May 2022--If someone had told me I would be enjoying extended stays in the state of North Carolina, I would have told them flat out they were wrong. I knew nothing about the state except that Michael Jordan spent his college days playing basketball for the Tar Heels. (I probably should have paid more attention in my U.S. geography classes.)
That was then. This is now.
Like a lot of people—especially those who are retired—we grew weary of the freezing temperatures, icy roads and snow drifts. We also love the four seasons—but in moderation.
We found our way to a small, rural town in North Carolina—about as far west as you can be in the state---bordering Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. This quaint town is in the Blue Ridge Mountains—a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. Besides the breathtaking scenic views of the mountains and a beautiful lake, one of the things we love most about this area is the people. As a matter of fact, this little town was named #4 in Reader Digests’ Friendliest Places to Live in America. And it is so, so true. Although it hasn’t been that long, we are feeling like we have met some of the best people—friendly, down-to-earth folks and so hospitable. And did I mention fun?
Life in the Fast Lane
The South is known as a place where people move slow. I’d have to agree with that. It’s an unhurried pace that truly lets you soak in all the natural beauty—from the hillsides and mountain tops to the rivers and lakes. But I feel like we’ve been living life in the fast lane. Each day there’s something new to discover and we definitely have been taking advantage of what this beautiful area has to offer. And enjoying it with the wonderful people we’ve met.
*Caution: what you are about to read may sound like a commercial. Know that no animals were harmed in this testing and no monies were received in return for favorable comments. It’s truly all just from the heart.*
For starters, Lake Chatuge is just a few minutes from us—and probably thousands of others as the shoreline stretches for 132 miles in North Carolina and crossing the border into Georgia. If you have (or rent a boat,) you can spend hours upon hours on this lake and not see all it has to offer in the way of beautiful scenic mountain views. If you’re not on the water, you can hike trails that run alongside it. We’ve done both.
We took a ride to see Dry Falls—just a little northwest of Highlands, NC. It’s a 65-foot waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, and it is beautiful to see. It was hard for me to see all the beauty with my eyes closed. Had no choice—winding roads way up high. Heights are still not my favorite. I know I missed a lot on the way up and and on the way down as I moved to the back seat.
Also had a chance to see the Historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, NC. Wow. Wow. Wow. The lodge is on 120 acres in a mountainous area of the Nantahala National Forest and it’s right up alongside the Cheoah River. It was a great place to eat—awesome food and friendly staff. It also has quaint cabins.
And—it’s right near the start of the Tail of the Dragon, an 11-mile stretch with 318 curves and hairpin turns, that starts in North Carolina and ends at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee. Did that ride once and for me, it was one too many. I think I’m in the minority when it comes to not liking that section of road. I personally didn’t like it, but it’s a popular attraction, especially for motorcycles and sports cars.
Another fun place we went to is Caffe REL in Franklin, NC. It’s a cute little bistro-type restaurant attached to a gas station. Best “gas station food” you’ll ever have or for that matter best food you'll ever have from anywhere. The atmosphere is great, and the food is even better.
Spent an afternoon fly fishing in a local river. Me—the one who has never fished, isn’t crazy about the water and doesn’t even eat fish. But it was exhilarating to stand in thigh-high water casting and hoping for a bite. No luck with the bites—but it was still a lot of fun.
Being so close to the Georgia border, we took in a lot of sights in the Peachtree state. Visited with family living there and spent several sunny afternoons in a vineyard. Plus, spent some time at a local wine shop in Hiawassee where we danced to the music of local musicians and laughed with newfound friends on an outdoor deck overlooking Lake Chatuge. And, it's where I've discovered my new favorite wine!
We also spent just about an entire day out at Gibb’s Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia. Went with two of our neighbors and it was amazing to see. There are more than a dozen gardens spread out over 220 acres full of some of the most beautiful flowers. We even sat for a spell on some Adirondack chairs up at the Manor House—which is the owner’s home. It was no wonder I got in more than 15K steps that day.
Just about 29 miles from us is Helen, Georgia. It’s definitely a touristy area—but also definitely worth seeing. This little mountain town in northeast Georgia is known for its vineyards and Bavarian-style buildings, as well as campsites, lakes, walking trails, waterfalls, and historic sites like an 1870 homestead and the Nacoochee Indian Mound burial site. Took a ride out there with my daughter and we had a nice time. (Of course got some chocolates, too!)
This wasn’t my first trip there. I first went out there in the summer of 2020 because I had heard a Hallmark movie was filmed there. And at the time I was SO into Hallmark movies. It was partially true. It’s believed “The Sweetest Christmas” was inspired by Helen, GA, but it turns out that movie was filmed in British Columbia. But, a Lifetime Network movie, “A Taste of Christmas” actually was filmed in 2020 in Helen and in Dahlonega, GA, which is not too far from us. So, I guess part of that was right. And then I learned Hallmark’s “Christmas in Homestead,” one of my personal favorites was filmed in Dahlonega, GA. (Note to self: visit Dahlonega next time down here. If not for the movie sites, then to see the “little dive bar” made famous by country artist Ashley McBryde.)
It was a fun, fast-paced winter down in the mountains and we loved our time there. The people—the scenery—all of it. Time went by so, so fast and before we knew it, we were back up in the Midwest. If you’ve never been to North Carolina, the North Georgia mountains, and the surrounding areas, you really need to add it to your bucket list. And go see as much as you can and
take it one day at a time...
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