Wanderlust.....: Roundabout

Wanderlust.....: Roundabout: .     I love having a large family. As hectic as things can be sometimes, I really can honestly say I would not have it any other way...

Roundabout

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    I love having a large family. As hectic as things can be sometimes, I really can honestly say I would not have it any other way. However, after a rainy night at the school carnival where we missed the cotton candy by 5 minutes before closing, a temper tantrum on the shuttle bus and having to explain to everyone that Deidre slid down a damp slide and did not wet her pants, I decided it was time to get away.
   
I addition to music lessons, I have taken on site evaluations in order to earn a little extra pocket cash to fund my travels. Since I was able to block 4 locations in the North Georgia mountains, I thought it would be nice to combine work with a bit of leisure.
  
 Early that afternoon I said my goodbyes to everyone as I gleefully made my way to the car. As I started my
engine, I did not give a second thought about the additional miles I would be adding to the minivan. Riding down the very much welcomed long road ahead of me without the sound of Kidz Bop blaring on the radio was liberating. After recent soggy weather conditions, the sky was blue. Going to "work" was actually something I was ready to welcome.
  
 After the express way brought me to the country highway leading to the mountains,  freedom and being away from home for the day was becoming real. The calm waters of a lake surrounded the road as it brought me further away from suburbia and closer to rural America.  The omnipresent Starbucks and Quicktrip stations built up now to where you feel you're on Rodeo drive to get you gas have been replaced by the quaint, soft serve stands and abandoned service station with empty low boy pumps. As I stopped to take a photo near a local town hall, a live auctioneer could be heard from the inside. I hoped I didn't distract anyone.
  
After I arrived at my destination, I had two assignments that had to be completed before 3:00 and two for later that afternoon. I had completed the first two  and since there was time left over and not a whole lot to see in the town where my work was, I wandered even further.
  
 As I traveled north of town, the mountains that I am able to see from a distance closer to home were now
surrounding me. I didn't really know where I was going but all I knew is that I was hungry. As I rode deeper into the hills, I stumbled upon what looked to be a German themed community. Nestled in the hills of the Appalachia, the designs of the houses and business looked more like something seen in Heidelberg, Bavaria or somewhere I may spot Hansel and Gretel rather than anywhere remotely resembling Georgia. Even the Wendy's and Wells Fargo bank fit the role. In the hopes that there might be some historical German history or lineage significant to this area, I did some researched. Though I discovered that it was really no more than just an appealing and unique theme only to attract tourists, I still found it to be quaint and decided to venture further. Besides, I was hungry.

  I stopped at the Bodensee which was the  first place I saw and was far enough away from the crowds since it was Saturday and a nice day to be out and about. A kind woman in old style German attire to include the dirndl dress and roped braids led me to out door seating where I could put up my feet and check my email. A cold beer was tempting but since I was working, I ordered water and spaetzle with a salad. Since I have not dined on German cuisine too often, I was told that spaetzle was a German form or pasta and came highly recommended.
    

 When my plate arrived, I had enough German pasta with chopped ham and molten cheese in front of me to feed about four people. So there I was, just me and this very large plate. People stared. 
    
 With about 3 quarters of spaetzle in a doggie bag which I placed in the car, I took a short walk and gazed at the water fall over mossy stones while people quietly sat on the banks with their fishing poles. Mountains peeked out of the sky over the grassy meadows below. Never had I loved this type of work that involves any travel what so ever.
   
  After visiting my last two sights, I made the pleasant drive back home that night. Though only gone for the day,  and there was some work involved, I made the drive home feeling very content. I was glad to return home to my family and went to the movies that night with Rebecca and a few extra dollars in my pocket...... to maybe someday visit Heidelberg.




Place visited: Helen, Georgia
Date visited: March 21st, 2015

"In and around the lake. Mountains come out of the sky .......and they stand there" -John Anderson, Steve Howe