Ellijay Apple Festival

If you’re heading to Ellijay this weekend or the next for the annual Georgia Apple Festival, here are a couple of things you should know.

The traffic situation can be ungodly. Ellijay and Gilmer County as a whole have grown so much, but the roads haven’t kept up the pace. The main roads you’ll need to get to the festival are Highway 52, Highway 515, and Big Creek. These are the main roads to and from Ellijay and out to the more rural areas and apple houses.

While you’re there support Ellijay’s local businesses. The historical district is known to the locals as “the square”. There is a wonderful cigar lounge that has great staff, a winery, a rooftop restaurant that has pet-friendly outdoor dining, a chocolate store, and an antique shop.  Check them out when you’re done in the orchards. Past the public safety building and schools, you’ll find Mr. P’s, a nice restaurant famous for its custard. If you want to head out, there’s a nearby mushroom farm (you’ll want to use GPS). 

You should also enjoy a visit to Green Willow Soap Shop if you’re into self-care. Everything is made in the store and it smells heavenly.

The actual festival is only held on Saturday and Sunday, but the orchards are open during the week. If you go, stay safe and have a beautiful day!

(Photo courtesy of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce)

A really annoying day

Atlanta is a wonderful city to visit, but we asked ChatGPT to plan an annoying day for potential visitors:

7:00 AM: Morning Commute

  • Start your day by heading out during rush hour. Drive on I-285, Atlanta’s Perimeter Highway, known for its heavy traffic and frequent accidents. Aim for a section where there’s construction, such as near the I-85 interchange.

8:30 AM: Breakfast at a Crowded Fast Food Chain

  • Stop by a popular fast-food chain near a busy intersection, like the Chick-fil-A on Northside Drive. Order during the peak breakfast rush and wait in a long drive-thru line. Consider ordering something complicated or with substitutions.

9:30 AM: Visit the DMV

  • Visit the DMV on a day without an appointment. Pick the busiest location, such as the one on Pryor Street. Ensure you have incomplete or incorrect paperwork to maximize waiting time and frustration.

11:00 AM: Mid-Morning Trip to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  • Head to the airport to pick up a friend who’s arriving late. Circle the terminal a few times because they didn’t provide you with the correct gate information. Then, wait for an extended period due to delayed baggage claim.

12:30 PM: Lunch at an Overhyped Restaurant

  • Head to Ponce City Market, but instead of going to a renowned spot, pick a trendy, overpriced restaurant with mediocre reviews. Wait in a long line only to be seated at a cramped table next to a noisy group.

2:00 PM: Afternoon at an Art Museum During a School Field Trip

  • Visit the High Museum of Art right as multiple school groups arrive. Endure loud, chaotic children as you try to enjoy the exhibits. To add to the annoyance, go on a day when the museum has a limited exhibit.

3:30 PM: Coffee at a Slow Café

  • Stop by a hipster coffee shop like Octane, where the barista takes a painfully long time to make your order. There might also be no seating available, so you’ll end up standing awkwardly with your drink.

4:00 PM: Ride MARTA During Peak Hours

  • Take a ride on MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) during peak hours, possibly around 4:00 PM. Choose a route that’s known for being crowded and slow, such as the Red Line towards North Springs. If possible, find a car with a broken air conditioner.

5:30 PM: Unnecessary Trip to Lenox Square

  • Visit Lenox Square Mall during rush hour. Endure the crowded parking lots, aggressive drivers, and busy stores. Just browse, but don’t buy anything, and waste time looking for items that are out of stock.

7:00 PM: Dinner at a Noisy, Overbooked Restaurant

  • Try to get a last-minute reservation at a noisy, overrated restaurant in Midtown, like The Varsity, and wait for a table. End up seated near the kitchen or restrooms, where it’s loud and constantly busy.

9:00 PM: Attend a Sports Event with No Parking

  • Attend an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena, but leave late and struggle to find parking. Park far away, and then deal with the post-game traffic and crowds when leaving.

11:00 PM: Late-Night Traffic Jam

  • Wrap up your day by trying to head home via I-75 during a random construction-related traffic jam. Expect to sit in traffic for an extended period, possibly due to lane closures or an accident.

This plan should ensure a day filled with inconveniences and annoyances across Atlanta!

Scenic route from Atlanta to Nashville

To get from Atlanta to Nashville via the interstate highway system takes about 4 hours, but if you’ve got some time to spare, you can try some of the back roads through Georgia.

Get on Georgia 52 near Ellijay and Fort Mountain State Park. There’s lots of scenic views, and Ellijay is famous for its apple barns (https://www.redapplebarn.com/) and ciders, and many are open year-round. You can get to Highway 52 from Dahlonega, a picturesque small town that was once the center of the first U.S. gold rush, starting in 1829. The town supported 15,000 miners and lasted until 1848, when gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountains and everyone headed west.

