Katie wanted to go on an "ADVENTURE" for her Spring Break. Of course, who can blame her? She actually mentioned Callaway Gardens and the Animal Safari place, but it is way too chilly to even consider that as a valid option. Grammy had a brilliant idea! Gem Mining in North Georgia. What girl doesn't want to find gems and jewels? Sure, she probably thought they were going to come out cut and polished, possibly already set in a ring, but this is a learning experience y'all! The nearest place was at Huck's Lost mine, located on the ground floor of Huck's General Store in Blue Ridge, GA.
It was pretty cute. The guy at the cash register upstairs totally sold the mining experience. He pointed us toward the "mine shaft" and then explained to Katie, who was being super shy and quiet, that the elevator would take her down two miles, deep into the earth. He said they had recently installed jet engines ont he elevator so we would be moving really fast. I am frankly surprised that Katie even got into the elevator.
It was pretty cute. The guy at the cash register upstairs totally sold the mining experience. He pointed us toward the "mine shaft" and then explained to Katie, who was being super shy and quiet, that the elevator would take her down two miles, deep into the earth. He said they had recently installed jet engines ont he elevator so we would be moving really fast. I am frankly surprised that Katie even got into the elevator.So, we go down one floor.
You can choose either a bag of dirt or a bucket of dirt. Of course Katie talked Grammy into a bucket of dirt. $25 plus tax later we got ready to "mine".
* On a side note, you know why they call it "mine-ing"? Because the second your eyes fall on a glittery, pretty thing you instantly think MINE! I want it, ALL MINE! At least that is my theory after watching Katie. *
So, Katie picked out her bucket. She used the scientific method of being incredibly shy and just pointing at the bucket nearest her.
Then, you get a few shovel fulls of dirt. If you are lucky you can already see some pretty things peeking through. Exciting already! Sure, this is the, worth its weight in pennies, type of thing, but it sure is pretty.
And then you sift! Shakey Shakey Shakey!
Dip it into the water. Shakey Shakey Shakey....
Then, you get a few shovel fulls of dirt. If you are lucky you can already see some pretty things peeking through. Exciting already! Sure, this is the, worth its weight in pennies, type of thing, but it sure is pretty.And then you sift! Shakey Shakey Shakey!
Dip it into the water. Shakey Shakey Shakey....
And VOILA! Gems and Jewels ... and rocks and clumps of clay. Then the fun really begins. You have to separate the good and the trash. In this set I can see garnets, an emerald, and I think that might be a ruby in the top right.
Grammy even pitched in to help a little bit. Mostly Grammy was on Connor duty. He lost interest quickly in the gem mining. He was more interested in running around, getting back up to the general store area and picking out candy, and generally being a heathen. Grammy employed all manner of distractions. She did take him to get candy, she corraled him in the indoor putt putt area, and she let him go up and jump down some small stairs nearby. 
And, as shy as Katie can be with strangers, she warmed up quickly when talking about gems and rocks with (don't shoot me if I am wrong) Greg. She might have talked his ear off. She was so excited, and she was so amazingly curious about everything! 
Did I mention that Katie talked Grammy into letting her get a second bucket of dirt?! Grammy is a pushover for this adorable face! No, the one on the right ... sillies!
After we FINALLY made it through the second bucket of dirt, Katie and Connor had to take a turn on the putt putt course. They didn't actually play, just walked around. Whether he was really playing or not, Connor did NOT want to give up his golf club.
We headed back towards home, stopping for a little McNasty's on the way ... and Katie's bucket of gems went flying *LE SIGH* We got a few miles south and saw the turn off for Amicalola Falls. We were on an adventure after all, so we took the turn and off we went! I haven't been to the falls in EONS! 
We left Grammy and Connor at the top and Katie and I headed off down the stairs. At this point I was thinking ... "meh, 425 steps, that isn't bad!"
This was 175 steps down .... and I WAS DONE! You see in the middle there? That part that looks like a skull? I do, and that might be because that is the point where my spirit and my legs both expired. 
Of course Katie was still doing good. She took off up the stairs while I looked up the falls, trying to figure out exactly how I was going to go back UP the stairs! (side note: I am too old for this, or at the very least too out of shape for this)
HUFF PUFF HUFF PUFF .... repeat
Another terrible self pic ... get over it... 
Awww, the rainbow! Make a wish, find a pot of gold ... BUILD AN ELEVATOR!
So, we eventually made it back up to the top. Katie was even giving out toward the last 100 stairs. She stopped complaining when we paused. She said her legs felt broken. I sadly felt better with those statements :) 
And what were Grammy and Connor doing while we were gone? Well, you can see what Connor was doing .... 
So, we loaded up the car again ... headed home. But which direction to go? Douglasville? Dahlonega? Well, we can't pass up a chance to visit with our friend Kathy and Matt and their kids! So, Dahlonega it was. A phone call and we were on our way. Katie and Kaylee always play like best friends. We haven't seen them in forever and they just pick up right where they left off. Their oldest child, Matty, is battling cancer AGAIN! He and Connor got down on the floor and played with Thomas the Train. I didn't bust out the camera, but they were adorable! Matty was so good with Connor, even though Connor is more than a handful. After a good visit at the house we headed into town for dinner. Mexican is always a good choice. The girls of course HAD to sit next to each other! How cute are they!!??
We left Grammy and Connor at the top and Katie and I headed off down the stairs. At this point I was thinking ... "meh, 425 steps, that isn't bad!"
This was 175 steps down .... and I WAS DONE! You see in the middle there? That part that looks like a skull? I do, and that might be because that is the point where my spirit and my legs both expired. 
Of course Katie was still doing good. She took off up the stairs while I looked up the falls, trying to figure out exactly how I was going to go back UP the stairs! (side note: I am too old for this, or at the very least too out of shape for this)
HUFF PUFF HUFF PUFF .... repeat
Another terrible self pic ... get over it... Awww, the rainbow! Make a wish, find a pot of gold ... BUILD AN ELEVATOR!
So, we eventually made it back up to the top. Katie was even giving out toward the last 100 stairs. She stopped complaining when we paused. She said her legs felt broken. I sadly felt better with those statements :) 
And what were Grammy and Connor doing while we were gone? Well, you can see what Connor was doing .... 
So, we loaded up the car again ... headed home. But which direction to go? Douglasville? Dahlonega? Well, we can't pass up a chance to visit with our friend Kathy and Matt and their kids! So, Dahlonega it was. A phone call and we were on our way. Katie and Kaylee always play like best friends. We haven't seen them in forever and they just pick up right where they left off. Their oldest child, Matty, is battling cancer AGAIN! He and Connor got down on the floor and played with Thomas the Train. I didn't bust out the camera, but they were adorable! Matty was so good with Connor, even though Connor is more than a handful. After a good visit at the house we headed into town for dinner. Mexican is always a good choice. The girls of course HAD to sit next to each other! How cute are they!!??
So, our day of adventure came to a close. We headed back to Atlanta. A bucket full of gems, sore legs, and full hearts. Not a bad way to end the day.
1 comments:
I just love seeing Connor in Carter's clothes :)
Pam
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