Day Trip to Clayton Georgia Is Worth The Drive
There’s something about a mountain town like Clayton, Georgia. The air is cleaner, the people are friendly, and you can see goats on the roof. More on the goat thing in a minute.
I hit the backroads to soak up some Americana on my way to the Blue Ridge mountain town of Clayton, Georgia, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Actually, I thought I would need a doctor after my hike. It was more than a hike; it was a stress test on steroids — because my first stop was Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Clayton Georgia And More
It looked easy enough. I wanted to see and walk across the suspension bridge over Tallulah Gorge. It didn’t seem that far, and I thought it wasn’t that steep. Just to be clear, it was that far and that steep.
I should have paid heed to the sign — Caution: This is a Strenuous Trail. People with physical limitations should not attempt this hike.
I didn’t listen, and off I went to check out the sites. Going down the almost 1100 steps was tough, but the scenery was worth it — probably. It was simply stunning. The bridge, the mountains, and the waterfalls were just beautiful. One thing I didn’t think about was that if there were 1100 steps down, there must be 1100 back up, or more like a million.
Where To Eat
There are some great restaurants in downtown Clayton. One is the Clayton Cafe. It’s an old-school diner that offers some really good Southern dishes, like Chicken Pot Pie, Shrimp and Grits, and the Blues Burger with Kick’n Peach BBQ Sauce, Blue Cheese, and Bacon—just what you need after 2200 steps!
What I Saw
Wonderful waterfalls, beautiful mountains, and goats—goats on a roof, as a matter of fact. Well, this was a bit different. In nearby Tiger, Georgia, I saw this roadside attraction. The goats walked up and down walkways to the ground and back up to the roof. They sell goat food because the goats don’t walk around for free.
What I Missed
I’d like to try more of the restaurants. There are so many good ones in Clayton, and I’ve heard they are all worth visiting. There are plenty of shops, as well, such as Wander North Georgia, a locally owned outdoor shop that offers all things hiking and camping along with nice outerwear.
Timpson Creek Gallery is another unique shop and has been in business for more than 40 years. It is a specialty store that offers fine art, custom handmade jewelry, and more.
A good way to chill after a day of hiking and shopping is a stop at an old auto shop downtown that has been transformed into Currahee Brewing and Tasting Room. Its large front porch is perfect for that cold, local IPA to end the day.
