Brasstown Bald, GA

Today we went to Brasstown Bald. Brasstown Bald is the highest point in the state of Georgia at 4,784 ft. We were hoping to get a view with some fall colors at a higher elevation. The leaves here in Northern Georgia haven't started changing much, but we did see more color on our drive to Brasstown today than we've seen all week. Hopefully with the cool evenings during our last few days the fall colors will make a fantastic appearance. Entrance to the park is $5 per person, 16 yrs. old and up. If you have a national park pass there is no charge.  For $2 you can ride a shuttle to the top or walk the ¾ mile trail.

At the summit there is a large observation deck and even an observation tower where you can see four states (North Carolina, South Carolina Tennessee and of course Georgia). Also, they have a museum and short narrated slide show of Brasstown Bald. We liked the patriotic feel with the garrison size American flag flying in the breeze, always a beautiful sight, but even more so with the mountains in the background. Back by the parking area there is a small gift shop and restrooms.

Brasstown Bald is well worth the visit if you are in the area.

On our drive back to the RV park we drove by a restaurant that had a line of people out to the parking lot. We decided to check it out. It was the Deer Lodge, 7900 Highway 17, Hiawassee, GA. We talked to people waiting in the line and we learned that this place was considered a local legend. They are only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then only for dinner after 4pm. We waited thirty minutes. 

They work pretty much as a well-oiled machine, as far as the wait staff is concerned, they had a lot of people to attend to all at once. Salads arrived incredibly fast and the servings of onion rings was enough for 4 or 5 people; we took a couple of rings and gave the rest to the couple at the next table. I ordered the sirloin with veggies and John ordered the T-bone with a baked potato. The baked potato was huge and the steaks were so big they could have come from a brontosaurus - they literally hung off both sides of the plate. Everyone's portions were beyond generous. This was a great find, we will return the next time we are in the area.