Mountainfreak Archives & Blog

Mountain Music News

2009-03-01T01:25:00.000-05:00

North GA Musicians Join Forces to Form
The Allman Tyler Band

We heard the news in January that Tony Tyler and Michael Allman were recording some new songs together as The Allman Tyler Band. A little later in the month we got word that a familiar face in the north Georgia mountains would be joining the band as well-Avery Dylan of the Avery Dylan project. This unites two of the area's most dynamic guitar players in Tyler and Dylan...and if the name "Allman" rings a bell, Michael is the oldest son of the legendary Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. Clint Swords, who also plays with the Avery Dylan Project will play bass with the new group.
We wondered if this meant the demise of the Avery Dylan Project-a band we have reviewed and profiled on Mountainfreak.net. We got in touch with Avery and asked him about that and the formation of the Allman Tyler Band. His response: "Yea, Tony and I have talked about doing something together for a long time now, And I've known Michael for a while too. He has sat in with ADP a couple of times. This thing came up several weeks ago and we have been talking about me coming aboard to do some shows with them. For now, it's an opportunity I feel I need to take and will be beneficial to ADP as well. On top of that, we are all good friends who have a great deal of respect for each other. As far as ADP goes, we'll be around for many years to come."
The Allman Tyler Band already has some shows scheduled for Athens and out of state. We look forward to seeing them in north Georgia soon.

Sunday Brunch at Yahoola Creek Grill

2009-03-01T01:24:00.000-05:00

My boyfriend (Chip) and I live in Dawsonville, both work in Atlanta, and Sunday is the only day we are both off of work. On Sundays we love to head up to Dahlonega or further up into the mountains to spend some quality time and almost always partake of one of our favorite restaurants. Our favorite new restaurant is the Yahoola Creek Grill on South Chestatee St. as you head into town from Hwy. 400-and our new favorite meal is their Sunday Brunch.
We have now been twice for their brunch and have enjoyed it immensely both trips. I am more of a breakfast person and Chip is more of a lunch person, so it works out great! The Yahoola Mini French Toast is to die for-French bread topped with bananas and chocolate hazlenut sauce, and the Yahoola Omelet with Canadian bacon and pepper-jack cheese is equally as good if not quite as decadent. Chip has tried both the steak and eggs and the pork chop with eggs and he raved about both.
The Grill is fairly new, opened in 2008, and there is a sushi restaurant downstairs we have yet to sample. It is a very nice, new building with a lot of exposed wood, stone and copper...and it has a nice deck out back we can't wait to try out once the weather warms up a little. We highly recommend the Yahoola Creek Grill-not every good place in Dahlonega is on or near the square!

Contributed by Katie Coffey, Dawsonville GA

Editors Note:

I got the email/review from Katie a couple of days before I was heading up to Dahlonega. I wanted to try out the brunch but I was running a little late in the afternoon. I did stop in for a late lunch and had a good hamburger with some fantastic fried sweet potato chips. I snapped a photo before I dug in (see below). You can check out the full menu and other info on the Yahoola Creek Grill Website.

Folk Pottery Museum of North Georgia

2009-03-01T01:23:00.001-05:00

Georgia, and particularly the mountain area of northeast Georgia, has a rich history of potters and folk pottery. The works of Lanier Meaders (1917-1998) have been displayed in the Smithsonian Museum and the Meaders family is still producing pottery today. At Mossy Creek near Cleveland, the Dorsey and Craven families started producing functional pottery before 1850, the Meaders family built their pottery in 1893. They are just a few of the well known families who have created both utilitarian and folk art pottery in the area.
I visited the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia just after their second anniversary early last fall. The museum is on the grounds of and is the newest attraction at the Sautee Nacoochee Center located about 10 minutes from Helen, Georgia. I was expecting to see the works of the families mentioned above and others, and I did. I did not expect to see a 600 year old bowl (photo below) excavated from the Nacoochee Indian Mound just down the road.
The museum is very well laid out with an amazing variety of pottery and artifacts. The staff is helpful and knowledgable. I have had an interest in southern pottery for a few years, but I believe just about anyone with any level of interest could wander around here in awe like I did. If you are interested in exploring the museum, check out the link to their website for more information: Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia

Black Falls is not Off Limits

2009-03-01T01:22:00.001-05:00

Black Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the upper Etowah River about 25 minutes outside of Dahlonega. It may also be one of the least visited of the north Georgia mountain waterfalls because of where it is located-within a training camp for our Army Rangers.
Camp Frank D Merrill, named for the commander of Merrill's Marauders in Burma during World War 2, is the where the mountain phase of training takes place for the 5th Ranger Training Battalion. I first read about Black Falls a couple of years ago while perusing J. Anthony's website, Waterfalls of North Georgia. At that time access to the waterfall and the camp was sporadic due to heightened security in the wake of 9/11/01. In January I decided to find out whether Black Falls was still off limits and ended up visiting twice. Both times I checked in with the gate security guard to ask permission (and directions on the first trip) and was welcomed. You don't have to pass through the security gate to gain access to the falls, and I'm not even sure you have to ask for permission..but I would advise it. There is a second gate at the top of the road that leads to the base of the falls which was closed and locked on my first trip. The guard had told me it might be but advised it would be ok to park along the road and walk down to the falls. On the second trip the gate was unlocked and we were able to drive right down to the river's edge very close to the base.
The rappelling wall used by the Rangers (and pictured above) is less than 100 yards from the waterfall, and there are other buildings and training structures in the area. A footbridge with a hand rope crosses the river near the bottom of the falls and should be used to get the best vantage point for viewing. I tried to climb up closer to the top of the falls on my second trip, but the rocks had all iced over and it was a little too dangerous.. care should be taken at any time of year because the rocks are wet when it is warmer. Black Falls is definitely worth the visit, and being inside the Ranger camp just adds to the interest. For more information about the camp you can visit their website- Camp Frank D. Merrill

Java Joe's in Clarkesville

2009-03-01T01:21:00.000-05:00

Java Joe's in Clarkesville

Clarkesville has done a great job with the renovation of their downtown square. Wide paver sidewalks, crosswalks and aprons really enhance the older architecture and some of the building themselves have had a facelift.
Tucked in on one corner of the square is Java Joe's Coffee Shoppe and cafe. We stopped in on a very cold weekday afternoon not long ago for something warm to drink before we made our way around the square to do some shopping.
This is a neat spot to grab some good coffee and a pastry or light lunch, and there were a few patrons relaxing and reading. I'm no coffee expert-and I add some (ok, a lot of) cream and sugar, but even I could tell this was a cut above what I am accustomed to. Better than Starbucks and even a little cheaper. Many varieties of coffee and coffee drinks are available.
The deserts were enticing, but it was too soon after lunch for a slice of the 5 layer Red Velvet cake displayed proudly on the counter.

Java Joe's Coffee Shoppe
1349 Washington Street
Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-5282

Cajun Comfort Food in Ellijay

2009-03-01T01:20:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I was surprised when I heard about a "very authentic" Cajun restaurant in Ellijay. Not that Ellijay doesn't have some great and varied restaurants, it is just hard to find the real thing even in metro Atlanta. The Cajun Depot Grill was highly recommended by some friends and readers and did not disappoint.
The owners have done a great job of turning the old Ellijay train depot into an attractive dining space without a lot of noticable alterations.
The decor is definitely Louisiana influenced, the old plaster and brick walls with plank floors make the room seem warm and comfortable.
My son, his mother and I dined at the Cajun Depot Grill on a Saturday afternoon in late January. Son wanted to try the Andouille Po-Boy with some red beans & rice, his mom the quarter Muffaletta special and I requested another lunch special-Blackened chicken breast over rice with a house salad. While they split the order of red beans and rice I enjoyed the salad with a very tasty remoulade house dressing. The Mufaletta was huge (see below)

and served with fresh cut fries. I didn't get to see much of the Po Boy as it was being destroyed by my teenage son, but I did pinch off and sample a bit of the spicy andouille and it was very good. My chicken breast was perfectly cooked ( I generally shy away from boneless breasts as they tend to be dry), juicy and the seasoning was excellent-although it might have been just a tad "over-blackened"..but not too much.
Overall I was very pleased with the Cajun Depot Grill. Service was prompt and friendly, prices are very reasonable and it is a very neat historic location in a beautiful mountain town. I had my eye on the seafood platter from the dinner menu, planning ahead for my next visit.

Cajun Depot Grill
67 Depot St.
Ellijay, GA 30540
(706) 276-1676

Hakser's Kash Ready for 2009

2009-02-04T03:08:00.001-05:00

With the recent addition of bassist Rob Beardsworth, the Clarkesville based Hakser "brothers" are excited about what the new year will bring. We recently caught up with guitarist/vocalist Stephen Hesse, who shared this outlook: "We are excited for the New Year and all it has in store for Haksers Kash. With our new lineup and direction we feel that our sound is maturing and our fan base is growing." "Our focus is to continue writing new music and play bigger venues that cater to original bands...We feel the magic is with us, the opportunity is in our hands, and we are blessed for the friendship and musicianship that is Haksers Kash."
I was able to catch Haksers Kash at the 2008 Eco-Fest in the mountains where they put on a good show-I look forward to seeing them perform with the new lineup and songs. "The Kash" will release an EP in the near future and will be hitting the road in support. We'll keep you updated on shows and venues as the 2009 schedule takes shape.

Hiking Around Dawson Forest

2009-02-04T03:07:00.001-05:00

Winter is a great time for exploring the outdoors in north Georgia. The weather lends itself to hiking, the barren trees allow you to see things you might miss in the summer, and many times you will have a large area all to yourself. Such was the case on a recent weekday trip to the "Atlanta Tract" of Dawson Forest near Dawsonville. I hiked 3 different areas of the forest and did not see another soul in the process.
The area I was visiting is less than an hour from downtown Atlanta...in fact, this 11,000 acre tract is owned by the city of Atlanta and was originally purchased in 1972 to give the city an option of building a second major airport north of the suburbs. The plans for the second airport have never materialized, and the property is now under the stewardship of the Georgia Forestry Commission. A large trail system for hikers and equestrians has been developed along with a waterfowl preserve and wildlife management area.

Dawson Forest is a transitional landscape. The southern area of the property is a foothill area that rapidly changes to a mountain environment as you move north. It is interesting to notice the transformation as you hike through-you enter into a flat, swampy terrain with longleaf pines and as you approach Amicalola Creek you start noticing small coves with mountain laurel and rhododendron, more rock outcroppings, and a rapid change in elevation. There are numerous areas that invite you to leave the trail you are on and explore if you like, and plenty of small spur trails that have been created by hikers doing just that. The different types of environments available make Dawson Forest a good hiking destination for all ages and experience levels. You can stick to wide, mostly flat trails or wander through dense vegetation and boulders if you like-some or the rock formations are fun for light climbing or bouldering.

Some of the more interesting areas of the forest are the remains of Air Force Plant 67, which once housed a nuclear reactor. We profiled the history of the plant in the May 2008 edition of Mountainfreak. net, the achived article can be found here. The ruins of the plant seem very much out of place now, with cars and trucks with horse trailers parked just outside the barbed wire topped fences that keep visitors from getting too close to the decaying concrete structures...and a quarter of a mile past the fences you enter the waterfowl preserve with a beautiful little lake. Odd, but interesting all the same.

For those wishing to check out this sprawling and interesting recreation area, it is very easy to find. The main southern entrance is located at the end of Dawson Forest Rd, which intersects Georgia Hwy 400 just south of Dawsonville. From either direction on 400, turn west on to Dawson Forest Rd.. There are no costs for admission or parking, and plenty of informative signage concerning rules and directions.

"The Pool Room"

2009-02-04T03:06:00.001-05:00

.....is what the locals call it. The combination cafe/pool room/Nascar shrine/local gathering spot known offically as the Dawsonville Pool Room is situated just off the square on East First St. in downtown Dawsonville.

"The Pool Room" gained wide notoriety during the glory years of local Nascar legend Bill Elliott, when owner Gordon Pirkle would sound the loud "si-reen" mounted outside to celebrate an Elliott victory. The famous "Bully Burger", named after a long time and now deceased Pool Room employee, became part of a required stop for visitors to this mountain gateway town.
The Pool Room is literally wallpapered with news clippings covering the entire span of Elliott's career, along with car parts from his race cars and assorted racing memorabilia going back to the days of moonshine running that was once common in the area-and turned out to be the training ground for early stock car racers.

I stopped at the Pool Hall for lunch during a recent visit to downtown Dawsonville. It had been a few years since I had last visited, but other than a little expansion and updating it looked much the same as I remembered.
I ordered the house specialty-Bully Burger with fresh cut fries. The combo is still a great bargain at $4.75. The Bully Burger is a little different..no lettuce or tomatoes..but rather cole slaw, onions and pickles adorn the hand made patty. You can get lettuce, tomato or chili on request for no extra charge.
It isn't the best burger for miles around, although better than most ..and the fries could have been a little warmer, but the price and the atmosphere along with the friendly service left me satisfied with my stop. The menu goes well beyond just the Bully Burger. No breakfast is served (hours are 10 am to 10 pm, till 11pm on Fri. and Sat.) but lunch and dinner is well taken care of. You can get a ribeye steak or fried shrimp if you desire..a selection of salads are offered..and appetizers/sides range from fried pickles and green tomatoes to onion rings or a baked potato and more.
Everyone should visit this landmark at least once when in the area, most folks will probably return for seconds.

The Dawsonville Pool Room
(706)265-4426

Mark of the Potter

2009-02-04T03:05:00.001-05:00

The first article that I penned for Mountainfreak.net was a report on the annual Christmas shopping trip my son and I take to north Georgia and Mark Of the Potter to purchase a gift for his mother. It is now a year later and once again we took the first school vacation day to head up to Grandpa Watts old mill on the Soque River.

It was a frigid day in north Georgia, and we joined other visitors inside the old mill taking turns around the wood stove as we browsed the great selection of pottery thrown by the 4 resident potters along with 20+ others from around the southeast. The bowl we purchased came from a North Carolina potter. I could spend a day and a thousand dollars in the place-but settled for 45 minutes and $40.
No trip to Mark of the Potter is complete unless you feed the pet trout in the river out back. Food pellets are sold from a gumball machine on the back deck for that purpose.

These are very large and well fed trout and they seem to enjoy the chow. The tradition is said to back to the days when the mill was still grinding corn..and the trout would hang around the mill to feed on the meal that spilled into the river.
The mill house was built in 1930, and operated until a flood inundated all of the machinery in the mid 1960s. It was sold and re opened as Mark of the Potter in 1969.
I would recommend visiting, even if it is just to look around, soak up the history..and feed the trout. If you enjoy great looking, functional pottery..I suspect you will go home with some, it's hard not to.
Inside Mark of the Potter

For more information check out their website: www.MarkofthePotter.com

Wonderful South Carolina Waterfalls

2009-02-04T03:04:00.002-05:00

Because of the relatively small area of mountainous terrain in northwestern South Carolina, our mountains are usually not mentioned in the same breath as the Blue Ridge in North Carolina and Georgia. South Carolina does have an abundance of beautiful waterfalls within that small area, primarily due to the location of the Blue Ridge Escarpment where the elevation abruptly drops 2000' from the Blue Ridge to the upper Carolina Piedmont.
The King (or Queen if you wish) of Carolina waterfalls is the result of Matthews Creek tumbling over 400' down the escarpment to form Raven Cliff Falls. This stunning waterfall lies within Caesars Head State Park and requires a difficult four and a half mile hike to view. As seen in the photo above-it is well worth the effort. This is a rugged area and the hike to view the falls is not recommended for the very young or those not in excellent physical condition. A series of trails can also form a seven mile hike that will take you to a suspension bridge near the top of the falls. Hikers are advised to do their research and bring a companion or companions.
Closer to Georgia and much more accessible, Spoonauger Falls is located near the Chattooga River bridge on Burrell's Ford Rd., not far from Clayton, Georgia but on the South Carolina side of the river.

The parking area and trailhead are just past the Burrells Ford campground parking area. After walking northwest along the Chattooga for a couple hundred yards and crossing two small creeks, look for a sign on the right leading to the falls. Spoon Auger Creek will serenade you with numerous cascades along the hike the switchbacks up to the main falls.
Don't forget about South Carolina when looking for beautiful places in the mountains, you might be surprised..and we would love to have you visit.

Delores McKenzie- Spartanburg, SC

Legacy of the American Chestnut in North Georgia

2009-02-04T03:03:00.001-05:00

The majestic American Chestnut once occupied about 25% of the Appalachian forest, including the coves and valleys of the north Georgia mountains. Growing rapidly to heights of over one hundred feet and diameters of six to fifteen feet, the Chestnut was truly the king of the high forest and upper Piedmont. The chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) was accidentally introduced to the United States via imported trees somewhere around 1900, and in the course of 40-50 years virtually wiped out all of the mature American Chestnut trees from Maine to Georgia.

The importance of the Chestnut to the people living in north Georgia made it's demise very painful. Chestnut was the timber of choice for the construction of houses, barns, fences and furniture. The abundant yearly nut crops were gathered for livestock feed and for sale and export as a valued food source, providing much needed income. The nuts were also a prime source of food for wildlife- populations of deer, turkey and bear suffered for years from the sudden lack of chestnut mast. On a personal level, I wonder what the mountain forests must have been like with these huge, imposing trees as part of the landscape.

Today, there are remnants of the American Chestnut to be found-mostly sucker growth stubbornly clinging to what life remains in the old stumps from half a century ago. The blight finds the vast majority of saplings before they reach 12-15' tall, but there are some isolated pockets with some larger trees. There is a American Chestnut on the top of Fort Mountain in northwest Georgia I have seen that is around 30' tall and in seemingly good health so far.

