How to Get to Anna Ruby Falls Near Helen, GA

Mary Gabbett at Anna Ruby Falls In Helen GA

[Updated September 21, 2021] Among the 100+ North Georgia waterfalls, Anna Ruby Falls was both the first I remember visiting as a child and the last one we visited in 2020 before travel was discouraged. Not to be confused with Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Anna Ruby is one of the four most impressive waterfalls … Read more

White Water Rafting in WV: A New River Gorge Family Adventure

White Water Rafting New River Gorge West Virginia

In the years leading up to my daughter leaving home for college, I became increasingly conscious of time. The 18 summers we have with our kids seemed to pass all too quickly, leaving us precious few moments to establish strong bonds we hope will last a lifetime. So the timing of our trip to the … Read more

Pisgah National Forest: A Beginner’s Guide

Pisgah National Forest - Blue Ridge Mountains

Pisgah National Forest encompasses over half a million acres of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina. The forest is separated into three ranger districts: Appalachia and Grandfather are located north of Asheville, while Pisgah is south of it. Within the national forest‘s boundaries, visitors can explore sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the … Read more

Sampling Blue Ridge Restaurants on the Blue Ridge Mountains Food Tour

Blue Ridge Mountains Food Tour at Mercier Orchards Tasting Room

[Updated November 6, 2021] As a boy growing up near the North Georgia mountains, I tended to take the Appalachian food of my family’s roots for granted. Fortunately, traditional Southern food has come a long way over the last few decades, as has the culinary scene in little mountain towns like Blue Ridge, GA. When … Read more