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Community Spotlight: Hiawassee & Young Harris

Summer Fun Nestled in the picturesque North Georgia mountains, the towns of Hiawassee and Young Harris offer a perfect summer escape for those seeking outdoor adventures, breathtaking scenery, and a tranquil lakeside atmosphere. From hiking trails, water sports, vineyards, and entertainment, there’s something for everyone in this charming region. Whether you’ve come for a weekend or want to stay longer, everyone is greeted with small town friendliness in the Enchanted Valley. With natural beauty surrounding the towns of Hiawassee and Young Harris locals are always ready to share their knowledge of the best hiking, fishing, and magnificent views from the highest mountain tops. Surrounded by 50,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves with choices of hiking trails offering varying levels of difficulty. Head to Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia, for panoramic views of four states from the observation deck. The Brasstown Bald Visitors center, with museum is Located on Hwy. 180 and has a paved trail to the top or shuttle available. For more views, take a drive up to Bell Mountain or more rugged road to High Shoal Falls. For a more leisurely stroll, explore Cupid Falls by Young Harris College, where a cascading waterfall awaits at the end of the path. For hikers the famous Appalachian Trail crosses Unicoi Mountain at Hwy. 17 /76 west of town. This trail  draws hikers nationwide to see nature at it’s finest. Also known by many is that Towns County has another 7,000 acres of waterfront owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which built Lake Chatuge in 1941. Lake Chatuge’s many activities can be found at public parks, picnic areas and beaches. A variety of swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, & canoeing awaits. Rent a pontoon boat and cruise along the serene waters, or try your hand at fishing for bass, trout, and catfish. For adrenaline junkies, jet skiing and wakeboarding offer thrills against the backdrop of majestic mountains. Many accommodations can also guide visitors to outdoor time at one of the many golf courses, horseback riding stables or white water rafting adventures. For many years, Hiawassee is known to be the home of the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds that host numerous events throughout the year with Live Concerts, Shows at Anderson Music Hall, Pioneer Village & Local Craft Events. Treat the kids to a day of fun at the Georgia Mountain Fair in August, where they can enjoy carnival rides, petting zoos, and interactive exhibits. The  nearby Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens are also open year round with more than 3,000 plants surrounding the shoreline of Lake Chatuge. Enjoy summer evenings in the city of Hiawassee on the Square including First Friday Markets with live music, food, & games held the first weekend of the month May - October.  Saturdays also offer Music on the Square for visitors to bring a lawn chair and listen to a variety of country, bluegrass, and easy listening for your enjoyment Memorial Day - Labor Day Weekend. Star Gazers will appreciate Rollins [...]

Community Spotlight: Hiawassee & Young Harris2025-04-29T17:23:06-04:00

Road Trip to Fannin County

The Backroads and Quiet Communities of Blue Ridge, Georgia in Fannin County Come experience the slower, more peaceful world. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills.these charming towns offer cozy country roads, friendly faces, and a deep connection to nature. McCayesville / Copperhill The area offers a delightful blend of history, nature, and adventure. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway provides a nostalgic 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa/Ocoee River, with a stop in McCaysville, GA, & Copperhill, TN where visitors can stroll the historic steel truss bridge connecting the two states. The Riverwalk Shops in McCaysville offer riverside dining, shopping, & entertainment to enjoy the scenic surroundings. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Ocoee River near Copperhill is renowned for its whitewater rafting, featuring over 20 Class III and IV rapids, attracting adventurers from around the country. Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville is a popular spot for anglers and features the “Blue Line,” a painted line on the ground marking the GA-TN state border. Mineral Bluff Enjoy this charming mountain town known for its rich history and scenic beauty. The historic Mineral Bluff Depot, built in 1887 by the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, served as a vital transportation hub until the late 1950s. Today, it houses the Tri-State Model Railroaders Club and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Epworth The area is renowned for its natural beauty, offering access to the Toccoa River, which is popular for fishing and canoeing. Nearby, the Jacks River and Penitentiary Branch Loop Trail provides a challenging 13.5-mile hike through the Cohutta Wilderness, featuring river crossings and scenic views. Morganton The Morganton Point Recreation Area, located on Lake Blue Ridge, provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails and picnic areas within the Chattahoochee National Forest . Lake Blue Ridge also has Marina located on Old Highway 76, that has a launching ramp. Pontoon boat rentals, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are also available to help provide recreation for your day at the lake. Aska Rd. / Dial The Aska Adventure Area features a 17-mile trail system ideal for hiking and mountain biking, with routes ranging from 1 to 5.5 miles . These trails wind through mature hardwood forests, ascend to panoramic mountain vistas, and descend to the serene shores of Lake Blue Ridge . For water-based fun, the Toccoa River is a popular destination for a hot summer day for tubing and kayaking. Family-friendly gem mining & fishing experiences provide fun activities. Dining can also be experienced beside the river to offer relaxation and great food. Visitors also enjoy scenic drives along Dial Road to ride by historic sites like the Van Zandt House, built in 1834, and the Cochran-Davenport House, constructed in 1885, both reflecting the rich heritage of the region. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, these backroads blend natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Visit: www.blueridgemountains.com or Call 1-800-899-MTNS (6867)

