If you ever dreamed of being a cowboy, or a cowgirl, for that matter–then you are going to love this rootin’ tootin’ rodeo!  It’s fun for the whole family, and just a short drive from Blue Ridge.  The Bulls ‘N Barrels Rodeo starts at 6:00PM on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at the Brasstown Valley Resort.

There will be all kinds of rodeo games including timed events like Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Bronc Busting.  The ladies will be showing off their skills at Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying.  Kids, ages 6 & 7, will be Muttin’ Bustin’ while kids who are 7 to 16 will take part in the Calf Scrambles.  Plenty of great food will be on hand at the Concession Stand.  Admission is $10 for adults;  $5 for kids 5-10; and it’s free for kids 5 and under.  So, grab your hat and boots, round up your family and head on out to a North Georgia Rodeo.  It’s a wonderfully different way to spend a cool evening in the mountains!

To reach Brasstown Valley Resort from Blue Ridge, drive about 25 miles east on Hwy 515/76 through Blairsville to Young Harris.  The address is 6321 US Hwy 76, Young Harris, GA, 30582.  You’ll see the sign for the resort and you’ll probably smell the sawdust in the air.  See you there, Pard’ner!

Located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest and 11 miles south of Blairsville,  is one of Georgia’s oldest, prettiest and most popular state parks.  The Vogel family, who were in the logging business, donated 233 acres of prime land to the state in 1927 and the Civil Conservation Corps (the CCC) turned it into a peaceful and enchanting park.  Vogel State Park offers many recreational opportunities including:

• Lake Trahlyta, named after a beautiful Cherokee Indian maiden, is the heart of the park.  Small, at 20 acres, the lake was created when the CCC dammed Wolf Creek.  It has a swimming beach, a beach house and a Pavillion.  Take a leisurely stroll around the lake and admire the mountain views, or fish for bass, bream and trout in the regularly stocked lake.
• Lake Trahlyta Waterfall
• Pedal boats, miniature golf, volleyball, a playground and fishing
• General Store, a theater and the CCC Museum
• 17 miles of well-marked trails for hiking and backpacking
• 103 tent, trailer & RV campsites ($25-$28/ night) with hot showers and flushing toilets–95 sites have electrical hookups and running water.  To make reservations for camping, go to www.gastateparks.org/vogel.
• 18 rustic walk-in sites ($19)
• 35 cottages ($90-$155) of various sizes.  Three are dog-friendly.

At an elevation of 2500 feet, temperatures at the park are usually cool, even in the hottest days of summer.  For this reason alone, many folks retreat to this charming mountain recreational area.  It is open year round, but the seasonal activities officially start Memorial Day weekend and run through August when the college kids who work here return to school.  From August to late October, activities are run only on  weekends.  Leaf season (late September to early November) is always a popular time to visit as Mother Nature puts on a marvelously colorful show.  But, there are annual events that go on all year such as the Spring Wildflower Walk, the CCC Reunion, the Kids Fishing Rodeo, the Independence Day Flag-raising Ceremony & Bicycle Parade, the Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival in late summer, the Fall Hoedown and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Vogel State Park is an enjoyable destination for many families who make it a yearly tradition.  One blogger said that she loves to “go creekin’,” since the park has some of the best creeks around.  Just strap on your water shoes, wear old clothes and go exploring.  Another blogger mentioned that it’s probably not a good idea to go hiking at dusk.  That’s when you’re most likely to run into a hungry black bear.  The area is populated with an abundance of wildlife–especially white-tailed deer, over a hundred species of birds and an assortment of salamanders, to name a few.  This section of the Blue Ridge is a botanical wonderland.  Of the many species of wildflowers that thrive in and around the park, the most striking are the pink and the yellow lady’s-slipper orchids.  There are hiking trails to challenge all levels of skill.  The Bear Hair Gap Trail comes highly recommended.  To hook up to the famous Appalachian Trail, you can climb Blood Mountain to Neel’s Gap.

On June 11, 2011, a Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held between 8:00AM and noon.  Wolf Creek will be stocked with plenty of eager trout for anglers 12 and under.  Prizes will be handed out for various categories.  Plan to arrive early to register–10:00AM at the latest.

Vogel State Park is a perfect day trip when you’re staying at one of our Rainbow Cabins since it is just 45 minutes from Blue Ridge.  Head east on Hwy 515 to Blairsville.  When you get to the junction with Hwy 19/129, go south for 11 miles.  Look for the entrance to the park and have a wonderful day in the North Georgia Mountains!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an old-fashioned holiday where the family enjoys just being together, having fun?  Well, I’ve discovered a special place that everyone will love.  If you’re in Blue Ridge, take a short drive over to Hiawassee and visit the Hightower Creek Clydesdale Farm.  Yes, I’m talking about those beautiful horses like the ones in the Anheuser Busch commercials that we love to watch during the Super Bowl!  You can see these gentle giants up close and personal–right here in the North Georgia Mountains.  Take a tour of the barn and in December, take a ride on a one horse open sleigh.  (Singing “Jingle Bells” all the way is optional.)  Santa will be there with cookies and hot chocolate, and there will be plenty of photo ops available.   Hightower Creek Farm is a large operation which opens to the public April through December on Saturdays between 11:00 and 4:00.  Admission price is $15 and includes the tour and ride.  Come meet all the horses, including the two new additions–Misty and her 4 month-old colt, Barclay.  Misty, a champion mare, will be marching in the Rose Parade in Pasadena.  Hightower Creek Clydesdale Farm is located at 1256 G. Hooper Road, off Hwy 76, in Hiawassee.  Just look for the blue and yellow signs.

If you’re longing for some simple pleasure this season, then come to the North Georgia Mountains.  Blue Ridge is a charming town with a lot going on, at a much slower pace.  It is a town that is great any time of the year, but it particularly shines at Christmas.   The annual Lighting Ceremony was right after Thanksgiving, so be sure to drive down Main Street and experience the friendly hospitality of the residents and merchants.  And be sure not to miss the Big Tree in the downtown park.  Rainbow Cabins manages many secluded luxury log cabins that are perfectly suited to accommodate any family gathering or honeymoon for two.  You will want to make your stay with us a new Christmas tradition.