The Perfect Timing of Seasons

One of the many great things about living in Blue Ridge is the fact that we are fortunate to experience all four seasons. Back in South Texas where we came from, there's really only two seasons: hot and not-so-hot. So if the question were put to me, "Which season is your favorite?", I would have to say that it's a toss-up between Autumn and Spring. After the busy-ness of the summer months, the winding down, and the quiet and reflective repose of Autumn is so welcoming. After the bitterly cold winters and many days of "cabin fever",

the rebirth and freshness of springtime is quite beautiful and full of promise.




Last week was a beautifully warm week with temperatures in the 80's - feeling much like summertime already! We took advantage of the gorgeous weather and put our boat in the water for the summer. With the kids in tow, we took them for a fun spin around the lake at sunset, capturing a few photographs of this great beauty that never ceases to amaze me.


One might think that such pristine beauty would become old hat, seeing it all the time and thus, taking it for granted. But every spring, without fail, it's as though I am seeing it all for the first time.



Deeply breathing the fresh clean air, the feeling of the wind in your hair, hearing your children's laughter - it's the confident expectation, the buoyant optimism, the faithfulness of God that permeates the air.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway comes by The River's Edge Luxury Lodge

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway comes through our property along the Toccoa River usually once a day. This is a viedo sample of what you will see and hear as the train comes by. This clip was shot from the octagonal deck at The River's Edge, a luxury 5-bedroom lodge on the Toccoa River. Notice the Cherokee Indian Fish Trap in the river, indicated by the large "V" shape. Easy access to the Toccoa River from The River's Edge is possible for endless recreational fun on the river, whether fishing for trout, canoeing, tubing, or kayaking. Come enjoy Summer Fun on the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge, GA!

Blue Ridge, Georgia ... Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains

The quaint mountain town of Blue Ridge, Georgia, lies 90 miles north of Atlanta, 85 miles southeast of Chattanooga, and 136 miles west of Asheville, North Carolina ... but it is worlds away from the traffic, smog, and stress of big city life.

The town was founded in 1886 as a result of the arrival of the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad. Because of the railroad, Blue Ridge developed as a center of business and in 1895 the county seat was moved from Morganton to Blue Ridge.

The town of Blue Ridge was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters. Tourists would ride the train to town, eat dinner at the Blue Ridge Hotel, and take a leisurely walk to the mineral springs after dinner. Today, tourists can still ride the train and take a leisurely walk along Main Street, enjoying the antique and specialty shops, galleries, restaurants and small town atmosphere of Blue Ridge.

The Depot
The railroad depot remains the central focus in downtown Blue Ridge.

Although the first depot burned, the present station was built in 1906. One of the favorite activities of the day was to meet the train - whether meeting a passenger or just socializing with friends.

Blue Ridge City Park is the heart of downtown Blue Ridge. The park encompasses two blocks and is a popular place for picnics, community gatherings and festivals.

It is also home to a family of roosters, hens and chicks! Carriage rides are available at the park on weekends.

The historic Fannin County Courthouse was built in 1937, after the previous courthouse burned in 1936.

The courthouse is now the home of the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association.

Just as visitors during the early 1900's journeyed to Blue Ridge by train to enjoy the health resort's pure mineral waters, today's growing numbers of tourists are coming to the historic Blue Ridge area to shop for Appalachian arts and crafts, pottery, quilts, antiques, mountain home furnishings, apples, smoked trout, and even hand-made alpaca sweaters and shawls.

Artists are attracted to the Georgia mountains because the peace and quiet, misty mountains and clear starry nights provide time, tranquility and inspiration for creating wonderful art, from tradition arts and crafts to contemporary painting and sculpture. Examples -- blacksmithing, pottery making, wood carving, weaving, folk art and jewelry, handcrafted furniture, watercolor and oil painting, hand blown glass -- all produced by fine local artists and craftsmen.

Serious antique shoppers can spend hours or days snooping through a growing number of shops and antique malls from Blue Ridge to McCaysville and back. Blue Ridge's Main Street is dotted with unique specialty shops, galleries and eateries from one end to the other.

And speaking of eating ...

Eating traditional southern Appalachian foods is part of the fun when you visit the Blue Ridge area. The favorite, of course, is local mountain trout -- fried, broiled, pecan-crusted, smoked -- pick your variety. There is apple everything - apple bread, apple butter, fried apple pies, apple cider, you need to taste them all! And, of course, there's Georgia ice cream -- i.e., grits -- for breakfast, along with hot cat-head biscuits with honey or sorghum syrup, BBQ ribs, country ham, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, watermelon ... well, you get the idea.

You'll find fine dining on the banks of the Toccoa River or in downtown Blue Ridge or McCaysville. There are lots of choices for a big southern meal, or "meat and three." Just for fun, there's a 50's style malt shop, Victorian tea room (for the "red hat" gang), a river shack, ice cream shoppe and several deli's to choose from. Of course, there's wonderful Italian food and pizza, plus several excellent Chinese and Mexican restaurants for variety. Oh -- and lots of fast food for the kids.

