Welcome to The Jonas Mountain Journals. The Journals are meant to be an on-going project. They will consist of our experiences, thoughts, pictures, and miscellaneous ramblings
Cast of Characters
Setting
Jonas Mountain - Located in north Georgia, Jonas Mountain is on Georgia Highway 180 about 5 miles from the spur to the top of Brasstown Bald the highest point in Georgia. The property on Jonas Mountain borders the Chattahoochee National Forest. There are few cabins on the mountain but the area is largely undeveloped. The Appalachian Trail passes near Jonas Mountain.
Young Harris, GA - Young Harris is on the other side of Brasstown Bald from Jonas Mountain. The Wagon Train Trail goes from the summit of Brasstown Bald to Young Harris. Young Harris is the home of Young Harris College, a two year Methodist college. YH College is a perennial powerhouse in college baseball. Young Harris is also the home of Zell Miller, former U.S. Senator, Governor, and YH College baseball coach. The Springwood Trail subdivision, like many areas in the Hiawassee-Young Harris-Blairsville region, has experienced a building boom in the past four years with the influx of new residents - many from Florida.
Background
Sharon's family have come to the north Georgia area since Sharon was a child. They often camped at Vogel State Park beginning in the 1950's. Later her parents purchased 5 acres on Jonas Mountain and built a cabin there. Sharon married and moved to Chattanooga, TN. She would bring her family to the cabin in the north Georgia mountains for visits. Sharon's mother continued her annual trips even after Sharon's father died.
Bob grew up in Kansas City, MO. He also started camping as a youth, but his summer trips were to Colorado. He never had an occasion to visit north Georgia.
Both divorced, Bob and Sharon met at the 39th National Square Dance Convention in Memphis, TN in June, 1990. After a long distance romance they were married November 1, 1991. Sharon moved to northern Virginia where Bob was an employee of the federal government.
After thirty years of service with the federal government and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and less than a year after 9-11 it was time to retire. Several areas of the country were visited but the right house was found outside Young Harris, GA. Sadly, the day Bob retired, Sharon's mother fell, was hospitalized, and never recovered. She died on December 31. The three sisters inherited the family's Jonas Mountain property.
In the four years Bob and Sharon lived in the Springwood trail subdivision they have seen an increase in year round residents and the construction of new residences in their neighborhood. Their secluded mountain home was becoming less secluded. They decided to build a new home on Jonas Mountain.
So why, The Jonas Mountain Journals? Jonas Mountain because that will be the homestead of our principal characters. The Journals will include episodes from their life, their family and friends, and their community.