Fannin County GA's Claims to Fame

Though I've always lived in the North Georgia Mountains, I never knew just how unique Fannin County truly is until yesterday. Of course, anyone can see the area's beauty, with unbeatable mountain views, pristine lake and streams, and small town charm. And I'm grateful that I live here and that, by selling real estate, I get to bring others to this picturesque setting and introduce them to our friendly, small-town culture. But I never knew that Fannin County had two great claims to fame until I was researching area hiking trails yesterday.

The first claim to fame that I stumbled upon is the Swinging Bridgethat crosses the Toccoa River. It is 265 feet long, making it the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi. This bridge is a part of the famed Benton MacKaye trail and crosses at one of the river's most scenic points.

The second new tidbit that I learned concerns the Cohutta Wilderness Area, some of which is located in Fannin County. With a total of 40,000 acres, this perserve is actually the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. In fact, the area is so large that it reaches all the way to the Tennessee/North Carolina border.

Really, I suppose there are two lessons to take away from my experience. The first one obviously concerns the fame of Fannin County. But the second, perhaps, is more significant. You see, just as with many things in life, I suppose I took these places for granted a bit, not knowing just how rare that they are. Such a realization helps bring new perspective, I think, and a new appreciation of the wonders that surround us every day.

(Thanks to the Fannin Co Chamber of Commerce for being such a great source.)