Some folks prefer to kick back and relax in the cabin with a romantic picnic supper from some fantastic gourmet catering shops. Or buy some homegrown tomatoes at a roadside stand and make tomato sandwiches for lunch! In any event -- eating is an experience in the Georgia mountains. It's part of the trip!

If you are planning a trip to the Blue Ridge area, you may find some of our recent blog entries helpful. You'll find stories about the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Mercier's Orchard, the Southern Tree Farm, and the Ocoee Whitewater Center, to name just a few ... and we'll be featuring new attractions on a regular basis.

A Day at the Wildlife Festival of the Arts

Yesterday we took the kids to the Wildlife Festival of the Arts in Downtown Blue Ridge. It was a beautifully cool day, clear blue skies, and a hint of autumn in the air. We enjoyed walking around, looking at all the different artists and their work. Taylor and Travis loved petting the puppy dogs and cats that were "asking" to be adopted. Of course, their main interest was to play in the park - it was fun for them to see their friends romping and playing at the park. We stayed there for a while, then walked down to the fly-fishing area, where instructors were giving mini-lessons. We talked with Mike McGinn (http://www.blueridgeflyfishingguides.com) for a while, as he showed Taylor how to cast a fly rod, trying to get the fly into a small area (a hula hoop). She did so well, and because she was able to get the fly in the hoop, she got a neat little pin to pin on her shirt! All in all, It was a fun afternoon, as we enjoyed walking down Main Street and taking in all the sights and sounds.

Southern Tree Plantation -- Fun for Kids, Blue Ridge, Georgia Area

Located in the heart of the North Georgia Mountains near Blairsville, Georgia (approximately 24 miles from Blue Ridge), Southern Tree Plantation is an active plantation growing thousands of pumpkins and Christmas trees. The Plantation is loaded with fun activities and things for children to do during the Fall and Christmas seasons, and is open to the general public during this time.

They also specialize in outdoor weddings and large group events which are available year-round.

Hayrides

This is not an average hayride. The enjoyable long-lasting hayrides will take you over 60 acres of beautiful plantation land with breathtaking mountain scenery. Also, an enchanting river and a creek that meanders through the plantation. And, of course, the "great" pumpkins and Christmas trees. Many surprises and things to see along the way.

Plantation Animals. Get an up close experience with their family of plantation animals. Whether it's talking with "Buckwheat" the pot bellied pig, feeding "Bo and Peep" our sweet sheep, or hanging out with "Poncho" the proud donkey ... just look forward to lots of fun with these lovable animals and many other plantation animals.

There's also a wildlife deer exhibit with "Donner," the deer.

Barnyard Maze.Included with this fantastic visit with the pets, is the permanent barnyard maze just waiting for you to get lost and then find your way out.

Miniature Train. All aboard the Southern Tree Express. You and your family are invited for some fun riding on their brand new miniature train.

The train runs on a road track and is just the right speed for youngsters. Chug-chug-choo-choo -- off we go! Just sit back and relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery as this little train takes you around the plantation.

Pony Rides.For the younger buckaroos, there's fun in the form of their quiet lovable ponies, each with its own personality and just waiting to accommodate little riders.

They look forward to meeting you just to have some fun as you pretend to be a real cowboy or cowgirl.

Roasting Marshmallows.Tell a few tales while roasting yummy marshmallows over the open fire pit.

The fun won't stop then either!Enjoy watching the flicker of the fire and perhaps even break out into a song or two.

In addition to their Christmas trees, Southern Tree Plantation grows thousands of pumpkins each year.

Be sure and visit during October and select your special pumpkin for Halloween.

And while you are looking for that special pumpkin, plan to stay for "Fun on the Farm," with pumpkins, hayrides, the petting farm, marshmallow roasting, kids' train ride, pony rides, and much more.

At Christmas time you can cut your own, get a pre-cut tree, or get one B&B to replant.

They have over 25,000 Christmas trees of eight different varieties growing: Colorado Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Frasier Fir, Balsam Fir, Canadian Hemlock, White Pine, and Leyland Cypress are all presently growing in various stages on the Plantation.

The trees are sold cut and B&B (with roots).

You can also enjoy the holiday tradition of cutting your own family tree. Saws and wrapping available.

For more information about all the activities offered by Southern Tree Plantation, call (706) 745-0601, or visit Southern Tree Plantation online.

More pictures of our Swinging Bridge outing

Rick took a picture of our family along the Toccoa River, and then we took a picture of Rick running down the Swinging Bridge, causing it to swing! Yikes!

A Fun Day at the Swinging Bridge

Before all the cold weather came down on Blue Ridge, we enjoyed a wonderful day at the Swinging Bridge with some very dear friends of ours. Rick Hughes, of Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. and his family visited us and we had a most memorable time together.

The Swinging Bridge is a great place for hiking, great scenery, picnics, and in the summertime you can take the kids for a swim in the Toccoa River - there are shallow little pools at the river's edge that are perfect for small children. It's also a neat place for a romantic outing - take a picnic with a good bottle of wine and find a cozy spot near the river, listening to the rushing waters. This is one of our favorite spots in Blue Ridge.