Day Tripping in the North Georgia Mountains

Ah, summer is well on its way along the Coosawattee River.  What a gorgeous summer it has been!  While we have had some pretty warm days, the nights are still cool and mild.  Weather like this is really the reason we live in the North Georgia mountains!  When the weather is this beautiful it is almost mandatory to get outside and enjoy it!

We are quite fortunate to live in an area where there are so many natural resources, natural wonders and scenic stops to enjoy.  There are many day trips one can make that result in a very enjoyable experience without breaking bank.  It’s also just as important to remember the great resources we have inside the gates of CRR.  We have access to several beautiful river parks that are ideal for picnicking, taking a stroll along the Coosawattee River or tossing some bait and trying your luck for fresh dinner!  We also have two beautiful outdoor pools to enjoy when the mercury gets into the high 80’s and 90’s.  I also understand that work on the suspension bridge at Fishtrap is well underway and should be reopened soon to provide better access to residents on both sides of the river to the pool and park.

Now, while I love the resources we have in our own backyard, I also love to explore the mountains and see all the terrific things this region has to offer.  I have written before about some of my favorite locations in the area and thought I would expand on those for my readers that may be new to the area and learning their way around, or those that are looking for something new to explore.

Carters Lake – This manmade lake is only a few minutes drive to the west from the Eagle Mountain and Main gates of CRR.  This lake features a beautiful man-made beach and tournament fishing.  Don’t forget to visit the Marina for a snack and even a color tour around the lake in the fall!

Amicalola Falls – These are the tallest free fall waterfalls east of the Mississippi and well worth the 30 minute drive to the east on highway 52 to view this natural wonder.  Don’t forget to drive on up the mountain to the Lodge where you can experience amazing views and a delicious lunch or dinner buffet.

Anna Ruby Falls – These twin falls are located just west of Helen, GA and are about an hour east of Ellijay.  This federally run park offers a gift shop, facilities and stunning views from the base of the falls.  Be warned, though: there is a quarter mile hike from the ranger station UP to the falls.  The walk provides pristine views of the flowing waters down the mountain on your way to the falls.  Just remember – it’s downhill on the way out!

Anna Ruby Falls

 

Views on the walk to Anna Ruby Falls

 

Lake Nottely – This massive lake provides excellent fishing and watersports and is located about 30 minutes north of Ellijay in Blairsville, GA.  An easy ride up 515/76 out of Ellijay to Blairsville will give you access to this beautiful body of water.  There are plenty of coves and sites to behold if you can travel the lake by boat and plenty of areas to simply view the lake if you prefer to stay on shore.

Chatuge Lake – Speaking of massive bodies of water, Chatuge Lake is HUGE!  Chatuge spreads across north Georgia into North Carolina and weaves in and out of the mountain valleys.  Chatuge Lake is another beautiful body of water to enjoy skiing, boating, tubing or exploring on a personal watercraft.  If you don’t have a boat there are ample locations where they can be rented.  Chatuge Lake is found by continuing up Highway 76 from Blairsville, through Young Harris and east towards Hiawassee.

Helen, Ga – Now Helen is not a ‘natural’ wonder, but is certainly a quaint sight to behold.  Helen is Georgia’s gateway to the Bavarian lifestyle.  The streets of Helen and the accompanying architecture are all in Bavarian style.  The town’s shops and restaurants continue the theme with German style taverns, pubs and authentic food.  After a stroll through the shops on Mainstreet you can stop by the Troll Tavern on the East side of town for a cold lager and watch the tubers making their way down the Chattahoochee River.  Helen is about an hour and a half east of Ellijay.  There are no direct roads to Helen from Ellijay, so grab your GPS and be prepared for a lovely drive through the mountains.

 

Downtown Helen, GA

 

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze – I suppose Uncle Shuck’s could be considered partly a ‘natural’ wonder.  This is a must do for the family in the fall and has become a tradition for us.  The kids and grandkids (and us older kids) get a kick out of exploring this 12 acre corn maze and unraveling the mysteries of the Barnyard C.S.I. game.  Uncle Shucks is located about 45 minutes southeast of Ellijay by taking Highway 52 to 183 into Dawsonville.  And, if corn mazes excite you, you should also visit some of the smaller attractions in the area such as Reece’s maze and the locally sponsored corn mazes in Ellijay.

Local Apple Houses – The local apple houses will be opening soon and provide a nostalgic look into the farm communities of North Georgia.  Whether you have a hankering for some fresh apples, apple butter or pumpkins for fall carving, you will find it all at the various apple houses around Ellijay.

Whew!  This summer has been busy and I am looking forward to the slow transition into fall.  I am certainly hoping the fall colors are a little more brilliant than last year’s disappointing display, but hey, there are always plenty of beautiful natural wonders to behold along the Coosawattee River.  So, get out and enjoy this nearly perfect summer weather!

I would love to hear about and see some of your favorite locations and sights around the area.  Please feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail at chrisgoodson37@gmail.com.

 

Till next time,

Chris

Itching for a good time.....

I must say that summertime in the North Georgia mountains is heaven.  We are fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds.  While we have nice warm (and sometimes hot) days we still have cool evenings.  I’ve been all over this country and I must say that we have some of the most well rounded seasons and weather that I have experienced.  There is nothing like spending the evening on the deck barbecuing and enjoying a few adult beverages.

