I can’t wait for autumn.  It’s my favorite time of the year.  Spring is nice, but I’ve always preferred fall.  Seeing the leaves change color and the weather getting cooler—that’s what I’m talkin’ about.  When September rolls around, it triggers so many warm feelings in my heart.

After such a long hot summer, I can’t wait to decorate my home with scented candles, fall wreaths, gourds, pumpkins and fresh mums.  I’ve accumulated many lovely decorations over the years and I switch them out each season.   North Georgia mountain festivals are a great place to find some unique decor.

Another thing I look forward to in autumn is a change in cooking.  All summer we grill outside, keeping the menu simple.  Salads are a staple.  But, in the fall it’s time for homemade soups and stews.  There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a pot of chili, simmering on the stove, and jalapeno cornbread in the oven–unless it’s a hot fresh apple pie!

Fall heralds the start of my favorite sports.  I’m a HUGE  fan of the Georgia Dawgs, the Florida State Seminoles and the Atlanta Falcons.  Two of my grandkids will be playing soccer and I love to go to their games, cheering them on.  Mostly, however, I’m looking forward to my Atlanta Braves making it to the playoffs in October.

We’re planning one more trip to the North Georgia Mountains this summer.  We’ll be staying for a week,  right on Fightingtown Creek which is very kid-friendly.  The whole family is going and we’re all looking forward to doing our own thing.  The grandkids love splashing, floating and fishing in the water.  My daughters and I love to play Scrabble when we’re away.  My sons-in-law, no doubt, will be watching football or enjoying the gameroom.  John and I will try out the kayaks and go on another wild adventure.  There’s plenty of room for everybody  and we enjoy eating our meals  outside at the picnic table on the large shady deck.    So, I’m willing to suffer through a little more summer heat until after our vacation.  But then, I’ll be expecting some cooler weather.

 Although Georgia is known as “The Peach State,” we’ve also got apples—-and lots of them.  Just take a ride along scenic Apple Orchard Alley on Hwy 52East  in Ellijay.  You’ll see expansive views of apple orchards in the valleys and mountains of North Georgia.  There are eleven roadside stands where you can select the best fresh-picked, tree-ripened and mouthwatering apples you could ever imagine. 

Some of the orchards have small, simple roadside stands that are open from August to December.  Other orchards are larger and open year-round.  They have petting zoos, hayrides, live entertainment, and gift shops with local handicrafts.  Some stands let you pick the apples yourself, for little or no charge.  Most are owned and run by families.   All have several varieties of apples and offer free samples.

If you take the picturesque drive down Apple Orchard Alley, you’re sure to find almost anything you’re looking for, when it comes to apples.  There’s apple cider, hot apple pie, apple bread, apple dumplings, apple turnovers, apple cookies, apple muffins, individual hot apple fried pies, candied & caramel apples, apple juice, apple funnel cake, apple milk shakes, even chocolate apples, etc., etc.  (Am I starting to sound like Bubba Blue talking about his shrimp on “Forest Gump”???)  Well, you get the idea.

What makes this exhibit unique is that you actually walk through it, watching history unfold around you.  Most other train displays are built on raised platforms, with plexiglass separating you from the trains.  Mr. Griffin wanted a more intimate experience for his grandsons.  He wanted them to be able to see the trains up close and squeal with delight as they passed by.  So, Mr. Griffin arranged the display so they could walk through the streams and valleys.  It starts on the floor and rises to over six feet high.  The viewer becomes part of the action.

In 2009, Mr. Griffin agreed to share his passion for trains with others.  He allowed Scouts and school kids to come out for free.  It didn’t take long for word to spread.  He’s now increased his days of operation to accommodate the demand and is averaging about 500 visitors a week.  He still lets kids 16 and under in for free, but asks a $5.00 donation from adults.  He shares some of his profits with local charities, including the Historical Society.  Mr. Griffin says that this whole experience has been “invigorating,” helping to keep him young.

You can find the Misty Mountain Railroad at #16 Misty Mountain Lane in Blairsville, GA.  It’s a short drive from Blue Ridge.  Just take Hwy 515 to Blairsville and turn south on Hwy 19/129 at the traffic light in town.  Stay on that road for 3 miles until you see a gas station and a large billboard for Alexander’s Genreal Store (a really fun place to shop!)   Turn left onto Town Creek School Road and go 3 miles.  Misty Mountain will be on the right.  It is open May-December on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  From January thru April it is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.  Tours start PROMPTLY at 2:00 o’clock and last about an hour.  Mr. Griffin has developed a great presentation that pleases kids of all ages.  Call (706)745-9819 for more information.

