Helen, GA

Many modern visitors flock to Helen Georgia in late September though October for the annual Oktoberfest celebration.

But what many modern day revelers may not realize as they enjoy the festivities of the fall season is that the area was home to ancient civilizations and was a popular spot long before the arrival of European settlers.

Ancient Mississippian tribes inhabited nearly all of the fertile river beds in Georgia thousands of years before the arrival of the colonists. They constructed mounds in the river valley not only to ceremoniously bury their dead, but also to have a place to build important civic structures above the alluvial flood plain.

So if you take a trip to the Georgia Mountains this Autumn, spend a few moments reflecting on the rich anthropological history of the region.

After all, we may walk these valleys but a short time.

Photo: Mississippian burial mound in the Nacoochee Valley near Helen GA.

About 90 minutes north of Gwinnett County, GA, is the gateway to the North GA Mountains. Unofficially, Cleveland, GA, is probably the gateway for those coming from the eastern suburbs of Atlanta.

And only 20 minutes north of Cleveland (and Babyland General, its most famous business) is Helen, GA. It is a Bavarian-styled village, most known for its OktoberFest and tubing on the Chattahoochee River.

Of course, we visited during one of the coldest Januarys on record... no Oktoberfest and certainly no tubing on the river.

But that doesn't mean the town rolls up and closes... No, there is still plenty to see in Helen. It is a lovely little town. There are some great "Bavarian-themed" shops. There is also a really cool model railroad that captures apline style.

Helen was on the eastern edge of the first gold rush. Nearby Dahlonega was the western edge of the rush in 1828. There are still businesses in both areas that allow tourists to pan for gold. After the gold mining slowed, the next boom was timber. In 1913, the valley was named 'Helen' after the daughter of a railroad surveyor as the railroad built into the valley. By 1931, the virgin timber was all but gone and operation ceased.

By the 1960s, Helen was suffering. Despite the natural beauty of the area and the nearby Anna Ruby Falls, tourism wasn't making it. By 1970, the buildings had been re-styled into the Bavarian Apline village there now.

Whether you are there for Oktoberfest or to grab a German dinner, to tube the 'Hooch or hike to Anna Ruby Falls, Helen is a great day trip or weekend for those of us from Atlanta or Gwinnett County, GA.

And just before you get to Helen on GA75 sits the Nora Mill Granary, established in 1876.

It is certainly fun to see the buildings... knowing that they have been in operation for most of the last 134 years. The thick sawn lumber in the post and beam construction has a rough beauty to it. This is a building built for a purpose. But that isn't the only thing...

There are the grains. The Cornmeal, Grits, Pancake Mix, Wheat and Porridge are excellent. They also stock lots of regional specialties like sorghum, jellies, jam and honey. they also carry cast iron cookware and a few other items. For the milled items, they are truly stone ground.

During the summer it is a great stop to make. Watching the fish below the dam and taking in the beautiful views makes for a great break from the car.

And the stone ground grits make for a great reminder of the trip.. and an excellent excuse to go back.

If you have been visitng our north Georgia Mountains and Helen, you know it is cold outside and it is sometimes cold inside! The fireplaces and fire pits have been working overtime. I was unfortunate when i moved here 20 years ago, I got the "light, bright" home I wanted, but no fireplace. Yes it does have a wood stove, which is okay, but it is not a fireplace. And it is not conveniently placed to use for heat. All the heat rises to the loft level, and it is blocked by the dining area too! If you want a fireplace, you want a fireplace! Something you can see from your sitting area, some place you can actually roast marshmellows, or at least enjoy seeing the flames behind the glass! Ever notice how many fireplaces you can find in a home? One inside the house, one in the outside kitchen and then a firepit to enjoy around a seating area. If you are dreaming of your cabin, second home, or just a rental for the weekend, I can help you find one With A FIREPLACE! (Or without, if you have allergies and cannot use a fireplace) Let's talk, I can help!

Driving home yesterday, I happened to look up at the mountains surrounding Skitts Mountain Road in Cleveland Georgia and all of a sudden it hit me, I missed Fall in the north Georgia mountains. For the first time in 20 years, I missed Fall. Yes, it can happen. How many of you missed Fall? I realized last night in the dark, sweeping off the tons of leaves which covered my deck and walkway to the Chattahoochee River, I had truly missed seeing all these leaves in their splendor BEFORE they fell to my deck in a dismal brown layer, rapidly decomposing thanks to all the rain we have experienced in the past weeks. For some reason this year we have had unseasonably cold nights, not enough time to sit outside and look at the stars and smell the fire pit with a nice glass of wine. What happened? Life happened. Events which demanded more of my time than did the splendor of fall. Days inside institutions, nights racing home only to go back again in the mornings. Worries about tests, change of lifestyle, facing mortality, all these deminish abilities to enjoy even the most majestical star laden sky. Sadness and love are two sides of the same coin. How the coin toss turns out determines when and if you appreciate the events of the seasons. Stop, smell the roses. Move to the mountains, do it now. Time waits for no man nor woman, and yes it can happen..you can miss Fall. An extra hug to you all.

This promises to be a weekend when you JUST, MUST be in Helen and northeast Georgia! The weather will be beautiful, crisp and snappy, a wonderful example of what October should be, made for fall! Come on up and see all the leaves, sample all the food, and just plain enjoy! Just bring a container to take back home some pumpkins and fall flowers. You will want some comfortable shoes, walking here is sometimes on gravel, rock and yes dirt!!! You don't want to worry about ruining a pretty pair of shoes and our red Georgia clay is most difficult to remove, so bring comfortable OLD shoes. Also, think layers. It will be much cooler in the evenings and warm during the middle of the day. The gals have plenty to do, but don't forget the guys, plan some time to take a tour of nearby camp grounds, and Mark of the Potter over on Scenic Hwy 197, in Batesville area. You can buy pottery, but the guys can go out on the back porch and feed the trout they can only dream about catching. Yes the trout are protected, there are even hidden cameras to prevent avid fishermen from trying to fish at night.

Don't forget you can enjoy are area for a weekend home. Email me, let me tell you about the wonderful places for sale right now..great northeast Georgia investments and second homes. Let's talk soon!