Hope for the Future

While is is unlikely that we will ever see the Chestnut return to it's former glory, there are efforts underway to bring the trees back. The 30 year old American Chestnut Foundation has sponsored a backcross breeding program that is producing blight resistant seedlings that carry 15/16 of the pure genetic material from native trees and 1/16 from the Chinese Chestnut, which is able to better ward off the blight. Scientists at the University of Georgia are using pollen and genetic material from pure "Mother" and "Father" trees that survive in Virginia and Georgia in hopes of further breeding and genetic engineering that may produce disease resistant trees.

It would be a great testament to the determination of the scientific community and the many volunteers working on these projects if the Chestnut could once again get a foothold in the land it once dominated. If you would like more information. please click on the American Chestnut Foundation logo just below.

Sorry for the Delay-

2009-01-04T23:44:00.002-05:00

I uploaded articles from the December edition at the last minute and haven't had time to upload the photos and clean them up for this format. I will get to it asap-thanks for your patience!

Christmas Shopping in North Georgia

2008-12-31T23:31:00.001-05:00

If you are not fond of chain stores, cavernous malls and large crowds...the north Georgia mountains can provide some refreshing alternatives. I live in the north metro Atlanta area and have been doing 90% of my shopping in the mountains for years now. I find some great gifts while enjoying some fantastic scenery and a much more laid back atmosphere than I did fighting mall traffic in the past.
What surprises most people about mountain shopping is the incredible variety of unique gifts. Some of my favorites are the hand carved wooden bowls at Turning Leaf Wood Art in downtown Blue Ridge, and mosaic pottery at Fishbone just a block off the square...the unique jewelry and myriad of unusual items at Shapiro's in Sautee Nacoochee..the potters that dot scenic Hwy 197 in the Batesville-Lake Burton area..I could go on and on, but I think you will enjoy exploring on your own and finding things that suit your tastes much like I have over the years.
Christmas is a great time for shopping in the mountains. Many retailers mark down items for the holiday season. This is the "off" season in the mountains, yet many small retailers depend on this time of year for the bulk of their winter business. It is not unusual for shops to offer their wares at 40-50% discounts compared to summer prices. Dealers in the antique and craft malls are generally more than willing to negotiate to get a sale-don't be afraid to make an offer on something you want, there is usually a middle ground that will leave you both happy. Try doing that at Macy's! I've found that friends and relatives love gifts of food from the mountains...Apple products from Ellijay, Fudge from Helen and Dahlonega, and jams, jellies and honey from shops all over the area have been big hits as gifts. A "must stop" for me every year is Nora Mills Granary just south of Helen to get some of their great products for friends and myself!
My best advice is to make any trip to the mountains more than just a shopping trip. There are great little restaurants and cafes in all the downtown square areas-try Grapes and Beans in Clayton or the Corkscrew Cafe in Dahlonega. Check out the historical old courthouses in the squares all decked out with Christmas decorations. In Helen you can even use a horse drawn carriage for transportation. Make a relaxing day of it and you may just swear off the malls just like I have!

Contributed by Jenny McIntire-Hoschton, GA

Logan Turnpike Mill

2008-12-31T23:29:00.000-05:00

Strategically located just south of Blairsville on heavily traveled US 19/129, The Logan Turnpike Mill Store offers stone ground goodness in many forms. Corn, wheat, rye and buckwheat grown both locally and from sources across the country are milled on site with a vintage 1916 blue granite grist mill.
I had stopped at the mill a few months ago on my way home from North Carolina and purchased some of the buckwheat pancake mix they sell up front. The resulting pancakes at home were light, fluffy and about 3/4" thick - I knew I had found a favorite destination in the north Georgia mountains. On my most recent trip last month I came home with more of the pancake mix and a bag of stone ground yellow grits (pictured below).

The grits are good too! You just can't beat fresh stone ground products made with high quality grains. Some of the other offerings include biscuit and bread mixes. porridge mix and various syrups and condiments. All can be found at the store or online through their website: Logan Turnpike Mill

Rib Country

2008-12-31T23:28:00.000-05:00

No Brunswick Stew. A proper BBQ joint in Georgia should have Brunswick Stew on the menu..I'm sorry, but I think this is written on a sacred tablet right below the law stating that tea sweetened with sugar must be offered.
Other than that, I enjoyed my recent Saturday lunch at Rib Country in Blairsville. The Blairsville location is one of four Rib Country restaurants. They can also be found in Hayesville and Murphy, North Carolina and the newest store in Cleveland, Georgia. This comes very close to qualifying for my bias against "chain" BBQ restaurants... but judging from the crowd lined up and the 20 minute wait for a table, it doesn't seem to bother anyone else, nor should it.

I ordered a pulled pork and chicken combo (pictured above) with slaw and fries. The pork was excellent-moist and loosely pulled with little bits of the bark mixed in, which I love. I tried the sauce offerings and made good use of the hot sauce in the bright red bottle. The other sauces were a little bland and the hot sauce was just about perfect. The chicken wasn't quite as impressive as the pork, I suspect it had been reheated before serving. Unlike the pork, the chicken comes with a sauce already applied. I would have liked the same sauce option I had with the pork, but overall it was better than average. Slaw, fries and Texas toast were all decent compliments considering that STEW was not available. The sweet tea was fantastic though.
I must comment positively on the service. You can tell these folks are well trained and used to doing a brisk business. Everyone I dealt with was courteous and helpful to a fault. I will look forward to returning to Rib Country in the future.

Rib Country Website including Menu

Ruffed Grouse in the North GA Mountains

2008-12-31T23:27:00.000-05:00

The north Georgia mountains are the southernmost range of one of our country's popular upland game birds, the Ruffed Grouse. While not nearly as plentiful as they are in northern areas, there is a stable and huntable population of grouse in our national forests and WMAs.

The Georgia Ruffed Grouse season runs from October 15, 2008 - February 28, 2009 with a limit of 3 birds per day. Dogs, especially Spaniels and Setters, are often used in the pursuit of these elusive birds who would often rather run than fly away from danger. Habitat changes have taken place over the past couple of decades for Ruffed Grouse in north Georgia. Environmental regulations that have reduced the amount of clear cutting in the forests have limited the amount of food and cover available. You are most likely to find the birds near a food source..and these days that consists mostly of acorns, wild herbs and their seeds, blueberries and dogwood berries. Cover is often provided by rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets close to springs and streams.
All of north Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas with good elevation can harbor populations of Ruffed Grouse, with some of the best habitat and availability found in the Cohutta, Chattahoochee, and Cooper Creek WMAs. The terrain requires both hunters and dogs to be in decent physical condition and good knowledge of the outdoors and safety practices. The effort is considered worth it by hard core bird hunters, a Ruffed Grouse bagged in Georgia is considered a coveted trophy-hunters average flushing or seeing less than three birds per trip.

For more information about Georgia Wildlife Management Areas and hunting regulations, click on the link below:

Georgia DNR

Short Hike To Minnehaha Falls

2008-12-31T23:26:00.000-05:00

Last time I had attempted to visit Minnehaha Falls I was frustrated by bridge construction. The bridge crossing the Tallulah River just below the Seed Lake Dam was being rebuilt and closed during the construction. The bridge is open for travel now and makes a trip to see the beautiful 60' falls much easier for folks visiting the Lake Rabun/Lake Seed area. The falls can be approached from the opposite direction via Bear Gap Road but that requires a pretty long trip over gravel roads from a starting point well south of the area.
Minnehaha Falls is a beautiful cascade even in these times of chronically low water (see photo above). It is more even more outstanding when freshly charged by a good rain. The short .4 mile trail can be navigated by anyone in moderately good health, the steepest section at the beginning of the trail has stairs to aid the climb.

It takes about a 10 minute walk to reach the falls from the parking area on Bear Gap Road, which is really just a wide spot in the road shoulder. The trail winds through rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets before reaching the falls, which seem to appear rather abruptly as you enter a wide mountain cove. There are a couple of natural stone sitting benches where you can sit and enjoy the scene at close range, but care should be taken when walking on the worn rock which stays moist all the time and can be icy in winter.

From the bridge at Seed Lake Dam, proceed south till you come to the fork in the road with the sign for Glen Ella Lodge...veer left onto Bear Gap Road and proceed for 1.6 miles. The beginning of the trail (shown in the photo above) will be on your right and parking will be on your left. This is a great little side trip any time of the year for visitors heading to the Clayton-Lakemont-Tallulah Falls area and well worth the time.

Georgia State parks to Remain Open

2008-12-31T23:25:00.000-05:00

But Changes to the System Remain on the Table:

Facing budget shortfalls and increased operating costs, the state of Georgia was considering the closure of up to six of our forty eight state parks earlier this year. While it is unlikely that the heavily used north Georgia mountain parks like Vogel and Unicoi were being considered for the axe, the recent news that there would be no closures induced a huge sigh of relief from Georgians and visitors who take advantage of our nationally renowned park system.
Georgia State Parks will not escape the economic downturn without changes, however. Among the ideas being discussed is privatizing the golf courses and lodges that are now being operated as part of some parks. This would affect the lodges at Amicalola Falls and Unicoi State Parks as well as Smithgall Woods Conservation Area located in the mountains. Also on the table is the closure of some historical sites, or at least reduced hours or staffing at those sites.
Public pressure and feedback has been cited as one of the reasons for the decision not to close any parks. Mountainfreak.net will make every attempt to keep our readers up to date on further developments as we head into the new year - It is our opinion that there are many areas of state government that should be considered for cutbacks before we do away with parts of a system which actually helps pay for itself...and provides so many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Kurt Thomas Packs Em in at Wylie's

2008-12-31T23:23:00.001-05:00

I talked to a couple of lovely ladies who had driven all the way from Vinings to see Kurt Thomas do his thing inside the Down Under Bar at Wylie's in Dahlonega. Kurt apparently has quite a following, as I had to gingerly wedge myself into the bar to catch his first set on the day after Thanksgiving.

The crowd seem to be getting what they came for as Kurt and his bandmates played favorite covers of songs from Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Pure Prairie League and more along with a couple of his own. I found myself thinking that he may be overdoing the cover songs a bit, as I have listened to and been impressed with his original country tinged ballads. If anyone else felt the same, we were in the minority as everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Kurt Thomas plays frequently in the north Georgia mountain area-and you can check out the music calendar here at Mountainfreak.net to see when he has dates scheduled. In the mean time, check out some of his original stuff on his MySpace page:

Kurt Thomas MySpace

Excellent Delayed Harvest Trout Season Info

2008-11-27T21:26:00.004-05:00

We received a link from Aaron Sago last month that has a wealth of information about the Delayed Harvest season that opens up on November 1. I thought I would pass it along since I know we have a lot of die hard trout anglers who check in every month! Just click on this link: GeorgiaFishingBooks.com

Avery Dylan Project at Loco's in Gainesville

2008-11-27T21:21:00.003-05:00

I've now seen the Avery Dylan Project three times this year and they are really coming into their own. Together now for almost a year, the trio is now making it look almost effortless as they run through a mix of some excellent original tunes and blues/rock classics. It was only a matter of time..bassist Clint Swords and drummer Mike Strickland have been playing together for a while, and Avery Dylan is a seasoned and very talented guitarist.
The version of "Little Wing" that these guys played at Loco's was the best live rendition I've heard-and I've probably heard that song played live 20-30 times. Their original tunes are getting more refined and they do a good job of blending them in with the covers.

I spoke with Avery between sets and he is excited about the future of the band-playing some larger gigs from time to time in addition to seeking out the smaller clubs he has a good feel for. These guys stay pretty busy, and you can catch them in the mountains again on November 15 at Bigg Daddy's in Helen...and back at Loco's in Gainesville on November 22.

Check out some of ADP's tunes on their MySpace page:

Avery Dylan Project/MySpace

Plenty of History at Oconee Station

2008-11-27T21:15:00.004-05:00

The oldest structure in Oconee County, and one of the oldest remaining in South Carolina, Oconee Station was built in 1792 along the Cherokee trading path as a defensive refuge for settlers in the event of Indian attack. The construction was initiated by General Robert Anderson, who wrote: "I have ordered the people to build blockhouses, where they are exposed and intimidated, to fly to with their families in case of alarm." The small fortification was manned by militia from 1792 to 1799, and I haven't been able to find any documentation of actual Indian attacks that had to be defensed.

In 1805 William Richards, a settler from Ireland, purchased the property from General Andrew Pickens and established a trading post. He built a 2 story house adjacent to the blockhouse that remains on the property today. The trading post operated until 1809 and inventory records recall large quantities of deer skins, bear skins, ginseng and dry goods.

Today, both the blockhouse and the Richards house are part of the Oconee Station State Historic Site operated by the state of South Carolina. The 210 acre site also includes hiking trails, a pond, and access to Station Cove Falls just inside the Sumter National Forest. The two historical structures can be toured, by appointment, on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 pm.

Oconee County is very convenient to the north Georgia mountains thru Rabun County (which it borders, separated by the Chattooga River) and Habersham County. From the Atlanta area you would travel north on I-85 and exit at the very 1st South Carolina exit and take Hwy. 11 to Wahalla. For more concise directions and some more information, here is a link to the South Carolina State Parks website page for Oconee Station State Historic Site-

South Carolina State Parks-Oconee Stationn

And a map of the park-

3rd Annual Greg Welch Memorial Car Show

2008-11-27T21:11:00.002-05:00

I was excited when Cinda Welch invited me to attend the 3rd annual Greg Welch Memorial Car Show in Clarkesville last month. It was the first car show I had ever attended other than a few that were just displays of classic or antique cars. I brought along my 15 year old son and we had a great time.
A little bit about this particular show- Greg Welch was a competitor on this circuit which now includes his namesake show earlier in this decade, until he was taken suddenly by a heart attack in October of 2005. Greg earned many awards and accolades during his short career, and he also earned the respect of his peers and competitors. This was certainly in evidence at his show. His widow, Cinda, spearheads the production of the show and she gets a lot of help from family and friends in doing so. The number of entrants and prizes has grown every year and Cinda seemed very pleased with this year's turnout. Greg's love of children is the reason that Toys for Tots is the benefactor of this charity event.
I was unprepared for the "sound off" portions of the show-I honestly had no idea that folks put so much time and effort into their sound systems with the goal of reaching 160db or more! It was a fun a good natured competition with some surprising winners. I can't say that I understand exactly what was getting awarded and why, this being my first time, but I did appreciate the nice cars (especially an almost perfect 1972 Karmann Ghia) and the effort and ingenuity involved in preparing them for competition.
The neon glow off and the "drag off" (pictured at top) were also very new to me-these folks really go all out and my son thought both of these events were the best. There were also some specialized vehicles on display, including a huge swamp crawler, a motorized recliner, and a 1940's Buick pulling a camper made from an old manure spreader..that was heated with a wood stove. I'm not sure what or if that setup won-but he deserved something!

Musical entertainment, food and a few vendors were also a part of the show, and the facility at the Habersham County Fairgrounds made a great venue for the event. We will remind our readers to join us next year for the 4th Annual Greg Welch Memorial Car Show, which promises to be even bigger and better.

Georgia Apple Festival 2008 in Ellijay

2008-11-27T21:08:00.004-05:00

We visited the Apple Festival for the first time in a few years last month. The crowds were good, the food was good (We had Bodreaux Cajun Food), the apples were good and the day, as evidenced by the photo above, was gorgeous. This is certainly one of the most popular fall festivals in the north Georgia mountains with a great venue-the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. The festival is well organized with plenty of parking and shuttle service, good variety of food and mountain crafts for sale, and a special emphasis on "stuff to do" for the kids. Oh yeah..Apples are a big part of the day as well. Whole pecks, half pecks, fritters, dumplings, fried pies...north Georgia's apple crop is very well represented.

Bessie Mae's

2008-11-27T21:03:00.002-05:00

You have to be looking for it to find Bessie Mae's..or just get lucky. Located in the tiny hamlet of Garland, Georgia about 6 miles east of downtown Dahlonega, Bessie Mae's is an eclectic roadside shop featuring antiques and crafts.
The first thing that attracts you to Bessie Mae's is the building, which was built in 1892 and was known as the Old Dyer Store for many years. The old store has been transformed to suit it's current use, but retains much of it's 100 plus year old charm...including the old Columbus (GA) Iron Works wood stove still used for heat.

I'm not sure where to begin explaining the items offered for sale..every little nook and corner is filled with something. I'm always interested in the antiques and Bessie Mae's has a neat selection-from small advertising and kitchen items to furniture and art. I noticed a varied selection of crafts, folk art, candles and even a fully decorated Christmas tree.
Bessie Mae's is holding their Christmas Open House on two consecutive long weekends in November- Thurs, Fri and Sat the 7th, 8th and 9th, and the 13th, 14th and 15th from 10 am to 6 pm. Check out their website for more information..and many of their items can be purchased online-
BessieMaes.com

Loco's in Gainesville

2008-11-27T21:00:00.002-05:00

Last month we started including Gainesville, Georgia into our coverage area for Mountainfreak.net. Gainesville is a gateway to the north Georgia mountains and also a dining and entertainment destination for folks living and playing in the mountain area.
My original attraction to Loco's Bar and Grill in Gainesville was as a live music venue, and it still is-the roomy setup is great for musicians and has excellent acoustics. I've travelled to Loco's twice in the last couple of months to see bands and have been very pleased with the music, hospitality, and the food.
I've always felt that when dining in a bar, it's a good idea not to get over-adventurous. There are exceptions to this, and once you become familiar with an establishment it is pretty easy to tell what they do well. My experience with the Loco's chain over the years is that they do the basics very well and that is the ground I continue to tread. The basics at Loco's are burgers and wings, and the Gainesville location does a great job with both.
I generally arrive hungry and order the 6 piece hot wing plate for a starter. The wings are large and freshly cooked, and the heat is not overwhelming. Very tasty. Rumor has it that if you are at Loco's to watch college or NFL football. you get 6 wings with every pitcher of beer you order...but I haven't been for a game yet. My only complaint is the little pre-fab, sealed container of bleu cheese dressing that comes with your wings. The dressing is very average and is more of what you would expect from a fast food joint.
Loco's prepares a fine hamburger ..I have had the Redneck Burger and the Bleu Cheese burger on my last two visits to Gainesville. A big half pound (at least) patty cooked perfectly to order (medium in my case) on a fresh roll with a pickle slice and excellent fries. Not a bad deal for around $8. Definitely one of the better bar food burgers around.
The service at the Gainesville Loco's is friendly and efficient. On both recent trips the manager came by the table to check on things and welcome us..little things like that reflect well on both the staff and the franchise.
Locos's is a little hidden in an older shopping mall next to a Food Lion, but it is only minutes from both downtown Gainesville and I-985 off Jesse Jewell Parkway. Great way to finish off a day trip to the mountains or head over for a nice evening of live local music.

