On Sunday 9/21, we departed Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. We decided to take Interstate 24 to Interstate 75 to avoid going over, or at least around, Lookout Mountain. We drove that road everyday to get downtown. It is narrow and winding. We crossed back into Georgia on I-75. We exited onto US Hwy 41. The first town we came to was Ringgold GA. There is an 11' 7" low bridge downtown, so we took the "truck route." In the heart of Ringgold is the Historic Commercial District in Downtown. On Nashville Street or Highway 41 also known as "The Dixie Highway." The historic block represents the very beginning of the growth of the City. Wonderful historic buildings from the mid 1800's and early 1900's house a great collection of shopping, restaurants, and a variety of services for any visitor.
We passed by the Dolly Parton mural. Dolly Parton married her husband, Carl Dean, in Ringgold, Georgia, on May 30, 1966, at the First Baptist Church of Ringgold. To avoid publicity from her label, the couple eloped with only Parton's mother, the preacher, and his wife in attendance. Ringgold, which has been called "The Wedding Capital of the South," celebrates its connection to Parton with an annual "Dolly Days" event and a mural titled "Tying the Knot" located at the church where she was married. Ringgold hired Kim Radford, an artist based out of Northeast Georgia, to paint a big and bold mural at the corner of Nashville St. and Tennessee St. in the middle of downtown Ringgold. The mural is approximately 24’ high by 60’ wide. The mural is in celebration of Parton’s 56th Wedding Anniversary.
The Ringgold train chase refers to the final moments of Andrews' Raid (The Great Locomotive Chase) in April 1862, when Union raiders commandeered a Confederate train, the "General," but were overtaken and forced to abandon the locomotive just north of Ringgold, Georgia, ending their failed mission to destroy Confederate rail lines. The event culminated in the raiders' capture by pursuing Confederates, leading to the first recipients of the newly created Medal of Honor among the surviving Union soldiers.
On our way to Dalton Georgia, we passed by signs for the "Dixie Highway" and the "March To The Sea." A millionaire from Indianapolis by the name of Carl Graham Fisher proposed the idea of a route that would connect the American Midwestern and Southern states. The plan was ambitious, but Fisher knew constructing the route was necessary for the success of his newly established city, Miami Beach, Florida. He wanted there to be an easy route into the city, hoping the prospect of work and wealth would lure people from the North there and throughout Florida. In 1915 Fisher met with the governors of states interested in the route. Together, they laid out the framework for what would become the Dixie Highway. Early plans had the route stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Miami, Florida, meeting every major city in between. It was decided that constructing and maintaining the roadway would be the responsibility of states and communities along the route. Early decision makers named the road the Cotton Belt Route, but this was changed to the Dixie Highway in 1915. The name changed as part of an effort to design a more exotic and pleasant image of the South. Referring to the highway as “Old Dixie” imbued feelings of nostalgia, and helped paint a picture of the American South as a place with beautiful scenery and attractive cities and sites.
There are multiple "March to the Sea" bike routes in Georgia, including the official state route and routes based on the historical March. The Georgia State Bicycle Route 35, a longer route from the Tennessee border to Savannah. This route is a 428-mile state-designated path from the Tennessee border in Rossville down to Savannah.
In Calhoun GA we passed the old Gem Theater. Calhoun's Gem Theatre features the best of both the past and present. Its appearance takes you back to 1939, and its amenities provide a state-of-the-art theatre experience.The original GEM is best remembered as a movie theatre, but the renovated 461-seat GEM showcases a variety of entertainment. The Gem Theatre is nestled in charming downtown. The intimate, historic venue offers excellent acoustics and great views from every seat.
We turned from US 41 on GA 20 E. We took GA 20 E all the way to the campground. It was a good road in some counties and lousey road in other places.
We arrived at Shoal Creek Campground. After we checked in, we were greeted by the locals! Looks like we are really going to enjoy camping here! Shoal Creek Campground is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and managed and reserved through Lake Lanier Islands Resort, which operates the facility and handles the reservations. So, no America the Beautiful Lifetime Senior Pass discount, but it certainly looks beautiful here!
We picked site #62 and when I checked in the clerk said "it is my favorite site." Once we arrived there I can see why! The views are amazing! We got settled in and headed over to see Jackie. Visiting with our old friend is the whole reason we are here!
We enjoyed catching up with Jackie and reliving old memories from days gone by. We love her new home in her 55+ Community in Dacula, Georgia. Her decorating style has not changed, it is so darn cute inside!
It feels like we were just with her a few days ago! It's funny how time evaporates when you connect with FRamily!
We returned to the campground and sat outside and enjoyed the weather!
On Monday 9/22, I enjoyed a walk in the park and saw very many locals... the four-legged kind!
Near the end of my walk, I was in the empty tent loop on a bluff.
I kept hearing water splashing. I walked into a site and saw a ton of deer on a beach area. They were running in and out of the water, just having a great time.
I tried to sneak closer without spooking them. This is the best video I could get!
Jackie is so kind... she insisted that we bring our laundry over today while we visited. That was nice. We enjoyed time together visiting and then we went to lunch at the Dacula Diner. It is a new restaurant close to Jackie's place.
The Dacula Diner serves breakfast all day and specialize in serving mouthwatering American dishes. Their 1950's neon-themed ambiance sets the stage for a vibrant dining experience, complemented by their friendly staff.
Jackie had breakfast, Charlie had pork shops and I had salad. Everything was delicious!
I found the phones hanging at the entrance so very cool!
Too bad none of us had room for dessert, they all looked delicious!
We took a drive back to the campground for Jackie to see our new rig. Since they lived in Buford for many years, she shared lots of information about the area. After that, we headed to see the Buford Dam. Buford Dam, which forms Lake Sidney Lanier, marks the start of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with the Bowmans Island.
The dam was completed in 1956,and is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Buford Dam provides 250 million kwh of hydroelectric power annually to the surrounding Atlanta area.
The cold water released from the base of the dam provides an ideal habitat for trout, thus becoming a favorite spot among trout fishermen.
We enjoyed our drive with Jackie and I think she did too! We went back to her place and I folded laundry, while Jackie and Charlie were falling asleep in the living room! So, we headed back to the rig, so Jackie could rest. It was a great day with a very special lady! Until we come again, Miss Jackie! Love ya!
Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures
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