When I was staying in Blue Ridge last weekend, I went to the Farmers Market.  Every Saturday morning, during the growing season, local farmers back their trucks up to the downtown park–across from the Court House and just down from the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Depot.  They pay a minimal fee to set up shop and sell directly to the public.  There was quite an array of items.  Of course there were all the fresh fruits and veggies (which were amazing!) but also there were yummy home baked goods, preserves, pickles, beautiful flowers and mountain crafts.  Lots of folks were giving away free samples.

If you’ve never tasted the difference between a tomato bought at your local grocery store and one bought from a local farmer, you’re missing out on a big opportunity.  The flavor from biting into a juicy freshly-picked piece of fruit or vegetable is totally superior.  I walked away with some tasty Rattlesnake green beans, a blueberry buckle coffee cake, some fresh-off-the-stalk corn and a jar of homemade BarBQ rub.  Next time you’re in the North Georgia Mountains, stop by the Blue Ridge Farmers Market any Saturday morning between 8 and noon.  You won’t be sorry!

Sunset River, the charming cabin we rented this time, comes with a double kayak, a single kayak, and 3 floating tubes.  When we touched the water and felt how cold it was, we opted for the double kayak.  Since we arrived late in the day we decided to just paddle upstream a ways and float back down, to get a “feel” for the kayak.  We planned to take a longer trip the next day.  The river seemed to be way up and flowing very fast, but we didn’t let that stop us.

Getting into the kayak gracefully was not an option for me–a plump grandmother with bad knees.  My husband, of similar girth, age and condition, somehow managed to lumber into the back slot without tipping us over.  The whole time the river was trying to rip us away from the shore and carry us away.  We paddled fast and furiously to turn the boat around and head upstream, but it was useless.  After 20 minutes of hard paddling and getting nowhere, we fought our way back to the riverbank.  Getting out wasn’t any easier.  We were exhausted.

After a good night’s sleep, however, we were ready to go again.  We decided to kayak from our cabin to Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville.   We dropped off the Explorer and returned to the cabin to prepare for our adventure.  It had rained all night and the river was even higher.  Late afternoon pop-up thunderstorms were common and we wanted to get back before they hit.  It was only a little after 1:00 and already overcast.  I remember being glad that it would be cooler for us.

Did I mention that these kayaks were really “yakboards” that you sit on top of, as compared to kayaks that you crawl into and that cover your legs?  You’d think that would make them easier to get in and out of, but trust me, it doesn’t.  At any rate, we started out on our trip quite peacefully.  We were going with the flow this time.  The temperature was pleasant, and my legs could even get a little tan.  All was well.  The scenery was beautiful as we glided through the water, communing with nature.  We didn’t even need to paddle.  The river just carried us along.  We noticed a little mist along the edges.  Because the water was so cold and the air so hot, it always misted over the river in the evening and burned off in the morning.  We wondered why it was getting misty in the early afternoon.  In fact, it kept getting thicker and thicker until we couldn’t see 10 feet  in front of the boat.  We knew there was no way we could turn back.  We had to keep going to get to our car–2 hours downstream. 

We heard the rapids long before we got to them.  We’d already maneuvered deftly around some small rapids, practicing our teamwork.  John did most of the work, being in the back.  But, nothing had prepared us for what we were rapidly approaching.   We knew to keep the boat pointed straight ahead and not get sideways, or we’d tip over.  We had no idea whether to steer to the right or the left now because we couldn’t see anything–until it was too late.  We ran into some serious chop that seemed to go on forever.  Then we hit a huge submerged boulder and dropped about 3 feet.  I know that’s not exactly like going over Niagara Falls, but it was a pretty big deal to us.  We took on so much water, as icy waves rushed over us.   I was  afraid the boat would sink.  Somehow John got us over to a wooden seawall where we hung on for dear life while we caught our breath.  We bailed and we bailed.  I used my paddle and my shoe.  When we got our wits back, we laughed and laughed, so proud of ourselves for surviving .

We continued our journey, running into more rapids, some big and some small, every 200 yards or so.  The mist was still there, but at least we knew what to expect.  I now have a new appreciation for the power of water.  But I feel as if I could do anything, and I’ll go again as soon as I get the chance.  I highly recommend a kayak trip down the Toccoa River.  You never know what you’ll encounter.

