Wine Country or Just the Country?????

Wine Country or Just the Country, Its been a little bit and maybe should have written this a little sooner however I hate writing the blog with out posting the pictures cause it kind of explains the pictures. I still really haven't figured out how to upload the pictures as a group. Well Not much had been going on but being that I have my self some itchy feet and tend not to sit at home and like visiting different places I decided to take myself to the Wine Country in the Country, this would be North Georgia. The area has some lovely rolling hills, some pretty nice twisty roads, and well the best part is its close. Let's face it the rising prices of gas ( at the time of the trip) does put a small pinch into where and how far one can travel. I would have liked to get to the hills of Virginia and tour their wineries. However Georgia it is. I left for the trip and actually turned off the air conditioner while I was gone because Florida was expecting low humidity and highs in the 80's. The day was sunny and warm. As I was heading up 95 it just felt really good to be on the road. Traffic was rather light but I knew that would all change in a few weeks as folks migrate south for Panama and Biketorberfest. It was really very nice however it seemed like there were some clouds rolling in. Sometimes this section of 95 can feel like it takes forever to travel, it isn't like I'm going to North Carolina to See the folks at CrazyHorsePainting or the folks in PA or NH. There only a few miles ahead 16. I want to tell 16 is almost as boring as 95. I know that this leg of the journey will only last about 2 hours compared to 2 and 1/2 hours to reach 16. This road also is one of the older road and it seems that there bump, after bump after bump, or thumpity thump road. It always seems as 441 one will never come, by that time I need to refuel. I fueled up at the usual stop when I take this route north and hit 441. 441 is a strange little road. After making on turn I headed down the 4 lanes of this road. The traffic isn't heavy but it isn't exactly light either. It can be a boring road however the nice sweeping curves that begin the upward climb, the dense forest becomes thinner as small towns get smaller, The curves are either climbing or droping down into a hallow, and nice little riding grove begins. The ground turns from sandy to redish soil. There are some fresh water ponds that the water is so clear they are aqua in color, the pine trees are meet with Oak and a few maples the temps were slightly decreasing slightly and the shadows became longer. The days are growing shorter so dark sets in early. There are signs of the coming seasons as some trees have stared with yellows or red on the edges of the leaves. The traffic begings to pick up and in a small little town call Madison I will turn off 441 to 83. Madison has some really lovely old homes many from the 1800's and most of them survived Sherman's march through Georgia during the Civil War. One Christmas I will find out if they have a Holiday tour of the homes as they do in Charlestown. I would love to do a candle like tour like I did in Princetown NJ. However I turned the corner on to 83. Noticed a cute like sidewalk cafe, one I'ven't noticed before. 83 is a two lane road that goes through a few farming communities. One is Boswell. Cotton is ready for harvest yet, but will be soon. One thing for sure no plant caused more problems, pain, humiliation than cotton. Ok, I know it wasn't cotton buy I hope you understand what I mean. I continued along 83 and noticed hum a double bubble factory. Who knew. I stopped for the night on 78. Just about 45 minutes south of the winery, I could make there but why once I got there they would be closed so I might as well get rest and enjoy the hills and valley of the area. In the Morning I head up to the Winery. I entered the gate of Chateau Elan, It's beautiful the big stately gates, water fountain of a woman stomping grapes, lined with some very pretty and well groomed flowers. The Chateau is designed to appear like a French Castle. When you take the tour you get a free wine glass and taste 5 of their wines. They explained what a small winery they are and how they import their grapes from California and Florida as they only have 25 acres of vines. But then again it has and 18 hole Golf Course, Condos for rent and a development of homes. Maybe that's why they only have 25 acres to plant? The Tour wasn't that long but it was good. They use oak barrels and I asked if they get them from the Jack Daniel's plant as soon as our guide answered I remembered the JD plant sends most of their used barrels to Napa Valley. They have a lovely reception area with huge barrels for aging wine. They explained the squeezing processes for both white and reds because they are different. Next it was time for the wine tasting. Me I was shocked I got myself a little buzz from 5 shots of wine?? what the heck is up with that. We killed a bottle of port and asked the tour guide if I could have it. Port bottles are pretty neat but I don't really enjoy the drink. I met a few folks on the tour and babbled with them. They had been married for 3 years and met on line, so we all got hope. The day was warm but and I was thankful for that because you can never trust the hight country. It was a very long ride home and I took the same route home as when I got there so there's no need to decribe that ride. I enjoy doing factor torus and such I can always learn somethingl Plus its nice to do a seasonal thing, and harvest and processing wine is a season event. I helps put me in the mind set that fall is coming. Have a great one "T"