2002 Allante Mountain Grubbing Trip

  After a great breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, we headed for the mountains. The air was cool coming off the mountains and the rain started as we pulled in to Clayton, Georgia for a rest stop. We forged on north to Franklin, North Carolina, where we discovered the Whistle Stop. It turned out to be a first rate retail therapy experience. It was a unique indoor mini mall with several specialty shops and cafes. Then it was on to grub for our fortune at the Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine. No one got the mother lode, but several nice stones were found. Everyone had a lot of fun,especially since the mine had a roof to shield us from the rain. Our lodging for the night was the Applegate Inn on the river in downtown Dillsboro. After a great dinner at the world famous Jarrett House, we tried our luck at Harrod’s Casino in Cherokee. Luck was with us and no one lost their shirt or car.

  The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at the Applegate and fresh mountain air along their flowered river bank. After checking out, we cruised back to Atlanta stopping by the Nantahala River Nature Center to observe the many rafters testing their white water skills on one of the most popular rivers in these parts. Even with the rain we had a blast, and vowed to come grubbing again.