Anyone been to Helen, Georgia?

[Gringo]

Planning on taking the wife & tykes upt to the N. Georgia mountains in a couple weeks to getr out of the hellhole of Miami.

Anyone have any recommendations for lodging, places to go in the area of Helen, Blairsville, and Brasstown Bald?

Also, anyone familiar with Enota center? Please let me know what you think.

[aquaman]

1. This is freaky

My wife and I have a time share there. It's very small but has beautiful forests around. Motels are everywhere, depends on how picky you are. There is nothing to do there except become one with nature which is why I go. Neat place, it does have some shopping options if that is your thing. We go in the winter when it is calm so I don't know what to say about how it may be when you arrive in the summer.

[umcwb]

2. Very Touristy (a word?)

Its beautiful in the fall and summer, which are the only times I have been. They have this kind of Dutch theme going on, so all the buildings look that way. Its fun, a great thing to do with the family. I have only been up there on day trips, so I can't recommend any lodging. Have fun.

[aquaman]

3. Where are you from umcwb?

[umcwb]

4. Suburb of Atlanta. n/t

[aquaman]

5. Cool

Not too far from you, I'mmmm in Columbia, SC. God help me.

[umcwb]

6. Oh yeah?

My parents live in Roswell, but now I go to school in Charleston. I love South Carolina!

[RememberJohn]

11. Hey! I live in Roswell.... son?

I really live in Roswell.

[umcwb]

12. Haha,

Do you really? Well, I'll be damned, small world.

[RememberJohn]

13. Yep! I actually do!

[Birthmark]

7. What's wrong with Columbia.

I pass through there about once a year on my way to the Smokies. Columbia always seemed okay to me. Way better than Atlanta from a traffic standpoint. I'll take I-26 over I-85 any day of the week!

[umcwb]

8. ANYTHING is better than Atlanta, traffic-wise.....

85 really does suck ,as does the deathtrap that is GA 400.

Nothing at all is wrong with Columbia. I have never really spent any time there, just driving through.

[Bossy Monkey]

21. Can't speak for aquaman, but as a native Columbian

I direct your attention to the Weather Channel, where every day in summer, you will see a red finger stretching from Augusta to Columbia. Being far from both mountains and sea, we're always hotter than any other place around.
Other than that, like most state capitals, it's NYC in reverse: a nice place to live, but you wouldn't want to visit here. Cola's a good town, but uh, we've never had to worry about a deluge of tourists. Restaurants and other amenities seem to be getting better every year, though. At this rate, we might be a destination by the 22d Century!

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. It's been a few years, but...

yes, I've been to Helen -- and back (get it? been to Helen back? Oh, God, I break myself up sometimes...). It's a nice, little, quiet place. I recall a little motel just north of town that rents cabins right next to the river (I can't remember the name, but if it's still there, it shouldn't be too hard to find -- it's on the left side of the main drag, going north). Kind of a shame you're not going during Oktoberfest -- it's cooler then, and there's lots of beer to be had while everyone sings "In Munchen stedt ein Hofbrau Haus, Ein, Svei, Gsuffel!" (my apologies for totally butchering German). But with little ones, this time of year, there should be enough to do so that they don't start terrorizing the town out of boredom.

P.S. Unless they've changed The Rules since I've been gone (which is doubtful), you can't buy beer in Georgia on Sunday.

P.P.S. While you're in the area be sure to stop by Tallulah Gorge (known to millions of people -- well, hundreds -- well, ME...) as "Georgia's Gorgeous Gorge." Karl Wallenda once wire-walked across it, and there was a beautifully cheesy gift shop on the old route (since bypassed by the state by a new, four-lane version of the road) where you can buy all the stuff that you won't later be caught dead with.

P.P.P.S. Don't forget: You All Stop At Woodall (are they still around?) and Stuckey's (where you can buy pecan praline candy and pecan logs and pecan syrup and "Sugared and Spiced" pecans and THEY HAVE CLEAN REST ROOMS!).

P.P.P.P.S. And, of course, you can See Seven States from Rock City.