We are also quite fortunate when it comes to insects.  Very seldom do I become dinner for any preying insects while enjoying the great outdoors……with one exception…..

It’s CHIGGER season!  As the winter chills give way to sunny, warm days an annoying little critter re-emerges to make life miserable for anyone that loves the outdoors.  While sunburns peel and fade and the occasional mosquito bite itches for a few minutes, no one can forget the persistent itch brought on by a chigger injection.  So, what’s the answer???  I wish I had one, but here are some pointers to avoid becoming these little rascal’s prey.

First, it’s best to understand what a chigger is and why they do what they do.  Long story short - they are a VERY TINY insect that preys on its host by injecting the host with saliva that breaks down the hosts tissue (skin) allowing the chigger to actually suck the liquid tissue from the host in turn causing a nasty reaction resulting in a large red welt and a dreadfully persistent itch that can last for days!  Nice, huh?

Chiggers tend to live in tall weeds and underbrush.  This allows them to catch a ride on hosts passing by as the leaves or weeds they live on make contact with a tasty treat (your legs, arms, ankles, etc.).  While chiggers can quickly transfer themselves to their host it is important to know that they don’t have a real good grip on you.  Many attempts by chiggers to make you their next meal fail because they are easily brushed away or fall off of you.  This is good to remember if you find yourself trudging through tall weeds, grass or underbrush.  Think about brushing down your pants, shirt, legs, shoes and everything else periodically.  This will help remove any chiggers that may be making themselves at home on you.

Chiggers also prefer to live in shaded, moist and relatively cool areas.  So, it’s best to avoid areas that fit this description if at all possible.  They don’t care for areas that are exposed to full sun and get warm during the day. 

You can also help alleviate the chance of being injected by chiggers by keeping grassy yards mowed and any brush and weeds around your immediate property cut short.  Remember, chiggers will also get on Fido and he can in turn transfer them into the house. 

So, what is the best treatment for a chigger bite?  The only real cure is time.  I have yet to find a truly effective remedy for chiggers.  Please remember this, though – if you get a welt caused by a chigger you MUST RESIST THE URGE to scratch it.  Scratching will only spread the poison, inflame the welt and make the itch MUCH WORSE!  Trust me, I know.  And by the way, the old home cure of putting nail polish on a chigger welt to remove it is a myth.  Chiggers do not bore into you like a tick.  The chigger welt is simply a remnant of its last feast.

Do you know of any products or home remedies to alleviate chigger welts?  I’d love to hear about them.  Please post your comments below.

As always, enjoy this beautiful place we call home AND stay out of the tall weeds and brush along the Coosawattee River!

Til next time,

Chris

Revitalization of the Coosawattee Campgrounds

Nothing can start a fiery discussion among neighbors quicker than discussing the Campgrounds in Coosawattee River Resort.  I am certainly not here to start a fiery discussion, but to make some general observations that continue to encourage me to think that CRR is making headway at revitalizing this wonderful community resource.

First, I would like to say that I think CRR has done a great job at marketing not only the Campground properties, but also the residential properties within our community.  The sales figures released in the monthly newsletters show that we are moving property quickly and it is primarily in the Campground area.  I firmly believe as the economy continues to slowly improve we will see more development in the Campground.

Why, you ask?  Well, it is simply economics.  It’s fair to say that people are certainly doing better than they were four years ago.  It’s also fair to say that most people are not riding the high tide of the falsely elevated stock markets and bloated housing industry.  That leaves us somewhere in the middle.  I would say that most people looking to invest in CRR and seeking a weekend getaway or vacation spot are doing ‘okay’ but not getting rich.  I don’t know if you have taken a look at the local real estate listings lately, but there isn’t much in our neck of woods below $100K anymore.  It was only a handful of years ago when prime real estate in CRR could be purchased between $40K and $100K, and this bought you a fairly nice home.  The market is changing and the sun has set on those days.

So, where would a retiree or young family be able to secure a piece of mountain paradise at a reasonable price?  Now, you’re starting to see my point….

A lot of families and retirees still can’t afford to delve into a $100K mortgage for a weekend getaway.  And, I personally don’t believe they should.  It was this uninformed spending that landed us in a bit of a pickle before.  But, there is great value in setting up camp in the Campgrounds without emptying the bank account.  I have also noticed a lot of quality development in the campgrounds.  Not only are more roof-overs being constructed, but also roof over and screen room combos/enclosures.  I have to say, these look great and give such a polished, clean appearance to the area.  These roof-overs and enclosures not only provide attractive aesthetics, but also protect the RV’s and keeps them cleaner and in better overall condition.  The Campgrounds are (hold your breath!) beginning to look like a high end RV Community!  The key to full revitalization is to continue investing in the Campgrounds and keep pushing the property values north.  It’s my opinion that young professional families seeking an affordable weekend ‘cottage’ or retirees looking to live the RV lifestyle will be the demographics that rebuild this once beautiful and bustling area of CRR.  We will all do better once we achieve a level of quality that makes the Campground property sought after.  Just the notion that people are investing a great deal of money into these high-end campground properties should provoke all CRR residents to think what they can do to continue this trend.  I would also think that as these developments continue to rise that the residents and owners of the campground properties will gain a new sense of pride in ownership.

We are on a path to positive change.  I hope that the CRR Board and General Manager continue to put a concerted effort into the continued growth and development within the Campgrounds.   I’m thinking it’s going to be a great summer along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris