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.

Remembering the Good Times in Blue Ridge

A ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway brings back

simpler times and sweet memories to many who remember

when the railroad was the way to travel.

Blue Ridge, Ga.

A wonderful blog on a first time rider's experience on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway brought to mind some of the things we take for granted here in Blue Ridge.  People like Lana, who wrote the blog and took wonderful pictures of her experience, love the railroad and other small town pleasures here, because they bring to mind a simpler time.  We sometimes forget that the small town "Mayberry-ness" of Blue Ridge brings back some very poignant memories for those who come here and experience small town life once again.  For Lana, the railway brought back thoughts of her childhood, her parents and grandparents, and the way they lived back "in the day."

One of three remaining drive-in theaters in

Georgia, the Swan plays first run movies.

There are those of us who spent lots of nights at the drive-in movie as kids and teenagers (maybe in the back seat or hiding in the trunk to sneak in?)  Yesterday in our Fannin County Chamber Welcome Center, one of our visitors got really excited because we have a drive-in movie theater called The Swan here in Blue Ridge.  Well, it's pretty special to have a drive-in movie theater that plays the top movies every week, and those of us who live here probably don't appreciate it enough.  People take their picnics and lawn chairs and really enjoy an evening under the stars, not to mention the funnel cakes.  It's an experience you simply can't have anywhere else.  This weekend "Toy Story Three" and "Prince of Persia" are playing on the double-feature.  Adults are $6 and kids are $3. So pack the kids in the car and head over to The Swan about "dark-thirty" for a little nostalgia under the stars.

                           

 Sometimes it's just a simple view, a country church or a field of cattle, that can bring us a connection with the past and a feeling of quiet joy.

                                                   

Sometimes the simplest sights, like a field of cattle, can stir up the most powerful sense of well-being.  We take for granted that these soothing and beautiful sights are ours to see every day, and keep forever.  If you come to Blue Ridge, be sure to take the time for a scenic drive along our rural countryside. The beautiful landscape and the peace and quiet will remind you of what matters in life.

People bring their kids to the

mountains, because they want them

to experience the outdoors, catch a fish

or pick an apple. 

These days kids are raised in subdivisions and spend their play time with scheduled activities 9 to 5.  People bring their kids here to hike in the woods, catch a fish, pick a strawberry or an apple -- things we take for granted are very special for kids with very little unstructured time at home.  A family trip to the mountains gives new meaning to the term "quality time."

Trout Fishing & Gourmet Lunch in Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge, Ga

How do you get a beautiful day of trout fishing the tailwaters of the Toccoa River and a fabulous gourmet lunch at the same time?  The answer: go fishing with Natalie Sharp at Sharper Bites in Blue Ridge, Ga.  Our Welcome Center staff had a blast on a recent flyfishing excursion with Natalie and her sidekick, Joe DePietro.  Kristy Lindstrom, Press Secretary for Speaker David Ralston, and Mike Holloway, president of the Blue Ridge Chapter of Trout Unltd, went along to celebrate Blue Ridge as the Trout Capital of Georgia!

Pictured:  Kristy, Jan, Joe, Natalie, Elaine and Jode

The setting was a gorgeous mountain home on the Toccoa River below the Lake Blue Ridge Dam.  The tailwaters of the Toccoa are stocked for year-round fishing, and have become one of the five best places to fish for trout in the Southeast.

Let me tell you about the "Big Daddy" that got away!!  No really.  The fish I caught might have been a little on the small side, but you should have seen the one that got away! It was at least 27 inches long - don't know why my husband doesn't believe it :)

Although we all didn't catch fish,(not our experienced guides' fault) it was enough being on the Toccoa River on a beautiful spring day in the mountains. Wait til next time -- Big Daddy here I come!

The perfect end of a perfect day, a wonderful alfresco  lunch prepared by Natalie.  Trout dip appetizer, summer salad, shrimp pasta alfredo, followed by a yummy strawberry dessert.  It just doesn't get better than that.

Pictured from left/front:  Natalie, Mike, Kristy, Jan, Jode and Elaine.

Thank You Natalie and Joe!!
See more about Sharper Bites at
http://www.sharperbites.com/

What's New in Downtown Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge, Ga. 
Three great new events are beginning in Downtown Blue Ridge, GA during the month of June.  First is the Blue Ridge Farmer's Market, which kicks off its 2010 season on June 12.  The market will be held each Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, across from the Fannin County Courthouse on West Main Street.  Fresh produce, farm fresh eggs, herbs, flowers and locally made arts and crafts will be available at the market. New this year will be classes on using local herbs, cooking with fresh herbs and vegetables and more...  You can find more info on the Blue Ridge Farmers Market at www.blueridgefarmersmarket.blogspot.com.

