We were told that the lake level was lowered early this year than in previous years. I had to be cautious and change my route several times when the lake bottom was exposed or visible under the surface.
It was a cloudy day with storm clouds threatening everywhere so I used the Google images enhance feature to brighten the images Susan took of the lake. This was a scouting mission for us. Who knows, maybe we'll be living lake-side in the north Georgia mountains someday.
Susan read the online review before booking our room at The Ridges Resort and Marina through Booking.com. Tripadvisor.com gave The Ridges 4-stars. That was probably a stretch. The parking lot was not full of cars but there was a tour bus in the lot which may account for the front desk reporting that they were full. The "resort" is located on the banks of Lake Chatuge. I place resort in quotes because, in my opinion it is a resort in name only.
The lobby was mountain lodge themed with a stuffed bear and many stuffed deer heads mounted on the walls.
The lobby was nice however our room was a different matter. "Resort side" apparently is code for parking lot and our single king bed mutated into two full beds. Susan and I sleep in a queen-sized bed so we're not used to huge amounts of real estate when we sleep however, this was ridiculous. I got so little sleep that night that I actually thought I wouldn't be able to drive home. In New Jersey the police will give you a ticket for driving while impaired due to lack of sleep. I don't know if Georgia has the same laws. After a McDonald's coffee I felt better.
The "resort side" view from our room. The booking.com photo showed views of the lake.
The handicapped accessible bathroom.
The boat ride was the best part of our trip. We were able to see a good part of the lake which would have been invisible from the road.
As for places to eat. Michaelee's Chocolate Caffe at 142 N. Main Street in Hiawassee is by far the best choice. We ate lunch there earlier this year so during this trip we returned. Both visits were great. The food was good, and they had plenty of staff. It's definitely worth a try. Monte Alban Restaurante Mexicano at 581 N Main Street in Hiawassee was less appealing. I had the carnitas. The pork tasted old. Susan had something else with chicken. She said it was good but she agreed that my pork was old.
Thanks for reading.
As for places to eat. Michaelee's Chocolate Caffe at 142 N. Main Street in Hiawassee is by far the best choice. We ate lunch there earlier this year so during this trip we returned. Both visits were great. The food was good, and they had plenty of staff. It's definitely worth a try. Monte Alban Restaurante Mexicano at 581 N Main Street in Hiawassee was less appealing. I had the carnitas. The pork tasted old. Susan had something else with chicken. She said it was good but she agreed that my pork was old.
Thanks for reading.
