Dear Dahlonega,
I never even imagined how much I would love you. When I was applying to schools, UNG was at the bottom of my list. I wanted something exciting, perhaps something in the city, something big. When UNG was my only option financially, I went to INTRO begrudgingly, knowing that I was going to hate it. Boy, was I in for a shock. Everything about the atmosphere of UNG was special because of how awesome you are. Small-town, slow-paced, and beautiful. My times at UNG have been awesome and they are awesome beyond words because of the kind of town you are. You have made me love to be outdoors; a Sunday afternoon on the drill field in the spring, whether it be studying or playing soccer, is always one well-spent. Walking up the HNS hill is something everyone complains about, but there’s nothing like walking up that hill in the early evening and admiring the sunset over those mountains. Hiking at nearby Amicalola Falls and going white water rafting and enjoying these activities is credited to you.
photo by Caroline Johnston
During a monsoon that is so very typical of a warm day in Dahlonega, incoming freshmen gathered under the pavilion at Pine Valley during my orientation, and ran out and danced and played in the warm summer rain. A walk around the square with my best friend late at night eating ice cream cones from Dairy Queen is a memory that will always be priceless. Picnic Café and Pueblo’s will always be in my top ten favorite restaurants—and to think, if I hadn’t gone to UNG, I would never have had the pleasure of experiencing Pollo Loco! I might have had the experience of driving around town after midnight if I had gone to another college, but it wouldn’t be the same. Driving around you, Dahlonega, late at night when no one is out and the air is clear and smog-free, and the roads are dark, and you can see the golden steeple in the distance from anywhere in town… this is a feeling that is known only to people who live in the town of Dahlonega. When I go anywhere in town, I see someone I know. It may be a person from the church that I’ve become a part of and grown to love; it may be a person that I have class with, and even though we aren’t necessarily friends, we always smile and acknowledge each other.There is no greater view than the one that I see when I come over the hill by the Shell station and see your sunset among the rolling North Georgia mountains.
photo via Caroline Johnston
Most people out there have similar stories and love for their college towns. However, I think that you are the most incredible one of all. Everybody that I encounter sings the same praises of our town and college, so I know that I am not alone in saying this: thank you for teaching me so many life lessons, Dahlonega. You have my heart, my little mountain town.
Always,
Caroline
