Admire Autumn colors at nearby State Parks

By Joe Earle

The return of autumn means it’s time to hit the highway and check out the changing colors of fall in the Georgia mountains. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says late October and early November usually bring the peak weeks to admire the reds and golds of the changing leaves.

Georgia’s state parks system brags that its parks offer some of the best leaf-peeping around. And, through a website called Leaf Watch, the park system guides tourists to places where they can find the best fall color.

“Beginning in October, regular updates will keep travelers posted on how fall color is progressing across Georgia’s Blue Ridge,” the state says. “The website is filled with information about top trails and overlooks, mountain cabins and campsites, fall events and safe hiking tips.”

This year, the DNR recommends a number of state parks to check out for fall color. Here are 12 likely prospects.

Atlanta

Cloudland Canyon State Park

A hike down a long, steep staircase in this park takes visitors to a pair of waterfalls. The 5-mile West Rim Loop is moderately difficult and offers great views of the canyon.

Red Top Mountain State Park

Just about a 40-minute drive north of Atlanta, Red Top Mountain offers lake and forest views. There’s also a paved walking patch behind the park office, according to park officials.

Should your elderly loved one really be living alone trying to manage their own medication?

Consider Home Based Community Services in a Licensed Person Care Home.

Help may be available through Georgia Medicaid if you quality!

• Financial assistance through Georgia Medicaid’s SOURCE, CCSP, ICWP Programs

• 24-hour watchful oversight by a caregiver

• 1-6 Bed Facilities regulated by the Georgia Dept of Community Health

Find out what Georgia Medicaid can do for your Family!

GEORGIA HEALTH SERVICES NETWORK

155 Bankers Boulevard, Monroe, GA 30655

(770) 466-7771 www.georgiahealth.us

Assessment and Placement is FREE! Homes located through GA!

Benson Manor

A Retirement Housing Foundation® Community 2348 Benson Poole Road • Smyrna, GA 30082

Benson Manor is a 76-unit affordable senior housing community designed with stone and sturdy wood-like siding. Each apartment is approximately 540 square feet. Benson Manor is conveniently located close to shopping, churches, medical facilities, and a major bus route.

Residents must be 62 years of age or older. Some units have special features for mobility and sensory impaired persons. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Gross income must not exceed $23,650.00 for one person and $27,000.00 for two persons.

For An Application or More Information Please Call 770-435-6406

Website: www.rhf.org

Fort Mountain State Park

Although it may be best known for a mysterious rock wall along the mountain top, Fort Mountain offers a variety of hiking trails. They range from a 1.2-mile loop around a lake to an 8-mile, allday hike. GA 52 has beautiful mountain scenery and overlooks.

Amicalola Falls State Park

This park, an hour north of Atlanta, includes the Southeast’s tallest waterfall, viewable from easy and challenging trails. The park gets busy on October weekends.

5 Vogel State Park

The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail makes a nice day trip for experienced hikers, offering great mountain color and a bird’s-eye view of the park’s lake, state park officials say. The twisting roads around Vogel, particularly Wolf Pen Gap Road, offer some of north Georgia’s prettiest fall scenery.

Smithgall Woods State Park

If you’re heading to Helen’s Oktoberfest, you can check out the more than 6,000-acre park around Dukes Creek. A 1.6-mile trail climbs to Laurel Ridge and provides a view of Mount Yonah, according to state park officials.

Unicoi State Park

Uniocoi promises hiking, mountain biking, a lake with a beach and a 100-room lodge that hosts conferences, weddings and retreats.

Moccasin Creek State Park

Georgia’s smallest state park sits on the shore of a gorgeous deepgreen lake. GA 197 is a particularly pretty road, state officials say.

Black Rock

Mountain State Park

Black Rock Mountain (altitude 3,640 feet) is Georgia’s highest state park. It offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from roadside overlooks and its visitors’ center, according to the state parks system.

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Victoria Bryant State Park

JAMES H. FLOYD STATE PARK

MRM#: 60325810

Date: 10/0 /2015

Project Name: 60325810_2015_KPSA_Rep_Ad_Packet_REVD_PM Designer: Jason Sherriffs

Tallulah is one of the most spectacular canyons in the Southeast. Visitors can hike easy or difficult trails offering waterfall views. With permits from the park office, hikers may trek all the way to the bottom of the gorge. Exhibits in the park’s interpretive center highlight the Victorian resort town’s history and the rugged terrain and ecosystem.

Two ponds and a nature trail are among the features in this 500-acre beauty spot nestled among rolling hills. The star, according to state officials, is the bubbling stream that inspires photographers and picnickers to stop and take in the awe-inspiring vistas.

The Chattahoochee National Forest surrounds the park and provides a perfect leaf-viewing opportunity. Visitors are invited to fish in the two well-stocked lakes, hike along the three miles of trails looping the lakes, or relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.

Visit gastateparks.org/leafwatch for details and updates.

Have questions about Medicare or a Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan? Just give me a call for more information.

JoAnn Gunn

Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan Licensed Sales Specialist 1-877-425-9207 (TTY 711) kp.org/medicare

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.

H1170_015_15 accepted

60325810-B-JG 10/15