Beached boathouse

Lake Burton has been drawn down quite a bit this winter. It is expected to be down 8', before being refilled starting February 1. At this point, it is probably down about seven feet. Lake levels are available on-line.

Moccasin Creek State Park

Tree swallow, at Moccasin Creek State Park (photo by Georgia)

This state park is located at the head of Moccasin Creek Cove.

Batesville General Store

Great place for lunch (seven days a week), and suppers on Fridays and Saturdays. It is located at the junction of GA-197 and GA-255. And, the owner is a Gators fan, too!


From our cottage, take Timpson Cove to right turn on Charlie Mountain Rd, follow to the end, right on Bridge Creek to the end, right on Burton Dam Road to the end, left on GA-197 to the GA-255 junction; 12.5 miles. Phone: 706-947-3434

Updated: Tried out the supper on Friday night, with friends Jan and John. Closed out with apple pie and ice cream. Nice!

Beechwood Inn, Clayton

Beechwood Inn, Clayton

This is a nice bed and breakfast. They also host weekly (Saturday night) gourmet dinners with wines, some local vintages. We've done the 'bed-and-breakfast' part, but haven't tried the Saturday dinners yet.

In Clayton, take US-76 East from US-441, and turn left after a few hundred feet, on Beechwood Drive. Follow signs to the inn.

Smoking a butt

We smoked a Boston Butt (pork shoulder) yesterday.

Before cooking it, we applied a rub, and let that work overnight, in the refrigerator. Then we let it come to room temperature, and put it on the smoker, at high for about an hour, then medium-low the rest of the time. We used hickory and mesquite wood chips. We let it smoke all day (about nine hours), then let it sit and cool down about an hour. The bone pulled out easily, which means it's done.

Tasty.

Angel Falls and Panther Falls

George at trailhead on Lake Rabun Road

A short hike up Joe Creek, from the Rabun Beach Recreation Area on the north side of Lake Rabun, takes you to two waterfalls, Panther and Angel.

Susie G

Rabun Bald

Rabun Bald, November 17, 2010

Cherokee Landing

Cherokee Landing Restaurant is located at what used to be Pazzo's Pizza, and is now run by the crew that used to operate Joanie's, which was just down the road. It has lots of outdoor seating (some covered), and some indoor as well. Casual food: burgers, salads, pizza, etc.

It is on the southwest side of Lake Burton. From our cottage, go right on Charlie Mountain to the end, right on Bridge Creek to the end, right on Burton Dam to the end, right on GA-197, about a quarter mile, and turn right on Laurel Lodge Road. Joanie's is about a quarter mile down Laurel Lodge, on the left.

North 40 Lodge

We've stayed here in the past, several times. Very comfortable and quiet. Owners Jinger (that's the way she spells it!) and Bobby Blackburn are gracious hosts; one time, they invited us to their own party, with neighbors and friends, on their back patio.

Stockton House in Clayton

Nice restaurant, with a good, all-around menu, and a big view of Screamer Mountain. It is on Warwoman Road, a few blocks east of US-441.

Sunset tonight over Tray Mountain

Sunset over Tray Mountain and Timpson Cove, November 2010

Dawn's early light on Timpson Cove

Early morning, June 17, 2010

Before and after

Here are some pictures, before and after renovation . . . (this post is under construction)

Dicks Creek Falls

Dicks Creek Falls

Taylor and I visited Dicks Creek Falls in October, 2010. It is a short hike from Sandy Ford, where the road of that name crosses Dicks Creek, to the falls, where the creek drops into the Chattooga River.

From our cottage . . .

Blue Hole Falls and High Shoals Falls

Blue Hole Falls

These are two adjacent sets of falls on High Shoals Creek, on the west side of Tray Mountain.

High Shoals Falls

From our cottage . . .

How to leave the house

Here's how to clean up and secure the house when your visit is over.

Cruising

Fall 2010, Timpson Cove

Here are some places to go and sights to see on the lake . . .

