Lake Chatuge

I'm currently in the middle of the first LAKE vacation I've had since I can remember. I've been unable to write because I've been so BUSY, but this morning I'm feeling a bit sick and my foot is still throbbing a bit from the lovely wasp sting I was fortunate enough to receive yesterday, therefore, I shall write today. I've gone to the beach quite a few times, and the beach is my favorite place in the world to be. It seems, to me at least, as though things just fall in to place while I'm at the beach. Because of my affinity for sand, sun, and surf, I was a little disappointed when I found out that my family vacation for the year would be a week long stay in cabins right on Lake Chatuge in North Georgia. When we arrived on Saturday, however, all of the disappointment QUICKLY faded away.

I always love time spent with my huge family, but when the view is as breathtaking as it is here, I love it even more. As my sister is home for a few days, I'm staying in a small cabin with my cousin Kate and Aunt Sharon. This is essentially the view that I've woken up to the past three mornings:



It is GORGEOUS! The mountains, the huge lake, the clean air, and the clear and starry night sky have all made me fall in love. We've gone out on the pontoon boat we rented the past two days and swam in the lake. We also have this humongous float big enough for eight people that we can all just lounge on while it's tethered to the boat on the dock. Soaking up the sun while floating on a beautiful lake with mountains surrounding you is the PERFECT way to spend a couple of lazy hours.

If you're up for something a little more adrenaline-pumping, however, you could always opt for para-gliding! WE haven't taken any part in it, but the first day we were on the lake we could see people launching off of a mountain close to our cabins. I've heard you can take horseback rides up the mountains as well, which sounds like fun! If you don't want to leave the lake, you could always rent a speed boat and go tubing or maybe even rent a couple of jet skis. There are COUNTLESS things to do.

Being here with family makes everything even better. Last night we all sat in a big circle after dinner. I laughed until I thought I would SURELY be left with ripped abs as my dad and uncle told stories about their experiences in big cities like Chicago and Philadelphia. This made me appreciate my quiet, country way of life even more. I love living in Georgia, and am glad that I'm spending my vacation here-even if that means I won't be getting to leave the state this year.

Well, that's all folks. I'm starting to feel a bit less sleepy and my headache is finally subsiding. The sun is peaking out from behind the clouds and I think I'm going to go hunt down dear old Dad. Until next time, peace.