Just south of Chattanooga, TN, is Lookout Mountain, which is well worth the visit. You can climb the mountain via well marked trails and see seven states from its summit. There’s also Lover’s Leap, a waterfall that drops about a hundred feet. If you want to stay awhile, also see Ruby Falls, a gorgeous underground waterfall. It’s located not far from Lookout Mountain. Both can be done in a day. The southern end of Lookout Mountain hosts Cloudland Canyon State Park, which has some moderately difficult hiking but gorgeous views.

Once you get to Tennessee, you may enjoy a drive up TN 28 and US127 in the Sequatchie River Valley. Fall Creek Falls State Park (north of Dunlap, TN) is beautiful. Once you get to Nashville, enjoy some of the best live music from multiple genres.

Tickets for Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls can be bought online here: https://www.lookoutmountain.com/

Northwest Georgia’s best place for fall foliage

It’s officially fall, ya’ll, and many are heading out to the Georgia state parks to do some leaf-watching.  The fall colors are spectacular and one of the best places to see them in northwest Georgia is Cloudland Canyon State Park.

(Image credit: Explore Georgia)

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the best time for fall foliage is late October-early November north of Atlanta. If you’re heading to the Rome or Cartersville areas, check out Cloudland Canyon (on the back side of Lookout Mountain, also a fun trip). 

Cloudland Canyon has 60 miles of hikes with waterfalls, biking trails, horseback riding, and fishing..  There’s even a disc golf area and geocaching. The hike is considered moderate, but it’s doable for most people. 

For the more adventurous, get a permit and head into the Cloudland Caves.  Please note that this is for experienced wild cavers only!  The caves are open April, June July through September and October.  

While in the area, check out River Remedy Brewing Company or The Foundry Growler Bar:

(Image Credit: foundrygrowlerbar.com)

The Foundry has plenty of options from appetizer-type dishes in their dining room to wine tasting to packaged craft beers and a Spanish cedar humidor.

If you want to find out the best time to see fall foliage anywhere in Georgia, check out the Leaf Watch guide.

As always, happy fall and have a beautiful day!

St. Simon’s Island – a beautiful place to spend a weekend

It’s summer and everyone, it seems, is headed to the beach.

Make your reservations at Ocean Inn & Suites, where you’ll be about half a block from the beach. Pack plenty of sunscreen, a towel, and a calm attitude. You’ll also be close to the pier, the lighthouse, and all the tourist-y areas they encompass.

Massengale Park also has a nice beach.  If you do choose to climb the lighthouse, there is a combination ticket you can buy for the WWII Homefront Museum.  You can also tour Fort Frederica.  The Avenue of the Oaks makes for a beautiful photo setting.   If you don’t want to drive much (and who does, on vacation?), you can rent bikes and ride all over the island.  There’s even a trolley tour of the island. 

For meals, check out Southern Soul BBQ and Frosty’s Griddle & Shake. Also check out Barbara Jean’s. East Beach (Coast Guard station) has a concession stand.  Look for the carts from Sunset Slush when on the beach.  Brogen’s (by the pier) is also good.  Mullet Bay is a good seaford choice with plenty of outdoor seating.

(Some of the menu selections at Barbara Jean’s)

Jekyll Island is nearby with beautiful large pieces of driftwood that make for a magical photo op.

On your way back home, stop in Brunswick at Silver Bluff Brewery for beers before heading to Reid’s Apothecary for a good meal.

How to Succeed in Business

I wanted to take a moment to spotlight my friends and their Georgia-based businesses.

First, there is Andrea Green. She’s an optician with 20 years’ experience (and an opera singer!) who just opened a new eyewear boutique in Roswell, 2C Facewear.

Be sure to join her on April 29, 2023, for a trunk show featuring the latest in designer eyewear.

Second, there is entrepreneur Brianna Case, who owns Honeybee Card Shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/honeybeecardshop), which has a variety of luxury paper goods. She is responsible for my daughter’s Star Wars-inspired wedding invitations. She also thrifts and can host tea parties and other networking events locally in Buford, Georgia. Be sure to check her out on IG and FB.

As a bonus, her husband Elijah Case, is a terrific DJ. (Check him out as DJ Honeybeats on FB and IG).

Third, there is Audrey Hunter Stine, who bakes delicious cakes for a variety of occasions. Her cake page is on FB as Audrey’s Cake Page [https://www.facebook.com/stinechick08]. This is a recent creation of hers, for a graduation party:

There are a lot of great small businesses to support in Georgia, including farmer’s markets. The Flowery Branch farmer’s market is open on Thursdays from 10 am to 6:30 pm in downtown Flowery Branch, which is undergoing some renovations, so use caution.

Ein Prosit! Your Guide to Oktoberfest

(Image credit: @floridadonny)

Oktoberfest is an annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a 2-week period in September and ending on the first Sunday in October. 

The festival’s origins can be traced back to October 12, 1810, in celebration of a marriage between the Crown Prince of Bavaria (who became King Louis I) to Princes Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.  Royal weddings have always been over the top, and this festival concluded with a horse race.  In 1811, the horse race was combined with a state agricultural fair.  In 1818, booths serving food and drinks were introduced.

