Recently we had our annual summer vacation in the mountains.  John and I have been renting cabins in the Blue Ridge area for the last 8 or 9 years.  We’ve stayed in so many different places and
spaces that it’s hard to remember them all. We usually go 2-4 times a year so we can experience each season.  Moving from Dallas, TX, where we’d been for many years, and where there weren’t many trees and NO mountains—we really appreciate now all that the North Georgia Mountains have to offer.  We love being able to run up to Blue Ridge in less than 2 hours, rent a large house for a week and have our daughters and their families join us for a long weekend.  It seems to suit everyone well.  And we never get bored with the same old place or run out of things to do—especially since I started writing for the Rainbow Cabins website.  Doing research for my articles & blogs has enabled us to have so many fascinating experiences we might have otherwise missed.

This has been a “Summer of Fun” for me.  I’ve been to Melbourne Beach in Florida for a family wedding; spent 3 days at Disney World with the grandkids; and spent a week with my BFF at her lake house on the NC/VA border and drove out to the Outer Banks.  It’s been a whirlwind of excitement, so the idea of kicking back in the mountains was a joy.

We didn’t kick back all the time though.  In fact, we crammed quite a lot into our week at River Lodge.  While in Blue Ridge we drove over to the Marina to check out the water level.  I’m pleased to report that Lake Blue Ridge is back to normal (after having been drained 60-70’ for work on the dam during the winter.)  The crystal clear blue waters were sparkling; all the docks at the Marina were serviceable; and homeowners had their private docks back where they belong.

Next, John and I went downtown to do a little shopping.  John normally does not enjoy shopping in the least, but he actually had fun as we meandered in & out of numerous stores to see what’s new.
My favorite stop was at the Johnson family’s “Tomorrow’s Antiques Today,” more commonly known as The Bear Store.  Every nook and cranny is filled with delightful home décor items, unique gifts and custom furniture.  I even found the Blue Ridge car decals that I’d been looking for.  We also wandered through the Mall and various art galleries and specialty shops.  When we’d worked up an appetite, we stopped at Harvest on Main.  Donna at the BR Chamber of Commerce recommended the Salmon BLT and it was superb.  John had a tasty little kettle of chicken stew.  Everything at Harvest is impressive—from the massive wood & timber beams to the stacked stone fireplace to the mammoth animal heads hanging around on the walls.  It has a rustic atmosphere, excellent service and good prices.  We paid less than $20 for our 2 meals.

When the grandkids arrived from Atlanta and I could tear them away from splashing in Fightingtown Creek and playing arcade games, I took them to Brown’s Pet Store in downtown Blue
Ridge.  They went crazy when they saw the conglomeration of animals that are packed into the old fashioned store.  Ryan, my 8 year-old, is particularly fond of reptiles so I knew he’d love all the iguanas, snakes and turtles.  Maryann and Betsy, ages 5 & 3, enjoyed the baby chicks and lop-eared bunnies.  Jason, the 2 year-old, was just enthralled by everything he saw.  I don’t know how but we got out of there without buying any pets.  Of course, I had to get a 50 lb bag of cracked corn and a deer lick for all my critters back home.  Incidentally, when I got home I had two families of deer waiting patiently.

After going to Brown’s, we took the kids to the Blue Ridge Recreation Park to run around and play on the playground.  If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to give it a try.  The City has done a beautiful job of creating this huge park of rolling green hills and ball fields, surrounded by the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  There’s an indoor rec center if you drive to the back.  The Park is located out Hwy 5, just a little past Mercier Orchards.

John and Bryan, my son-in-law, went kayaking on Fightingtown Creek.  They were dropped off at Power Dam Road (near the WhiteWater Cabin) and paddled back to our cabin.  The trip took about 2 ½ hours but was made worse by several downed trees from recent storms.  It was still a beautiful trip—very lush and shady, with a few small rapids.  Perfect for a hot summer afternoon.

John and our daughter Shelby snuck off early one morning to go fishing at Horseshoe Bend Park.  They were happy to catch & release several decent sized trout—despite not having the kids along to “help.”  Imagine that.

Mercier Orchards was hopping every time we passed by.  Fresh peaches are their featured crop right now (mid July.)  Soon the early season apple crops will be ripening and the U-Pick Specials will start up in August.  It’s fun to take a tractor ride out into the orchards to snap up the freshest fruit.