Loco's
601 S. Enota Dr. NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770.534.5771

Currently on Mountainfreak.net-November

2008-11-18T06:20:00.003-05:00

Loco's in Gainesville
Bessie Mae's in Garland
Arthur Woody-GA Mountain Legend
Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing
Avery Dylan Project
Thanksgiving Dinner in the North Georgia Mountains
Oconee Station in Upstate SC
Upcoming Christmas-New Year's Events

Much more-

Mountainfreak.net-November

Sautee Jamboree 2008

2008-10-29T23:27:00.003-04:00

What a great time and great show! This was my first year to attend the Sautee Jamboree on the SCNA grounds and it was a real treat. It is a very family friendly event with a special vibe and some special music. I missed the all bluegrass Friday session but was able to attend a good deal of the Saturday lineup, which included Scott Baston & the News Architects from the Macon area, the world famous Tommy Talton and his band, Sol Driven Train from the South Carolina low country, the enigmatic Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance, and Sautee native sons, Big City Sunrise.

I was greeted upon arriving by the soulful sounds of Scott Baston and his band, the News Architects. Kind of a dreamy, funky way to get started. The Tommy Talton Band took the stage next and all I can say is that the man is a seamless professional. He co-founded the Macon group Cowboy back in the 1970s, and signed with Capricorn records at the urging of Duane Allman. He's been a revered studio player, band leader and word traveler in a career that spans more than 4 decades-and every facet of his experience shows in his playing. He has some great players with him in this band this go around and their southern tinged R & B is like comfort food on a pretty day in the mountains.

Next up on stage was Sol Driven Train. These guys are amazing and very talented as well. I was talking to a friend yesterday about the Jamboree and was asked how I might describe them, I pondered for a moment then responded "Calypso Bluegrass"...that may not be the best description, but Sol Driven Train definitely draws from a number of genres and the result is inarguably original. This is a fun band I will make an extra effort to see again. They have been at all three Jamborees to this point and I hope they come back in 2009.

I had to leave about halfway through the Big City Sunrise set due to a prior engagement, but they were obviously primed for this event and showed why they are the crowd favorite and have been one of the most popular local bands in North Georgia for the past 5 years. BCS "gives 110%" every time they hit the stage and I look forward to seeing them back together before too much time passes.

I really regret missing Col Bruce Hampton and his band, the Quark Alliance. Col. Bruce, as most everyone knows, has been a fixture in the Georgia music scene for a loooong time. The last time I have seen him was with The Aquarium Rescue Unit many moons ago, so it was time...I do find some solace in knowing he will be back in the North Georgia Mountains next month for the Hemlockfest in Dahlonega..and I plan on being there for Mountainfreak.net.

The Sautee Jamboree got bigger this year..a couple of Jamboree veterans I spoke with said it might have gotten better as well. I just know I have next year marked on the calendar already. A bonus in addition to the fine music and idyllic setting is that the Jamboree is a fundraising event that raises money for the Sautee Nacoochee Community Center, particularly the renovation of the property which is a treasure in it's own right. Expect Mountainfreak.net to start banging the drums early next year in anticipation.

Fall Foliage Drives in North Carolina

2008-10-29T23:26:00.002-04:00

One of our readers from North Carolina sent me a list of her favorite drives for taking in the spectacular displays of fall color during October. The leaves reach their peak color a little earlier at the higher elevations of western North Carolina than they do in Georgia, and there are some great vistas for viewing. A great way to spend a weekend not too far from home.

1. From Interstate 40, take exit 53 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the Parkway north to Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge (5,946 ft).

2. Hendersonville to Franklin on Hwy. 64. 83 miles of varied elevations and beautiful river valleys.

3. Franklin to Highlands on Hwy. 64 following the Cullesaja River. For Georgians, once you reach Highlands you can make your way back to Sky Valley on Hwy 106. This will take you over Scaly Mountain and offers some great views to the south and east.

4. From Shelby, NC...take US Hwy 221 to Linville Falls (78 miles).

5. Cherohala Skyway- With 8 overlooks at elevations over 4000 ft, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the prettiest drives anywhere, especially in the fall. From Robbinsville, NC- Take Hwy 129 N to Hwy 142 W...Continue on 143 west to the Cherohala Skyway sign on the left.

6. From Gastonia, take US Hwy. 321 north through Hickory and into Blowing Rock.

7. Hickory Nut Gorge to Black Mountain- From Asheville: Take I-26 S to US 64 E to Bat Cave and NC Hwy 9, which has great views of Lake Lure and will take you to Black Mountain. Chimney Rock Park is in this area and makes a great side trip.

8. US 19 from Maggie Valley to Cherokee- Many great leaf viewing sites and overlooks.

Many thanks to Laura Mitchell for this List!

Helton Creek Falls

2008-10-29T23:19:00.001-04:00

Just a mile south of Vogel State Park on Hwy. 19/129, there is a small green and white sign pointing to Helton Creek Falls. If you see it, turn. These are some of the prettiest and most easily accessed falls in the North Georgia Mountains. Helton Creek Rd. is a gravel road that leaves the highway at the road sign and eventually winds it's way over to the Richard Russell Scenic Highway near Hogpen Gap. The parking area for the falls is about .7 miles from the turn off from Hwy. 19/129 and it's easy to spot. A well maintained trail leaves the parking area and gives you the option of taking stairs to either the lower falls (pictured below) or the main, upper falls shown above. The total length of the trail is about 300 yards-very easy-but the area around the lower falls can be a little slick and dangerous.
The stairs to the upper falls will take you to a wooden observation deck that gives you a great view. A lot of folks leave the deck to cool off in the pool below the falls-there are signs warning against this however, and there is some damage to the flora in the area from foot traffic. The photos in this article where taken with pretty low water conditions in September. I'm sure you can imagine how impressive the falls are when freshly charged with some good rains!

Deep Hole Recreation Area

2008-10-29T23:12:00.002-04:00

Just north of Suches and south of Blue Ridge just off of GA Hwy 60, Deep Hole Recreation Area is situated on the banks of the Toccoa River in the Chattahoochee National Forest in the north Georgia mountains.
Deep Hole is the put in point on the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, a popular trout and bass fishing spot, and a small but nice nice camping area with restrooms and drinking water for 8 campsites (no electricity/showers). I've noticed it is also popular with bicyclists coming up on weekends to ride and explore.
One unique aspect of this area is the improvements included for folks with disabilities. Restrooms, the canoe launch, and a special deck made for fishing are all handicapped accessible. A few of the campsites are accessible as well.
Deep Hole is open all year and is open 24 hours a day for campers. A fee ($12) is required for camping. Campsites have gravel tent pads, grills and picnic tables. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail runs from Deep Hole to Sandy Bottoms, 13.8 miles downstream. This is a calm to moderate canoe run with some class I and II rapids. Fishing on the Toccoa is seasonal for trout, but rock and smallmouth bass can be caught year round.

For More Information, Contact:
USDA Forest Service
Toccoa Ranger District
(706)632-3031

9th Annual Wildlife & Nature Art Festival and Expo

2008-10-29T23:08:00.004-04:00

The annual Wildlife & Nature Art Festival and Expo took place on September 20-21 in downtown Blue Ridge, Ga. Blue Ridge was bustling as visitors descended on the art exhibits and downtown merchants. The festival features fine art with a wildlife or nature theme, and there were some really nice pieces and displays. I'm no expert by any means, but the prices looked pretty reasonable as well.
Art is not the only attraction. The Expo included an appearance by the legendary Okefenokee Joe, herding dog and fly casting demonstrations, bluegrass music and booths for outfitters and food. We had a good time just looking around and spending the day in downtown Blue Ridge.
The festival is organized by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. They also sponsor the Arts in the Park Festival on Memorial Day weekend in Blue Ridge and Heritage Days in August. Blue Ridge is a great little downtown area, find a parking spot and the entire business district, park and depot areas can be easily walked and enjoyed. We will have more about the neat shopping spots in Blue Ridge on this page as we get a little closer to Christmas.
Put the Wildlife & Nature Art Festival on your to do list for next September-it's a great way to spend a day in the North Georgia Mountains.

Angelina's in Blue Ridge

2008-10-29T23:03:00.002-04:00

Angelina's was quite a surprise for my son and I on a recent trip to Blue Ridge. Located a block off the main drag, I may not have found this very neat market/deli had it not been for a recommendation from a Mountainfreak.net reader. Angelina's is a testament to the continuing evolution of the culinary offerings available in the north Georgia mountains. A nice selection of imported and domestic wines, cheeses, pastas and meats are available for shoppers in addition to a great selection of prepared items to eat in or take out.

The menu is dominated by hot and cold sandwiches along with a decent selection of salads and soups. I ordered the Italian Classic Hero, featuring Sweet Cappicola, Proscuitto Di Parma, Genoa Salami and Provalone Cheese. It was very simply one of the best "subs" I've had anywhere. The meats are high quality (Boar's Head)and the white spiral roll was perfect. My son decided on the Cajun Pannini sandwich on Ciabatta bread. We traded bites and his sandwich was equally as good as the Hero. The Cajun style roast beef with horseradish sauce and cheese made for a great hot sandwich. We had chips, but potato salad, olive salad or green salads are also available as a side.

I will definitely return to Angelina's. There are many more offerings on the menu that looked tempting. Add good, friendly service and reasonable prices (sandwiches run between $6-7) to the equation and Angelina's Italian Market & Delicatessen is hard to beat.

Angelina's Italian Gourmet Market & Deli

3640 East First Street
Blue Ridge, Georgia

Mountainfreak Review-Smokestack & The Foothill Fury

2008-09-29T07:35:00.003-04:00

I wandered a little south of my normal coverage area this month to Loco's in Gainesville for some music by a fellow whose sound I had heard labeled "Punk-Country-Blues". Hard for me to miss something with a handle like that.

"Smokestack" is a one man band with enough energy for a quartet. Armed with a small arsenal of guitars, his foot driven rhythm section, and a knack for telling a story..he puts on a good show that is a little different but highly entertaining.
Folks in north Georgia can catch Smokestack & the Foothill Fury at the Hemlockfest near Dahlonega coming up in November.

To see his full show schedule and listen to a sampling of his music, check out his MySpace page-

Smokestack & the Foothill Fury

Wildcat Creek Has A Lot To Offer

2008-09-29T07:29:00.004-04:00

Generations of families and visitors to the north Georgia mountains have spent their summer days cooling off at the rock slide at Wildcat Creek pictured above. Located between Helen and Clayton in the Lake Burton area, Wildcat Creek is a popular destination for outdoor fun and adventure. Access to Wildcat Creek is gained by following the stream on USFS 26 within the Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area to the two camping areas and eventually to Addis Gap.

When trout season opens in the spring, fishermen descend on the creek in droves, as Wildcat is heavily stocked before and during the season with rainbow and brown trout from the nearby Lake Burton Fish Hatchery.

When I took the photo above I was able to talk with the fellow from the Georgia DNR who was catapulting 9-12" rainbow trout from tanks on the back of his truck into the creek. He told me that Wildcat Creek receives additional "bonus" stockings in the heat of summer because the water temperature remains cold enough to keep the trout healthy-which is good news for both the trout and the folks using the creek to cool off. I see trout fishermen on the creek just about every time I visit it during the season, but once the first couple of weeks of the season has passed the crowd does tend to dwindle and it becomes easier to find a fishing spot that offers some solitude.

The two campgrounds situated along the creek are popular destinations during the summer. The first campground, after you cross the second bridge on USFS 26, is used a bit more and can fill up on the weekends. Campground #2, located a mile past the first, is used a little less and can be worth the extra distance back into the forest. These campgrounds do not have showers or available drinking water. Sanitary pit toilet facilities are located at each campground.

Campsites are first come/first serve, no reservations can be made. The $8 per night camping fee is deposited in collection boxes inside the campground-so correct change is a good idea (I never seem to remember this). I talked to some of the campers on my last visit and they told me the August nights had been getting down into the 50s and the fishing was fantastic.

For hikers, the Appalachian Trail can be accessed at Addis Gap, a mile past Campground #2. The trail runs through the Tray Mountain Wilderness from there and access to numerous other trails in the area.

Wildcat Creek does indeed offer much in the way of outdoor activities, and the stream and the forest it runs through are among the most scenic in the north Georgia mountains. If relaxing is your top priority, this is a prime spot for that as well. The sounds from the tumbling water never seem too far away and it isn't hard to find great spots to take some photos or read a good book. Wildcat Creek is not hard to find-Forest Road 26 (also known as W. Wildcat Rd) leaves Ga Hwy 197 to the west 22 miles north of Clarkesville, just north of LaPrade's Marina..and not far south of Moccasin Creek State Park and the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery.

2008-09-29T07:19:00.006-04:00

Downtown Asheville
Sunday, September 7th

Co-written by Torva Logan, Erin Scholze, and Jay Sanders

In the wee hours of the morning on the first Sunday of September, trucks and cars are bustling in and out of Lexington Avenue dropping off funky painted signs, fabulous wares and fresh food. The activity goes virtually unnoticed until it's time to open the gates and invite the crowds into Asheville's largest independent street festival: the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF).

Now in its seventh year, LAAFF's three stages, two courtyards, and city streets will play host to the biggest bands, dancers, and performers Asheville has to offer; even the sponsors are all local. Lexington Avenue will overflow with tons of interactive art stations and teem with local artists demonstrating their inimitable talents. This is a day that everyone can feel free to dress in costume, dance, celebrate Asheville's true colors.

By 11 AM, when the first performers take the stage, eager masses will flood the streets dressed in their funkiest attire. This is a day of all-local entertainment, shopping, food, and drinks, showcasing why Asheville has long been considered the Freak capitol of Western North Carolina. You can paint an art car, build a giant squid out of recycled material, hula hoop, weave baskets, dip your feet in paint and dance on a canvas, parade, get a henna tattoo, sew your own art clothes at the Honey Pot, make puppets, experience live painting, tour the fabulous Emerge-and-See Art Ambulance and Gallery or learn how to spin fire, dance, and drum.

There will be a "Get Your Freak On" photo booth, located in Bobo Gallery located at 22 Lexington Ave., where you can try on tons of freaky fun costumes donated by the wonderful Costume Shoppe. Jen Bowen, Director of the Faces of Asheville Portrait Documentary, will snap your shot, and within minutes you'll have the best fun and freaky memento ever! All monies raised will go to the final completion of the Faces of Asheville Portrait Documentary Project. This project will also host community forums throughout the year to discuss diversity, artist resources, green living, the local economy, and more in Asheville.

Local Graffiti Artists will be performing live painting between 1-4pm on the I-240 overpass support columns to celebrate the conclusion of the first quarter of The Asheville Mural Project. This expansive mural portrays original images of local characters and uniquely Asheville scenes focusing on Sustainability, Arts and Culture, Community, and Asheville Saints. AMP is adding value to the community with the support of the City of Asheville. Team members consist of 5 local artists and several auxiliary painters. Much of the proceeds from LAAFF's past have been directed toward AMP.

Be sure to see Asheville's own Tall Bike Freak, Michael Mooney, attempt to set a world record by riding the World's Tallest Bike, mountable only by crane! This is one show during LAAFF that you will just not want to miss. Michael is ready for a second attempt at the Guinness world record for riding the world's tallest bike (over 43 feet!) for 100 meters. The preshow to the Tall Bike Experience is the Bicycle Circus, commandeered by Ringmaster Bill Glasscock and set to Circus Music played through a giant Gramophone. Featured performances will also include Clown skits, Blue Ridge Rollergirl action, BMX fun, unicyclists and jugglers.

LAAFF is a festival where the music never stops, and the music at LAAFF is all local and all original. Every year, LAAFF's lineup changes, but always represents the musical diversity that makes Asheville's music scene great. This year there are over fifty performance acts including Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Shannon Whitworth, the Asheville Horns, Jar-E, the Firecracker Jazz Band, The Plowshares, the Hunab Kru B-boys, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Old-time and bluegrass pickers are invited to join in The Shady Grove Courtyard Jam from 1-6pm. If your taste tends more towards the electronic scene, head for the Freaky Tiki DJ Lounge in the old Vincent's Ear Courtyard to hear some tribal rhythms, house, funk, soul. Performer merchandise will be sold at Static Age Records, located at 82-A N. Lexington Ave, and all proceeds will go directly to the performers.

While you will be able to purchase a great CD, this is one festival where you will not be able to buy a bottle of water. Free water is what LAAFF is all about. There will be three stations set up where you can fill up your own reusable water bottle or compostable cup; no more wasted plastic! You can support the festival, and the environment by purchasing a LAAFF reusable water bottle or souvenir beer mug. All compostable items will be carted away to the Long Branch Environmental Education Center.

