Vogel State Park (#8)

If mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

That's what they say, right? Moms so often put all their heart and soul into their children, and their husbands, that they forget who they are. I love being "Wife" and "Mom", it's my life and I don't want it any other way. But I've learned that it's important to make time for me to be Katherine too, so that I may return to my family in a more peaceful and fulfilled state of mind.

This came up while at Vogel State Park this past weekend. I wanted to check another park off my list (this made #8) and I dragged hubby along for the four-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail. Halfway through, he finally asks, "why do you like this stuff anyway?" I thought for a moment and answered, "because this is when I get to be me."

Anyway, Vogel State Park is in Northeast Georgia and is situated at the base of Blood Mountain and there is a nice big recreational lake in the park as well for fishing, paddleboating, and swimming. There are campsites available and picnic areas and playgrounds. We went on a Saturday and the park was filled with people enjoying the lake and campgrounds, but we only saw a couple groups on the trail. We hiked the 4.1 mile Bear Hair Gap Trail up Blood Mountain, but there is also a 13 mile backpacking trail. I don't hike often enough to even consider such a trek. Maybe one day when the kids are bigger...

I took this opportunity to play with my camera a bit and try to learn some of its settings. I'm finding it much trickier than I thought it'd be. But, I take photos for me, so if I like them, I keep them--"good" or not. Below are some pictures I took of the trail, and me (Adrian took those) and Adrian--the trooper. I'll give him credit, he's a great husband for sucking it up and doing this trail with me. Although I need these trips for my "me" time, I am not quite ready to break the "hiking buddy" rule. I still get lost in my home town.

Me and My Copper

Happy Feet (I never said they were pretty feet)

Vogue in the woods

Being goofy

We always bring the gun show, wherever we go.

Adrian says this proves I will forever be the awkward one.

So close! There's this band we like called Opossum Holler.

We spent four days with four friends in Blue Ridge, Georgia. We rafted the Ocoee River as a group and had a blast! We had quite an experience, as four of the seven in our group (including the guide) fell out of the raft, not even two minutes into the river. And it was caught on film! Can't wait to see that footage, it will be hilarious I'm sure. All in all, it was so nice to be able to slip away from home for a few days. I missed my boys like crazy but, admittedly, it was nice to be Katherine for a few days.

Evening view from our cabin.