Saturday we packed up everybody and headed for the Amicalola Deer Park.  Getting there was easy and only took about 25 minutes.  Just head south on Hwy 515 and turn left onto a short access road that takes you to Hwy 52E, just north of Ellijay.  This is actually called Apple Orchard Alley since there are so many orchards along this stretch.  Go 22 miles to Mile Marker 3.  Don’t be confused by the Mile Marker numbers.  They go up before restarting at the county line.  You’ll pass Burt’s Pumpkin Patch, a really cool place you should visit in the fall.  Soon you’ll see the sign for the Deer Park.  It’s nothing fancy, but it’s really fun.  Pastor Sean Smith started this place a few years ago to rescue and rehabilitate deer and use it as a tool to interact with special needs children.  It has continued to grow and now many times whern there is an animal that needs help, it is taken to the deer park.  Sean works his magic and all the animals get along famously.  You’ll be greeted by a multitude of friendly gentle and perfectly tamed deer.  We were loaded into a wagon and driven to several different areas around the farm to view and feed the animals.  There were mainly deer, but also llamas, goats, donkeys, ponies, a fat pig and an emu.  There could have been others, but I didn’t see them.  Sean doesn’t let them out to mingle with the public until they are tamed.  This is a working non-profit farm.  Be sure to bring some extra cash because you will want to purchase $2 bags of corn to feed the animals.  Sean also has some beautiful Great Pyrenees dogs that help him herd and guard the animals from predators.  Ryan really wanted to get an antler with his own money.  Pastor Sean sold him one with the solemn promise that Ryan would always be kind to animals and never kill one.  It was a truly blessed experience for all of us.

After the Deer Park we drove to nearby Amicalola Falls National Park.  We found one of the numerous picnic tables and had lunch.  The kids were starting to get tired so we drove up to the top of the waterfalls and viewed them from the Observation Bridge.  It is really nice the way the park is set up with the ability to see the falls from above, below, and the middle.  There’s an easy 10 minute walk halfway up.  All make wonderful photo opportunities.  My knees were grateful that I didn’t have to hike.

All in all it was another perfect trip to the North Georgia Mountains.  I love this time of the year when the mountain laurel is blooming, the fireflies are twinkling and the kids are toasting marshmallows for s’mores.  But, we can’t wait to return in the fall!

Personally, I can’t think of a better way to spend a hot summer afternoon than going tubing down the Toccoa River.  It cools you right off and you get the added benefit of enjoying the blissful sights and sounds as you float.  The Toccoa is shallow for the most part, but there are some deep areas.  You will encounter some small rapids and rocks along the way, but tubing is quite suitable for anyone who can swim.  When tubing in the Blue Ridge area you have two basic choices–floating on the Upper Toccoa (above Lake Blue Ridge and the dam) or floating on the Lower Toccoa (below the dam).  The Upper Toccoa’s water level and speed is dependent on the rain in the summer months.  The Lower Toccoa is controlled by the dam’s water releases.  All tubing companies will provide your tube, a life vest and shuttle service.   Reservations are not necessary unless you have a large group.

Shallowford Bridge Tubing claims to be “the best float on the river.”  I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s the only place we’ve tried and our family had a ball.  It is open 7 days a week seasonally from 11-6 and your float costs $9.00.  The trip takes about 1 1/2 hours.  Small children may ride in the same tube as their parents.  Shallowford Bridge Tubing is located right out Aska Road, just across the Shallowford Bridge.  They have new red tubes with yellow trim, handles and a cup holder.  (706) 632-2462.

The Toccoa Valley Campground also rents tubes on the Upper Toccoa.  Open Monday through Saturday, launch hours are between 10AM and 3PM.  The float trip costs $10.  Changing rooms and restrooms are available on site.  All tubes are hot pink and commercially equipped with a bottom and handles.  No coolers are allowed on the Toccoa  Valley floats and children must be 30 lbs or 5 years old to ride.  Children may not ride in their parents’ tubes.  The 6-mile trip takes about 1 1/2 hours when the water is up.  Gina runs the campground and has been in busines for many years.  The TVC is a very family friendly operation.  They have tent and RV hookups; hot showers and clean restrooms; river & creek frontage sites and even a special fishing hole for campers 12 and under and the handicapped.  No alcohol is allowed on the property.  Call Gina at the Toccoa Valley Campground & Tubing Company at (706) 838-4317 for camping information.   Directions:  From the McDonald’s in Blue Ridge, go NE on Hwy 515 to Windy Ridge Rd and turn right.  At the stop light turn left and go past the Ace Hardware to Aska Road.  Turn right onto Aska and travel 11 1/2 miles.  The Toccoa Valley Campground & Tubing Co. will be on your left.

