Our week at Unicoi

We had a wonderful five days at Unicoi State Park and nearby Helen, GA.  During this stay on our journey we were joined by our great friend Mike.  Mike stayed in the town of Helen at the Helendorf Inn.  He even got us a parking pass for the van which we greatly appreciated.

We arrived on Sunday the 15th right before noon.  After setting up the camper we headed right down for some tubing adventure on the Chattahoochee River.  The river was nice and high which made the rocks easier to navigate around. After tubing we all enjoyed a light dinner at a restaurant called Margarita's.  They have an outside deck area that overlooks the river.  We had great time being together and watching the tubers on the river.

Claire and I enjoying the deck at Margarita's...

After that Mike said "Mini Golf!"  So, we walked across the street and past Mike's hotel and played a round of golf at Pirate Golf.  Claire did the best, scoring only ONE over par for the entire course - amazing!

On Monday morning we set up the rest of our outdoor stuff at the campsite.  Then we drove down and met Mike at the hotel.  We had a great time walking around the town of Helen and visiting the stores there.

Here is a picture that we have taken every year with the kids...too funny!

 Note Claire's long hair over the shoulder of the painted picture!

We also stopped at another restaurant overlooking the river and the tubers and we had our favorite snack there - French fries!  We really like their fries.  The name of the restaurant is "The Troll."  Then we all went to the only grocery store in Helen called Betty's.  We love Betty's - they have everything we need including beer, wine, firewood and ice!  Mike returned to his hotel and joined us later for a fun time around our campfire and steaks on the grill.  After dinner we had family game time with Mike.  We played Catchphrase.  It was a great time.

It was time to get on the river again on Tuesday.  After the river tubing we all enjoyed a nice picnic lunch that Jen and I prepared.  After lunch Mike, Claire and Eric enjoyed a water park together.  While they were slipping and sliding down the slides, Jen and I stopped by Betty's again and headed to the campsite.  We headed back down to pick up the kids.  Mike didn't join us for dinner.  He had another restaurant that he wanted to visit.  For dinner we had pork chops that Jen marinated and I grilled.  Yum!

After dinner the kids relaxed inside the camper.  Jen and I sat outside (no mosquitoes!) and talked while the evening approached and the night sounds began.

We always have a day that we just stay around beautiful state park and enjoy relaxing there.  Wednesday was the day for this.  Eric and I went fishing at Unicoi Lake first.  Eric only caught two fish but the most enjoyable part was the father and son time we had.  It was a beautiful day on the lake - sunny but not too warm.

On our way there we saw this interesting little guy.  I was surprised that he stayed still long enough for me to get a picture....

Also, at our first fishing spot this big old turtle was waiting for a treat to fall from the dock!

Note our reflections in the water too.  Me on the left with the phone and Eric with his fishing pole on the right.  Cool.

Here is a short video of our favorite fishing spot.  The road and bridge that you see in the distance is the location of the dam that creates the lake...

Mike hiked up the lake trail and found us there at the fishing spot.  He walked back with us to the camper.  Jen and Claire were at the Unicoi lodge for some "WiFi" time.  Mike and I dropped Eric off at the lodge.  Then it was time for some hiking!

Mike and I hiked the Smith Creek trail that leads up to some beautiful water falls called Anna Ruby Falls.  We did this hike last year in the opposite direction.  While hiking Mike saw a baby bear.  He said "There is a baby bear!"  I never saw the bear because I was too busy looking around for mama bear!

Here is a video of Mike on the trail in front of me....

The video is a little jumpy because I was trying to make sure of my own footing on the trail while taking it.

Another video of what we saw at the top of our hike...

It was so beautiful there.


Thursday was tubing all day.  Eric and I completed three long runs!  Mike joined us after the first run or he would have done three also.  Claire and Jenny did two runs and then also enjoyed some town time together.  We also enjoyed a nice picnic lunch after the first run.  In the evening Mike joined us for our last Unicoi dinner.  Jen had marinated some chicken that I grilled. We had a nice fire going and Mike stayed again for some family game time.  Then it was time to say so long to Mike.  We knew we probably wouldn't see him before departing in the morning, and we didn't.  It was so nice to have a good friend with us to experience one of our favorite vacation destinations.

We got up early on Friday and departed the campground.  We had a tradition of stopping at the lodge for a breakfast or lunch.  This year is was the buffet breakfast.  We all headed down the road with full tummies!

I am writing this on Friday evening the 20th of July.  Tonight we are in our last camping spot at a KOA in Tifton, GA.  Tomorrow we return to Tampa.  What an amazing journey this has been!  Thanks for reading along.

Jenny will be having some post trip blogs to enter after we return to Tampa so stay tuned for those!