Almost Vacation Time

It's that time of year when we really start getting excited about our annual family vacation. We have spent five vacations in the Blue Ridge, Georgia area, and enjoyed it so much that we're going back again. There will be 11 of us this time, ranging in age from 10 months to 87 years, and we have reserved a mountain lodge located on Noontootla Creek, a small mountain stream situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia, approximately 12 miles from the quaint little mountain town of Blue Ridge. If you are within driving distance and planning a family vacation or reunion, you might want to consider the Blue Ridge area as your destination. We love the mountains and the reason we especially enjoy Blue Ridge is because it offers something fun for everyone, regardless of interests or age. For the adventurous, there's whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding, trout fishing, and exploring waterfalls. You can also take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, explore the abundance of antique and gift shops in the area, or just sit on your cabin porch and enjoy uninterrupted views of surrounding gorgeous mountains ranges and the sounds of a rushing mountain creek or river below. Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad Depot While all of those things are fun to do, I think one reason our family vacations are so enjoyable is because of where we stay. In 2008, in anticipation of our first vacation, my daughter and I were "googling" luxury mountain cabins in the Blue Ridge area, trying to find accommodations that would suit the needs of our family. We needed a cabin that would provide enough room for 10-11 people to comfortably sleep, eat, and relax without being crowded. We soon realized that that was not going to be an easy task. Oh, we found lots of luxury cabins, but some didn't have enough bedrooms ... others didn't have enough bathrooms ... and still others had (horrors!) carpet and upholstered furniture, which we didn't want (I know, we're picky!). But we're also diligent ... and, finally, one day all our searching paid off. That was the day we discovered a website called North Georgia Cabin Rentals, and we were thrilled with the incredibly luxurious lodges described there. We soon discovered that they are just as beautiful "in person" as they are in the photos featured on the website. Custom-built, owned, and maintained by Mr. Gary Knight and his wife, Lissa, the lodges range from 2-6 bedrooms and are elegantly decorated with upscale furnishings and accessories. They feature large gourmet kitchens with top-of-the-line appliances, granite countertops and eating islands, game rooms (with pool tables, air hockey, or table tennis), luxurious bathrooms with granite countertops, hot tubs, fireplaces ... well, I could go on and on, but you can click here to visit Gary's website (North Georgia Cabin Rentals), and see these extraordinary vacation lodges for yourself. The cabin we'll be staying at this year is called Serendipity, and the pictures on the website are absolutely gorgeous. This will be our first visit to Serendipity, and I look forward to seeing it all "in person." This probably sounds like an advertisement for Gary's cabins, and, perhaps, in a way, it is ... but it's because I know what we went through trying to find a perfect place for our family vacations. If I can help someone else discover the pleasures of Blue Ridge, Georgia, and Gary Knight's beautiful cabins and gracious hospitality, then, so be it. Working with Gary is truly a pleasure and I know you won't be disappointed. He appreciates your business, and goes "the extra mile" to make your vacation experience a happy and memorable one. We are all counting the days (only 18 to go!) until ours begins ...

Dirt Roads

Written by Paul Harvey Some photos borrowed from the Internet What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved. There's not a problem in America today — crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency — that wouldn't be remedied if we just had more Dirt Roads ... because Dirt Roads give character. People who live at the ends of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride, and that it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes. But it's worth it, if at the end is home ... and a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog. We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along. There was less crime in our streets before they were paved. Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by five barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there were no drive-by shootings. Our values were better when our roads were worse! People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous. They didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust and bust your windshield with rocks. Dirt Roads taught patience. Dirt Roads were environmentally-friendly. You didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk -- you walked to the barn for your milk. For your mail, you walked to the mail box. What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part. Then you stayed home and had some family time -- roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn, and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders, and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody. At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap. Most paved roads lead to trouble. Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole. At the end of a Dirt Road ... the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini. At the end of a Dirt Road ... there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out. Usually you got a dollar, but always, you got a new friend ... at the end of a Dirt Road! I miss Paul Harvey, don't you?