The Colors of the Chattahoochie on Display

I took my annual drive over the weekend (11/3) into the Cohutta Wilderness of the Chattahoochie National Forest.

Take Highway 5 between McCaysville and Blue Ridge, then turn back toward Chattanooga (west) on old highway 2.

You'll spend at least 2 hours on a gravel road, but it's just about the best place I've found to get into the colors.

And while the leaves are more shrivled this year from the drought, there still are plenty of bright colors to make the trip worth the time.

The color was at it's peak at about the 3,000 foot level. 

Mercier in the valley is around 2,100 feet.

The question is how many are still on the trees after that storm front came through this week.

But if you don't make it up to the mountains this fall, sit back, and click on the slideshow.

(Music by Joe Rudolphi, performing "Happy Land")

Of course, while you're in the mountains, make a stop by the Mercier Orchards.

I got some Sun Gold Apples that are the tartest I've ever put in my mouth.

The apples may be smaller this year, but they're a lot sweeter.

And the wonderous Pink Ladies should just be coming in.