Growing up as a lower middle class kid in Georgia, horseback riding wasn’t really something me and my friends in Atlanta ever did. But from the very first time we visited Blue Ridge GA, horseback riding has been one of our favorite things to do in North Georgia. Though it’s been nearly 20 years, I … Read more
Before the advent of automobiles, Georgia railways were essential for both transportation and business. Railways in Georgia began in the mid-1830s with the Central of Georgia Railway (Savannah to Macon), Georgia Railroad (Augusta to Athens), Monroe Railroad (Macon to Forsyth), and the Western & Atlantic Railroad (to Chattanooga). By the 1850s, trains in Georgia had linked all … Read more
[Updated June 13, 2023] As a small town with a total population of around 700 people, Blairsville isn’t as big or as bustling as popular North Georgia mountain towns such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Ellijay. But for many people, therein lies a big part of its charm. Measuring just 1.1 square miles, Blairsville may seem … Read more
To say that we are die-hard lake people would be a vast understatement. Growing up in North Georgia, I spent weeks every summer at my grandparents’ cottage on Lake Hartwell. As an adult, Mary and I have kept a boat docked on Lake Allatoona for 14 years, and visit 3-4 times a week. We fell … Read more
[Updated May 16, 2023] As a lifelong metro Atlanta resident, I’ve always felt that the natural beauty of the state of Georgia is vastly underrated. In my experience, even locals tend to forget the amazing amount of green space we’re blessed with, which offers endless excellent opportunities for recreation and ecotourism adventures. But taking day … Read more
Although it has a population of less than 2,000 residents, Ellijay GA is the seat of Gilmer County. It’s a town so nice that President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had a second home there. Ellijay is located about 22 miles north of the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of … Read more
[Updated May 14, 2023] Drawing more than 50 million visitors each year and listed fourth on Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2022,” Atlanta GA is one of the most visited cities in the USA. But in our experience, many of the people who visit Atlanta are unaware of the remarkable array of fun things to do … Read more
“Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” is a question we get fairly often, and it’s understandable why so many people are confused by the geographical definition of the region. Stretching 550 miles from North Georgia to Southern Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge Mountain range is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. So all Blue Ridge … Read more
Growing up in North Georgia, lakes were always a huge part of my summer vacation because my grandparents had one of those homey little cabins on Lake Hartwell. It was there that I first fell in love with the natural beauty lakes had to offer, from the fascinating wildlife and gorgeous scenic vistas to colorful wildflowers … Read more
[Updated January 8, 2024] My earliest memories of the Blue Ridge Mountains are of backpacking trips with our church youth group, which my parents led. I was no more than 6 years old the first time we made our way north to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We’d stock up on supplies in town before heading to … Read more