Sustained by widespread community support, LAAFF is a volunteer driven event that serves as a celebration of Asheville's unique personality and as a fundraiser for Arts 2 People, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the role of the arts as an integral part of our culture. Arts 2 People serves the entire community through arts outreach, bringing the arts to those in need, supporting the careers of artists, and through community cultural development. Projects of Arts 2 People include The Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program, The REACH Educational series, Moving Women, The Asheville Mural Project, Faces of Asheville and more. These projects support Asheville's thriving eclectic cultural values and all will have representation at LAAFF.

The Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival is chock-full of exciting activities until 10 PM. Come dressed in your wildest clothes, or as you are. LAAFF is free and fun for everyone. Sunday, September 7th; 11 AM – 10 PM; Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville, NC. Come join in the festivities! For more information visit www.arts2people.org and www.myspace.com/lexfestasheville.

Roadside Find in Dillard

2008-09-29T07:14:00.002-04:00

Once in a while you run across a real culinary jewel where you least expect it. I was driving down Hwy. 441 heading towards Clayton, and I was hungry. I wasn't really in the mood for fast food, or a heavy meat & 3 lunch, or something I would have to wait long for...so as I approached Dillard I was on the lookout for something different. I found it just off 441 in the row of stores and shops that line the downtown area when I pulled up in front of the Java Mama Cafe.

A menu in the front window looked enticing so I decided to give it a try. The cafe was bigger than it looked from the outside, with ample seating and even a nice couch up front that would be a good spot to enjoy your coffee and read the paper. The menu is not huge but not limited either. Choices include whole or half sandwiches accompanied by tortilla chips and homemade peach salsa, soup of the day, salads and snacks. The "liquid" menu includes smoothies,frappes and an extensive selection of coffees, teas and espresso drinks.

The roast beef sandwich with Muenster cheese and horseradish sauce looked good to me, along with a half garden salad with a homemade vinagrette dressing. My sandwich was very good and the peach salsa was fantastic. I'm not sure tortilla chips were the perfect side for this particular sandwich, but they were good as well. The salad was very fresh and I would have liked some of the dressing to take home. I browsed a menu while I was eating and decided that I would try the cranberry-walnut chicken salad on my next visit along with a green apple smoothie-so I do plan to return and would certainly recommend the Java Mama Cafe to our readers!

Java Mama Cafe
6818 Hwy 441N
Dillard, GA 30537
706.746.4470

Best Biscuit in Batesville

2008-09-29T07:11:00.003-04:00

Approaching Batesville from any direction, you will see a sign advertising the Batesville General Store and "The Best Biscuit in Batesville". I think that might be just a little modest, the biscuits are the best I've had from Helen to Clayton at least. The store (pictured above) is a well preserved 104 year old landmark located on Ga. Hwy 197 near Lake Burton. A few knick-nacks are still sold inside the store, but the main business these days is breakfast and lunch.

I've had a couple of sandwiches for lunch at the store over the years, and they were good..but the special thing to me at the Batesville General Store is breakfast..even if it is lunch time. A generous breakfast menu is available-eggs, bacon, sausage,grits, etc..but the stars of the show here are the freshly baked biscuits just like your (if you are from the south like me) Grandma used to make. These are big, fat laden biscuits begging for sausage and an egg or a big dollop of sorghum syrup to encase... the perfect energy food to prepare for you for a day of hiking or fishing in the mountains surrounding the Batesville area.

Plenty of room is available for inside dining, or you can pull in and pick up your breakfast or lunch to take with you. Service has always been prompt and friendly on my visits, and the folks are more than willing to answer questions you might have about the store or area attractions. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday nights and from the reports I've heard it is very good, though I haven't sampled dinner at the store myself. Batesville General Store is located at 11801 Hwy. 197 N...12 miles from both Helen and Clarkesville. Their phone number is 706.947.3434

Greenstone Soap Company

2008-09-29T07:05:00.005-04:00

When I first launched Mountainfreak.net back in January, I asked new readers to send me links to their favorite places in the north Georgia mountains for the page we have devoted to those links. One of the first responses was from a reader who raved about the Greenstone Soap Co. in the Sautee village. I added the link and honestly didn't think much more about it. On a recent trip to Sautee I was doing some shopping and noticed the store, pictured above.

I'm a guy. Soap is a pretty high priority in my life, but the kind of soap has never been. I usually go for the cheapest 12 bar pack at the discount store that has brand name I might recognize. Despite my lack of soap sophistication, I decided to check Greenstone Soap Co. out and introduce myself-since they were one of our first links on the site-and see this part of the soap world that had eluded me up till that point.

I fully expected to open the door to air laden with the floral perfumes I had come to know as a young child going into people's bathrooms where they kept those little round soaps you were warned to never wash your hands with, but that wasn't the case. It smelled good and fresh, not overpowering at all. I was immediately drawn to the "Shampoochie" dog soap, advertised to help dogs with itchy skin. Bob the Mountainfreak Dog (pictured below) has such problems so I bought a bar...it seems to have helped. I also got a bar of human soap, "Appalachian Wilderness", which I have tried and really enjoy. It has a fragrance like spruce mixed with herbs and is very refreshing.

It would take a lot of space to list all the offerings available at the Greenstone Soap Co., but there are lotions, bath salts and a wide variety of other handmade, organic products available. If you are in the Sautee area, stop by and check them out for yourself-if you can't make it up any time soon you can browse their website online - The Greenstone Soap Company.

Ghost Town with a Golden Past

2008-09-29T06:59:00.006-04:00

Not much is left of Auraria. If you blink twice you might miss the remains of what was once a gold rush boom town. Woody's Store and the crumbling remains of what was once the Graham Hotel, both built around 1830, are most of what is left now.

Gold was discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828 by a fellow named Benjamin Parks while hunting in what was then the domain of the Cherokee Indians. Word soon spread of the discovery and over 1000 miners converged on the area in search of their fortunes. Two separate towns emerged from this influx of citizens, Dahlonega and Auraria. Auraria was the county seat of Lumpkin County for four years beginning in 1828. The main street in Auraria was lined with saloons, dry good stores and other businesses that catered to the needs of the miners.

Dahlonega became the county seat in 1832. Gold production was heavy for the first few years, leading to the establishment of the Dahlonega Federal Mint. Over $20 million in gold was mined in Lumpkin County between 1828 and 1849, when most of the mining and miners mover to California to join the famous west coast gold rush.

Auraria remained a viable town as hydraulic mining was introduced in the late nineteenth century, but the lack of a railroad and the growth of Dahlonega caused Auraria to become less important and a shadow of it's former importance. The old store last known as Woody's continued to operate until the 1980s, when the last vestige of commerce ceased to exist in Auraria.

Today, people pass Auraria on ther way from the nice subdivisions and homes north of Dawsonville to Dahlonega. A mile from the old store, Castleberry Bridge Rd. crosses the Etowah River which is popular with canoeists, fishermen and kayakers. Subtle remnants of the gold days are evident along the river but go unobserved for the most part.

Some Photos sent in to Mountainfreak.net-Flooding from TS Fay in Helen

2008-08-30T02:34:00.003-04:00

Jordano's Pizza on the River in Helen

2008-08-29T03:57:00.002-04:00

Jordano's is a fixture in downtown Helen...serving New York style pizza, sandwiches, salads and beer daily to both visitors and residents alike. It sits in a prime location alongside the Chattahoochee River with a nice, covered outdoor dining deck- a great spot to grab a bite or a brew and enjoy the sights and sounds of Helen.
We stopped in for lunch on a recent Saturday prior to tubing down the river. I had eaten Jordano's pizza in the past and considered it fairly average, so we went with the Caesar Salads and Chicken Parmesan sandwiches this go around. The salad was excellent with a very authentic tasting Caesar dressing and some kitchen-made croutons. The sandwiches were good as well..tasty, yet not overwhelmed with the sauce and cheese as I've found elsewhere. Also available on the menu are Calzones and Stromboli, chicken wings, burgers and an assortment of appetizers.
A lot of folks were sitting outside watching the stream of tubers that we would soon join floating down the river and the deck was comfortable even in the mid day sun of July. Prices at Jordano's are reasonable..a rarity in Helen where "tourist" prices seem to dominate the restaurants. Service is efficient and friendly....major credit cards are accepted. I think Jordano's is one of the better places in downtown Helen to grab lunch and enjoy a comfortable and scenic setting.

Jordano's Pizza
11 River Street
Helen, GA 706.878.7732

Horsetrough Falls in North Georgia

2008-08-29T03:54:00.001-04:00

I often get asked about waterfalls to visit in the north Georgia mountains. My answer usually depends on how much effort I feel the person asking wants to take in finding the falls. Amicalola Falls, Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls are all splendid and easy to get to-so those generally top my list...but I also like to include my personal favorite, Horsetrough Falls.
Located near the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River about 12 miles north of Helen (by road-a little closer as the crow flies), Horsetrough Falls carries Horsetrough Creek down a series of rocky cascades on it's way to join the fledgling Chattahoochee about 200 yards below the falls. The setting at the base of the falls is cathedral-like due to the density of the forest in the summertime, which allows the sun to only break through completely in the opening created by the tumbling creek.
Horsetrough Falls can be accessed through the Upper Chattahoochee Campground, which is located on FS44, a gravel track that runs from Unicoi Gap to just north of Robertstown. For the more adventurous I would suggest approaching from Robertstown. To travel this route, take GA Hwy 75 north from Helen to alt 75 (left just past the flea market). As soon as you cross over the bridge take an immediate right onto Poplar Stump Rd. This road follows the Chattahoochee for about a mile before the pavement ends and it becomes FS44. FS44 is well maintained gravel. Follow FS44 to Low Gap Creek then follow the signs to the Upper Chattahoochee Campground. The 800' trail to the falls begins at the very back of the campground. An alternate route is to take GA 75 north of Helen approx. 8 miles to Unicoi Gap, then turn left onto FS44. Upper Chattahoochee Campground is 5 miles away from this point.
The trip is well worth it no matter which route you take-and this is also a beautiful drive in the fall when the leaves change, which won't be long now.

Cullasaja River Drive-Highlands to Franklin NC

2008-08-29T03:50:00.001-04:00

The 12 mile drive between Franklin and Highlands, NC on US Hwy 64 is sometimes a little treacherous, occasionally a little crowded, but always worth the time. This stretch of Hwy 64 runs alongside the beautiful Cullasaja River for most of the trip, allowing nice views of the tumbling waters and waterfalls along the way. Since I am usually coming from Georgia, I like to travel up Hwy 441 from Clayton to Franklin...take Hwy 64 east to Highlands, then work my way back down to Clayton on Hwy 106 over Scaly Mountain and through Sky Valley. The entire loop takes about two hours driving time, but there are a few stops you are likely to make.
Leaving Franklin, Hwy 64 soon enters the Cullasaja Gorge and, if you can find a parking spot on the narrow shoulder, offers a great views of Cullasaja Falls to the south. Heading further east there are a few pull offs and picnic areas offering access to the river. The next big waterfall is Dry Falls which has it's own parking area-but on a recent trip that area was closed with a lot of construction going on. It looks like the entire park area around the falls is undergoing renovation. I suspect they are aiming to have it open by fall leaf season if not sooner. This is a serious mountain road with a lot of twists and narrow shoulders that can be a little hairy if a 50' RV meets you on a curve, so keep that in mind. As you start leaving the gorge the road opens up a bit and you soon come to Bridal Veil Falls(pictured above), which is a landmark I remember from mountain trips as a child. There is ample parking here and you can even drive under/through the low volume falls.
After leaving Bridal Veil Falls you are on the outskirts of Highlands. If you can time it so that you arrive hungry there are numerous restaurants in Highlands, from small coffee shops to fine dining. The bustling downtown area is a specialty shopping mecca in this area and it's worth getting out and having a look around. There is a lot to see and do in this area of North Carolina and it's only a stone's throw from the north Georgia mountains. We hope to do a lot more on specific places and actvities in western North Carolina on future Borders pages. If you have suggestions about or reports from the area, please share them with us!

Caribbean Fusion in Sylva, NC

2008-08-29T03:48:00.003-04:00

Wow, what a surprise! A few friends and I ended up in Sylva, NC after a day of rafting on the Tuckaseegee River tired and hungry. We were not super familiar with the town and were really looking for a "Meat & 3" or a good sandwich shop, what we found really blew us away. The Guadalupe Cafe is located right in downtown Sylva on West Main St. and has a level of funk (the good kind) we were not expecting in this small mountain hamlet. The food is simply fantastic.
My friends and I started out with the Salsa Sampler platter that featured home made tortilla chips and a selection of the house salsas-guacamole, pico de gallo and scotch bonnet. All were good but the scotch bonnet mix is pure heaven (with a healthy dose of hell). From there we decided to each order a different item and share. Our Empanadas, Quesadillas, Tostadas and Falafel were delivered to the table promptly and we dug in. We also got an order of the coconut rice dish, Arrroz de Coco, which is Basmati rice cooked with coconut milk and tumeric. We all agreed that everything was great but the Empanadas were the consensus choice for dish of the day. As we talked to some of the locals we found out that the Guadalupe Cafe is a very popular music venue later in the evening with bands playing nightly-all of this in little Sylva! When I read that Mountainfreak.net had expanded it's scope a little beyond the Georgia borders I had to write and let the world know about this fantastic find.

Jim Bowles
Atlanta, GA

Royal Family @ Prospector Hall

2008-08-29T03:45:00.001-04:00

I first listened to Royal Family at the Eco-Music-Fest back in June. They put on a good show there so I wasn't at all surprised to witness the same at Prospector Hall last Saturday.
Held down by some of the best drumming I've seen in a local band, their music is mostly raucous and intense-but they can also take the edge off when they want to which is effective at keeping the crowd involved...and they were, at both shows.
Royal Family is advertised as "Garage Rock", but I think they might be a little more evolved from my perception of that term. There is some melody to the madness and they put on a great show. They play regularly all around Atlanta and north Georgia-for more info and a sample of their tunes check out their MySpace page.

Big City Sunrise @ Bigg Daddy's in Helen

2008-08-29T03:38:00.008-04:00

It's no mystery why Big City Sunrise has such a loyal following. They put on a high energy, sweat drenched show at Bigg Daddy's in Helen on 6/12 and I was glad to be a part of the crowd. This was my first experience seeing this band live and I have to say they are unique.
Fronted by Jeff Bynum and his electric violin, Big City Sunrise is like a dream where Led Zeppelin meets Vassar Clements...and the result is loud, rowdy and fun. Excellent musicians having a good time generally leads to a good show and this was one.
Bynum does a lot of the singing and is joined by Kevin Rainwater on drums, Doug Meads (a lot of the vocals as well) and Chris Thacker handle the guitars, Adam Kahn plays an excellent bass and is complimented by percussionist Sam Steele. Chris is especially impressive taking the lead guitar-but this is defintely a band that is the sum of it's parts. They work very well together.
The highlight of the evening ( and their fans were waiting for it) was a medley centered around the Marley classic, "No Woman, No Cry" near the end of the show that gave each member a chance to shine.
For our readers in the Atlanta/Athens area, Big City Sunrise has a CD release party at the Georgia Theater on August 15 where they will be joined by Blueground Undergrass. The will be back at Bigg Daddy's for another show in Helen on August 30. Find out more about BCS on their MySpace page.

Coming up in the September Edition of Mountainfreak.net

2008-08-25T04:46:00.002-04:00

Still working on a few things, but here is what to expect:

LexFest 2008 in Asheville
Wildcat Creek Recreation
Fort Mountain Report
Java Mama Cafe in Dillard
Batesville General Store "The Best Biscuit in Batesville"
Greenstone Soap Co in Sautee
Music from Dahlonega
Sautee Jamboree coming up this Month
September Live Music Calendar

and maybe a surprise or two;-)

Bigfoot in the North Georgia Mountains?

2008-08-15T15:04:00.003-04:00

Yes, we saw the photo. I'm skeptical;-) Might just be an old moonshiner with a steroid problem. There is quite a buzz about the creature, however..and rest assured that Mountainfreak.net is paying attention and will report any facts we come across. I just hope these guys give up the location.

Mountainfreak.net quote makes band flyer...

2008-08-02T20:02:00.002-04:00

for the Avery Dylan Project..we appreciate it guys!(click on the flyer for larger image you can read;-)

Mountainfreak Borders-The Ocoee in Tennessee

2008-07-26T15:47:00.002-04:00

Tennessee Whitewater
A Pair of Reports From the Ocoee River

Middle Ocoee Trip

Contributed by Heath Hair

Last weekend four friends and I went to raft the Upper, and Middle Ocoee River in Benton TN, about 15 miles north of Chatsworth Ga. The weather forecast didn't look favorable with a storm front hovering around Tennessee for the better part of the morning, so we decided to commit only to the Middle Ocoee instead. Normally, we would camp at the Ocoee Outdoors outpost... it's fun and convenient. But since we opted for the shorter trip, we decided to make it a one day affair and leave early for around 7:30 for the 10:00 o'clock put-in (which we barely made by the way), with Sunburst Adventures. They are good people and we have known them a long time. But if you want to do an Upper-Middle trip Ocoee Outdoors is the way to go. Beside being able to camp at the outpost, the people there take really good care of you, and excellent/fun guides. It isn't uncommon for them to cookout with you in the evening, and hang out with you at Grumpy's later that night. It's a seasonal bar, within walking distance, with decent bands. And of course, if you decide to raft with them all day, they will provide a lunch riverside. Of course most of the companies do that as well.

Anyway, back to the rafting experience itself. That day it rained. I haven't rafted in the rain since I was about 14 years old. Let me tell you, the rain shouldn't detour you in anyway whatsoever, at least in the summer months. It was the first time in years that I didn't get a sunburn on my shoulders. Of course the part of the Middle Ocoee where the river calms down and you can get out of the river and float down was relaxing as always, ESPECIALLY in the rain. Ironically, it is seems more serene than on a sunny day. There is a pretty nice place to stop and have a snack around the underpass just before the rapids start back up, with a nice view of a waterfall.

