All too soon, I was eating my last meal at the Southern Cross. I finished my breakfast of fruit, eggs, sausage and orange juice and said goodbye to the guests and my host. As I rode off in the ranch's courtesy van, I looked back and sighed, feeling rested in body and mind. A colt and her mama are among the dozens of horses at the ranch. More expensive rooms may include a fireplace, whirlpool tub or hot tub, and vaulted ceilings.
Most guests take a morning ride after breakfast, then lounge around.
The ranch has a few mountain bikes, but guests who want to ensure usage should bring their own. Guests are free to hike on the property. The park is Georgia's largest at 5,800 acres and offers camping, hiking, fishing, trail riding and an 18-hole golf course. Lake Oconee is a few miles away and offers 19,000 acres of good fishing. Here are some helpful Web sites.