Fishbone Studio participates in the West Side Block Party

The Downtown Blue Ridge West Side Block Party will take place every second Saturday through December, beginning on June 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Store owners and restaurants along the way sponsor entertainment, refreshments, prizes, evening shopping and an art show.  They include The Gnarly Bear, Just Judy, Kristina Lee's Boutique, L & L Beanery, Blue Ridge Brewery, Gatewood Hall and Fishbone Studio.

High Country Art & Antiques is open late for The Art Walk

A brand new event is The Art Walk, which will take place the third Saturday of the month from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Gallery sponsors include Multitudes Gallery, High Country Art & Antiques, Turning Leaf Wood Art and Abreu Fine Art Gallery, all located on East Main Street in Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. 

Eclectic shops, galleries and fabulous restaurants and attractions like the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway make Downtown Blue Ridge a great place to visit, shop, eat and play.  Special events make it even more special. 

Blue Ridge Ga -- A Top Art City

Blue Ridge Ga
Blue Ridge Georgia -- one of America's Top Art Cities?  That's the goal of the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association in Blue Ridge.  Located in the historic Fannin County Courthouse downtown, the Art Center is absolutely the best in the Georgia Mountains, with a permanent Richard Lowe Evans exhibit, artist in residence program and gift shop offering the work of our local artisans.  Coming soon -- beginning Memorial Day weekend, an exhibit by the Southern Appalachian Artists Guild (SAAG).  The folks at the Art Center have used their limited resources in amazing ways, bringing the historic Courthouse to life and adding a layer of richness to the Blue Ridge Experience.

Fabulous Festivals
Next on the calendar is Arts in the Park, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association every Memorial Day Weekend in Downtown Blue Ridge City Park.  More than 240 artists are participating this year.  The festival has become an official kick-off of warmer summer days in Georgia's Blue Ridge and attracts more than 10,000 every year.

The Arts are Alive in Downtown Blue Ridge
Artists love living, painting, creating in the Georgia Mountains, because there's a perfect pallette around every bend in the road.  More artists means more galleries and downtown Blue Ridge is an eclectic mix of shops and art galleries as a result.  Soon the galleries will begin a new "Art Walk" and recently the Shops on East Main started a block party one evening each month.  Pictured is High Country Art and Antiques on West Main, one of Blue Ridge's oldest and best galleries.  Next time you're in downtown Blue Ridge, take your own "art walk" and don't miss The Art Center in the 400 block of East Main.

A Family Hike to Long Creek Falls on the Appalachian Trail

Blue Ridge, Ga
If you want to impress your kids or grandkids, take them on a hike on the Appalachian Trail to beautiful Long Creek Falls, just outside of Blue Ridge, Georgia.  Many folks don't know that the southern terminus to the Appalachian Trail actually begins in Fannin County, near Blue Ridge, and there's a beautiful waterfall near Three Forks, where the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails join.  A weekday just before Easter found an interesting mix of people on the short 1 mile trail from Forest Service Road 58 to Long Creek Falls.  Early on the hike, Lewis, age 9, was proud to get his picture taken in front of an Appalachian Trail sign.

Lewis on the Appalachian Trail

Lewis also loved the Appalachian Trail map we got at the Fannin County Welcome Center in Blue Ridge. 

On the way up to the falls, we met some members of the Appalachian Trail Club who were cleaning up sections of the trail.  There were thru hikers who hiked over from Springer Mountain.  And there were people like us, just enjoying a lovely spring day in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains.  The hike is a gentle incline upward to the falls.  There are three short ascents before reaching the blue blazed side trail to the falls at 1.1 miles.  At the falls, there were several guys cooking their lunch beside the stream.  They had enough gear for a thru hike to Maine, but they were just having a weekend hikeout with all their gear!

Lew and  Eliza at Long Creek Falls

The road to Three Forks is also gorgeous, with Noontootla Creek forming several smaller waterfalls along the way.  We had a picnic near the parking area at Three Forks.  To get directions to Long Creek Falls from Blue Ridge, see http://www.blueridgemountains.com/ and click on Self-Guided Tours.