The Middle Ocoee is the most popular white water rafting river in country, and likely the world. It is comprised of 5 miles of constant class 3-4 rapids that just never seem to quit. Boredom will not be an issue. The Middle Ocoee offers more than enough for any hardcore outdoor thrill seeker, at the same time isn't intimidating enough to ruin the good time of a first timer. The Middle Ocoee is enough of a white water crash course to take on the Upper Ocoee's class 4-5 rapids almost immediately. Basically, the Middle Ocoee is the perfect rafting experience. If you are into kayaking, this is the place to be also. the Ocoee River was a 1996 Olympic venue for a reason.

Ocoee Rafting 101

Dr. Chris Haddock
Ringgold, Georgia

Not far across the state line in North Georgia lie several rivers that are extremely popular to whitewater enthusiasts. These include East Tennessee’s Hiawassee and Western North Carolina’s Nantahala. Both are easily accessible and do not require any guide to raft them. Outfitters are plentiful and rent a variety of inflatable contraptions to float the river or small kayaks and other boats if that’s more your style. Children under 12 can safely take these trips.

The centerpiece of this whitewater scene in this area is the Ocoee River in East Tennessee, site of the 1996 Olympic Games Whitewater events. Dammed up in the mid 20th century by TVA, the Ocoee is a river that has it’s origins in the North Carolina mountains but comes into its own once it drops into the foothills of East TN. It’s comprised of three distinct sections; upper, middle, and lower as divided by the three dams. The upper section contains the Olympic Course and has some very challenging water class IV and V rapids.. Water is not released into this section all the time and you should call ahead to an outfitter to determine the release schedule should you wish to give it a go. . The middle section of the Ocoee is the traditional run that has been used since the 70’s by local outfitters and has plenty of big water as well. Water is released into this section daily in the summer peak times and on weekends early or late in season. Both the upper and middle sections can be floated on your own but unless you’re an experienced whitewater enthusiast with a lot of training it should only be undertaken through an outfitter. The lower section is a placid, flat water section leading down into Parksville Lake providing a very nice serene float and simple tubes and sea kayaks are not an uncommon site.

Outfitters are numerous in the area with over twenty in business at any one time. I myself have always used Ocoee Outdoors as they are one of the oldest and most respected groups on the river. Their experience and emphasis on safety was readily apparent on my most recent trip. Another nice feature that they and some other outfitters provide is a camping area that can be used before/after your trip down the river for a nominal fee.. Ocoee Outdoors has several nice camping sites as well as indoor bathhouse and restrooms.

I’ve gone down the middle section numerous times but this year we decided to do an upper/middle combo trip. Both sections take about two to two and half hours and they are traditionally split up by an outfitter supplied lunch between the sections. The upper had some very challenging rapids and once in the Olympic section it was about a half mile of uninterrupted whitewater which was definitely the highlight of the run.. During our recent trip a boater fell out on a rather innocuous appearing rapid called Edge of the World below the Olympic section.. Although minor in appearance it contains a “terminal hydraulic” on its bottom end and this boater was trapped and was continually churned in the hydraulic staying under for 20 seconds at a time and was growing weaker with each subsequent submersion. The guides for Ocoee Outdoors remained calm and continued to throw safety ropes at the boater until she was able to grab hold and be pulled out of the rapid. In fact one of the guides on our trip had been trapped in the same spot the previous year and had lost numerous teeth due to the repeated pounding against the rocks in this rapid. His story and incident that day were excellent examples of why an outfitter should be used to make your trip and why only those over 12 years of age are allowed on these sections.

Sadly, two great Ocoee Institutions that provided excellen pre and post trip entertainment have closed down. Both Duff’s Bar and Grumpy’s Rockhouse featured cheap beer, live music, and a mixed crowd of locals, river guides, and rafters. Both have closed down within the past 12 months but rumors persist that Grumpy’s will reopen soon. There are several small delis and gas stations in the area should you decide not to bring your own food and the nearby town of Cleveland Tn. provides a wide variety of dining options.

A trip down any of these rivers provides some great fun and entertainment and the variety of the water along with their proximity to each other allows for something to please the whole family. Located less than 2 hours from Atlanta up 411 an easy day trip could be planned or a weekend in the mountains camping or in a cabin rental would provide easy access to the river.

Carter's Lake-Georgia's "Other" Mountian Lake

2008-07-26T15:45:00.003-04:00

Carter's Lake seen from the Marina

Conveniently located about midway between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Carter's Lake is 3500 acres of unspoiled paradise for boaters and fishermen in the north Georgia mountains. Carter's Lake may not have the panache of lakes Burton and Rabun to it's northeast, or the prime location near a bustling town like Lake Blue Ridge or Chatuge..but it certainly deserves mention along with those lakes when watersports, fishing and recreational opportunities are discussed.
There is only one commercial establishment on the shores of the lake, Carter's Lake Marina and Resort. The marina offers full service for boaters along with boat rentals and cabins. The rest of the lake is pretty much operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The visitor's center operated by the Corps is a great first stop for visitors to the lake. Here you will find exhibits explaining the history of the area and construction of the lake and dam, wildlife in and around the lake, and the recreational opportunities provided. Maps of the lake and pamphlets for the various camping areas, hiking trails and the Ridgeway Mountain Bike Trail can be picked up free of charge.
Carter's Lake is a little less crowded than the other lakes mentioned above, and that makes it a prime destination for fishermen pursuing largemouth, striped and smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish and panfish. The Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources manages 6,000 acres of public land around the lake which is available to hunters during the season.
Carter's Lake is located near Oakman, GA just south of Chatsworth off of US Hwy 411, and south of Ellijay and north of Jasper off of Hwy 515.

Cooling it in Helen-Tubing the Chattahoochee

2008-07-26T15:40:00.002-04:00

If you are looking for something easy, cheap, cool and fun for both adults and kids of all ages, it's hard to beat tubing through downtown Helen, Georgia in the summertime. Helen is no more than 2 hours away from most of metro Atlanta, Chattanooga, Greenville-Spartanburg and all points in between-so even the $4 a gallon gas is a little easier to swallow for a day trip or vacation to this popular north Georgia mountain destination. There are two main tube rental companies in Helen and both charge $3-4 for tube rental which includes full shuttle service as needed for what is generally a 2-3 hour float from the north end of town to the south.

Green and Pink tubes and their occupants proceed in an orderly fashion down the river on every summer day from about 9 am till near dark. This is a leisurely float with little in the way of dangerous rapids or snags..in fact it is advised that you bring or purchase a "tubing stick" to help you make your way through the shallower areas when the water level is low. Higher water levels make for a faster but still safe and enjoyable trip. Try to avoid the few groups who want to tie 6-8 tubes together into huge rafts..they will constantly clog some of the narrower passages and sit there vacantly wondering why this keeps happening to them rather than untie their tubes and open up the river for those they are causing problems for. Just stop and swim or sit on some rocks for a while until these dimwits clear out. Tube traffic on the river is. of course, lighter on weekdays and heavier on the weekends and holidays.
Tubes are available at Cool River Tubing (the green tubes) and at the Helen Fleamarket/Alpine Valley Waterpark Company (the pink tubes). Both have locations at both ends of the trip and you can pay/start and any of the locations then use the appropriate shuttle buses as needed.
Flea Market Tubing Helen, GA by Mountainfreak Outdoors

Helen Fleamarket Rental Location North Of Town

The water temperature of the Chattahoochee as it flows through Helen varies from the high 50's to the mid 60's, offering a welcome respite from the heat. Tubing is a great way to enjoy the river and the river view of Alpine Helen. I've seen folks pull their tubes up to the shore in the middle of town and make the short walk up to Jordano's Pizza or Wendy's for lunch then go back and continue their float. It really is laid back and relaxed ...and fitting with the pace of life that brings people up to enjoy the .north Georgia mountains.

2008-07-26T15:33:00.002-04:00

PAZZO PIZZERIA AND ITALIAN MARKET
A PIZZERIA WITH MORE

A common trap for pizza restaurants is for the chef to dabble in serving Italian food. Generally, people searching for top of the line Italian dishes do not go to places that also serve pizza because the Italian food is average, at best. However, Pazzo Pizzeria and Italian Market, located near Lake Burton, is trying to turn that notion on its head. The pizza is truly top notch. The sauce is outstanding, but used sparingly on the pie which is a sure signal that the pizza maker knows his business. The thin crust reminds me of the type of pizza crusts that you find when eating pizza in Italy. We had the cheese pizza, since this is the pizza of choice for my three girls, but it is obvious that Pazzo has the basics mastered.

My wife and I were, as previously mentioned, a little apprehensive about the other fare on the menu. However, Pazzo gets a passing grade in this arena as well. We started with a somewhat unique appetizer called “Baci Bites”. This appetizer was pizza dough stuffed with proscuitto, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese, then deep fried. The texture of dough was similar to that of a doughnut, and the small amount of powdered sugar sprinkled on did nothing to dissuade you of that notion. While it was a tasty appetizer, I must note that the proscuitto tasted more like country ham.

Since we were sampling the pizza too, my wife and I split an entrée of Eggplant Parmigiano. This dish was truly outstanding, as the eggplant contained none of the bitterness that can sometimes ruin the flavor. Here again, the chef did not make the mistake of other Italian restaurants by overusing the sauce and cheese. Rather, it was blended effectively to accentuate, rather than overpower, the natural flavor of the eggplant. It was as good as my mother’s eggplant parmigiano, and that is saying something. The eggplant was served with grilled zucchini and squash, which was very good, and risotto, which was fairly average.

We passed on dessert, so I will have to leave that to a follow-up review. They have a full array of other dishes on the menu. I am not sure if any of their pastas are homemade, but their sauce is very good. I tried to order beer, but apparently they cannot serve it until July 1. They do serve wine from Habersham Winery since it is considered a “tasting room” for the winery, and I was told both places are owned by the same person or group. It would be nice if they could beef up their wine selection.

The atmosphere is truly outstanding, as it certainly captures the Italian sense of dining alfresco. Even the “indoor” seating is wide open to the outside. We sat in the courtyard which is surrounded by flowers, ivy and other plants. Pazzo has live music every Saturday night.

If you go to Pazzo, do not be afraid to explore the menu as I suspect there will be some gems to discover. For great pizza, you cannot beat it anywhere in the area, and Pazzo is a great place to spend a summer evening if you are in and around Lake Burton.

Mountainfreak Review-

2008-07-26T15:30:00.001-04:00

Wormsloew
Bigg Daddy's in Helen

Wormsloew made their way up to the north Georgia mountains on June 14 and it was a show I had been anticipating. I have a couple of friends who have followed low country local music for years who had told me that if Wormsloew made it up our way they were a must see, up and coming young band.
I was not disappointed. I was especially impressed with their original tunes. "Nothing to Hide" in particular is a song that really shows off the band's talent. It is difficult to insert this Savannah-based group into a particular niche-the music is definitely southern rock oriented but a lot more melodic and lyric/acoustic based than your basic 70's southern rock clone bands that seem to play all over the south.
This is not to say that these guys cannot reach back into basic blues oriented southern rock..they do a kick ass version of the Gregg Allman/Allman Brothers classic, "Midnight Rider" as evidence.
Wormlsoew's lineup consists of Andrew Gill, who does most of the lead vocals and adds some nice guitar work..Joseph Wilson on drums/vocals..Steve Gerard does a nice job with the lead guitar and Chadrick Norris handles the low end on bass.
The crowd at Bigg Daddy's was smaller than I would have hoped for but enthusiastic. Let's get out and support these guys when they make it back to the mountains-they are a refreshing departure and a band with a great future. Learn more about Wormsloew and check out some of their tunes on their MySpace page-
www.myspace.com/wormsloew

Good Food & Good Music in Helen

2008-07-26T15:24:00.003-04:00

Bigg Daddy's in Helen has a reputation for being one of the better music venues in the north Georgia mountains..and with the huge deck and a full service bar, one of the better places to drink and mingle with both locals and tourists. Some good local and regional bands like Big City Sunrise, The Avery Dylan Project, Big Swig and others are regular performers inside..with ocassional Sunday shows on the deck. My son and I headed up to Bigg Daddy's a couple of weekends ago to see a Savannah band, Wormsloew. Since we had gotten up to Helen hungry and in need of some lunch..the decision was made to give the menu at Bigg Daddy's a shot.
We sat at the bar and ordered a burger for myself and steak quesadilla for the kid. I was immediately impressed when Zack, the bartender, asked me how I wanted my burger cooked. It has become a real chore with all the food scare paranoia to find a place that will serve a medium-medium rare burger the way I like them. The thick, hand pattied burger was cooked perfectly to order and served with Bigg Daddy's version of french fries-sliced into ovals rather than the everyday stick shape, and served nice and hot. Son devoured his quesadilla in record time and commented that it was as good or better than any he had ever had. A good lunch with good fast service. We left to explore a few other attractions in Helen and returned about 9 pm for the band.
My son had spied the Big Freaking Brownie on the menu earlier in the day and decided that would be a good dinner....he couldn't even finish it..the name is well deserved. The brownie comes topped with a hazelnut foam that really makes it a treat (I had to finish it-my duty as a father). The Wormsloew show was great (See Mountainfreak Music page). Bigg Daddy's derserves it's reputation as one of the best places in the mountains for music, beverages...and food.

2008-07-26T15:19:00.001-04:00

My Quest for the Best BBQ in North Georgia Continues.......

Bub-Ba-Q in Jasper

Bub-Ba-Q in Jasper, Georgia by Mountainfreak Eat & Shop Ok..I am a BBQ nut. In the 6 months I've been writing for Mountainfreak.net, I have written about BBQ during 4 of those months. I am not sorry. It seems to feed on itself to a certain extent...I write about a BBQ joint or festival, and that seems to spawn suggestions of different BBQ joints and festivals to visit. Keep them coming, by the way.
I came to visit Bub-Ba-Q in Jasper following the advice of some good friends/readers, and I have found a contender for the best BBQ in the north Georgia mountains.
Bub-Ba-Q is well known on the BBQ contest circuit and has the trophies inside the restaurant that testify to their success. The restaurant is very welcoming and clean-with plenty of seating space among all the trophies. I had been told that Bub-Ba-Q has the best brisket in 3 states..but for the purposes of my quest I have been focusing on real southern BBQ, which is, as we all know, pork. Pulled pork to be specific, sampled with the house sauces and sides and big glass of sweet tea. Bub-Ba-Q did not disappoint in any of those areas. The pork was the best I have had in quite a while, and the best I have had so far in the mountain area. The pulled pork is smoky, but not overpoweringly so..moist, and well seasoned. I sampled the three sauces on the table and found good things with all 3. The mustard sauce was very good..tangy with just the right amount of vinegar. The hot sauce was very spicy with red pepper and also had a good balance of vinegar..very reminiscent of a North Carolina preparation. I generally like the sweet sauces the least, but I found Bub-Ba-Q's version to be very tasty with a bit of a smokey flavor. After playing around with the 3 for a bit I settled on a combo of the sweet and the mustard on the majority of my pork.
The beans and slaw that came with the pulled pork plate ($6.95) were very good and a fine compliment to my pork/sauce experimentation.
I am trying to think of a good reason to go to Jasper this month (perhaps John Sosebee playing at the 3 Sisters Cafe downtown?) so I can expand my knowledge of Bub-Ba-Q fare a bit..the chicken and ribs had great potential on the smoker in back (see above)..and the little bit of brisket I conned off the pit master was actually not bad;-) Carry out and Catering are available.

Bub-Ba-Q
1976 Hwy 53 W.
Jasper, GA 30143
706.692.7929

Things we are working on for the August edition of Mountainfreak.net

2008-07-21T18:53:00.003-04:00

-Biltmore House & Gardens for our Borders page
-Horsetrough Falls and the Upper Chattahoochee Campground
-Live Music Reviews..Big City Sunrise & Royal Family
-T Dawg's Hootenanny Music Fest in August
-Jordano's Restaurant in Helen
-Go Karting in Helen
-Woody's Mountain Bikes near Unicoi State park

...and maybe some surprises

Fred's Famous Peanuts

2008-06-29T01:48:00.002-04:00

If you have taken the Clayton Rd. (Hwy.356) from Helen to Unicoi State Park, Lake Burton, etc., you have passed Fred's Famous Peanuts. Many of you have probably stopped for their boiled peanuts or roasted peanuts like I have on numerous occasions. If my son goes to the mountains with me you could track our movements by following the discarded peanut shells (they are organic, right?). I was lucky enough to run across the owners of Fred's Famous Peanuts at the 1st Annual Horsin' Around BBQ Showdown where they had a vendor's tent set up.
Fred & Diane Jenkins sell peanuts just about any way you can eat them..and I had never tried deep fried peanuts until they offered me a sample. That's all it took. I was on my way with a bag for the ride home and decided deep fried peanuts were worth telling y'all about! They are fried with the skins (not shells) on and then perfectly seasoned-with just a little bit of heat. Next time you are up around Helen, or if you run across Fred & Diane at a festival, give their peanuts a try. At their Helen store they also sell fresh pork rinds, honey, jams & jellies and even t-shirts. The store is located at 17 Clayton Rd.(Hwy 356) not far from the junction with Hwy. 75. Stop by and tell them Mountainfreak.net sent ya!

