Rock City (Georgia/Tennessee)

Rock City is worth the ride.

It was very pretty, and the walk was good too. I am glad I can still fit thorugh the rocks.
They where very close though, need to go on a diet ASAP!

The Lovers Leap was romantic and tells a story:

Nearby Yonah Mountain is the site of a Romeo and Juliet-like legend that Nacoochee was a beautiful Cherokee "princess," who fell in love with a Choctaw warrior named Sautee. When their love was forbidden by the Cherokee elders, a war party followed the eloping lovers and threw Sautee off the mountain, with Nacoochee then jumping to her death, a Lover's Leap.

[Reference: Wikpedia :)]

Ok, so it was a very tragic romantic story, but the view was awesome.

I also liked the "seven states" view. Its pressumed you can view a bit of these states: Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia. 

On the trail there is a hanging bridge, which was scary but safe (there is an alternate trail). We also saw a white deer!

We had dinner in TN, at a brewery place, Big River Grille, it was delicious and did the beer sampling, very good!

Rock City is very close to Ruby Falls, which we haven't been yet. But I promised Emily I would take her when she comes for Thanksgiving! So we will definitely be going up again!

Also, Yuani and I realized, we will be spending another Black Friday in Atlanta! Can't wait!

Pictures Below!

Whiskey Visiting, Boxing views, Football Cherry-popping and Concerthopping Weekend!!

This Whiskey trip I originally wanted to do it for my Birthday, but for some reason last month they wouldn't do a tasting tour on Sunday. They started giving sampling tours very recently. I asked Jojo if he wanted to do it for his 25^th Birthday, and him being a whiskey lover too, accepted eagerly. It kind of suck that our friends were busy or weren't up to do the trip with us because it was Awesome. My dear friend Rita came to town from Rochester, NY and so wanted to come with us, but Yuani had to  pick her up from the airport that day, because she actually arrived on whiskey trip day.

Yuani and I had sworn she was arriving Friday where we were having a Girls Night Out Party at Melting Pot. The Girls Night was epic, the night surrounded of dipping goodness, two bottles of wine and one of champagne. We laughed our guts out. I wasn't feeling very good, haven't lately, so I decided to cut the night short and leave with the other northern Georgia gal, Yuani, back to the suburbs, and leave the two down-townies (Liz & Zuleika) to the fun.

On Saturday, the trip started great, the day was beautiful. We found it was hilarious that you have to cross from Georgia to Tennessee, back to Georgia and then again to Tennessee to get to Lynchburg.

The Sampling tours where beginning to be sold out, so we bought a later tour and cruised the old town. Fun fact, Lynchburg is a DRY County. So it doesn't sell alcohol. You won't even  find a beer in any restaurant!

We had lunch at Whiskey runners, food was good, I liked their chicken and mac and cheese. They were impressed with Jojo's appetite, as he ordered two entrees and ate it all. It was normal for me.

The tour takes around the distillery, it shows you pretty neat stuff and educational things. It raise your hope of buying your own barrel of whiskey, like Gretchen Wilson or Dolly. A barrel is around 9K, I think I can afford that luxury some day. There was a part they take you the one of the process stages and ask guys like Jojo, in fact he helped out, to fan out the big wooden lid from it so we could catch a smell, the smell was pure alcohol. This precious old lady shouted “It smells so good” and the rest of us almost died of laughter. I so want to come back with my friends again.

At the end of the tour they give you a very small shots of three of their whiskeys, but not Jack Daniels Honey. It was interesting. They do have a store, where they sell you a “Collector” bottle that happens to have whiskey in it. The only way for them to sell in their store. They only can carry a “Collection” License. It was sad that Jack Daniels HONEY hadn't a collector bottle.

Another neat thing I got to do was “write” on a bottle a short message for Jojo on the Whiskey I bought him for his birthday (spoiled much!). Also, ten minutes down the road (in another county) we found a liquor store with great specials, where I bought some gifts from. The attendant there, a young man with appereance as from India but with a really strong southern accent recomended me to put Jack Honey on the freezer and pour it down on some Vanilla Ice cream. I shall do that experiment! Jojo also got his hands to some Moonshine (legal, of course).

