Beauty is all around us, and sometimes you have to go a little farther from home to see more of it. Last month, my husband and I, along with my mom and brother, spent a little time in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Helen, Georgia. And the beauty of creation was everywhere.
The Blue Ridge Mountains after sunset
Besides being a soap maker, I am a wanna be photographer. So my goal was to take pictures of waterfalls and the beautiful scenery of the North Georgia mountains. I even brought a tripod, which I'd not used before, with the intention to start learning how to use it properly. It would be needed for shooting waterfalls because the shutter speed of my camera would need to be slowed down beyond what I can usually shoot hand held. Using the tripod was a little awkward for me, but with practice, it should become easier. I probably needed that tripod for the above photo, but I think it turned out pretty good for being hand held. And I can see why those mountains are called Blue Ridge.
The first waterfall we saw was beside the dirt road that led to the cabin where we stayed. We hadn't noticed it on our drive up the mountain due to the bumpy road and not knowing exactly where we were going. But we saw it the next day as we headed down to town. This little waterfall may not even have a name, so I'll call it First Falls. It's a pretty sight, and we stayed quite a while admiring the falling water.
The first waterfall we saw was beside the dirt road that led to the cabin where we stayed. We hadn't noticed it on our drive up the mountain due to the bumpy road and not knowing exactly where we were going. But we saw it the next day as we headed down to town. This little waterfall may not even have a name, so I'll call it First Falls. It's a pretty sight, and we stayed quite a while admiring the falling water.
First Falls along Bean Creek
Falling water. The sound can be soothing or raging depending on the flow. Compared to Niagara Falls, First Falls falls in the soothing range. But after a heavy rainstorm, I bet First Falls can rage with the best of them.
The Chattahoochee River flows through the quaint town of Helen and powers the Nora Mills Granary, a gristmill that has been in operation since 1876, changing owners numerous times. Since the early 1980s, the current miller and his family are the third generation to run the mill. The mill dam creates a man made waterfall which is also quite lovely to see. If you're ever in the area, stop by and sample their Pioneer's Porridge and enjoy the peaceful setting.
The Chattahoochee River flows through the quaint town of Helen and powers the Nora Mills Granary, a gristmill that has been in operation since 1876, changing owners numerous times. Since the early 1980s, the current miller and his family are the third generation to run the mill. The mill dam creates a man made waterfall which is also quite lovely to see. If you're ever in the area, stop by and sample their Pioneer's Porridge and enjoy the peaceful setting.
Nora Mills Granary dam
After seeing these two spots of falling water, I was ready to see two of the favorite waterfalls near Helen - Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls. Both are located in the Chattahoochee National Forest and are the shortest, easiest trails of several in the area.
The paved trail to Anna Ruby falls is just under a mile to the falls and back. The walk was cool and damp after the morning's rain showers, and the forest was peaceful as vibrant green moss covered logs and graceful ferns soaked up the freshness of spring. Small damp loving creatures of the woods stirred from their homes, unmindful of the people walking the trail. And Smith Creek tumbled alongside the trail showing off it's own mini waterfalls as water from the falls flowed onward through the peaceful forest towards the Chattahoochee River.
The paved trail to Anna Ruby falls is just under a mile to the falls and back. The walk was cool and damp after the morning's rain showers, and the forest was peaceful as vibrant green moss covered logs and graceful ferns soaked up the freshness of spring. Small damp loving creatures of the woods stirred from their homes, unmindful of the people walking the trail. And Smith Creek tumbled alongside the trail showing off it's own mini waterfalls as water from the falls flowed onward through the peaceful forest towards the Chattahoochee River.
Just one of many moss cities in the forest
A colorful millipede
This snail is never far from home
Along the trail to Anna Ruby Falls
The trail is uphill to Anna Ruby Falls, but it levels out from time to time and provides an abundance of photo taking opportunities. I was delighted to see red trilliums blooming on the slope alongside the trail, their three deep red-purple petals a striking contrast to their whorl of three leaves. One of the common names of the red trillium is "stinking Benjamin" because these beautiful flowers smell like rotting meat and attract flies as pollinators! It's roots were used by Native Americans to promote childbirth.
Stinking Benjamin, aka Red Trillium
Continuing along the trail, the sound of the falls grew louder and anticipation grew. And then, there it was. Anna Ruby Falls in all her splendor. The first sight of the falls left me awestruck. The beauty of the waterfall, her music in the stillness of the forest, joined with praise in my heart to our Creator, the One who clothes fallen trees with moss and colors the trillium blood red, reminding me of another tree clothed with the One whose blood brings life and new birth.
The double falls of Anna Ruby Falls
Curtis Creek at Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls is a double waterfall. On the left, the larger of the two is Curtis Creek, which falls 153 feet from the summit of Tray Mountain. Several viewing platforms afforded excellent vistas of the majestic falls and provided a level spot for my tripod.
York Creek at Anna Ruby Falls
On the right, York Creek falls 50 feet over the rock face of Tray Mountain before joining Curtis Creek to form Smith Creek at the base of Anna Ruby Falls. Fed by underground springs, rain and snow, the majestic free falling water of the two creeks flows down and around boulders and fallen trees to Unicoi Lake, then onward to the Chattahoochee River, eventually joining the Apalachicola River in Florida, before continuing on to the Gulf of Mexico, a journey of 550 miles.
Smith Creek
Springs feed Smith Creek
Flowing onward to the Gulf of Mexico
The walk back was downhill and the ever changing perspectives of Smith Creek provided numerous occasions to take pictures. It was hard to leave such beauty, but evening was quickly drawing near and the park would soon close.
Falling water of Smith Creek
There was still another waterfall to find - Dukes Creeks Falls - but that would have to wait for another day, just like part 2 of this blog post. I hope you'll join me in search of waterfalls!
~Debbie
~Debbie
