Elderhostel held at Covecrest Conference and Retreat Center near Tiger, GA
October 29 to November 3, 2000

This Elderhostel what conducted by the Georgia Southwestern State University, Center for Adult Studies.
Tiger, GA in the north GA mountains, north of Toccoa. It is near the Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway and the Alpine village of Helen.

A small church on Covecrest grounds. Migrating geese in the foreground.

Two Elderhostel Leaders

Lee Knight was the program coordinator. He lead a nice session on the Cherokees, and informally sang and told us about mountain music customs and religion. He lead field trips to Tallulah Falls, the John C. Campbell Folk School, and the Mountain Railroad. Lee was a great coordinator, singer and story teller.	George Ellison, Naturalist/Historian/Author, lead sessions on the Southern Highlands, and a Nature Walk. George's Southern Highlands presentation was truly outstanding.

Nearby Water Falls
Only a 10 minute walk from the campground.

The lower falls.
The upper falls.	A "hearts-a-breaking" seed pod found at the stream side.
The prominent shrubs seen here are rhododendrons.

Roots of Mountain Music
Don and Laeta Smith

The Smiths presented several musical session. They played a wide variety of instruments and mountain songs. They also discussed the roots of mountain music. A very nice set of programs. Don is playing "fiddle sticks" as Laeta bows the fiddle.

Appalachian Trail
Barbara Keating

Barbara and George
Elderhostelers on the Appalachian Trail.

Tallulah Falls Gorge
The Grand Canyon of the East

Well known for white-water sports.

Mountain Railroad
We took a 4 hour ride starting at Bryson City, turning around and returning.

The engine (no not steam today) and the train around a bend.
On a high trestle over a drained reservoir.
The are no natural lakes in this area because glaciers didn't reach this far south. This is part of the TVA system. It was drained for damn inspection -- once every five years.
This is the white-water capital of the US. Two kayakers can be seen on the water.
Even white-water has pot-holes*.	A cave in which Indians and early settlers lived.

The Covecrest Campground
Covecrest has a small campground. Three couples stayed in their RV's.

This is our RV.