Walter's 76th Birthday

76th Birthday - March 10, 2009

A day of surprises! As I left for town to get my drivers license renewed, Ann told me I needed to get home by 10:30am, that we were going out to lunch. Okay..... So, I hurried home, curious as to what she was up to. It soon became apparent that we were going to spend the night somewhere, as she had our bags packed. She then told me that she had reservations at a lodge in Tallulah Falls south of Clayton. But, as we approached Clayton, she directed me to head north. Again, I was baffled. She was then compelled to tell me that we were eating lunch at the Dillard House. Then, as we entered the driveway, she told me that Don and Georgiana Bradley were meeting us for lunch there. Three surprises, and it all sounded good.

Lunch at the Dillard House is an experience, to be sure. As soon as we were seated, out came the food - pork chops, country ham, fried and barbecued chicken, ground meat stuffed in peppers, mashed potatoes, fordhook limas, green beans, creamed corn, squash cassarole, lots of rolls, cornbread, muffins, and I've forgotten what all else. There was hardly room on the table for it all, and impossible to devour. I think we put as much in boxes to take home as we ate.

Then, after a short visit at the Bradleys' home in Rabun Gap, we headed south toward Tallulah, stopping first at the State Park on the east side of the gorge. We'd been there once before, but it was still and interest place to visit. The Interpretive Center is full of native animals (stuffed, of course) displayed in a mock up of their habitat in the mountains. All that taxidermy work was done by a now deceased friend and former neighbor of ours - Ted Bowen. We watched a video of kayakers plunging over the falls, then walked down to an overlook on the rim of the gorge.
The water flowing was relatively calm. Later in the spring, Georgia Power will release an abundant flow of water from their dam, so the Kayakers can again have their fun. Pictures in the museum showed how monstrous the falls become during those times.

By then, it was four o'clock and time to check in at the lodge. The Lodge At Tallulah Falls is less than a year old, and not yet found by very many folks. We felt like we were the only guests in the beautiful facility. Everything was first class. Breakfast the next morning was sort of "do it yourself" but included sausage biscuits, omelets, waffles, and a variety of fruits, cereals, pastries and juices.

The temperature was pleasant, offering the hope that spring was really on the way. After a stop at the Clayton Wallmart, we headed home - an old man and his conniving bride. It had been an exciting birthday.