May, 2009 – History, Hiking and Southern Cooking…Georgia

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TRAVEL BY TERRITerri Farris

History, Hiking and Southern Cooking
 

by Terri Farris

Photos by Carolyn Marshall

 

Nestled in the northwest corner of Georgia an affordable family vacation awaits!  My personal history began here in the town of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.  This month I would like to share with you the history and beauty of this unique area of the Southeast.

Chickamauga National Military Park is located approximately 100 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia and just 10 miles south of Chickamauga Battlefield Park Chattanooga, Tennessee.  The park is the Nation’s oldest military park and was the site of the bloodiest two day battle in the Civil War.  Chickamauga is a Cherokee word meaning “River of Blood”.  On September 19th and 20th in 1863 more than 35,000 men were killed, wounded or missing out of 120,000 soldiers.  Today a seven mile loop tour features markers and monuments place by states after the war as well as cannons and log cabins.  There is also a longer twelve mile tour available.   Tour stops include the site of my personal favorite, the Wilder Brigade Monument Tower. 

 

During the Tullahoma Campaign, Colonel John T. Wilder’s men moved into battle with such rapidity they soon became known as the “Lightning Brigade”.  Major General George H. Thomas formally commended Colonel Wilder for his performance at the Battle of Chickamauga.  As the movement to create a memorial to the men who fought and died at Chickamauga grew, the idea of a monument to the men of the Lightning Brigade grew. In 1892 plans were finalized and approved to build the circular tower that allows a bird’s-eye view of area of the Confederate breakthrough at the Brotherton Cabin. Paid for by privately raised funds, much of which came from Wilder’s men, the monument was almost 60 feet tall when a bank failure during the Panic of 1893 put an end to the work.  In 1897 work began again and the outside phase of building is listed as complete in 1899. Work continued on the building until 1904, when the staircase inside the tower was completed.  The top of the tower was damaged by a direct lightning hit during a violent thunderstorm in 1915. The top quarter of the structure was repaired and on June 8, 1963, the Wilder Monument was rededicated by a group of Civil War Centennial Commissioners from Indiana.  Today the tower stands 85 feet tall.  A spiral staircase insides leads to the top of the tower where visitors can view almost the entire Chickamauga battlefield.  While young ones may not be enthralled by the history of the monument, they will certainly enjoy the climb to the top of the tower on the circular staircase inside.  This I know from personal experience! (www.nps.gov/chch/)

Park Place Restaurant
Park Place Restaurant

After climbing all the stairs to the top of the tower and exploring the park, treat your family to delicious Southern cooking at Park Place Restaurant.  Located just ¼ mile north of the entrance to the Chickamauga Battlefield, Park Place Restaurant has been serving locals and visitors a huge variety of freshly prepared entrees since 1992.  Choose from entrees such fried catfish, chicken-fried beef steak and fried green tomatoes as well as home-styled prepared vegetables.   The price is right and the food is delicious!  (2891 Lafayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA, 706-861-5368).

 

If you happen to overindulge on the delicious Southern cooking, head

Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park

 to Cloudland Canyon State Park and hike off the calories!  Located in Rising Fawn, Georgia near the Georgia-Alabama state line just 30 miles southwest of the Chickamauga Battlefield Park, Cloudland Canyon State Park features hiking, swimming and camping.  This 3,485 acre park on the western edge of Lookout Mountain offers rugged geology and beautiful vistas as it straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek.  Over 200 million years ago a great ocean covered the area.  Lookout Mountain was created by seismic activity.  When it was first formed the entire mountain was still underwater.  As the water subsided, the rim of the canyon became a beach on the ocean.  As the ocean dried, the creek took over and continued to erode the rock.

 

Today, the park has a variety of hiking trails.  A paved, wheelchair-accessible trail ¼ mile in length goes along the rim overlooking the canyon.   The park also features three more extensive hiking trails and a backpacking trail.  The Waterfalls Trail begins on a paved section at the main overlook and progresses into the canyon.  Most of this trail consists of gravel and over 400 stair-steps.  There are two waterfalls, the upper and lower falls, cascading off of the canyon walls at 60 and 90 feet.  They are among the most beautiful waterfalls in Georgia!  In contrast, the 4.8 mile long West Rim Loop Trail is a scenic hike offering panoramic views of the canyon.  There is also a 2.0 mile Backcountry Loop Trail providing access to the park’s eleven secluded primitive hike-in camping sites.

 

The park features a variety of camping and lodging options.  There are 16 rental cottages perfect for families and couples ranging in price from $120 to $140 per night.  Two of the cottages are pet friendly.   The park also offers 73 tent, trailer and RV sites and 30 walk-in campsites.  (http://gastateparks.org/info/cloudland/)

 

Share my history with a trip to this beautiful corner of Georgia…your family will experience history, hiking and the taste of good ‘ole Southern cooking!

 

Terri Farris is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling. You can see more of her writing on her blog at www.terrifarris.blog-spot.com or contact her at tfarris60@hotmail.com.