One of the greatest things about living in the North Georgia Mountains is the change of scenery every 3 months – but of all the seasons, I think fall brings about the most welcome change of all.
When the sun starts going down earlier each day and a little nip greets you each morning and evening, you can be sure the leaves are starting their brilliant transformation and the harvest moon will begin filling the night sky like a beacon of light – the kind of weather where you’re bound to hear people say “now this is the kind of weather I could live in every day!” I love pulling out my favorite blue jeans and flannel shirt for days filled with the smell of hay and nights filled with outside fire pits where we make s’mores that will be “sticky” to our fingers all night long!
Fall festivals, hay rides, corn mazes, apple pickin’ and cider sippin’ are just a few of the traditional fall activities we eagerly await for each year in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During October, local farmers turn their large gardens that yield delicious sweet corn into mazes for children of all ages. My kids love the “corny” fun they have at one of the many mazes offered during the beautiful fall season.
Everybody should make their way through a corn maze at least once in their life – even those who are “directionally challenged!” Wives can send their husbands in to sit and have great female bonding time while waiting for hours because as we all know, men will not ask for directions!
During your North Georgia cabin getaway check out one of the many Blue Ridge Mountain corn mazes in for a truly fun family outing.
If you’ve never eaten a freshly picked, crisp apple and let the juice run down your chin with every bite, well then you’re missing out on one of nature’s simplest pleasures. Mercier’s Orchard in Blue Ridge has every kind of apple imaginable and a free apple tasting bar in the back of their store. I have bought many birthday, holiday, wedding and “selfish gifts” at this place and it has something for everyone.
I love eating their hot apple pies just as they come out of the oven and of course, buy a few to keep around the house to nibble on. Their mulling spice is wonderful too – I usually heat up some of their cider and pour the mulling spice in. My friends and family love the smell, not to mention the fantastic cider. But the store has everything from steaks to clothes. If you plan on visiting Mercier’s, be sure to allow yourself enough time to shop – AND of course to eat!!
Mercier’s Orchard opens their orchards to visitors during the month of September so they can pick their own apples. I know people are always looking for great photo spots and I must say, the middle of those apple orchards is beautiful. The tree branches are weighed down with apples and everyone has a basket or sack to fill. You pay one flat price and get to take home as many apples as you can fit in your sack. My niece made some of the best pictures of her daughters picking the apples – they looked like something from Norman Rockwell!
It’s not anything one can stage…it’s just real life at its best. We look forward to this special time of year all throughout the summer and invite you to experience all of the wonders of fall at our rental cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Hi! Very valuable tip on this blog!
Glad to be of help. I’m very passionate about the North GA Mts and just like to share the information I run across in my research & travels. Thanks for reading my articles & blogs.
Rosemary