Fort Mountain State Park and the Mysterious Wall

2008-06-29T01:28:00.002-04:00

Overlooking the town of Chatsworth in the northwestern area of the north Georgia mountains, Fort Mountain stands like sentinel guarding the mountains to it's east. Perhaps that explains the remains of the old "fort" at the top of the mountain..or maybe it doesn't. More on that in a bit. Fort Mountain State Park covers 3712 acres at the top of the mountain, a good portion of the land donated to the state by a former Atlanta mayor, Ivan Allen Jr. I've been camping at the park since I was a teenager-and to provide a frame of reference, back then I-75 leaving Atlanta to the north ended in Marietta!
Fort Mountain State Park is a popular destination for just about every type of outdoor activity. Within the park is a 17 acre lake with a swimming beach and 14 miles of hiking trails for daytrippers. Over 80 campsites and 15 cabins are available for overnight stays. 27 miles of mountain biking trails make the park one of the best in the state for bike riding. Horseback riding is offered and encouraged on 25 miles of trails with rentals and stables available. I would advise that you plan ahead during the summer months for any of these activities that operate on a first come, first serve basis. This is especially true on the weekends.
Fort Mountain is easily accessible from Atlanta or Chattanooga via I-75 to US 76 in Dalton. A good approach from the east can be had by taking GA Hwy 52 from Ellijay. Some other attractions in the area include the Cohutta Wilderness Area, The New Echota State Historic Site (Capitol of the Cherokee Nation) and the Chief Vann House State Historic Site. Carters Lake with all of it's recreational opportunities is just south of Chatsworth off US Hwy 411. Click Here for more information from the Georgia State Parks website.

Now about that wall.....

The wall on top of Fort Mountain is one of the great archaeological mysteries in north Georgia. The mountain gets it's name from the "fort", which consists of an ancient 855 foot long stacked stone wall with 29 pits scattered in some semblance of order along it. But is it really a fort?

There are numerous local legends concerning the origin of the wall. The most widely believed seems to be that it was not a fort at all, but was a structure with religious significance built by Woodland Period Indians who were believed to have occupied the area around 500 A.D. Some of the backing evidence for this theory are the orientation of the wall and the fact that no artifacts have ever been discovered. The Indians of that period are believed to have worshiped the Sun-and the wall extends from a point on the east side of the mountain due west-so the sun rises almost precisely in line with the eastern end and sets at the western terminus. Indians of that period were also believed to always carry their religious artifacts with them when they moved on, unlike their everyday implements which have been found in good quantity near their forts and settlements.
The most interesting theory has to do with Cherokee legend. The Cherokees believed the wall was built by a group of fair skinned, blue eyed people they referred to as "Moon Eyes" because it was believed they could not see well in daylight and had excellent night vision. This strange race of people was said to occupy this and other areas of the mountains until they were eventually dispatched by the Cherokee.
One legend about the wall points to it being a honeymoon resort of sorts for newlywed Cherokee. Another claims it to be a fortification built by a Welsh Prince who landed on the gulf coast of Alabama around the year 1200 and was pushed into the Georgia mountains by the Indians..where a fort was constructed for defense. The least plausible theory is that the structure was built by Hernando DeSoto as a defense against the Indians during his time in Georgia around 1540. The problem with that theory arises from the historical fact that DeSoto and his men were only in the area for around 2 weeks...hardly long enough to construct the wall. The only truth seems to be that no one really has a clue where the wall came from.
It is a fairly easy hike to the ruins of the wall. There are signs within the park directing you to the parking area, and from the parking area it is about a half mile or so hike to the summit observation tower. The wall starts appearing about halfway through the hike. It is certainly interesting-and the view from the top would be worth the hike if the wall didn't exist.

Eco-Music-Fest 2008

2008-06-29T01:22:00.005-04:00

The 2008 Eco-Music-Fest was held last weekend at the Amicalola Deer Park west of Dawsonville. Thanks to Scott Phillips and The Fly Brothers, Mountainfreak.net was given great access to to this annual event featuring over 90 bands performing on 3 stages in a beautiful north Georgia mountain setting. The festival benefits Rainbow Nation (not what you might think it is) and the Amicalola Deer Park, which is a sanctuary for injured and neglected animals. This event provides some of the funding for care and feeding of the animals-Rainbow Nation and their outreach programs work with special needs children by offering a therapeutic setting for the kids to interact with the animals. The park is nestled in a valley adjacent to Amicalola Creek and provides plenty of room for the 3 stages, vendors, parking and a camping area for folks who want to make a weekend of it.
The music, for the most part, was great. I arrived late Saturday morning just as bands were beginning to set up and play on stage 2 (seen above-lower). Bands played sets of around 45 minutes, with the next band up starting to set up to the side of the stage and ready to go. This kept the music almost continuous throughout the day on stage 2. I pretty much camped out at stage 2 most of the day and was impressed by the quality and especially the variety of music. Southern rock covers from the Full Throttle Band-who did a nice job on "American Band", the old Grand Funk Railroad tune.......Blues/rock from the Avery DylanProject..The Planet Riders..Christian alternative sounds from Athens' Scarlet Snow Band..Reggae/Jam from The Green Hit...were just a few of the standout performers throughout the day. We Won't Stop from nearby Cumming, GA brought quite a crowd with them and brought a lot of energy to the afternoon with a heavy metal cover of "Folsom Prison Blues".
As the sun started setting, Stage 1 started cranking up and attracting a larger part of the crowd. I migrated over that way in time to catch The Pennies who put on a great show-very polished band. I went back to the other stage to catch part of the set by DeFaux...then made it back to the main stage in time for Royal Family, a very talented band out of Atlanta.
Having to be in Hiawassee for a BBQ festival the next morning put an earlier end to the evening than I would have liked. I never did catch any of the acts on Stage 3, which I regret, but it's hard to be everywhere inside a 10+ acre venue;-) I thought Eco-Fest 2008 was very well run. The vendors were helpful, the staff was helpful and the bands were all friendly and looked to be having a good time. The crowd was less than I expected. With a venue that could comfortably hold 5000 folks, it was a little disheartening to only see what may have been 1000 to 1500 scattered out over such a large venue. A lot of credit goes out to the bands. Even early in the day when the crowds were sparse, they all played with energy and enthusiasm. I was assured that the festival will be back next year and thereafter-It sure would be nice to cover them up with music fans next year. The musicians and organizers are certainly doing their part.

S.W.

The Avery Dylan Project

2008-06-29T01:19:00.001-04:00

One of the more impressive acts we were able to catch at Eco-Music-Fest 2008 was the Avery Dylan Project from Athens, GA. Joined by bassist Clint Swords and drummer Mike Strickland, Avery Dylan, as one of the fellows in the crowd told me "isn't Stevie Ray Vaughan-nobody is...but he's as close as you are going to find playing around here on a regular basis". Dylan has a style of his own but you can definitely see the SRV/Blues influence in his playing.
The ADP mixed some nice original songs in with some covers of blues legends like Albert Collins during their set at the Eco-Fest. The most telling indicator of the band's quality was the number of other musicians at the show who stopped what they were doing to come over and watch them play.
The ADP has dates in Florida, Macon, Athens and metro Atlanta coming up in June. Let's hope we can get them back up in the mountains real soon. For more info about the band, show dates and a sample of their tunes, check out their MySpace page.

S.W.

Horsin Around BBQ Showdown

2008-06-29T01:17:00.002-04:00

Smokey Mountain Smokers from Seveirville, TN took home the Grand Champion prize at the first ever Horsin' Around Barbecue Showdown at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris on Memorial Day weekend! The Smokey Mountain team garnered 2nd place in the Chicken, Rib and Brisket categories along with a 9th place finish in the Pulled Pork competition to claim the overall prize. Crowds were good and the food was good, with plenty of family oriented entertainment available. Mountainfreak.net was there Sunday to talk to folks and eat bbq (and buy a new hat!). Parking was a breeze in a field right off Hwy. 76 with shuttle service to the The Stables where the event was being hosted.

I had a nice pulled pork plate from Benny's (pictured above) that included some of the best beans I've ever put in my mouth. Made me wish I had been there on Saturday for the $5 Tasting Tent where the public was invited to sample the creations from the competition teams. Organizers I spoke with were very happy with how things went the first year and are already looking forward to next year. The Horsin' Around Barbecue Showdown looks set to become a fixture on the competition BBQ circuit and at Brasstown Valley.

July sneak peak pics-

2008-06-15T16:08:00.003-04:00

Sneak Peek at the July Mountainfreak.net---

2008-06-08T15:27:00.003-04:00

Some of the stories we are working on:

Carter's Lake Recreation Opportunities
Cooper Creek Fishing & Camping
Bub-ba-Q in Jasper
Flea Markets
Georgia Mountain Festival coming up in July
Licks & Sticks Concert coming up in July
Cool River Tubing in Helen
Bigg Daddy's in Helen

and of course, the latest music calendar and higlighting of July shows on the Mountainfreak Music Page.

North Georgia's "Area 51" in Dawsonville Forest

2008-05-30T11:07:00.003-04:00

Remains of the Reactor Building-photo by Robert Elzey

North Georgia's "Area 51"

It was actually known as 'Air Force Plant #67", 45 miles north of Atlanta....A 10 million watt unshielded nuclear reactor initially used in research trying to develop nuclear powered aircraft during the Cold War. From the mid 1950s until 1971 the reactor and associated out buildings, a rail line, bridges since dismantled and roads since closed, were spread out within what is today one of our most popular north Georgia recreation areas-Dawson Forest in Dawson County. Stories abound even today about other possible uses and effects of Air Force Plant #67, which was also known as the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory.
A friend of mine from Pickens County adjacent to Dawson County sent me a fantastic article recently. "Inside Dawson Forest" was initially published by the Pickens County Progress newspaper in January of 2007. The article was written by Dwayne Keith Petty and can be read in it's entirety Here. Mr. Petty's article covers the entire factual history of the reactor/plant, the lore surrounding it, and it's affects on the area. The article prompted me to do some more research and visit Dawson Forest recently for a first hand look at the aging concrete monoliths and other remnants or this former top secret nuclear facility.

Old Concrete Remains are Scattered Throughout the Forest- Photo by R. Elzey

I had been in Dawson Forest on prior occasions for fishing and canoeing on the Amicalola Creek. I had seen the old bridge foundations from the creek and a strange loading ramp looking structure near the entrance, but I just never really gave them much thought. I knew the area was purchased years ago by the city of Atlanta with the thought of a possible second major airport on the location, which never happened. Maybe I just associated the ruins with some aborted construction project related to that era. Having read the article mentioned above and done a little investigation, I now approached Dawson Forest with an entirely different perspective.
I had an strange feeling as I entered the forest on a recent Saturday morning. I was now armed with real facts about nuclear experimentation in the area along with rumors of a cyclops deer, strange red skies and remnants of Cobalt 60. As I climbed over and around some of the remains I found myself looking for stunted plant life and listening for the songbirds-to make sure they were still around. There were high barbed wire fences and mounds of soil that kept me out of certain areas-I felt like I was being watched. At one point I remembered the elementary school drills I participated in as a child, the preparation for incoming Soviet nukes......then I came upon Amicalola Creek.

Amicalola Creek in Dawson Forest- Photo by R. Elzey

Nothing could have snapped me back to reality faster that the sound of a rushing mountain stream and it's adjacent environment. This was the Dawson Forest I remembered. No more daydreams about Geiger counters or mutant wildlife-just the dogwoods and native azaleas in full bloom and a couple of kids with their dad hiking along the water's edge.
Some things did happen in Dawson Forest in decades past. There were nuclear experiments done on the animal and plant life as the aircraft project was winding down...some areas within the forest were subject to massive doses of radiation. Some things might have happened-a little internet research can take you to some sites where Air Force Plant #67 is mentioned in the same paragraph as alien abductions or secret paramilitary training. The local lore from some of the folks who were around Dawson County in the early 60s contains some interesting stories as well. I'll continue my efforts to learn more, but I think the history added something to my last visit to Dawson Forest. Not only is it 10,000 acres of a user-friendly natural area there for our enjoyment..it has a story to tell. And, so far anyway, I'm not glowing in the dark-

S.W.

More About Dawson Forest:

Dawson Forest is owned by the City of Atlanta and is one of three tracts of land, totaling over 25,000 acres, that comprise the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area. Throughout the property are miles of trails, both marked and unmarked, that are used by hikers, hunters and horseback riders. The Etowah River and Amicalola Creek provide fishing and watersport opportunities. Primitive camping is free and encouraged. Dawson Forest is a haven for wildlife and hunting is allowed during certain seasons. Access off of GA 400 is easy for visitors coming from Atlanta or the mountains...and east- west access is available via highways 52 and 369.

For more in depth information visit their website:

DAWSON FOREST

Fast Food Decadence in Dawsonville

2008-05-30T11:06:00.002-04:00

We haven't reviewed a chain restaurant for Mountainfreak.net up till this point, but not many fast food restaurants make the Zagat Survey while being located right on one of the major thoroughfares we use to get up into the North Georgia Mountains. Five Guys is a no frills, cook to order hamburger joint that gives you a little bit more of everything you order-almost to the point of being decadent.
First of all, the regular burger comes with two fresh grilled patties of fresh (never frozen) ground beef with an amazing number of add-ons at no extra charge. The fries, also fresh cut and never frozen. A regular order was more than I could eat on a recent visit. A large styrofoam cup is loaded with hot fries and then they throw a large handful in the bag along with your order for good measure. A large order might feed 3-4 folks. You can order your fries "Five Guys" style or cajun style. Kosher Hot Dogs and sandwiches are available on the menu-but make no mistake, this is a burger joint with the emphasis on making a good hamburger. I admit to having a little sticker shock the first time I ate at Five Guys. A burger, fries and regular drink will run you about 9 bucks. Everything is relative, however. When compared to pre-frozen then microwaved/heat lamped burgers and frozen fries that will run you close to $6 at other burger chains, Five Guys is a value.
The Dawsonville Five Guys is located in the Dawsonville Commons shopping center right off of GA 400...in front of the Walmart and across 400 from the huge gaudy outlet mall Dawsonville has become semi-famous for. Very easy access if you are heading up to the mountains west of Dawsonville or up to Dahlonega and beyond.

S.W.

1st Annual Horsin' Around Barbecue Showdown

2008-05-30T11:05:00.001-04:00

1st Annual Barbecue Festival Coming to Brasstown Valley

The First Annual Horsin' Around Barbecue Showdown
will be held from May 23-25 at Brasstown Valley Resort in the North Georgia Mountains. $6500 in prize money is awaiting contestants from all over Georgia and the southeast as the compete in the categories of Brisket, Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder and Chicken.
Along with the barbecue contest there will be an Arts & Crafts Fair, Bike Show, Kid's Corral Fun Zone and numerous concessions. We also hear there will be live music and entertainment-all for an admission price of $3 per person. The main activities will be held at The Stables area of the resort.
The barbeque contest is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and proceeds benefit S.A.F.E. Mountainfreak.net will be there to enjoy the festivities, we hope to see you there! For more information and directions, visit the Brasstown Valley Resort website: www.brasstownvalley.com

Camping Around Helen, GA

2008-05-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

Camping Around Helen

Low Gap Creek and Andrews Cove

Visitors start flocking to the Helen, Georgia area this month as the weather improves and the kids get out of school. Helen has good restaurants, bars, shopping for the adults and amusement parks, tubing on the 'hooch, and a variety of other activities for the kids. Plenty of lodging accommodations are available throughout the area for whatever taste and budget you desire. The main attraction here is the beautiful setting in the Chattahoochee valley of the North Georgia Mountains, and there is no better way to enjoy the mountains than camping. All the campgrounds in the area will be open in May, and like other overnight opportunities, there is something for everyone. We decided to focus on some "real" camping this month-tent and small RV camping at Low Gap Creek Campground in the Mark Trail Wilderness, and Andrews Cove Campground just north of Helen on GA 75.

Low Gap Creek Campround

Waterfront Campsite on Low Gap Creek

Only about 5 miles from Helen, but a world away in the wilderness, Low Gap Creek Campground is a real jewel. 13 spacious campsites lie either next or adjacent to Low Gap Creek as it tumbles down to meet the Chattahoochee. This is "real" camping..no electricity, one water source, no showers. There are chemical restroom facilities on site. The sites here are certainly large enough for a big pop up camper to medium sized RV, but most of what I've seen here is tent camping.

Low Gap Creek

Low Gap Creek itself is a pretty good trout stream, and fishermen use the area as well as hikers setting out for Low Gap Falls upstream. Access is easy from Poplar Stump Rd. just west of the Chattahoochee off Alt 75 in Robertstown-across from Cool River Tubing and the Helen Flea Market. Poplar Stump Rd. turns into Forestry Rd. 44 (well maintained gravel) that will lead you to the campground. The fee for camping is $10 per night. The bathrooms and campsites are wheelchair accessible.

Andrews Cove Campground

Entrance to Andrews Cove Campground

Consisting of 10 padded sites along Andrews Creek and situated just off GA 75 a few miles north of Helen, Andrews Cove is a bit more known and popular than Low Gap Creek. Also the beginning of the Andrews Cove Trail, which leads 2 miles to the Appalachian Trail, this campground is a good jumping off point for many mountain activities. Amenities are very similar to Low Gap-chemical toilets, limited water water source and no electricity. These campsites are not RV friendly at all, anything larger than a pop up would have trouble with the fit and negotiating the roadway. For folks with larger campers I would suggest checking out Unicoi State Park, Moccasin Creek State Park, or Yonah Mountain Campground which is a privately owned campground about 4 miles south of Helen. The nightly fee for Andrews Cove is $10 per night, first come first serve.
If you would like to plan a camping trip to the Helen area..or anywhere in the North Georgia Mountains... don't hesitate to email us if you have any questions we can help with -editor@mountainfreak.net. We have a good deal of experience in the area, and if we don't know the answer to your question it is very likely that we know someone who does. If you have a camping experience or advice you would like to share with our readers, use the same email link and let us know about it so we can share

Mountainfreak Music Review-John Sosebee

2008-05-30T11:02:00.001-04:00

Mountainfreak Review:

John Sosebee

John Sosebee says that he first heard Jimi Hendrix at age 14 and decided then he wanted to play the guitar for a living. John has reached back into the roots of Hendrix and countless others to the native American blues of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson in his one man show I recently took in at Wylie's in Dahlonega.
Armed with 3 guitars, a foot drum and a tambourine, the Jasper, Georgia native puts on a good show of delta based blues. He combines excellent finger picking and slide work with a voice made for singing the blues. This isn't "blues fusion" or some modern take on old standards, this is American music at it's very core.
Sosebee is also a member of the band Dripping Theater, where he says he does venture out into other musical areas. Check out John's MySpace page for more background, history, songs and information-and keep checking with Mountainfreak Music for upcoming dates so you can get out to see John either solo or with his band.