My sister and her husband, John, just returned from a week in Hayesville, NC.  They have some friends with a cabin there.  Penny was so excited to tell me about the new places they discovered on their trip.  Since I’m going up to stay at Sunset River Cabin in Blue Ridge this weekend, I plan to check them out.

Hayesville is an easy drive from the Blue Ridge area.  Just drive east to Blairsville on Hwy 515/76 and stay on Hwy 76 thru Young Harris over to Hayesville.  You’ll find a charming little town on the west side of lovely Lake Chatuge, and you’ll enjoy the pretty drive through the North Georgia Mountains.

Along the way, look for Gracie’s Flea Market.  It has quite an assortment of stuff, including yard art made of wrought iron and concrete.  They also sell fresh peaches and boiled peanuts to sustain you on your drive.

Sleepy Hollow is a magical place of more yard art for children of all ages.  It features fairies, elves, playhouses and birdhouses–all made of wood and painted in bright colors.  Penny says they sell some great art supplies as well.

Once you reach Hayesville, go to the old downtown square where you’ll find The Garden Shoppe & Bakery.  It is across from the Library, and it sells beautiful decorations for the home and garden.  It’s fun to just wander around and look.  The bakery is open all day on Saturdays.  The rest of the week it is only open for lunch.  They have delicious quiche as a specialty.  Across from The Garden Shoppe is an interesting Used Book Store, run by volunteers.

Penny and John’s favorite place to visit was St. Pierre Wood Pottery.  Robert St. Pierre, an octogenarian, makes one-of-a-kind vessels from differing species of wood, in all shapes and price ranges.  Each piece is a work of art that can be passed down from generation to generation.  His “pottery” is even on display at the Smithsonian!  He uses only saws and sanders, and puts the wood in a kiln to bring out the grain.  He has a shop attached to his workshop and welcomes visitors.  Sometimes he even shares some secrets.  The shop is open roughly 11-5.  My brother-in-law was happy to buy a trunkload of Mr. St. Pierre’s fine wood “scraps” to use in his woodworking hobby.  Mary, Robert’s wife, is also a craftsman.  She makes wonderful baskets and teaches basketry at the Campbell Folk School in nearby Brasstown.  If you’re in Hayesville, follow Tusquittee Road about 8 miles east to find St. Pierre Wood Pottery.

Our family Independence Day celebration was postponed until Monday, and that was a good thing.  But, bright and early Tuesday morning, all kinds of monstrously loud beeping equipment came rolling down our street to resurface the main drag of our large suburban subdivision.  Our property lies adjacent to that main drag, so we got all the noise, the dust and the smell of asphalt.  I would’ve left home, but I had to wait on the Cable Guy to show up and restore my services.  Of course he didn’t come that day, as scheduled.  After many calls to Comcast, working thru the maze of computerized questions and being put on hold for eternity, I was finally rewarded by a service call last night.  It took him about 10 minutes to replace a part & fix our problem.  Hallelujah!  Six days without a computer or a phone and I was a basket case.

Today, as I was stuck in rush hour traffic, the weatherman said we broke a temperature record by reaching 101 degrees.  It was hot indeed.  My trusty Explorer’s gauge said it was 103, and I tend to believe it more than some official thermometer at the Atlanta Airport.

All I can think of is how nice it would be in the mountains right now.  It’s at least 10-15 degrees cooler there, and I could be floating down the river, escaping all the problems of the city.  Just yesterday my husband, John, was counting the days until our next vacation .  We leave in  two weeks.  We’re staying at a new cabin to us–Sunset River, managed by Rainbow Cabins.  It’s right on the Toccoa River and it comes with kayaks and tubes.  I’ll tell you all about it when we get back.  In the meantime, I’ll suffer thru the heat, the noise and the traffic–dreaming of our North Georgia Mountains get-away.

If you are a child of the ’80’s, or if you had a daughter in the 80’s, you are most likely familiar with Cabbage Patch Dolls.  They were quite the craze–like GI Joe or Tickle Me Elmo.  Parents went to great lengths to obtain one for their child.  I know that I did!

Well, those chubby-cheeked, open armed darlings with the weird names, are still alive and well and being “born” regularly in nearby Cleveland, Georgia.  They’re just waiting to delight your child.  It’s a visit of nostalgia for many, and a little creepy for some.  Xavier Roberts, the creator of Cabbage Patch Kids, started his business in 1983 in an old clinic.  In May, 2010, he opened a brand new 70,000 sq. ft southern style home/facility on 650 acres to welcome the third generation of CPK enthusiasts.  The tour is fun, fanciful and free.  But, I doubt you’ll get out of there without buying something.  Those babies are hard to resist.

