Well, it's official! We got out first campground hosting gig starting in September in Talullah Gorge State Park in Northwest Georgia.
The campgrounds are located on a hill overlooking the gorge (I guess) and they are only 130 miles from my mom and extended family in Hendersonville, NC- which is a big part of why we're doing this to begin with.
There's no chickening out now... we're gonna be homeless vagabonds for a while longer!
I am still trying to book the rest of our winter months somewhere "less chilly" than the frozen arctic bowl-shaped tundra of Zion. Preferably somewhere in the southeast- Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida (If I were only so lucky), or Texas. Even southern Georgia would be fine, so long at those fuzzy little frozen albino brain chiggers (props to anyone who knows the sitcom quote) don't find us.
I realized that fulfilling my promise to myself to never again see another God-awful snow-filled winter is probably a little bit grandiose at this stage of the game. We are Hosting virgins, after all, and our RV resume is still pitifully lean, so choice gigs like Florida are still likely unrealistic. Still, the less snow and ice we encounter during Winter Number One, the better.
Here is the TGSP summary taken from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website:
One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor (100 per day, not available during water releases). A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Tightrope walkers have twice crossed the gorge, and visitors can still see towers used by Karl Wallenda. A paved path follows an on old railroad bed, perfect for strollers and bicycles, while mountain bikers can test their skills on a challenging 10-mile trail.
Exhibits in the park’s Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center highlight the rich history of this Victorian resort town, as well as the rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem of the area. The persistent trillium, monkey-face orchid and green salamander are protected species found within the gorge. An award-winning film takes viewers on a dramatic journey through the gorge, including footage of rock climbers and kayakers. A gift shop offers snacks, jewelry, toys, books, walking sticks, clothing and more.
Common events at TGSP include:
Geocaching Class
Learn the basics of geocaching, then head out with your GPS to look for caches hidden in the park, including a new one. $5 parking
Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
Take a mile and a half hike under the full moon. $5 plus $5 parking.
Holiday Gorge Floor Hike
This is a strenuous trek, include hiking down 531 stairs, a river crossing jumping from rock to rock, and climbing boulders along the side of the river to Bridal Veil Falls where you can swim. Total miles is 3.5. No pets; wear appropriate footwear; children must be 10 or older; bring food and water. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking.
Looks like a lot of fun and some hard work out in nature. We are really looking forward to our first assignment as well as learning to balance the workload of a full time job while full-timing in the RV.
Next blog entry will hopefully be a biography of the Camper Chicks Crew- with video of all seven of us to boot. I just need to learn to edit video without the benefit of proprietary software.
