Surfing in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge, GA 

How do you surf in Georgia's Blue Ridge mountains?  Stand-up paddling -- via surfboard and long paddle, is all the rage across the country.  Now you can actually stand-up paddle surf on the lakes and rivers of the Blue Ridge area, "bringing the Hawaiian spirit of Aloha and Surfing to North Georgia."  Surf Blue Ridge provides lessons and rentals for this new sport.

Established by Chris Tilghman and his wife, Rhonda, Surf Blue Ridge's stand-up paddling experiences can offer peaceful enjoyment of nature, power paddling or a downriver rush. The sport provides core strengthening, endurance, balance and "oneness with the water and nature," according to Chris.

Lake Blue Ridge (pictured above) has been the setting for a number of sunset paddling trips this summer, but the local rivers can offer a totally different experience.  It's hard to imagine a whitewater stand-up paddling trip, but Chris says it's the area's newest sport.

Surf Blue Ridge is located in downtown Blue Ridge at 500 East Main St., 706-889-8747.  Give them a call to try out this new Blue Ridge mountain adventure.

Experience the Blue Ridge Farmers Market

On Saturday mornings, the place to be is the Blue Ridge Farmer's Market, from 8 a.m. to noon on West Main Street in Downtown Blue Ridge City Park (across the street from the Fannin County Courthouse and the Art Center).  A trip this past Saturday was way beyond expectations, with both the number and quality of vendors.The poster above was designed by Ande Cook, who brought her art, veggies and herbs to market in her own pick-up.  Ande has a beautiful blog at: http://chickory.blogspot.com/

We bought wonderful Amish bread and banana bread, homemade "Blue Ridge Stew," peach preserves, green beans and potatoes.  But there were lots and lots of other things, including handmade bird houses, crafts, fresh flowers, plants and herbs, baked goods, pickles, apple butter, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash, just to name a few.  Thanks so much to the organizers of the Blue Ridge Farmer's Market, and thanks for bringing it back to downtown Blue Ridge. Check out the market blog at

blueridgefarmersmarket.blogspot.com

Farmer's Market folks at first day of market in Downtown Blue Ridge.

At the same time as the farmer's market, there was lots of activity in Downtown Blue Ridge, including the park.  Kids were dancing at the bandstand near the market, playing at the playground and generally having fun in the park.  The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Center is now open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and had a beautiful quilt show going on in addition to the regular exhibits.  The gift shop is also open on Saturdays.  See what's coming next at http://www.brmaa.net/

Quilt featured at The Art Center Quilt Show.