We got back to reunite with Yuani, Rita and Juan to have dinner at Hooters. Then we met with the rest of the Georgia gang to watch the boxing match of Canelo Vs. Mayweather, no comments.

On Sunday, rather than doing the typical touristy run of Atlanta, we opted to going to the Falcons NFL game and what a game! We had a blast and now I have a new respect and taste for watching football. We had dinner that day at Eclipse Di Luna on the Miami Circle, where they have unlimited Sangrias on Sundays and the tapas where delish!

The party didn't end there. Rita's purpose to visit was to go to Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, Honda Civic tour Concert. It was awesome.

Tuesday morning at 5:00 AM, Rita brews me some puertorican coffee and off we go to the airport to bid farewell to an awesome weekend. I decided since I was heading really early to work, to make a pit stop and buy some cookies and doughnuts for the co-workers.

Day passed  by fast, since it mainly involved may next trip for business next week, I will be in Minneapolis territory. Minnessota here I come!

I left somewhat "early" because I got in super early, to go to bed, since my “sickness” is really kicking up some hard pain and draining my energy, yes, I know, I need to go to the doctor, I will deal with that soon.

 But for now, I am praying to have some spare time in Minnessota. My co-workers are not excited and are like, "What is there to do in MN?" Are you kidding me? Three words, MALL OF AMERICA, oh yes and Amen! (P.S. yes, I am the only girl traveling there).

Bike Day!

It's been a while, but I haven't stopped visiting places. I have just been to the usual, Six Flags, local restaurants, Stonemountain (again and again).

Finally today I did something new. We (Jojo and I) rented bikes and went to the Greenway Trail in Roswell and Alpharetta. The rent for each bike was 25, which is not bad. Eventually I want my own here in GA, miss mine back at the Island.

Jojos was  mountain bike, mine wasn't since it was kind of a last minute thing. It was a fun outdoor experience, definitely doing it again. I just hope I can get a mountain bike so we can do the other trails.

Happy  Traveling!

I love this picture! (Artist unknown)

Fireworks and German Beer

This 4th of July was pretty sucky in weather, it has not stop raining. My mom, stepdad and little brother came to visit. As soon they got off the plane I took them to none the other, World of Coca-cola. This is my 8th time there. The guys went on the CNN tour and mom and me went shopping around. Moes was closed because of  the fourth of July and that broke my heart, I had a huge craving for some chips and queso. We ended up snacking in chick-fill-a.

Back at Chamblee mom did some chicken mesquite and pasta. Yuani, Juan and Jojo joined us for dinner. Yuani and Juan left but the rest of us went to to watch the laser show and fireworks special at Stone Mountain Park. Even though it was foggy, it was awesome. We had our rain jackets or hoodies on and had a blast. Definitely recommend it. Rain or shine.

Yesterday, we went up north about 1.5 hours to a german city, Helen. We took the "Scenery route" and it took longer but worth it. We passed by the cabbage patch doll place and I wanted to go but no one else wanted to. 

At Helen, it was pretty. We did some shopping of course, had some good german beer and pretzel. My beer was the Spaten Oktoberfest, amber, savory and refreshing. Jojo had an Ayinger Celebrator beer, dark and malty, so good. For food we can't say the same, Jojo ordered a sandwich and was definitely not a fan. The german chocolate cake that my parents ordered was delicious. The little brother ordered soup, he loves soup.

We met another puertorican gal now living in Florida. We walked through the german streets, stopped by many stores. We saw a guy doing dome airbrush art on hats and t-shirts, great pulse! At one store a lady called out Jojo to later say "I was telling my friend that If I was 30 years younger I would escape with you." It was hilarious! The parking there was two dollars but it depended entirely on your honesty. You put the money on an envelope and then to a mailbox. Wonder if people really paid, we did. Rainy as it was it was a good family trip.

Aufidersen! 

I will definitely be back to Helen on a sunny day! Then I will go to the cabbage patch place and drive 30 minutes more for the Ruby Falls.