[bandy]

10. Been to Helen, GA

many times. There is a nice place off the main street in the heart called Christy's Chalet. It is big rooms and very clean and rates are most reasonable. Also, at the north end of the main street is a German diner/bakery - great spot for breakfest (and get some apple crisps for the road). Not much excitement in Helen, but very nice and relaxing, lots of shopping.
Brassbald is fantastic. Be sure to go to the top. On a clear day you can see 4 or 5 states from there. (It's cold, even in summer, so don't wear shorts).
Spent some time in Blairsville last Oct. Couldn't tell you how to get there (just outside of town) but we rented a cottage on the lake, near the falls. Absolutly beautiful. Like Heaven on earth.
Can't blame you for getting out of the hole in Miami. But, on your way will you stop in WPB and pick me up. I'll be waiting.

[burr]

22. Strange irony....

our paths may cross this weekend. I am leaving Cleveland, Georgia and spending the next week in Miami. I've decided to take the trip by SUV as opposed to horseback. Still debating whether or not to bring my musket along.

Will spend part of the time along the way at Saint Simons. Don't think you shall recognize me in passing. Could eat at the oldest house in Georgia though.

[Patriot_Spear]

14. Yes...

It's lovely. We hiked part of a trail outside the town and there were a couple of places you can jump into a blue hole and swim.

Beautiful part of the country.

[MGKrebs]

15. "Downtown" Helen is a bit touristy,

but the area is beautiful. Please be careful on the roads. They are perhaps the best roads for motorcyclists east of the Mississippi, and there will be hundreds of bikers flying around.

The most memorable event I have seen there was a re-creation of a midievel battle by a group called the Anachronistic Society (or something close to that.) It was most excellent. Horses, armor, catapults and stuff. I think it was in October though, when they have a big Octoberfest there, Helen being a re-creation of a Bavaraian village.

If you can make it down to Tate, GA, there is a marble quarry there. There is a RR track that crosses the main road through town, which is where they load some of the marble for shipping. If you pull over and scrounge around on the side of the tracks, you can find some nice chunks of marble laying around that have been discarded. I've gotten some little pieces that I have carved with my dremel (I made a heart for my sweetie one time), but last time i picked up a giant piece that I could barely lift. it's sitting in my driveway now because I haven't figured out what to do with it yet.

Here is something that looks like it might be fun.:

Aug. 1-3

Festival

Folk Life Festival at Unicoi State Lodge Park, Helen. Learn everyday living skills from the mountains. See demonstrations of spinning, candle-dipping and cider making.

Southeast musicians will perform traditional Appalachian and old-time mountain music. Festivities include mountain skill displays, hayrides, concerts and Appalachian-style community dancing.

Programs begin Friday night and conclude Sunday morning. For information, call 878-3983.

[kskiska]

16. Been there a few times

It's a fake German village in the heart of redneck country. Well done, though. It's best in the fall. There's a restaurant I like (can't remember the name) that's right on the river, where you can dine outside on wurst and kraut, and hot German potato salad, accompanied by accordion music. I could almost believe I was in Bavaria. I don't care for it in the summer – too many kids tubing on the river. There always seems to be a lot of bikers. Sort of reminds me of Solvang in California, except Solvang was settled by Danes, I believe. Helen is pure invention. The surrounding area is beautiful, though.

[ulysses]

17. my bro-in-law is getting remarried there

next weekend. I've never been, though.

[ForrestGump]

18. Unicoi State park is nice, too, for a good walk through the forest

I've been to Helen and I have to say that I was quite taken with the palce and its setting. May not be a bit crowded now, but there's plenty thereabouts to escape into if you want to get away from tourists.

It's very much like Leavenworth, WA - an ersatz German alpine village that does have its own charm.

[Bossy Monkey]

19. We recommend Dillard House

My girlfriend remembered it from her childhood, so we sought it out and were very pleased. Good eats, nice accommmodations, reasonable rates. More food than a cruise ship. (They bring the buffet to your table.) Pretty handy to Helen, up at the NE corner of GA. http://www.dillardhouse.com /
Helen was pleasant, a nice place to pass an afternoon, particularly if you like German cuisine. If you don't, skip it and head on to Dillard.

[burr]

20. We locals try to avoid that tourist trap, especially during October,

bad for one's sanity you see!