N. Georgia, anyone?

[ScottH]

Hi all,

Gary B. and I went shooting last weekend and finished up by talking about an APUG get together in the north Georgia "mountains", somewhere like Rock City or any # of the waterfalls around the Dahlonega area. I'm hoping a few weeks notice here will help others schedule this with work/family and a chance to iron out the details.

My thoughts are to aim for the weekend of Dec. 11/12, meet mid-late morning and be home for a late dinner (at least for those of us in the greater ATL area). Any takers, thought's, preferences...? Let's hear what'll work best for you and see if we can't come up with a consensus to go shooting.

 

[ScottH]

D'oh! Forgot to look at my own schedule, and the 11/12th is out for me. Perhaps Dec. 4/5th?

 

[doughowk]

I checked with another APUGer (Juan) here in N Florida, and we agree its too far for us just on a weekend. I'll probably be in area 1st week of January; and hope to get to see the falls then.
Have a good outing; and let us see your results.

 

[glbeas]

Well, rattle our cages when you get ready to come up north, some of us may be able to meet up and share some favorite shooting spots and BS at a local restaurant.

 

[juan]

Gary, when I lived in Roswell, there were 19,000 people there. There were wooded areas between town and Sandy Springs, and there were farms in Alpharetta. I hear it's changed. Ha.

I only had a 2 1/4TLR when I lived there, and I'd love to photograph some of the old historic sites with my 8x10. Maybe Doug and I can plan a trip next year.
juan

 

[ScottH]

Hi Juan,

Yeah, "changed" would be an understatement. Still lots of tree's, mostly shade for all the new neighborhoods, though. Be sure to post a time frame on any visits, hopefully one or more of us in the area can meet up.
Scott

 

[glbeas]

How not to shoot

I found an interesting tidbit about my WA and camera that day, got to see it today when I souped the negs. I forgot to check to see if the rails showed in the picture when I switched to portrait format, that 12.5 WA lens was a bit dim to see right away. I also managed to get a tripod leg in the shot, never realizing the lens has such an angle of view. Of course I WAS pointing the camera nearly straight down, who'd a thunk it?
I think the next batch of film I buy will be something other than the J&C 200, I don't like the midtones I get from this film.
One of these days I might learn how to use that camera.

 

[f64push]

APUG group shoot

I don"t live in N.Ga. but do live in S.Western NC.(Brevard)Would be interested in getting together with other members for a day shoot.Ron Crowder

 

[ScottH]

Hi Ron, Keep an eye on this message board and hopefully once the Holidays are over we can all meet up - particularly if the FL guys visit. You're in a beautiful area for shooting with the lakes, rivers, and of course the smokies. Not bad for driving either... I've a good friend that lives in Murphy, NC.

 

[glbeas]

Scott, you still good for getting out the 5th? We need to get a few of our other friends interested in going shooting with us. Whats a good place to go and who can go with us? Waterfall Country in NC is close and easy, as is Rocktown in NW Ga. on Pigeon Mtn.

 

[glbeas]

We seem to be settling on Rocktown, an area of freestanding caprock fragments that can be as high as 70 feet in some places. Very interesting erosional features all over the place. Mostly easy hiking but it is a mile or so from the parking area. Backpack or big wheel strollers for your gear.

 

[ScottH]

Hey Gary, Per your prior post referencing the 5th, are you meaning Feb. or March? Both are saturday's and would be a possibility for me. I'm guessing March - for the knee.

 

[glbeas]

Hey Gary, Per your prior post referencing the 5th, are you meaning Feb. or March? Both are saturday's and would be a possibility for me. I'm guessing March - for the knee.

I have other commitments in March, I was hoping for Feb. hoping the weather is not too frosty or wet. Roctown really is that easy a hike. Plus my knee is recovering very quickly, already its 200% better than before the surgery. In another week I'll be in great shape.

 

[ScottH]

Feb. 5 it is, then. Glad to hear your knee's rehabing quickly.

Now - who else is game??

SH

 

[glbeas]

I found a good verbal descrption:

http://www.rockcreek.com/articles/climbing/rock_town/home.asp

and a map of the Pigeon Mountain trails:

http://beasleyglb.home.mindspring.com/pigeon2.gif

 

[Doug Bennett]

Gary PM'd me about this, and I hope to be able to join you.

Either going or coming, you might consider a stop at Paradise Gardens in Penville, the home of the late, but IMHO great, folk artist Howard Finster. I've been there a number of times (it's on one of the Huntsville-Atlanta scenic routes), but haven't been since he died. We plan to stop by and see what shape it's in.

The Lookout Mountain area is full of possibilities: Cloudland Canyon, DeSoto Park, Little River Canyon, and Sandrock, another "rock city" similar to Rocktown.

 

[Doug Bennett]

BTW, Rocktown is right near Ellison's Cave, home to Fantastic Pit. At almost 600' deep, it's the deepest in the USA. Just down the road is Little River Canyon, the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. It's a cool area, but don't tell anyone.

Here are some nicely done photos from Ellison's, and other area caves. Yeah, I know, they're digital, but skillfully done.

 

[glbeas]

And no, we won't be dragging you into those caves. That would require a level of expertise few posess. It took me several years of practice to feel safe doing vertical caves on my own plus all the equipment necessary. If that floats your boat you need to get hooked up with the NSS http://www.caves.org/ .

Hope we can get a good trip up, the weather forecasts seem promising.

 

[esearing]

This could be interesting too...
Dead Link Removed

 

[ScottH]

Glad to hear from you guys. Hope weather permits and you're able to schedule it.
Scott

 

[glbeas]

We need a consensus on a meeting up place. Do you want to make your way to the WMA on your own and meet at the Pettijohns Cave parking area Just past the check-in station on Rocky Lane or meet in town (Lafayette)? Or meet at the truck stop at the exit for hwy 136 on I-75 and have breakfast together. Then, except for Doug, who would be coming in from the east we can convoy in. It takes two hours to get there from the Atlanta area, I'm thinking to plan on being at Rocktown by 10am.

Doug, are you clear how to get to Pigeon Mountain from your side?

Let me know how you can best handle it and we will try to work with you and make this enjoyable.

 

[Doug Bennett]

Yeah, I found directions to Rocktown from Lafayette on the web.

Once we know who's going, let's trade some cell phone numbers. Cell phones should work at least until Lafayette.

 

[glbeas]

Quite a few cells are going to work on top of the mountain, at least on the brow. Theres a repeater tower out there somewhere that catches the signal.

I'l pm the cell number to you and the rest.

 

[ScottH]

Gary, Since we're relatively close we may as well car-pool it. I can drive down to your area, since we can cut west and hop on 75 in Marietta. I'll send a off-list note to you with my cell if you need it again and we'll nail down the details.
Scott

 

[Doug Bennett]

I work among serious cavers here in Huntsville, and they're familiar with Rocktown. They highly recommend it, with a caveat: in years past, they've had numerous problems with breakins in the parking area. So, make sure you can get all valuables out of sight in a trunk or some such.

I'll plan to get an early start and maybe hook up with ya'll in Lafayette.