Country Roads

Today I am looking forward to my now almost weekly trek to White County for lunch at the Nacoochee Grill.  The  promise of conversation in friendship creates an ambience of pleasurable expectation.

These North Georgia roads are nearly always a joy to travel. There are a number of reasons. The scenic setting is beautiful with meadows of  grazing horses and cattle backdropped by the foothills of the Blue Ridge.  One easily understands why many progeny of the 18th Century settlers have never seen a reason to move on.

115 into Cleveland then 75 up to the outskirts of Helen is sufficiently hilly and winding to require attentiveness but is not overly challenging.  There are minimal opportunities for passing. Contented travelers follow the prevailing pace and acquire a sense of neighborliness in the journey

The roadside has mostly escaped gentrification and along it are scattered long ago established churches,  fresh produce stands, general stores, "collectible"  shops, and local prepared food offerings. There can only be one Bessie Mae's and certainly no other opportunity for a Yonah burger.

Now and then a time deadline evokes frustration by, for whatever reason, a slowing of traffic. The last time I went up the reason was a shining bright red pickup truck putzing along at about 35 mph. Then I noticed balls of bright yellow bouncing above the tailgate; marigolds. I began to enjoy being treated to this live Van Gogh painting for several minutes, a unique gift.

By some magic the trip from my house takes exactly 45 minutes, no matter the traffic, trees fallen across the road or whatever.   Nice to have some things to count on.