Tubing the Lower Toccoa

As I mentioned earlier, the Lower Toccoa River is a dam-controlled river and the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) releases water as they deem necessary–sometimes daily.  Water levels and speed can change significantly after water is released.  Now, it all depends on what kind of ride you want and who is in your party.  Do you want a lazy river float or do you want a wild swift ride??  Both can be lots of fun.  Before the water is released, the river is shallower and slower.  The tubing companies have no idea when water will be released, so it is a little riskier to tube on the lower end for longer floats, especially if you have young children.

Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking gives you 4 choices as to the length of your trip down the river.  It all depends on your “put-in” location.  They rent both tubes and kayaks for your enjoyment.  The 1 hour trip is $6; the 2 hr trip is $8 and the 1/2 day trip is $16.  If you have young children, the 1 hour float is ideal.  Blue Ridge Mountain has tiny lifevests for the young ones 3 and up.  They allow children to ride double with their parents.  Coolers are allowed on your ride as long as you don’t bring any glass objects.  We want to keep our river safe and pristine.  BRMK is known to have “Cadillac” tubes–blue and white super comfy, with a mesh bottom and 2 cup holders!  Call the Flanagans at (706) 258-2411 for more information.  Their physical address is 227 W. Tennessee Avenue, Copperhill, TN.  But, don’t worry, it’s only a 15 minute drive from Blue Ridge.  Copperhill, TN and McCaysville, GA are sister cities and the state line running through the grocery store parking lot is the only thing separating the two towns.  Directions:  From the McDonald’s, go north on Hwy 5 for 10.2 miles and turn left at the first stoplight in McCaysville.  That will be Tennessee Ave.

Toccoa River Adventures offers $6 tube floats.  The trip mainly runs by Horseshoe Bend Park.  If you’re lucky, you will see the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train  pass by and you can wave to all the passengers.  You can get 2 float trips for $10 if you want to go twice.  Tubes for coolers are $6.  Children get tubes with bottoms.  You can rent a double tube, a “Honeymoon Tube” for $12.  Toccoa River Adventures also rents canoes, kayaks, rafts and 1 & 2 man Funyaks.  They eaopen at 10 AM every day during the season and close whenever the last person floats in.  They are located at 340 Toccoa Avenue in McCaysville.  All major credit cards are accepted.  (706) 492-5280

Rolling Thunder River Company, which has been in business since 1977, is located right on the river in downtown McCaysville.  They offer 1.5 mile tube rides for $7.  Snuggle Tubes are $14.  Children must be 5 years of age to float.  If the river is running fast and you want more than a 20 minute float trip, their 3 mile float is perfect.  However, if the river is running stronger than normal, children must be ast least 10 years old to take the 3 mile ride.  Safety first!  Rolling Thunder also rents Funyaks (inflatable kayaks), sit-on-top kayaks and canoes.  They are best known for their white water rafting adventures on the Ocoee and the Nantahala Rivers.  Check out their website at www.RollingThunderCo.com or call (800) 408-7238.

Tips For Tubing

• Wear water shoes, or at least shoes that fit securely to your feet–no flip-flops.
• Take a Zip-lock bag along for valuables.
• A small paddle or just a stick can be handy when pushing away from rocks.
• Wear lots of sunscreen & a hat.
• You may want to bring some rope to tie your tubes together so tht no one gets caught in the brush & left behind.  There are no brakes on these tubes and a strong current can carry you away very quickly.  If you cross under a bridge (like Curtis Switch), be sure to pass thru single file, if tied together.
• Children must keep their life vests on at all times.  Adults should, at the very least, tie their vest to the tube’s handle so it can be grabbed if necessary.
• If you have young children in your party, take the shorter float trips to see how they like it.
• Expect to get wet.  You will probably need to get off your tube & walk it over rocks if the water level is down.  That’s why the shoes are important.
• Expect a strong current.
• Don’t try to go thru the rapids at the big boulders at the bend on Aska Road if you are tubing on your own.  They can be very dangerous, depending on the water level and current.  You can no longer take-out at the boulders.  They are on private property and the owner is very serious about tht.
• Don’t litter.  Keep our rivers clean.
• If you are staying at a Rainbow Cabin, read the Welcome Book and the Guest Book for advice.  All of our cabins are located on either the Toccoa or on Fightingtown Creek and come with tubes and/or kayaks.  The books in the cabins will tell you where to drop off your party so it can float back to the cabin.
• HAVE FUN!