Minnehaha Falls

A short hike (half mile, maybe) from Bear Gap Road (alongside Lake Rabun) takes you to a spectacular waterfall.


From our cottage, it's about 12 miles . . .

Zeppelins

Pizza, pasta, salads, beer and wine, and lots of rock-and-roll memorabilia. Tasty.

Take US-76 East into Clayton. At Main Street, turn left, go about a block, and it's on the right side of the  street.

Lake Burton Cafe

When all you want is beers, burgers, country music and a pool table, Lake Burton Cafe is the place to go. But don't expect white linens or fancy food.

It is on US-76, at the junction with Jones Branch Road. You can get there by going west on Timpson Cove from our cottage (away from the marina); Jones Branch is the first gravel road west of our place. Or, you can go east on Timpson Cove, left on Charlie Mountain, left on US-76, and look for it on the left, first left-turn after Lake Burton Grocery. It is on an old section of US-76, where a curve was cut-off in the straightening of the highway.

LaPrade's

LaPrade's is located at the head of Wildcat Cove, and includes a marina as well as a restaurant. Sometimes, there is a dockside grill operating, from which you can get sandwiches and such. Upstairs, there is an indoor dining room, as well as a covered, open-air seating area with a bar. We like the open air dining, generally.

You can get there by boat (west out of Timpson Cove, south to the entry to Wildcat Cove, and when you reach a fork at the Captain Morgan statue, stay left, to Wildcat Cove (right goes to Moccasin Creek). Or, you can drive: US-76 West to GA-197 South, then several miles to Wildcat Cove; Laprade's is on the left, past the fire station.

Watching TV

Our living room TV setup consists of Roku Smart TV, with a variety of streaming channels enabled, and with a DVD player attached. Two remotes: the Roku/TV remote, which is all you'll need unless you're watching a DVD.

Our streaming channels include YouTubeTV (which is a package  of channels including the Atlanta local channels), Netflix, Prime and a changing assortment of others. Browse at will.

You can also "cast" from your wifi device (phone, tablet, whatever) to the cast port on  the TV (one of the channels in the lineup).

Winterizing

Winterizing (whenever there is a risk of freezing) . . .

Operating the boat

How to be the captain . . .

Getting here via GA-400

From the northern Atlanta suburbs, via GA-400 . . .

Getting here from Atlanta

Directions to our cottage on Lake Burton, Clayton, GA, from Atlanta area . . .

Hemlock Falls

Hemlock Falls, on Moccasin Creek

This hike originates from near Moccasin Creek State Park, and goes about a mile and a half up Moccasin Creek, to Hemlock Falls. It is an easy walk, almost always in sight of the creek, which is lovely. In the summer, you may find the pool at the base of the falls to be a refreshing dip.


View Larger Map

Artsy-Fartsy

Burton Gallery is on Burton Dam Road, just east of the intersection with GA-197 (next to Brooks Little General Store and gas station). Nice collection of arts and crafts.


Hickory Flat Pottery is on GA-197, Batesville, GA. This is a working pottery operation, so you can probably see the potters at work.


Lakemont Gallery, in downtown Lakemont (Old 441). Art, custom furniture, pottery, etc.

Georgia at Lakemont Gallery

Mark of the Potter is also on GA-197, south of the Batesville General Store. Originally a grist mill on the Soque (So-kwee) River, dating back to the 1820's, it became a pottery operation in the late 1960's. Trout once fed by corn spillage from the grist mill are still fed today, by the owners and patrons of the Mark of the Potter. Their local area map is handy for exploring the area, too.

Groceries

Where to find food . . .

Tray Mountain

Tray Mountain, from our boathouse

Tray Mountain is the large mountain seen in the distance from the sun deck of our boathouse. It is about 10 miles away, west-southwest.

Lake Tugalo

Taylor on Tugalo

Taylor and I visited Lake Tugalo on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. We paddled up the Chattooga channel, and picnicked on a sand bar. (We would have motored but the starter rope broke as we were launching.)