The Road to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia

We have a race way in the mountains! It's lots of (loud) fun for the whole family! Races are on Friday! For more detailed information about the different races and some photos, check out their website.

You don't have to buy a house in the Blue Ridge mountains. You could always purchase a vacant lot or some acreage and have your own home built. If you go to any bookstore and look through their magazine racks, you're bound to find some magazines on cabins or house plans. Then you could have a local builder, such as Wolf Creek Builders, to build your dream home. This way everything is built with your specifications, you can keep the home and land in the family, and it's more special when you've been there from start to finish.


 

Blue Ridge is a wonderful place to live, but also to relocate, expand, or begin a business here. The median age is roughly 39 years old, and population has seen nothing but growth over the past few years. There is very little unemployment, a good sense of community, and always room for growth.
There's some residents who have wishlists of franchises to come out here, and by others they wish Blue Ridge to remain the close-knit community it has always been. But one thing they would all agree on is that there is prosperity here.
For more business information contact our local Chamber of Commerce
 

Ever been to a drive-in movie theater? Did you even know that some are still around to this day? There's one right in Blue Ridge! It's called the Swan Drive-In and it's been around since 1955. You can see brand new releases within the comfort of your own car and just tuning in your radio to their signal. They do have a concession stand and they allow RVs and campers!
 

The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce is a real testament of how much people love living in this area and the pride they have for being a Blue Ridge resident. Try visiting their website - Blue Ridge Mountains Online - and you can get a real feel for our little neck of the woods. They have a wonderful itinerary for those of ya'll visiting us, and even self-guided tours. They have wonderful resources for all your tourist needs in the area.

For those of you thinking of moving here, I highly suggest contacting someone like myself, who has lived here all my life. I'm able to give you the "ins and outs" of this town. You can also visit my resource page for any information you may be seeking.
 

There's nothing else in this world like Blue Ridge, GA. There's many different types of real estate available in this area that really fits to every budget, dream, and location. Some of the choices are:

- Subdivisions. Just like you see in suburbia. With or without gated communities.
- Log cabins. You know the ones you've always dreamed about as a kid? We have plenty of those... some with close-by neighbors and some not so close.
- Water front property. Lake Blue Ridge is a prestigious mountain lake located in the Blue Ridge mountains (hence the name) and has some of it's shoreline developed for housing.
- Mountain property. You can buy (or build) any type of home you want in the mountains. Who says it has to be a log cabin?
- Living near the city. The city of Blue Ridge is small enough to feel close to your neighbors and just big enough to have all the amenities of a big town. You can opt to live near the buzzing downtown area because homes are available there too.

There really is something for everyone here. From homes, to attractions, to price tag.. Blue Ridge offers so much to the North Georgia mountains. Check back here often as I plan to speak more about the Blue Ridge area because I'm a life long native here. You tell me where you want to go and I can show you how to get there. Go ahead and take a look at my listings!
 

Did you know there's a magazine called Cabin Life? The magazine is all about cabin life and cabin culture with a ton of informative articles in each monthly issue. You can take a sneak peek at what articles are in the current issue by going to their website...some this month are Building Your Own Kayak, Well-Stocked Pantry, and the Featured Getaway.
 

Running through the North Georgia Mountains is the Southern Highroads Trail which is a driving destination through 13 counties and 4 states. It's a unique opportunity to see the best of the Appalachian Mountains via your car. Along the trail is participating retailers, lodging, restaurants, attractions, state parks, and more. What makes this vacation so alluring is the freedom of going where you want to go and always finding a great place to stay, eat, and shop. You customize the vacation to best suit your needs and wants.

Blue Ridge is one of the main attractions on the Southern Highroads Trail. So for you residents out there looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon, why don't you grab a brochure from the local Chamber of Commerce or go to the website and request one.. and then start the drive to meet your neighbors! Your route is planned so you know where you're going and what you'll see. For real estate seekers this is a great opportunity to see all that Blue Ridge (and the North Georgia mountains) area can offer you.

There's literally something for everyone and every family. For tourists it's a great way to explore the North Georgia Mountains and for residents it's a great way to get acquainted with your neighbors. If you see those blue markers alongside the highway that says Southern Highroads Trail.. you know you're going in the right direction! Download a map or call/email for a brochure today!

There's a lot of hiking to be done in our mountains! Here are a few trails to consider:
(All of these links go to Georgia Trails which is a valuable resource for hikers and those interested in walking nature trails)

FANNIN

Benton MacKaye Trail - Long trail that covers the western Appalachians, this 50 mile trail runs from Springer Mountain to the Cohutta Wilderness

Cohutta Panther Creek Trail - Climbs to the Cohutta's Panter Creek Falls

Long Creek Falls - Follows the Appalachian Trail to the blue blazed Long Creek Falls side trail.

UNION

Brasstown Bald Trail - Climb to Georgia Highest Point, Brasstown Bald

Slaughter Creek Trail - Probably the easiest access trail to the AT in Georgia, hikers use it for access to Blood Mountain

Helton Creek Falls - Brief hike through a cool mountain cove to two waterfalls, both of which are on Helton Creek. An observation deck has recently been added in the area of the second falls.

GILMER

Springer Mountain - Shortest access path to the top of Springer Mountain, this trail has scenic views, shelter and privy.

Oak Ridge Nature Trail - Scenic trail along a ridge overlooking Carters Lake

Once you've decided on your route, please check out these safety tips from the Georgia State Parks website. Stay safe!

Picking a cabin rental can be a daunting task. There are a lot of rental agencies out there that it could be a hit or miss on picking the right one. So how do you do it?

1) The first thing you need to do is know exactly what you need in a cabin and then you can list things you'd like in a cabin. Prioritize your list and know which things you simply can not negotiate on.

2) Go on any search engine and do a cabin rental search in the city you're visiting. The right cabin rental site will have many pictures of their cabins (inside and out), their rates posted, their policies listed, and as much information about who they are. Go through their site and look at their cabins.. is that something you're looking for? If so.. jot down their name and number on your list. You'll need that in a moment.

3) Before you give these places a call... do a little more search online and see if some of these cabin rental agencies have any reviews. You can go on Google Maps or Yahoo Local to check.

4) Now you can give the companies a call and talk with the staff. Ask all the important questions you have, which may include how close are the neighbors, how far are you from local attractions, is the cabin reachable during inclement weather?

5) Finally... book your cabin!

If you're planning on visiting the Blue Ridge mountain area, we recommend Nevaeh Cabin Rentals and Mountain Laurel Cabins.

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway begins its journey in downtown Blue Ridge, GA and has a stop in McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN. The trip is 26 miles round trip and takes about 3 1/2 hours. Guaranteed it'll be the most relaxing and picturesque 3 hours you've spent in a long time!

The new 2008 operating schedule begins March 1st at 9:30am! So hop on board!