Road Trip to Fannin County2025-04-29T17:32:46-04:00

Cherokee Homestead Exhibit

The Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, located in downtown Hayesville, is an outdoor exhibit which includes replicas of a 17th century winter house, summer house, corn crib, summer shelter, mound gardens, dugout canoe, and public art depicting elements of the Cherokee culture. The elements of the exhibit were researched and are as authentic and accurate as possible. Informational kiosks at the exhibit enable free self-guided tours at any time. The winter house and summer house were constructed with upright locust poles which support the rivercane woven sides and thatched roofs. Mud and straw daub create the plaster which was added to the woven sides of the winter house in order to enclose it against the cold winter weather. The circular fire pit would have been used for cooking, heat and light throughout the winter. The corn crib was constructed similar to the summer house and raised off the ground to prevent pilfering by animals. A shelter, located near the mound gardens, would have been used for a multitude of activities during warm weather, including basket making, flint knapping, and pounding corn kernels into corn meal. A dugout canoe constructed from the straight trunk of a poplar tree was placed under the summer house to shelter it from the elements. Forged metal masks placed throughout the exhibit represent the seven Cherokee clans: bird, blue, deer, long hair, paint, wild potato, and wolf. A two-story wall mural shows representative elements of the Cherokee culture including petroglyphs, pottery, projectile points, tools, weapons, and woven baskets. The wall also contains plaques with Cherokee philosophical thoughts written in English and Cherokee Syllabary. Hand-forged metal disks have been placed on both sides of the fence atop the wall and contain iconic figures of Cherokee culture and legends. Tours and workshops are provided by volunteers for public and private schools, colleges, adult classes and tour groups at the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit. Arrangements for a guided tour or workshop may be scheduled by calling (828) 389-3045. The Cherokee Homestead Exhibit is the site of the Cherokee Heritage Festival held from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the third Saturday in September. Sponsored by the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association, a non-profit 501C3 organization. Please visit http://cccra-nc.org/ or write to PO Box 1533, Hayesville, NC 28904 for more information.

