“Pink Dogwood, II” is paired with

Milepost 10: Closer To Fine

(Excerpt Below)

It’s been a while since I’ve taken this route. This is the old-timey way my family traveled when I was a kid before the construction of I-575. That beeline takes you north of Atlanta through Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge. The scenic pathway I’m on, Highway 19 or 129 (depending your direction), is a steep, curvy, two-lane road that tops Blood Mountain, one of Georgia’s highest peaks, before winding its way back down again. Along the way it cuts through the Chattahoochee National forest, passing state parks, hiking trails, and turnoffs to tourist havens like Helen, Georgia’s Swiss-style alpine village, Dahlonega, site of Georgia’s nineteenth century gold rush, and Cleveland, home to Dr. Xavier Roberts’ BabyLand General, birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids, all cultural experiences to behold.