| Today’s hike was on the Shortline Trail in Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA. We had to cut our hike short today because of rain / thunder. We were very happy to have Wayne Miller with us today for the first time since his stroke on October 23, 2008. He is working hard on his recovery and has made remarkable progress.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Karen Brown, Dave Hinson, Dick Metzgar, Leigh Ann Miller, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas. TRAIL INFORMATION – The Shortline Trail is a very nice asphalt trail of 3 miles. It follows the Historic Tallulah Falls Railroad bed for much of the way. There is a nice footbridge across the Tallulah River. The trail has very little elevation change and is a nice place to take the family for a walk. Today’s hiking distance – 1.5 miles Directions: Coming from the south into Tallulah Falls, GA, cross the Highway 441 bridge at the gorge and lake and turn left at the traffic light across from the Jane Hurt Yarn Rd. Continue a short distance and you will see the old railroad trestle columns in the lake. Just past the columns, turn right to the trailhead. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy at first then rain with thunder! Temperatures in the upper 50’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Purple Phacelia and Yellow Weed. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Towhee, Carolina Wren, and Chickadee. |
 Trailhead parking. |
 Shortline information |
 We’re on the trail like old times! Wayne is hiking! |
 Looking down to the Tallulah River just above the lake. |
 A wet trail but not raining yet! |
 Wanda, Wayne and Leigh Ann Miller. |
 This is a narrow portion of the trail passing under the old metal bridge. |
 The Fiddleheads are starting to come up. |
 Trail signs pointing to some other hiking options. |
 Nature’s marvel of the day! A Poplar tree grew through a gap in the metal bridge and has molded itself around the rails. |
 Wildflower of the day! Purple Phacelia, we think. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Jeanne O’Connor, Dave Hinson, Bruce O’Connor, Karen Brown, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Leigh Ann Miller, Donna Presley, Joe Raguckas, Dick Metzgar, John Bellamy and Tony Presley. |