S.W.

2008-05-24T06:17:00.002-04:00

Big weekend May 24-25..Eco Music Festival and BBQ..

2008-05-15T09:12:00.004-04:00

Mountainfreak.net has finalized plans to attend the 1st annual Horsin' Around Barbecue Showdown in Hiawassee and the Eco Music Festival near Dawsonville. We will have reports from both in the June issue. Links with information about both events can be found in the May issue of Mountainfreak.net

Follow up on The BBQ Place in Dahlonega...

2008-05-11T13:17:00.005-04:00

I was by there a few days ago and it looks like The BBQ Place is no more. Totally cleaned out and up for rent. That's too bad-N Georgia needs more good BBQ joints and The BBQ Place had a chance to be pretty good with a few changes here and there. We are trying to get up to Blairsville this month to check out a new BBQ joint there that comes with some pretty good recommendations..stay tuned!

Unicoi State Park Camping

2008-04-30T20:18:00.002-04:00

March Camping at Unicoi State Park

I took my two sons and two of their friends up to Unicoi State Park for a couple of nights of tent camping, hiking and sightseeing just this past weekend, March 21-23. We started out setting up camp when we arrived on Friday afternoon and it couldn't have been nicer, probably 65-70 degrees. The boys had a lot of pent up energy from the ride up so we decided to hike the Bottoms Loop Trail that winds around the Unicoi Lake. It follows Smith Creek from near the camping area and winds its way on a wide path that made for an enjoyable hike.
Boys being boys (the 4 range in age from 12-15), they were hungry when we made it back to camp so we had a little lesson in fire building, which is when all else fails use charcoal lighter fluid! The wood we had brought from home was damp and I had forgotten kindling, so we gathered up some fallen twigs out of the woods and eventually got a fire going. After all the lighter fluid burned off we set about cooking some hot dogs and hamburgers, which were not as good as they would have been had we remembered to bring BUNS. Can you tell I don't camp very often? But it gets better. I had purchased a brand new Coleman multi fuel, top of the line lantern specifically for this trip. I had gotten a Coleman stove for Christmas from my wife (a hint?) that runs on small propane canisters. In my haste to pack and get ready I had purchased 4 canisters of propane and not a single drop of the liquid fuel required to burn the lantern. It was going to be a dark night spent with 4 boys who had just filled up on bunless burgers and beans. Fortunately we made it through and were able to buy some fuel at the trading post in the morning.
We had a lot of fun hiking some of the Smith Creek Trail, driving to Anna Ruby Falls and spending some time in Helen. While in Helen I was able to talk the boys into having a proper sit down meal inside a restaurant, and explain to them that the first camping trip of the year is kind of like a shake down cruise, or a dry run to make sure your equipment is working properly and that you have your packing list trimmed down to only what your need.

Michael (Clark W. Griswold) Allen

Flowery Branch, GA

Betty's Country Store/Supermarket in Helen

2008-04-30T20:15:00.002-04:00

The Best Grocery Store In North Georgia

My husband and I recently rented a condo in Helen, Georgia for a much needed weekend getaway. I had found Mountainfreak.net as we were researching things to do while in the mountains and had decided to see if I could contribute to the site something interesting about our trip, hoping we would see many interesting things!
As it turned out, the weather did not cooperate and we spent most of our time in the condo instead of carousing all over the mountains as I'd hoped. We did find a real unexpected pleasure however. The condo we rented had a wonderfully equipped kitchen, even an indoor grill, which sent us off in search of steaks on a Friday afternoon. I asked a full-time tenant in one of the adjacent condos where to go in Cleveland to buy some decent steaks and was somewhat surprised when she told me the best steaks around were available within walking distance, at Betty's Supermarket. We were thankful for the tip yet still dubious about the information as we made our way to Betty's. My husband's comment upon parking in the gravel lot across from Betty's was that it looked like a fancy feed & seed store, boy was he wrong! I wish Betty's was within walking distance of our home in north metro Atlanta!
We went nuts. We purchased 2 huge, thick hand cut Black Angus strip steaks, fresh salad ingredients, freshly baked bread, wild rice and some cheescake for dessert. The selection of local favorites combined with items from all over the world really impressed us both. We found 2 of our favorite wines and my husband's favorite micro brew beer as well. I'm sure many of your readers are aware of Betty's but for people like us who are just now discovering the north Georgia mountains we wanted you to know about it!

Contributed by Charlene Vecchio- Roswell, GA

Fly Brothers at Wylie's 3/21

2008-04-28T09:29:00.003-04:00

Seeing and listening to a good, tight band is one of the best ways I can think of to spend an evening. The Fly Brothers and Wylie's in Dahlonega provided both of those ingredients on a recent Friday night. A little blip about the venue-(see story on Eat & Shop page for more) Wylie's hosts local and regional bands and musicians in a very intimate and informal setting right on the square in downtown Dahlonega. Live music happens in the "Down Under" bar area below the main street level restaurant every Friday and Saturday night, with occasional weeknight shows.

The Fly Brothers are an Atlanta based band who, in the words of bassist/lead singer Justin Powell, "Love to play in the mountains every chance they get". They make the trip to play at Wylie's on a fairly regular basis in between dates all over the southeast. Joining Justin are lead guitarist Stephen Hendrix, drummer Scott Phillips, and Ben Farmer providing a second guitar and background vocals. The Fly Brothers create a sound that is hard to pin down-On this evening I heard the influences of reggae, funk, jazz, rock, bluegrass and even hip-hop within the first two sets. The guys worked off each other seamlessly to create a unique and energetic sound that is built around Powell's excellent 6 string bass foundation and vocals. This is fun music played by talented musicians..they can take you from jazz to reggae to bluegrass and back again within the space of minutes, all the while keeping the crowd into it and involved.
I was able to speak briefly with the band members between sets. They come across as nice, affable guys who love what they are doing and were happy to be there. That comes across in their music.
I would encourage all of you live music fans in the north Georgia mountains to get out and see the Fly Brothers on April 11, when they will be downstairs at Wylie's again-or check out their MySpace page for more dates, venues and information about the band.

SW-

Wylie's in Dahlonega

2008-04-28T09:28:00.006-04:00

I had the pleasure of dining and enjoying some good music with my son at Wylie's in downtown Dahlonega last weekend. The first thing that strikes you about Wylie's is the vintage three story building and how they have used the space to create three different atmospheres. The main restaurant is on the second (street level) floor, the third story with it's great view of the downtown square is used for larger parties and special events, and the downstairs houses a full service bar with tvs for sports viewing, the music stage and tables for drinking and dining. I didn't get a chance to ask the busy staff much about the history of the building, but with the plank floors, trim and high ceilings I would guess it to be around 100 years old if not older.
Wylie's has a varied dinner menu featuring but not limited to steaks, fish and seafood. The special while were were there was a mahi mahi dish that looked really good. We ate in the downstairs area, also known as "Wylie's Down Under", while watching the Fly Brothers set up for their show and some NCAA tourney action on the big screen. I had eaten a pretty big lunch earlier, so I wanted to keep it somewhat light for dinner. We started by splitting an order of fried jalapeno poppers (which led to an embarrassing moment involving hot cheese all over my arm which really amused my son) that were delicious. I ordered the "Southern Fried Chicken Salad" with some Greek dressing on the side and was able to sample some of the ribeye steak ordered by a friend who met us. I was really impressed with the steak, it was very tasty-made me second guess my choice of a "light" dinner. My light dinner was excellent as well..mixed fresh greens and tomatoes topped with chunks of well seasoned fried chicken. I only regret that I didn't order some of the fresh baked Portuguese bread to go along with the salad after seeing and smelling some of it being served at an adjacent table.

The Fly Brothers took the stage between 8:30-9:00 and put on a great show (see the Mountainfreak Music page). Overall it was a very enjoyable evening..good food, good music and excellent service. Wylie's serves Bass, Guinness, Sweetwater 420 and Bud light on tap along with a good selection of bottled beer. The downstairs bar is full service with a well rounded wine list . A lunch menu including burgers and sandwiches is available till 5 pm (except for Sundays). For more information see their website: www.wyliesrestaurant.com

Wylie's is located at 19 North Chestatee St, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Phone: 706.867.6324

The World Famous Yonah Burger

2008-04-28T09:28:00.005-04:00

Ok..maybe not "world" famous..but in the world around Cleveland and Helen in the north Georgia mountains, everybody knows about the Yonah Burger. For 40 years, the Yonah Burger restaurant has occupied the same spot on Georgia hwy 75 just north of Cleveland and in the shadow of Mt. Yonah. My father used to bring me here when I was a child-and very little has changed. It was a globally warmed 31 degrees with a little snow on the ground when I visited the Yonah Burger in early March on my way to Helen for a little hiking at Unicoi State Park-I needed some fuel. I didn't have to look at the menu, I ordered the Yonah Burger deluxe with fries for $3.99. Yonah burgers do not hit the grill until you place your order, no heat lamps or microwaves-just cooked to order on a very well seasoned steel griddle that imparts the flavor of every burger that has gone before, and that is a good thing. I had mine all the way and it was ready in about 5 minutes. The fries are sprinkled with a special seasoning salt as they come out of the deep fryer which helps distinguish them from your run of the mill burger joint fries. Service is quick and friendly and business is always brisk.
Burgers are not the only thing the Yonah Burger is "world" famous for...they serve a full breakfast that includes home made biscuits with "city" ham or "country" ham, bologna, tenderloin, steak, eggs, hot links and about 10 other options which can also be ordered on white bread toast as a sandwich. Biscuits and sandwiches run around $2 and a full plate breakfast can be had for less than $5. If you are not in the mood for a Yonah burger at lunch, other options include salads, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, bbq and chicken. Ice cream and shakes are also available. My one complaint with the Yonah Burger are their "world" famous fried pies...they are a tad greasy and the fruit filling comes out of a can..very average to me, but they have been serving and selling them since 1968 so I must be one of the few. The Yonah Burger is located at 2051 Helen Hwy. (GA 75), Cleveland, GA 30528. Phone-(706)865.4791

Trout Season Opens in North Georgia

2008-04-28T09:24:00.002-04:00

Visitors the the north Georgia mountains, and even folks who have lived in Georgia all of their lives, can be surprised to learn that there are nearly 4000 miles of fishable trout streams in the northern third of our state. From kids and beginners, to "corn dunkers", to expert fly fishermen after trophy trout on one of our public or privately managed streams-there is truly something for everyone. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is responsible for managing the public trout water and operate two hatcheries where rainbow, brown and brook trout are raised for stocking. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates a hatchery on Rock Creek (below) that helps stocking efforts in Georgia and North Carolina.

Trout season opens this year on March 29 and will run until October 31 on seasonal waters. We thought we would, in conjunction with opening day, offer a bit of info and some helpful links for both resident and visiting fishermen (and women!).
I think the most valuable advice I could give to anyone at this moment (5 days before opening day as I type) is DON'T GO TROUT FISHING ON OPENING DAY! I say that partly in jest..some anglers actually seem to relish not being able to find a place to park or fish your favorite stream without 30 of your closest friends casting to the same pool or eddy! All joking aside-there are plenty of fish to be caught and this is the first chance to wet a hook in most of our streams since last October. Savvy trout fishermen will be on the water when the sun comes up or do a little hiking to have some time to themselves, and with 4000 miles of trout water there are certainly good spots that are not as well known if you do your homework. Some of the more popular streams I expect to draw big crowds on opening day include Wildcat Creek, Cooper Creek, the Chattahoochee in and north of Helen, Dukes Creek and the Toccoa and Tallulah Rivers. I plan to go to either Cooper Creek or the upper 'hooch a few days after the season starts and catch whatever is left!.
My favorite method of catching north Georgia trout is ultralight spinning gear and small spinnerbaits. My largest to this point was a 4.5 lb. rainbow caught on a 1/16 oz Panther Martin spinner (black/yellow spots/gold blade) in the upper Etowah River. I am a decent to mediocre fly caster..but I find the smaller streams in to mountains to be frustrating to fly fish for someone of my skill level. These streams are generally shrouded in rhododendron and mountain laurel that doesn't leave a lot of room. I stick to a 5' graphite rod/spinning reel combo in these situations and save the fly rod for the larger creeks and rivers. There are many methods used for catching north Georgia trout..from kids, beginners and beer drinkers who bank fish with canned corn and nightcrawlers on the more popular and heavily fished streams to folks fishing guided private water for huge trophy trout and everything in between (like me!). A great place to start in your exploration of trout fishing north Georgia is NGTO (North Georgia Trout Online-linked below). Up to date, sometimes up to the minute info, photos, advice and locations to fish can all be found on their site. If you want to skip straight to the trophy trout arena I would check out Unicoi Outfitters in Helen or the Brigadoon Lodge on the Soque River near Clarkesville linked below.
North Georgia lakes also hold some trout, especially Lake Burton. My friend Robb, who lives near Lake Burton, sent me this photo of some trout he landed in Lake Burton last season-

I hope to be joining Robb for an outing soon! Whatever your skill level may be, there are plenty of trout fishing opportunities in the north Georgia mountains. Spring is a great time to visit and make fishing a part of your trip...and when you catch a few, send the pics and your story to Mountainfreak.net and we'll share them with our readers.

Some helpful links-

GA Dept. of Natural Resources- license, regulations, etc.
NGTO- the best resource for Georgia trout fishing
Unicoi Outfitters- tackle, equipment and guide service
Brigadoon Lodge- The "Augusta National" of GA trout fishing
Smithgall Woods - Reservation only fishing operated by GA State Parks

Articles we are working on for May:

2008-04-16T10:59:00.003-04:00

Nuclear Reactor in Dawson Forest..Georgia's Area 51?

State of the Live Music Scene in the N GA Mountains-with help form the folks at Music Matters Entertainment

Report from The Bear in the Square Festival in Dahlonega

Stay tuned....;-)

Funky Chicken Art Project

2008-03-23T23:27:00.001-04:00

Back in the mid 1980s I had friends with a cabin on Cochran Creek off Wesley Chapel Rd. not far from Amicalola Falls. A group of friends and I used that property as an access point for camping in the National Forest and exploring Cochran Creek Falls on numerous occasions. I remember seeing an old chicken house that was being converted into an artists' studio on the way to and from the area. At the time I was in my 20s and didn't have much interest in art of any kind, so I never stopped to investigate. Since then I've at least become curious about art and interested in southern folk pottery.
Recently I was making my way from Dahlonega over to the Jasper area and decided on a whim to check out the old stomping grounds off Wesley Chapel. This is when I came across The Funky Chicken Art Project. The old chicken house is gone but it's the same studio I remembered from years ago. This time I stopped. I'm glad I did.
I browsed for a while, enjoying the displays of contemporary fine art, folk art, pottery..and some unusual exhibits that defy explanation, at least by me...but help was on the way. I introduced myself to Christina White, one of the owner/artists, and she very graciously stopped what she was doing and enlightened me on the transformation from the old chicken house to the current studio. She also explained the setup, various artists exhibited, and anything else I inquired about. The highlight was when she brought out a story jug from a potter I had expressed interest in from her private collection.
The Funky Chicken Art Project is, in my mind, a "must do" if you are in the area. It is truly a unique experience that is hard to describe or explain and do it justice.

The Funky Chicken Art Project
1538 Wesley Chapel Rd.
Dahlonega. GA
706.864.3938
www.funkychickenartproject.com

North Georgia Arts Guild Meeting

2008-03-23T23:24:00.001-04:00

This photo of the mill on Raper Mill Rd. was taken by Lucy Venable

I was invited to attend the February meeting of the North Georgia Arts Guild as a guest of Lucy Venable, a local photographer and member. The purpose of the North Georgia Arts Guild is to promote artists and art awareness in the north Georgia mountains and surrounding areas. Since 1994 they have been a part of local fairs, events, art camps and charity in their community. Monthly meetings, which are open to the public, take place at 10 am. on the third Thursday of every month. The meetings are held at St. Helena's Catholic Church in Clayton and include demonstrations, art discussion and special guests.
The special guest at the February meeting was K. Terry Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie is a professional photographer specializing in animal and nature photography, and he brought along some of his work and equipment to display. He presented his photos with good humor and a wealth of knowledge. My favorite story was his description of a mother black bear and her three cubs showing up in the yard of his Black Rock Mountain Cabin....seems like by the time Mr. Guthrie had gone inside to fetch his camera the cubs had wandered over a ridge and the mama bear was inviting herself onto his front porch! He snapped some wonderful shots of the mother bear then urged her back into the woods with an air horn. The entire presentation was very interesting to the casual art fan like myself, and the technical knowledge about cameras, lens types and techniques generated a lot of discussion among the more serious photographers in the crowd. Mr. Guthrie has a website where you can view some of his work (including the mama bear photos)- www.mostlynature-photos.com. He also shows and sells his work at local galleries and events.
The North Georgia Artists guild has quite a varied roster of artists representing a wide array of media. Membership is open to both artists and friends of the arts. Current and upcoming events are profiled in a monthly newsletter. For more information log onto -

Vintage Music-Dahlonega

2008-03-23T23:23:00.002-04:00

Vintage Music started out in Dahlonega, Georgia 20 years ago and is known for high-end acoustic guitars. I found a very nice 1962 Gibson J-50 with an asking price of $1700. I thought that was pretty reasonable-the guitar was in very good shape and played great!
The whole shop is tiny. I mean it is smaller than my first apartment..and it has a mini recording studio inside. Ask John to let you hear some of the latest projects from the studio. It's kinda cool to hear new, fresh music from creative people. Granted, these are people are not likely to encounter on the radio, but they are for more interesting than most of what lives on the radio dial.
Musicians, you owe it to yourself to pick your way through this little place. It's loaded with character and a bargain or two. Stroll on over after you visit the Crimson Moon Cafe. The store is located just off the square at 37 South Park St. Just don't touch that J-50!