By the late 20th century, the food and drink booths had morphed into large beer halls complete with balconies and bandstands.  Each brewery in Munich erects a temporary structure, which can seat up to 6,000.  The festival in 2022 starts on September 17 and runs through October 1 in Munich. 

In Georgia, Helen’s Oktoberfest (one of the oldest in the nation) starts September 29th and runs through October 30th.  These celebrations, which feature beer and German food, try to reproduce the Bavarian sense of gemutlichkeit (cordiality).

The celebration is open to all ages.  Admission is $8 during the week and $10 on Saturdays (free admission on Sundays!).  Doors open at 6 pm throughout the week, and 1 pm on weekends.

You can plan to stay in Helen at The Heidi Motel or, if you’re planning on going with a group of friends or family, rent a cabin at nearby Unicoi State Park and work a short hike into your itinerary.

Start your food adventure with Hofer’s of Helen for Reuben sandwiches, made by Germans who immigrated to the town in the 1950s.  The Heidelberg German Restaurant and Hofbrauhaus are other options.  Please drink responsibly, and have a designated driver in your group.

There are other options for Oktoberfest in Georgia, including Oktoberfest Atlanta on September 30th as well as Gainesville’s first annual Oktoberfest at Smithgall Arts Center on October 1st.

How to Have a Peachy Summer

Where to find fresh Georgia peaches.

(Jaemor Farms)

From May to September, Georgia’s farming community sells peaches by the crate. Restaurants also feature this fruit on their menus.   Here’s where to get fresh peaches in and around their namesake state:

Jaemor Farms in Alto, GA, has been planting and harvesting peaches since 1912.  They also have a grocery, and fresh flowers for the picking during summer including sunflowers.  While it’s not a typical u-pick farm, they do hold special u-pick events during the year.

Dickey Farms in Musella, GA, has been in operation since 1897.  They have peach salsa and delicious peach BBQ sauce on sale.

Southern Belle Farm in McDonough grows 10 varieties of peaches and offers u-pick options seven days a week.  Like other farms, you can also grab some jams or jellies while you’re here or try peach cobbler.

If you’d like to enjoy Georgia’s most famous fruit, head to Decatur’s Revolution Donuts for their peach options (which have developed a cult-like following). 

(Revolution Donuts)

 

Or try peach French toast at Mama’s Boy in Athens. The Varsity in Atlanta has fried peach pie.  Recipes are also available on Pinterest.

Check Amazon for deals on fresh fruit as well: https://amzn.to/3L09vLX

Explore Georgia’s vineyards and wineries

A friend of mine recently had a lovely wedding at Yonah Mountain vineyards, and I wanted to share some other wine-tasting options as well as romantic weekend getaways for the summer.

(Yonah Mountain Vineyards)

Tiger Mountain vineyards is located in Rabun County at an elevation of 2,000 feet and has barrel tasting options as well as chocolate and wine tasting.

Crane Creek vineyards is located in Habersham County near Brasstown Bald, the state’s highest peak. You can arrange a private vintner’s tour with a staff winemaker.

I’ve written about Helen, Georgia, before; the Alpine-themed town is only about a half-mile away from Habersham Vineyards which specializes in Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia, offers a Sunday brunch buffet, with a different theme each month.

For luxury, visit Braselton’s Chateau Elan Winery. There are dinner options along with wine tasting, golf, and a spa.

The healing power of trees

The Lorax famously spoke for the trees, and I wanted to share some information from a fascinating book I’m reading entitled “Forest Bathing: The Japanese Art and Science of Shinrin-Yoku” by Dr. Qing Li.

For centuries people have found restfulness and a sense of oneness with the universe from being in nature.  Poems and songs have been written, and the entire foundation of some companies like REI is to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. 

Stress inhibits immune function and, because of this, we tend to fall ill frequently if we cannot get away from our stressors (work, school, other people, etc.) One of the ways the health of the immune system is tested is by looking at the activity of natural killer (NK) cells.  They are a type of white blood cell (WBC) that can attack and kill unwanted cells, which they do with the assistance of some proteins such as perforin, granulysin, and granzymes.  People with higher NK activity show lower incidence rates of cancer and other diseases.

Dr. Li discovered that after only three days and two nights in a forest, NK cell activity improved from 17.3% to 26.5%; NK cell numbers went up from 440 to 661 (a 50% increase!).  Dr. Li also writes that “the results showed that natural killer activity and the number of natural killer cells were significantly increased after forest bathing and that this effect lasted not just for seven days but for as long as thirty days.”

I’ve posted on this blog about hikes in and around Georgia, and I wanted to also share areas for forest bathing in and around the metro Atlanta area:

  • Check out the trails off Clifton Road at Emory University and Lullwater Preserve when studying for finals or just needing some time away from the office.  
  • There’s also Hundred Acre Farm in Madison, GA as well as multiple state parks including those near lakes or waterfalls.  
  • Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has miles of trails and wooded areas to explore and enjoy.

Renewal by Nature can set up a private or group walk for you and your friends and family.