Hiking Blue
Posted on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 at 2:31 pm
My Cabin Shines In The Pale Moonlight
We don’t as a rule associate the word “Alpine” with the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia, but the community of Helen is a small sample of the Bavarian Alps that found its way into this expanse of Dixie. In addition to the hiking trails and whitewater rafting you would expect to discover in this part of the southern Appalachians, there is a three month Oktoberfest that lasts from the late summer until the middle of fall every year, a time-honored Bavarian Christmas Alpenlights celebration, and yet one more transplanted Germanic tradition, das volksmarch. The best place to take part in Oktoberfest is from one of the many cabin rental accommodations in the area, or a deluxe room in one of Helen’s fine European themed inns.
Originally inhabited by Cherokee Indians, the vicinity was the site of a gold discovery in 1828. For over seventy years, prospectors and industrial mining companies worked deposits that rivaled those in the Rockies and the Sierras. The gold fields were mostly dredged out by 1900, but the wood industry moved in shortly after. With the installation of the railroad, the city of Helen was formed in 1913. The timber trade was short lived. By 1931, the trees were cut down and by 1960, all that remained was a row of cement block houses. The town’s renaissance began in the early 1970s as it began to reinvent itself in the Bavarian style, influenced by an artist who had served with the U.S. Army in Germany. These days, Helen is one of the most popular getaway resorts in the region.
The Chattahoochie River gives recreational opportunities for whitewater rafting and inner tubing, while the encircling mountains offer hikers a chance to participate in nature and the diverse woodland species up close and personal. Mountain lodges that include hot tubs are available for romantic getaways, and the town itself is residence to several specialty shops and four star dining establishments, including an authentic Bavarian Hofbrau Haus, featuring the unique food of Germany’s southern region. German and northern Italian cuisine may also be tasted at The Troll, one of Helen’s more flavorful eateries.
Easily available family outdoor activities include golf, mountain biking, fishing and horseback riding. In fact, there is almost no better method to tour this part of the Blue Ridge than from the back of a horse. Check out Chattahoochie Backcountry Treks and Sunburst Stables for more information.
For hikers, one of the most spectacular sights is Anna Ruby Falls, one of the four waterfalls in the immediate area inside Unicoi State Park. The falls are just over 800 yards from an enhanced public access area, and are really two separate falls with the larger of the two topping out at greater than 150 feet high.
Of course, just because you are out in and among nature does not imply you have to rough it. North Georgia bed breakfasts have all the comforts of home including cable TV and wireless internet access. The proprietors of these bed and breakfasts are more than pleased to share the unique history of the vicinity as well as suggest other interesting site seeing tours and delicious local restaurants.
Blue Ridge Hiking & Biking Trails
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Bluewave BPA Free 1 Gallon Round Bottle $12.99 Bluewave 1 Gallon bottle is perfect for personal use or for small spaces, such as the dorm, RV’s or someone on the go. Made out of durable plastic, it is safe and reusable! Help reduce the plastic waste and help the environment…. |
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Finum Goldton Filters, Blue and Green $13.88 2 Permanent Filter with Stainless-Steel Mesh Two different colored permanent filters for brewing either tea, herbal tea, fruit infusions or coffee. The filter will fit most tea pots and mugs. Durable stainless-steel mesh with heat-tolerant plastic frame. The lid doubles as a drip-off tray. Available in size M: suitable for mugs and tea pots with diameters from 65 to 95 mm. Colors per set: 1 x tra… |
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Itzy Ritzy Reusable Snack Bag, Whale Watching Blue $9.50 SWB8056 Features: -Snack bag.-Made with the highest quality workmanship using 100pct machine washable cotton and CPSIA certified safe for baby.-FDA approved, BPA free, PVC free, lead free.-Ideal for little hands, snacks, fruit, sandwiches, picnics, school lunches, mini first aid kits, cell phones, car and plane trips, crayons, toiletries, iPods, cameras, hiking, camping, travel, beach gear and mo… |
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The North Face Boys Small-Xlarge Resolve Jacket (Medium (10/12), Athens Blue) $65.00 The North Face Boys’ Resolve Jacket is the ideal waterproof shell jacket for active young men in the family. This mesh lined shell is made from waterproof, breathable and seam sealed ripstop HyVent®. The hood stows away in the brushed collar lining so moms never have to worry that they have forgotten to pack a hat.The zippered hand pockets keep valuables securely stowed. The ID label ensures th… |
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Pale Shade of Blue $1.14 … |
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Blue Notes Between the White Blazes $9.99 … |
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A Perfect Getaway (Theatrical/Unrated Director’s Cut) $3.19 Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez star in this gripping suspense-thriller about an island vacation that turns deadly. Honeymooners Cliff (Zahn) and Cydney (Jovovich) are hiking a jungle trail to a remote Hawaiian beach when they hear that police have uncovered a grisly murder scene and the suspected killers are somewhere nearby. Unsure whether to stay or flee, the pair… |
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A Perfect Getaway (Unrated Director’s Cut) [Blu-ray] $6.61 The lives of three couples converge on a remote Hawaiian jungle trail when they decide to hike together after learning that a brutal killer is on the loose. But there may not be safety in numbers after all, as mutual mistrust begins to consume them and one of the couples is not what they appear to be. Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Marley Shelton, Chris Hemsworth star… |
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Finding Your Way in the Wild $14.95 The “Finding Your Way” DVD is designed to teach you to how to use a map and compass and help you to get to your destination and back, safely and with confidence…. |
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Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Microfilter $69.95 The best-selling Katadyn Hiker just got better with the Hiker Pro Microfilter. The lightweight and easy-to-use design make the Hiker/Hiker Pro the best choice for all-around use. The unique, pleated cartridge design provides fast and easy pumping, and it’s convenient and handy for 1-2 persons while hiking or trekking. The Hiker Pro adds the following features to the original Hiker: Removable filt… |