congregational Church.
We tried Escape in 60, Davy Jones Locker and escaped. It was a fun room! We made plans for going back on Thursday as well to try a harder room.
We ate at Acme Lowcountry Kitchen and it was phenomenal. Another definite add for my must eat list.
After dinner, we all showered and it was time to hit the hay. I knew I wanted to be up for beach sunrise photos the next morning.
On July 15th I woke up to take sunrise photos
Once everyone else woke up, we went to tour the USS Yorktown. The view of the Ravenel Bridge was a little better from here.
We ate lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach and pool
For dinner, we had reservations for 5 at The Refuge at 7 pm. Dinner and service at The Refuge was also very good.
On July 16th we went to check out the lighthouse on Isle of Palms.
Then we spent some more time at the beach and later we headed back to Charleston to shop at the market and eat an early dinner at Amen Street, Fish & Raw Bar. Another must eat to add to my list. After our meal, we headed to Escape in 60 to try our hand at
🆁🅰🅽🆂🅾🅼.
It was quite challenging, but once again, we escaped!
Of course another opportunity for Kilwins Icecream…that we took full advantage of.
AND….got my shot of the bridge I had been trying to get the whole trip. With each passing of the bridge, I attempted and finally feel like I executed the shot!
Headed home…
We woke up leisurely and drove home on July 17th.
Every traveller returns home.
David Levithan
Everything has a beginning and an end…and this is the end. Until our next adventure, get outside, try news things, live life to its fullest, and be sure to live vicariously through our adventures!
XOXO
-S