Dahlonega: Our Home Away from Home

Thursday, November 25, 2010 - It's Thanksgiving Day and Team Tree is here in Dahlonega, Georgia. Spending the holiday away from all of our families is not easy, but the people of Dahlonega have gone out of their way to make us feel right at home. Their incredible hospitality and generosity was apparent throughout the day.

We started out today with a fishing trip to Lanier Lake. A group of locals volunteered to take the entire team out bright and early. It was a great break for all of us and gave us the opportunity to see more of the beautiful area!

Team Tree and our new fishing partners at Lake Lanier.

Of course no fishing trip would be complete without a little friendly competition, so we were each paired up with one of locals. And wouldn't you know it, it was one of the gals who took the crown. Sorry boys!

Weighing our catches!

The blonde blogger couldn't resist the opportunity to brag a little about her victory with her partner Jim.

After our fishing trip, we headed back into town where the Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce had arranged a very special Thanksgiving meal for the whole team. Members of the local community cooked a feast for the team! We are so appreciative of everyone who volunteered their time to ensure we had a special Thanksgiving away from home. It meant a great deal to all of us.

Enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with residents of Dahlonega.

When I was talking with our driver Jeff Underwood, who is a native of Dahlonega, about

the incredible hospitality and welcome we have received here, he said that he experienced the exact same thing in Wyoming. The people of Wyoming welcomed Jeff the same way the people of Dahlonega have welcomed us. While I know this is going to sound pretty cheesy, the Tree really does seem to bring out the very best in people. And for those of us fortunate enough to see it firsthand, it has been an incredible experience.

Thank you so much to all the people who gave up time with their families today to take us fishing, cook us a delicious Thanksgiving meal and make us feel right at home here in Georgia. Happy Thanksgiving!