Rodney B.

The BBQ Place

2008-03-23T23:22:00.002-04:00

The BBQ Place is tucked into the end of a small strip mall just north of the square in Dahlonega off Hwy. 19. The menu includes your basic bbq joint fare: Pulled pork, chicken and ribs cooked over hickory in an outside smoker, beans, slaw and stew. (For the full menu-www.thebbqplace.net)
My first impression as I walked in for a late Saturday lunch was "clean and friendly", which is always a good start. I ordered the pulled pork plate with Brunswick Stew, slaw, and some very tasty iced tea. The pork is offered in sauce or dry, and upon the recommendation of the owner I opted for "in sauce". The small portion of pork was excellent-very tender and smoky, and the sauce was a well balance vinegar based with a good amount of tang but not overpowering. The requisite slice of white bread was nice and fresh....This part of the meal was just fine.
I have had much better Brunswick Stew and cole slaw, these offerings were average at best. I'll admit that I'm pretty picky when it comes to my stew-and The BBQ Place is not far away from having a good stew. Something needs to be done, however, to balance the acidity and "tinny" taste of the canned tomatoes used in the stew-the aftertaste totally negated the seasoning and smokiness of the meat and what I think would otherwise be a nice flavor. The cabbage in the slaw is overprocessed and the seasoning is bland. Visually, the slaw could pass for a helping of greenish grits. A good dose of salt and pepper from the table helped out with the seasoning, but the consistency is that of a hot dog condiment rather than a side dish. I will give the stew another try when I return to The BBQ Place (and I will), but I'll opt for chips or beans instead of the slaw.
My total bill for the pork plate and tea was $8.50..which is about average for a good que joint in north Georgia. I do generally expect larger portions for that price based on my dining at other bbq restaurants.
The BBQ Place has very good, well cooked pork..which is the first priority for a bbq joint, and the service is efficient and friendly. A little...no, a lot of attention to the side dishes would go a long way.

S.W.

The BBQ Place is located @ 2065 Hwy. 19, Ste. B in Dahlonega
Phone- 706.864.8819

Crimson Moon Cafe

2008-03-23T23:14:00.001-04:00

Crimson Moon Cafe is located in the old Parker-Nix Storehouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Parker-Nix Storehouse was a general store for nearly fifty years and is second only to the old courthouse as the oldest building on the town square.
The Crimson Moon Cafe bills itself as "The South's Most Intimate Music Venue". In fact, it hosts a Mountain Music String Pull every Sunday. According to the menu, you can just bring your instrument and sit in with everyone else. That isn't the thing that caught my eye, music wise, when I was there. I happened upon a handbill in the window advertising the appearance of Randall Bramblett. Not only has Randall played with some great bands in his time, including Chuck Leavell's Sea Level, his last solo album is some of the best music I've heard in a while. I became very excited about this place. Also, according to a placard on the table, the Crimson Moon will soon host the likes of Michelle Malone and Ellis Paul as well.
Now for the menu. The food is average sandwich shop fare with tourist trap pricing. I had a $9.00 blackened grouper sandwich with a small bowl of slaw. It was very tasty, but it was a $9.00 sandwich. On the plus side they do offer Sweetwater 420 and Anheuser-Busch's Organic Stone Mill Pale Ale (which is a decent brew) on tap.
All in all the food is pretty good, if not a little high priced. The beer is good, and the coffee is great. Combine all that with the musical offerings and the laid-back-semi-retired-hippie-chic atmosphere and it's not bad..not bad at all.

Contributed by Rodney B., Sugar Hill, GA

The Crimson Moon Cafe is located at 24 N.Park St. in Dahlonega
Phone- 706.384.3982

Lake Blue Ridge - Fisherman's Paradise

2008-03-23T23:04:00.001-04:00

When it comes to variety, it's hard for the north Georgia fisherman to top Lake Blue Ridge in the mountains near Morganton, Georgia. In addition to most of the species found in other north Georgia lakes, Lake Blue Ridge has stable populations of both walleye and smallmouth bass, fish species normally found much farther north in the U.S. and Canada. With spring and better fishing conditions rapidly approaching we wanted to take a closer look at this sometimes overlooked gem in the north Georgia mountains.
Lake Blue Ridge was created when the Blue Ridge Dam on the Toccoa River was completed in 1930. The dam was built for both flood control and power generation, and is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The lake level can fluctuate as much as 20' over the course of the year depending on rainfall and dam releases. The Toccoa River flows northwestward from the dam and becomes the Ocoee River upon entering Tennessee. The 3,290 acre lake is 11 miles long and has over 65 miles of shoreline, much of which lies within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
For boaters and fishermen, Lake Blue Ridge Marina offers a fee boat ramp and marine services. Morganton Point Campground and Lakewood Landing are additional popular boat ramps providing access to the lake. Camping, cabin rentals, and boat rentals are readily available in the Morganton/Blue Ridge area.
The hot fishing this month is for white bass as they congregate at the shoals where the Toccoa River enters the lake. Points and rocky bars in the northern end of the lake can hold large schools of these feisty gamefish. White bass in Lake Blue Ridge can reach 2.5-3 pounds and can be caught using minnows, small spinnerbaits, small jigs, spoons and curly tailed plastic grubs. White bass provide excellent table fare and bag limits are generous.
As the sun stays up a little longer towards the end of March, walleye become a popular target of anglers. Cloudy days and after dark are choice times for casting small crankbaits, plastic grubs and nightcrawlers against shoreline rocks and over rocky points. Deep vertical spoon jigging is an option for sunny days. Huge walleye tend to inhabit more northern climes, but 2-4 pound fish are common in Lake Blue Ridge. Walleye is, in my opinion, the best tasting fish that can be pulled from fresh water...but just keep what you can eat when you get home because they do not freeze well and are a valuable resource worthy of conservation.

April and May can bring increasing catches of smallmouth bass on Lake Blue Ridge. These fish average a little under a pound, but pound for pound will match any other freshwater fish for fighting ability. #5 and #7 Shad Rap crankbaits retrieved across rocky points are a popular technique for catching smallmouth, but they will also hit plastics and spinnerbaits. One friend of mine from nearby Cherry Log, Georgia fishes for smallmouths almost exclusively with his flyrod and enjoys good success. As summer conditions take over anglers have more success targeting smallmouths early and late in the day. Don't be surprised to hook a spotted or largemouth bass while targeting smallmouth. While not as plentiful here as on most north Georgia lakes, there are stable and catchable populations of both species.

Panfishing is a popular late spring and summer activity on Lake Blue Ridge. Crappie, bluegill, yellow perch and channel catfish all maintain good populations in the lake. minnows and small jigs will entice the crappie, especially during their spring spawning period. In my experience, a yellow perch will bite just about anything-and are very under-appreciated on the table. They have a very sweet, firm flesh that is similar to walleye. Bluegills are caught in good numbers off or near docks and around TVA placed fish attractor structures using red wigglers, but they are not picky and will strike a variety of baits and small lures-including dry and wet flies cast by fly fishermen. Catfish are most often targeted along rip rap banks near the dam.
Mainly due to the inflow of the well-stocked Toccoa River, rainbow and brown trout are occasional catches on Lake Blue Ridge. Not many fisherman target trout in the lake, but they are landed on a regular basis while fishing for other species. Finally, there are rumored to be large Muskies (Muskellunge) roaming Lake Blue Ridge, which would make the lake the southernmost fishery for these northern giants. I have never seen a Georgia caught muskie or even a picture of one, so I cannot vouch for the possibility of landing one in north Georgia. I enthusiastically welcome any readers to provide Mountainfreak.net with your stories, photos or reputable hearsay concerning muskie being caught in Lake Blue Ridge, along with any other outdoor adventures you have to share!

S.W.

Snowy Day Trip to Ellijay (Feb 2008)

2008-02-21T14:38:00.001-05:00

The forecast was for 2-3 inches of snow above I-20 last Saturday..what better time to head to the mountains of north Georgia! Actually, by the time I left north Atlanta to drop my son off in Woodstock the forecast had changed to more snow below I-20 than above and travel didn't seem to be an issue as we made our way west.
The plan was to drop my son at a friend's house for the afternoon and head up to Ellijay for lunch and loitering on the square downtown. Ellijay is very accessible from Atlanta-my route was up I-75 to I-575 to drop the kid off-then back on 575 north which turns into the limited access, but still 4 lane, GA 515 aka The Zell Miller Georgia Mountain Parkway...which takes you through Jasper and Talking Rock right into Ellijay.
Snowfall had just about stopped by the time I parked on the square, very light flurries but enough on the ground to provide a great backdrop in the hills surrounding the city. My first stop was The Antique Hound, one of two side by side antique malls located in the old historic brick buildings that line the square.. I was impressed the moment I walked into the shop. There were real antiques all over. So many of the "antique" malls in north Georgia have been infiltrated by weekend crafters and people selling new Chinese pocktknives that you really have to search to find something that could be described as antique. This isn't the case at The Antique Hound. All booths were full of predominately old and vintage finds. everything from old local farm tools and pottery to 1960's glass Christmas ornaments still in the box with the original price tags (89 cents). The Antique Hound is also a Case knife dealer and had a very good selection.
Just next door to The Antique Hound is First Mercantile Antiques. I was equally impressed with the quality of merchandise there, but not as impressed with the selection. Hopefully business has been very good and they need to replace and restock. Both stores are worthy of a visit and being next to each other makes it very easy.to hit them both.
Normally I try to eat somewhere I haven't tried when I can...but the River Street Grill was giving away free coffee and it was 29 degrees outside..it didn't matter at the moment that I had dined there before. I ordered a "build it" burger all the way topped with some pepper jack cheese. The burger was well cooked, the coffee was hot and the service was excellent. The River Street Grill is a no-brainer if you are in downtown Ellijay for lunch. The lunch menu is quite extensive with offerings ranging from a selection of salads to Rainbow Trout or a Ribeye Steak.
I wish I had more time to spend, but the radio weather folks were talking about the roads freezing up as the sun went down, and I was 90 miles from home. I did make one more stop at Ellijay Outfitters, which is tucked into one of the corner buildings right on the square. Ellijay Outfitters has a good selection of kayaks and outdoor gear. The gentleman working the store also took the time to tell me about their place on the Cartecay River where they rent tubes and kayaks-I'll have to take him up on that later, I think...maybe 3-4 months from now..maybe June...

The Mysterious Gazebo (Feb 2008)

2008-02-21T14:37:00.001-05:00

Many visitors to Helen, Ga. are curious about the Gazebo located adjacent to and just east of Hwy. 75 north of town. There is a little history surrounding the Gazebo and the Nacoochee Indian Mound upon which it was built.

The Gazebo was built by Captain J.H. Nichols in 1890. Captain Nichols purchased quite a bit of land in the Nacoochee Valley following the Civil War. His holdings included the land surrounding Anna Ruby Falls, which he named after his daughter. Across the road from the Gazebo and Indian Mound you can see the house that Captain Nichols built in the nineteenth century, which still stands and is known now as the Hardman-Nichols estate. The Nichols land holdings were sold to timber interests after his death, which led to Helen, Ga. growing up around the saw mills that followed.
The history of the Indian Mound that sits beneath the Gazebo goes back much further. This ceremonial mound is believed to be the center of an ancient Cherokee town known as Gauxule. Archaeological evidence uncovered during an extensive excavation done in 1915 indicate the Nacoochee Mound was in use in the late fifteenth century until sometime in the seventeenth century. Local legend even points to a visit by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto around 1540.
A local Helen resident told me that the Nacoochee Mound site has been sold to the state of Georgia and will be included within a new state park-but I have not been able to verify that information yet.
When you visit Helen, stop by and enjoy the unusual setting of a 1890 gazebo sitting atop an ancient Mississippian earthen burial mound..it is one of the most photographed scenes in north Georgia, for good reason.

Contributed by S. Nunnally, Cleveland, GA.

Winter Camping at Boggs Creek (Feb 2008)

2008-02-21T14:34:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine asked me a couple of weeks ago where he might be able to take a short weekend camping trip in the mountains. That was in the middle of January, and the choices are not quite as plentiful as they are during other seasons. Boggs Creek Campground was the first site to cross my mind. Many of the National Forest campgrounds shut down in the winter, and some of the state parks have to cut their water off due to the cold. Boggs Creek Campground is one of the National Forest Campgrounds that doesn't close..and there is no running water to cut off. It's cheap ($8 a night-self pay), close to Turner's Corner and civilization, which makes it an easy drive from metro Atlanta where my friend lives, and it's beautiful.
The campground straddles Boggs Creek, a nice sized stream with tumbling rapids and still pools shrouded in a valley of pines, oaks and rhododendron. There are 26 camper/tent sites and 6 tent only sites, all with fire ring grills and lantern posts. There are vault (outhouse style) toilets but with no running water there are no sinks/showers. Boggs Creek is haul it in, haul it out camping-take your fresh water and trash bags in and haul all of your trash home with you.

Outdoors Safety in the North GA Mountains (Feb 2008)

2008-02-21T14:32:00.001-05:00

Outdoors Safety in the North Georgia Mountains

The January abduction and murder of 24 year old Meredith Emerson, who was kidnapped while hiking in the Blood Mountain area of north Georgia, is a tragic reminder that we cannot take our safety for granted while participating in outdoor activities. Violent crimes are rare in the public recreation areas in north Georgia-and hikers, campers and fishermen have no reason to shy away from enjoying themselves in our woods and on our trails and streams.
We have enlisted the help of some experts this month to advise us and remind us of some things we can practice to help insure a safe experience while taking part in our favorite outside adventures. Pete Sadel and Charles Dean of Atlanta Single Hikers were kind enough to offer their opinions and advice on hiking in north Georgia. Atlanta Single Hikers was founded in 1995, and they schedule regular hikes for their members all over north Georgia and elsewhere. These guys have logged quite a few miles on our local trails. I asked Pete and Charles to comment on the relative safety of hiking in the mountains and for any tips they would offer.

Pete: "I would say that hiking in north Georgia is fairly safe, IF you follow some basic safety rules. Things like not hiking alone or at the very least leaving specific details of your hike with a friend or relative. Carry a cell phone and some means of protection."
"Hiking alone is pretty risky for a male or female, you can twist an ankle or fall down a rocky trail pretty easily. I've heard more than one story of people being attacked on the trail....Personally I tend to hike at the back of the group (usually 5-25 hikers) to be sure no one is left alone. As an old Boy Scout I lean on some of the tried and true safety rules; Don't hike alone or if you must leave details with someone as I mentioned. If hiking with a group, stay together. Bring a mini-survival kit with you in case you wind up hurt or lost. Bring a really loud and obnoxious whistle. Don't forget a compass and maps are your friends. Pepper spray is a good idea-some of it is even made to work on bears. I occasionally feel that I'm being a bit paranoid, but unfortunately recent events have justified that-a little paranoia can go a long way."

Charles: "I agree with Pete on much of this, especially following the basic safety rules. I would add that I think hiking in north Georgia is pretty safe. If you look at the crime rates among people hiking, the rates are very low. A very public incident like the murder of Meredith Emerson can give people the impression that something is more dangerous than it is-like the way the movie "Jaws" affected beachgoers. Of course one can be attacked in the woods, just like anywhere else, but the actual number of incidents is low. Any incident like the recent one is terrible and very sad."
"I carry a knife and pepper spray on the trail. I haven't used either on human or animal. I'm an old Boy Scout, too, so I try and follow the rules Pete mentioned."

For another perspective I posed some of the same questions to Stuart Taylor, a friend who is an avid hunter and fisherman, and also works for a local law enforcement agency. I specifically asked Stuart about fishing and camping alone in the mountains...means of protection...and any other advice he might have to offer.

Stuart: "The main thing is (if you are alone or in a small group) always let someone know exactly where you plan to be and for how long you will be going. Make sure that person knows how to contact the Sheriff's office or local patrol post/ranger station in that area. Use common sense and don't put yourself in places you may not be able to handle. Be in shape for the terrain and carry a basic "Oh Crap" bag with some survival items in case you get lost or hurt. Carry a cell phone and a good map and compass you know how to use."
"Use caution when you are approached by another person in a remote area. Trust your gut instinct-if something doesn't seem right, it more than likely isn't. If confronted, the first rule is RUN!, disengagement is always your best option. Run with a purpose-to get to your vehicle or to create distance so that you can defend yourself, and if you have to fight use your pepper spray (with at least 10% OC Concentration, the higher the % the better). If there are or could be other people in the area, scream and make noise."
"As far as the safety of being alone while in the wilderness, I would not hesitate to fish, etc. alone in north Georgia...but I wouldn't take off to the middle of the Cohutta Wilderness by myself unless I knew that area very well. Some warning signs that an area might not be safe include groups of people who don't seem to fit the area..signs of marijuana cultivation or drug manufacture..if you know the area, you notice changes or something out of place. Trust your instincts."

I really appreciate Pete, Charles, and Stuart adding their insights and knowledge. We all need to beware of complacency concerning any activity that may involve risk..but risk, by definition, can be calculated. A careful assessment beforehand is advised for anyone heading out to the woods, no matter the level of experience. Being aware and prepared only adds to the comfort and enjoyment we can experience while taking part in the outside world.

S.W.

I was little late....

2008-01-12T11:38:00.001-05:00

Articles for January were not saved-sorry!