Judy and I have just returned from a long-awaited
weekend in Dahlonega, Georgia. It was truly a "perfect
storm" of circumstances. The focal event was our first-time
ever attendance at one of Brianna's gymnastics meets.
An added bonus was my historical connection with Dahlonega,
site of America's first gold rush. More about that later.
Here are Bri and Hunter at the town's welcome sign.
We stayed at the historic Smith House Inn, just a
block off the town square. We spent time every evening
rocking and socializing on their long front porch.
It was totally relaxing.
The Smith House was built in 1898 and their restaurant
has served delicious family-style meals since 1922.
The original house has now been supplemented with
a lodge and villas, which offer the same great amenities.
We enjoyed the family-style meal the first night we
were there. Near the dining area was an exhibit of a
gold mine that was actually on the site of the inn.
Entrance to the exhibit of the "Lost Mine."
The exhibit portrayed how a miner was lowered in
a metal "cage" to chip away mineral samples and bring
them up for analysis.
We didn't have time to tour this museum, but I intend
to delve further into the Dahlonega Gold Rush on my own.
You see, my ancestor, Great-great-great Grandpa James Loyd,
after establishing a homestead in DeKalb County, GA. in the
1820s, headed for "gold country" around 1840. Leaving the family
farm in the capable hands of his son Jabez, James apparently did
well in the gold fields. In 1845, he opened a general store with his
friend and brother-in-law James Collins in the young railroad town
of Marthasville. Never heard of it? It became Atlanta within a few
years. And before 1860, James Loyd had established the Washington
Hall Hotel, one of the first inns in the booming city. James died in
1862, two years before General Sherman torched much of the city,
including that hotel. There's much more, but that belongs on my
Mystery at the Loyd Homeplace blog. Take time to visit it sometime.
This historic courthouse is at the center of the town
square and is a magnificent piece of architecture.
Along with other interesting trivia, this sign tells the
origin of the saying "Thar's gold in them thar hills."
As we toured the town square, we happened upon
an irresistible ice cream and chocolate shop: Kilwins.
Though we were in town for Bri's gymnastics, we had
the good fortune to find the Bear on the Square Mountain
Festival taking place all weekend. It had its beginnings
years ago when-- wait for it-- a bear wandered around
the town square. Ah, capitalism!
This general store was a huge hit with all of us. It
would remind some of my readers of Dunrovin in
Southern Pines, NC or the Mast General Store in the
North Carolina mountains.
We didn't visit Knuckle's Sandwich Shop, but we
walked past it every time we ventured into the square.
So it begged to be documented.
The peace sign seemed appropriate.
Adding the grandkids also seemed appropriate.
It seems that all these jugs had been filled with the
proceeds of 5 cent coffee over the years. Maybe they
found that coffee and browsing go hand in hand.
The reverse of the sign said "OPEN."
Some clever wit found an anagram to inform you
the establishment was "CLOSED."
Although Bear on the Square featured mountain arts
and crafts, there was much more to it.
There were open venues where scheduled performers
took to the stage. But you couldn't walk far without
coming upon a group of two or ten making their own
music on the sidewalk or steps. It was entrancing.
A bonus of this up-close performing is that the artists
could take time to converse and answer questions
between songs.
On Saturday morning, we wanted a moderate leg-
stretcher before Bri's afternoon gymnastics meet.
Just twenty winding miles north, De Soto Falls fit
the bill just right. Even after we saw this sign.
We only had time to hike to the Lower Falls. We'll save
the Upper Falls for a future hike (we hope)!
All of our grandkids love the outdoors and never
turn down an opportunity to enjoy nature.
The mountain stream that flowed alongside the
highway and parking area was everything you want
a mountain stream to be.
Early spring is when many woodland herbs and
wildflowers thrive, before the hardwood canopy begins
to block the sun. Amanda and Bri used phone apps to
identify the plants we didn't already know.
We're always on the lookout for humor. So of course
we thought it funny to have a handicapped parking sign
on top of two tons of gravel. Whatever!
After a great lunch of pizza, calzones, and more at Gustavo's
on the town square, we had time to stroll through the
festival again, and things were really getting up to speed!
This is a guide to a wonderful metal sculpture in
the center of the town park. It depicts many events
in the town's colorful history.
Here is the ornate creation. Truly amazing. Maybe
an idea for other towns to emulate.
I was pleased and impressed that the festival also
featured an array of storytellers. Unfortunately, our
schedule didn't permit me to linger, but I thought it
was an important part of the celebration.
At the adjacent park, Bri and Hunter burned off a few
calories, though it was probably us adults who needed
to do that. The park was extremely well-designed and the
kids explored it thoroughly. Shall we say, inside and out.
I loved seeing the gold rush theme incorporated even
into the playground. It even show the light colored veins
of quartz where gold was likely to be found.
If you build it, they will climb.
We assumed it was a rock-climbing apparatus.
The live bear didn't show up, so Hunter rode this one.
These contemporary style swings are almost like a hammock.
Except they made it into a work-out.
At mid-afternoon we arrived at the venue for Bri's
gymnastics competition. Here is her entire team of
17 young ladies from Punchfront Gym in Bonaire, GA.
I've left it to Amanda (Bri's mom) to share the amazing
videos of Bri's routines on Facebook.
Whatever else we enjoyed this weekend, seeing Bri in
action was the highlight, and it wasn't even close. Her
poise, balance, skill, creativity, and joy were all on display
as she won GOLD in all four of her events:
vault, uneven bars, floor exercise, and balance beam. Even
the way she mounted the beam set her apart from others.
Here are Bri and two teammates who also earned
accolades. And speaking of "beams," Grandma and
Grandpa were "beaming" along with our sweet Bri.
Can you blame us?
Before we left lovely Dahlonega the next morning,
I viewed the gold atop the new county courthouse
across town. It stirred a special memory for me.
In August 1958, when I was just five, Daddy took our
family to see a wagon train deliver a shipment of gold
from Dahlonega to the steps of the Georgia state capitol.
Here is an excellent account of that great day, which
I don't think I will ever forget.
There's still gold in "them thar hills" of Dahlonega.
BUT THIS WAS BRIANNA'S DAY,
AND
NOT ALL THE GOLD STAYED IN DAHLONEGA!!