Cherokee Homestead Exhibit2025-04-29T17:23:50-04:00

Waterfalls of North Carolina

Big Laurel and Mooney Falls Standing Indian area - one roadside, the other a fairly easy to maybe moderate hike Directions: From the turn off to Rufus Morgan Falls, continue west on Hwy 64 for 6.3 miles and turn left on west Old Murphy Rd. Look for a brown and white sign for Standing Indian Campground. This turn is about 12 miles from the intersection of 64 west and 441/23 just outside of Franklin. Drive just under 2 miles and turn right at the sign for Standing Indian Campground (FR67). Drive 6.7 miles down FR67 - bearing left at the entrance to the campground - to a pull out on the right at the trail head for Big Laurel Falls. The road turns from pavement to gravel and the last couple of miles are rather rocky. You can do it in a passenger car, just drive slower. The hike is an easy 1/2 mile along Big Laurel Branch, mostly through rhododrendron. A short distance from the trail head, turn right at the ‘T’ intersection and cross the bridge. Turn right again after crossing and follow the trail up the creeks to the waterfall. The waterfall is only 20’ or so, but it’s in a secluded setting and there’s a nice little swimming hole at the base. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the place to yourself. About 1/4 mile farther up FR67 on the right is the trail head for Mooney Falls. The trail is short, switchbacking down the bank to the base of the lower drop. At the 2nd switchback, the trail to the left leads to the upper cascades. Climb up on the big rock for this nice view. Bridal Veil Falls 2.5 miles west of Highlands on Hwy 64. Watch for the brown and white forest service sign on the right hand side of the road. You can use the road side pull off to actually drive under this waterfall! Cullasaja Falls 5.5 miles past Dry Falls heading west on Hwy 64, is Cullasaja Falls. This road side area is small with a lot of passing traffic, so be cautious and pull off the road completely. There is a very steep trail that leads to the bottom of the falls, but in heavy flow conditions, the trail can be wet and slippery. Again, please use caution. Dry Falls Continuing west on Hwy 64, just past the intersection with Hwy 106, look for the brown and white forest service sign for Dry Falls and turn left into the parking area. There is a wheelchair accessible viewing area for an easy viewing as well as stairs and a short trail down to the waterfall for a close up look and the ability to walk behind the falls. This waterfall is stunning and the photo opportunities are plentiful. Fires Creek Falls, AKA Leatherwood Falls From Hayesville, Hwy. 64 take Fires Creek Rd. to Fires Creek Wildlife Road. Follow road along Hiwassee River until you see the signs. This area has plenty of [...]

Waterfalls of North Carolina2025-04-29T17:24:33-04:00

Waterfalls of North Georgia

Amicalola Falls The highest waterfall in Georgia, falling 729 feet in seven cascades. At the base of the falls, there is a parking area, a reflection pool, and 3/10-mile paved trail leading to an observation deck at the top of the falls. Directions: from Dahlonega, Amicalola State Park’s entrance is on GA Highway 52, east of Ellijay or west of Dahlonega. Anna Ruby Falls Curtis Creek falls 153 feet and York Creek drops 50 feet down the slopes of Tray Mountain in twin waterfalls. The very steep 4/10 mile Anna Ruby Falls Trail is paved and has benches along the trail for sitting or resting while enjoying the beauty of the area. Directions: from Helen, take GA 75 North one mile. Right on GA 356 for 1.5 miles, left on the entrance road to the falls. Becky Branch Falls The 20 foot Becky Branch Falls is easily observed from a wooden bridge which crosses the stream. Becky Branch Falls is accessed via the Bartram Trail. Directions: From Clayton, Georgia go east on Warwoman Road (County Rd. 5) for just less than 3 mile to Poll Creek Road. Park on left side of road by a small branch. Follow the trail on the right side of the branch for about 200 yards to a bridge at the base of the falls. Blood Mountain Falls & Falls on Waters Creek This beautiful waterfall is located on Blood Mountain Stream. The stream flows almost 20 feet through a rock cut, creating a churning sluice of water. Directions: From US 19/129 (Turners Corner), go west on US 19 for approx. 1/2 mile to Waters Creek Recreation Area. Turn right, go approx. 2.8 miles and park in the lot to the right. Across the road is a path to the viewing area. Cowrock Creek Falls Cowrock Creek Falls is ab out 30 feet high. Directions: From the junction of Hwy 19 and 129, travel 1.4 miles on Hwy 19/129 North to FR 443 and turn right. Travel 2.3 miles on FR 443. Park & walk on the old logging road for 0.6 miles. DeSoto Falls Three falls along a 3 mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail are maintained for the hiker’s viewing convenience, and are designated as the lower (cascading 20 feet), the middle (falls about 80 feet) and the upper (about 200 feet) DeSoto Falls. Directions: From Dahlonega travel north on US 19 for 13.5 miles to Turners Corner. At this intersection, turn left and proceed on US 129 for 4.2 miles. Shortly after the Walasi-yi Center is a left turn for the park. Dukes Creek Falls A well-designed trail winds its way into Dukes Creek Gorge, ending at the base of the falls which drop about 150 feet down sheer granite canyon into Dukes Creek. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left on GA 356 (75 Alternate) for 2.3 miles to the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right, go 2 miles to Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area. [...]

Waterfalls of North Georgia2025-04-29T17:24:16-04:00
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