TRAVEL
October means leaves will blaze with fall color in Georgia, North Carolina moutains By Collin Kelley October is prime time to see fall foliage at its peak color, so set aside a weekend for a drive to North Georgia or northern Carolina. According to the Fall Foliage Prediction Map at smokymountains.com, the leaves will peak a little earlier than usual in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina this year — between Oct. 4-11. Oct. 18-25 will bring the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows in North Georgia. At this writing, Georgia State Parks were still limiting access if parks become too overcrowded to maintain social distancing, so be sure to check gastateparks. org for updates. The same goes for the Smoky Mountains, where the National Park Service is
requiring masks in all buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, these are the parks to check out the best foliage color along with some recommended hikes and activities. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge An hour north of Atlanta in Dawsonville, you’ll find the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall. A short, flat path leads to a boardwalk offering the most spectacular views. There’s also an easy-to-reach overlook at the top. For a tougher challenge, start from the bottom of the falls and hike up the steep staircase. Black Rock Mountain State Park At an altitude of 3,640 feet,
Black Rock Mountain in Clayton is Georgia’s highest state park (Brasstown Bald is the state’s highest peak). Roadside overlooks and the summit visitor center offer sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail is a good choice for a short, moderate hike. For an all-day challenge, take the 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail. Cloudland Canyon State Park Located in Rising Fawn, one of Georgia’s most beautiful parks offers easy-to-reach rim overlooks and challenging trails. A favorite hike takes you down a staircase to the bottom of the canyon, where you’ll find two waterfalls. The 5-mile West Rim Loop is moderately difficult and offers great views of the canyon.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park Many people are surprised to find hardwood forests and rolling mountains south of Atlanta. The 6.7-mile Wolf Den Loop is a favorite section of the longer Pine Mountain Trail. For a touch of history, drive to Dowdell’s Knob to see a life-size bronze sculpture of President F.D. Roosevelt and views of the forested valley. Ga. 190 is a pretty driving route.
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ALPHARETTA • 762 N. Main St., Alpharetta, GA 30009 • AddingtonPlaceAlpharetta.com JOHNS CREEK • 5050 Kimball Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30005 • AddingtonPlaceJohnsCreek.com RENAISSANCE • 3755 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 • RenaissanceonPeachtree.com ROSWELL • 550 Barrington Drive, Roswell, GA 30075 • AddingtonPlaceRoswell.com *Cedarhurst Promise™ program is only available at advertised community. Not applicable for respite or other short-term stays. Refund is available only if move out is a result of dissatisfaction with Cedarhurst community as documented throughout stay. Complete refund includes base rent, level of care charges, and community fee. Ancillary services fees (ex. additional transportation, pet fees and laundry charges) do not qualify for refund. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please contact community for additional details. Void where prohibited.
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OCTOBER 2021 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
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