Switch It Up. Huddle, @ Talona Ridge. Ellijay, Georgia November 1 to 8, 2022

Switch It Up Huddle @ Talona Ridge,  in  Ellijay Georgia. November 1 to 8 2022.  PART 1

We arrived at Talona Ridge, wow did we climb a mountain to get up here.. Not bad though.

So beautiful. 

First people we saw was Harold and Cindy. As we were going in to check in. First thing I said was you changed our lives, then we took the opportunity to thank them and tell them quickly, how we just came from Affinity RV group in Indiana and how fantastic they were with us,  later we found out he called and thanked them for taking such good care of us. How sweet was that, thank you again Harold and Cindy Strange. From One Strange Adventure. We look forward to spending this week with you and your children Nick 16 and Michaela 18.

We got set up. Jim got golf cart put together. We kept it a convertible to make the setup quicker. Turns out the weather was perfect the whole week so we never needed the raincoat or roof. 

The beautiful building above our RV is where all the activities are located and where the pictures with a view are taken from. 

We took a ride, a lot of empty spots, this place will be full once the Huddle starts. Only a handful of RVs will not be with a group, we are told.

We talked to quite a few people we knew already that had arrived early. We saw Cheese and Nancy  her sister was along too. We also took some pictures of the beautiful views from Talona Ridge. 

FYI touch pic and turn phone for better view 

We also briefly talked with one of the owners Wes, we met him at the Tampa RV show in January, he  gave us  insight of big future plans they have for the place. Like putting outdoor kitchens on sites.. and buying the property across the road to  expand in about 3 years. It already has a big beautiful building on it, he said it's a dentist office. Although he mentioned he thinks it's more then just a dentist, some minor plastic surgery also might be going on, because there's way more cars over there than a dentist would have. LOL

Later I went for a walk all around the campground. And Jim had bought some firewood.

Laurence and Natalie are just three sites up from us.

Together they are the Brazen Brits. YouTubers. Jim yelled to him, he walked down said hi to us. He was drinking tea. Of course a guy from the UK is drinking tea. We chatted for a while the three of us. I asked if the dogs were there, he has a Doberman that we still didn't meet. He said they would come down later with them. 

Which they did after Dark we got to meet Opie and Jack's. The Doberman is huge he said 85 lb. We had a campfire and the TV is on with a hockey game. The four of us chatted for a while. They are so much fun we really enjoy their company. They were going to go pick up her sister Stephanie, that was flying in from the UK  tomorrow. So we get to meet her soon and spend time with her too. 

November 2, 

We woke up kind of early. Jim went outside and got a picture of a beautiful sunrise over  Talona Ridge and the Beautiful Georgia Mountains.

After breakfast Jim went to fill up the truck with diesel, we were really, really low when we arrived. He also bought beer and curtain rods. Another project for another day. The beer canceled out the curtain rods he said, so he can still keep his man card, he said. Lol

We didn't do much today we took a walk together. I think I walked alone too at some point. Talked to people we knew. And intentionally looked for people we didn't know yet to talk with. That's one of the things I find the most fun in this lifestyle, talking to strangers. Especially here, But these are,  are PEOPLE. We are the SWITCH Crew.

Of  Course we took a golf cart ride. It's a nice Hill for the golf cart to climb cuz the campground is on about four levels so they all have nice views of the mountains.

Tonight before everything gets underway they planned a chili cook-off contest, and potluck for all the people that arrived early to participate in. You can bring something to share if you like. 

There was a small table with the chili to be judged in the contest. The judges were Todd, Laurence, Harold and Wes the owner. Under this roof. Jim and Nick Strange and a few other's were playing corn hole. 

 There was alot more Chili in the back..Just to serve. Later they pick a winner and gave her a tiny little RV size trophy. They  had a lot of food , a guy that loves to cook for everyone, the official switch it up chef, also awarded him an apron too, he made a huge pot of chili, just to make sure there would be enough to serve us all.

 There was tons of sides cornbread and cheeses and jalapenos and chips Etc, tons of desserts too. our group can cook. It was a lot of fun,  here is a picture of Talona Ridge after Dark. 

What a great day and the Huddle didn't even start yet. Glad we came a few days earlier.

November 3,

Today we just hung out and talked with people before everything gets started.

Jim and I decided to go for a walk after breakfast  and ran into these two, walking the dogs. Natalie and Stephanie in from the UK.

Here Jim holding Opie, beautiful dog.

Later Jim and I went into the heated pool and hot tub. No one else was there. 

The views were fantastic from there.

Today we have official check in at 5 and meet and greet with heavy appetizers. After we ate, later...

Jim was wearing the same Brazen Britt shirt as Laurence, the Brazen Britt himself. Someone thought it was funny to take duct tape and put it over May. And it was,  Because they both definitely contained alcohol. I think them two are starting up bro Mance.

Here Laurence and Natalie with us.

Here is Todd and Sheila starting things off. 

Later the party continues outside and both fires were going and a few other fire features were lit.

 Beautiful out back after dark. What a great first day.

Friday November 4, 

This morning our group a had breakfast with Todd and Sheila. Then we did a gift back for local teachers in the area. We filled small paper gift bags with pencils, highlighters, can of soda, hand sanitizers, snacks, gift cards, Sharpies, etc, they had round tables with each of those items on then you picked up a bag and went to each table and filled it with the appropriate item and then inserted a card that you wrote for a teacher after you filled the bag. We made over 350 bags to donate a very short time we were finished. 

Here's a picture of all the tables before they had the items placed on so you could see the amazing view out the windows from that building. 

Then we went to have lunch on our own while Group B had lunch with Todd and Sheila after lunch I went with Ann and Tonia Rode Along to the waterfall for the hike.

 Here's a picture of Jim he stayed behind and  set up the drums outside and played while we were gone.

 We climbed over 200 steps I believe. Here's some amazing views of the Fall. I got someone to take my picture. 

When we returned from the hike we took showers and got ready and went to dinner here in the building. they had a catered meal, salad with meat lasagna chicken parmesan  and a wonderful desserts. Then the party again continued outside by the fire.

I can't remember his name, but one of the co-writers of switch it up theme song, he is from there home town church in KC, he was there and played guitar outside for everyone by the fire as part of the entertainment for the evening. He is so good.

Since today was our first official start there are lights at the end of every site. Later on when they get them programmed, the different colored lights will mean different things, like if the sites are occupied or not Etc. But for the rest of the week they will be green for switch it up, their colors. 

I thought that was really cool.

To be continued....