Expect to be greeted by a nurse who will take you on the grand tour.  There’s a Fathers’ Waiting Room, a re-created turn-of-the-century medical clinic, nurseries lined with cribs, an ICU for Preemies, and a school for the older kids.  The highlight of the tour is the Cabbage Patch under the Magic Crystal Tree, where the CPK’s are “born.”  The birthing process is performed by either an LPN (Licensed Patch Nurse) or a CPD (Cabbage Patch Doctor.)  All the staff are very much in character, dressed in scrubs.  There are CPK babies and kids EVERYWHERE you look, waiting to be adopted.  The original CPK’s are cloth and hand-stitched locally.  They start selling at around $200.  You can, however, buy a vinyl-faced knockoff in the Gift Shop for a very reasonable price.  I think they’re even cuter and more “play” friendly.  This place isn’t just for girls.  I saw lots of little boys and they were having fun too.

Babyland General is open seven days a week.  You can call (706)865-2171 for directions and seasonal hours of operation.  If you’re  in Blue Ridge, staying at a Rainbow Cabin, take a day trip over to Cleveland.  It’s about 54 miles away and an easy drive through the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.  And while you’re over that way, you might want to visit the quaint German town of Helen, home of the famous Oktoberfest.  Unicoi State Park with Anna Ruby Falls is just outside of Helen.  Have fun exploring all that North Georgia has to offer.

Mercier’s also offers “You Pick ‘Em” opportunities for apples in the fall, strawberries in May, cherries in early June, and blueberries and blackberries in mid-late June.  While peaches are for sale in their store in early summer, they are not available for self-picking.   Your family can visit Mercier’s Store on Old Hwy 5, just down the road from the McDonald’s, and take a ride in a covered wagon that’s pulled by a tractor out into the orchards and fields.  Children love it.  The staff is so kind and helpful.  Be sure to call ahead to find out what fruit is in season, ready to be picked.  Their number is (706) 632-3411.

Mercier’s is known as Southern Living Magazine’s “Favorite Roadside Apple Market.”  But, it is so much more than that.  The Mercier family has been in business for over 50 years.  They have the largest orchard in the southeast.  They are open seven days a week, and don’t be surprised to find busloads of tourists there in the fall.   Mercier’s is especially known for the fried fruit pies, fritters and cider.  The staff is friendly and knowledgeable—willing to hand out free samples and advice on which fruit to buy.  If you don’t want to pick your own, their store has everything you need.  You can also get hot sauces, smoked trout, jams, jellies, sandwiches, baked goods and ice cream from the deli.  Be sure to browse through all the other shops inside the Market, which specialize in mountain décor, handmade soaps, and stationery.  The next time you are in the North Georgia Mountains, be sure to stop by for a unique mountain experience.

Imagine a place where you’re surrounded by deep forests and hazy mountains.  You can hear a creek rippling over its rocks.  A gentle breeze is blowing the sweet scent of mountain laurel, blooming on the hillsides.  A hawk is lazily circling overhead, floating on the air currents.  If we “cue the deer,” all will be perfect.

Now imagine your family, rocking beside you on a covered porch.  The television is off.  Nobody’s on her cell phone, talking or texting.  Nobody’s on his computer, playing video games.   Your family is actually talking to each other–sharing stories and laughing.  After a morning of swimming, fishing, tubing and kayaking in the creek out back, everyone is exhausted.  This afternoon you can do whatever you want.  There are no deadlines to meet, no boss to please.  You could go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, trail hiking–or you could play games with the kids.  When’s the last time you had a rousing game of Monopoly, Scrabble, or Chutes & Ladders??  You could even stretch out in the hammock, read a book or take a nap.

All these things are possible when you rent with Rainbowcabins.com in the North Georgia Mountains.  I know this because our family has chosen to spend our vacations here for the last several years.  We’ve been to the beach, to a dude ranch, to Europe, and other assorted destinations.  But, we prefer the slower paced, friendly lifestyle–not to mention the sheer beauty–of being in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Plus it is just about a one hour drive from Atlanta.  Rainbow Cabins offers all the luxuries of a fine resort , while staying in a secluded spacious log cabin.  One of our favorites is River Lodge because it offers king-sized beds, a ping-pong table as well as a billards table, real arcade games, kayaks and tubes that no other cabins offer.  It suits our family perfectly.