Craig Dodge - Blog

What a wonderful trip!

In just a week's time, I went to San Francisco California, Lansing Michigan and Blue Ridge Georgia. It was a lot of traveling in a short time, but well worth it.

While I was in San Francisco, I visited my brother and several friends. I got to meet Nancy, a travel agent friend whom I've known online for almost 8 years, but we had never met in person. I also had dinner with some good friends and spent a little time with my brother.

After just 2 days in San Francisco, I flew to Lansing, Michigan (where I was born and raised ), to meet my dad and then drive together to Blue Ridge, Georgia. My dad picked me up at the airport and we immediately began the long drive. The total drive takes about 12 hours each way (more or less). We took 2 days on the way down because I arrived in Lansing around dinner time, but came back all in one day. The drive took us through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. It didn't seem like such a long drive because my dad and I talked a lot and the scenery in that part of the country is beautiful, especially Kentucky and Tennessee.

The focus of the trip was visiting my grandparents who live in Blue Ridge, Georgia, a mountain community in northern Georgia, near the Tennessee border. My brother flew down from San Francisco, my aunt and uncle flew from Minneapolis, Minnesota and my other uncle flew from Tucson, Arizona. It was the first time we'd all been together since my grandfather's 80th birthday, 15 years ago. It was very special.

Most of our time in Blue Ridge was spent at my grandparents house just talking and sharing memories. My grandfather is quite the story teller, always talking about funny or interesting things that have happened in his life. My dad said he doesn't mind hearing the same story over and over because the ending is usually different each time.

While we were there, my uncles and I did some hiking in the mountains. Blue Ridge is near two National Forest Parks with many hiking trails to explore. It was especially beautiful with the fall colors.

We also enjoyed some great dinners together at some of the new restaurants in town. It used to be a very quiet place, but there are many fancy restaurants and shops now.

At the end of the day, we went back to our hotel, Serenity in the Mountains, and enjoyed more conversation and relaxation. Our rooms at the hotel were more like apartments, with separate living rooms and bedrooms, which made it very comfortable. It was truly a home away from home.

I only took pictures while we were in Blue Ridge, but I invite you to take a look at them in my photo gallery.