RAINER'S RAMBLINGS
Family enjoyment
By RAINER ARNOLD Union Sentinel Publisher

My sister and her husband and their two girls came to visit last week and it was fun to notice the things that just amazed them that we take for granted. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Kerstin, Guenther, Sandra and Daniela are from Germany.

They arrived and found Hiawassee and the surrounding area beautiful. They loved the forests and the lake. We took them to Cherokee, N.C., and the Indian reservation and showed them waterfalls and we even went to the Outlet Mall in Dawsonville after a side trip to Amicalola Falls. Of course, while in Dawsonville, we had to have a world famous Bully Burger at the Dawsonville Pool Room.

Then we also played on the lake with Jet Skis. They did not know what a jet ski was nor had they ever seen one. It was a sight to behold. But the girls, 13 and 17 quickly learned how to ride those water motorcycles and were cruising on the lake. I should say, flying on the lake.

The younger one was behind me and I let her give gas and such and she was excited as anyone could be. The older one, Sandra, she just took to the jet ski like a duck takes to water.

Daniela is petting a baby tiger in the Cherokee Zoo.

They flew all over the place. They even tried the tube tied to the back of the jet ski. Oh, before I forget, they also went tubing in Helen. Another treat for them.

Getting back to the lake. Sandra, oh well, I did manage to throw her off the tub. Then she could not get back on it in the water so I had to tow her in. But it was all fun. I did notice that the lake was very low and once Guenther and I both ran aground and conked out the jet skis.

Anyway, they are going home Saturday and will cherish all their times here doing things and experiencing things that they would never have been able to do in Germany. So I am really happy that they came and that they all had a wonderful time. I will miss them.