The MAGIC of LAKE BURTON
Day dreaming while riding in a boat on Lake Burton, it's easy to forget the troubles that plague your life. Comfort is inevitably found in the gentle rocking motion of the vessel and the sound of lapping waves as you stare into the robin's egg blue sky and watch the Red Tail hawks and an occasional bald eagle soar overhead.
Life on Lake Burton is simple, yet sophisticated. The mix of lifestyles is evident as are the variations of architectural styles of both the homes and the boat houses. While some houses are large and elaborate, others are quaint and their humble beginnings as mere fish camps are obvious. It's always fun to take first time visitors for a tour around the lakeshore to look at the boathouses. Many are more elegantly constructed than the houses they belong to.
Small or large, old or new, impressive opulence or faded glory, each house on Lake Burton sports its own name. From ‘Sticks ‘n Stones', an elaborately detailed Adirondack style home with 7 bedrooms and 9 baths to ‘Uncle Fred's', a bungalow ‘up the river', directions can be followed by those in the know simply by going past ‘Uncle Fred's' up toward Camp High Harbor or by taking a right turn at ‘the water safety man'.
Hungry fish wait for fishermen at the Cat Gap ‘put in' in the Persimmon Valley. The regular lake-goers and locals have their favorite spots to eat around the lake. The snack bar at Anchorage Marina serves both hotdogs and enormous hamburgers cooked and topped however you request. Joanie's, located just off the lake on Laurel Lodge Road, is noted for the fresh seafood that arrives weekly. Families used to crowd around the outdoor tables to share the many Italian style dishes served at Pazzo's near the southern entrance to Laurel Lodge Road, but a sign posted there as of February 2009 states the restaurant is for lease. If and when it re-opens, I'll let you know.
Situated on the mountain to the north and overlooking the lake is Waterfall at Lake Burton . Many Lake Burton home owners are members of the club and find it a welcome respite for activities on rainy days. Golfers love it because they play on what Golf Magazine called 'One of the top 5 golf courses in Georgia'! The most recognized name of all places on Lake Burton is LaPrade's. Originally a fish camp opened in 1925 by the LaPrade's family, the new LaPrade's is now a full service marina with slip rentals, boat rentals and the only water front dining on the lake at both the Lakeside Grill and the Water's Edge Restaurant. LaPrade's and Joanie's are both also noted for the famous faces that show up from time to time. While these folks may be notables, no one takes much notice. Lake Burton is just that kind of place.
No matter your reason for being at Lake Burton, you can't help but fall in love with the lake and everything about it. As you watch the sun sparkle off the clean, clear mountain water and hear the sounds of laughter and happiness all around, it is impossible not to be transported into a time of joy and relaxation.
Lake Burton's magic touches everyone; all you have to do is be ready to embrace it.
For a tour of Lake Burton by car or by boat, give me a call or send me a message. I'd love to show you around!
The New York Times recently referred to Georgia's 'mountain-lakes' area as 'the Hamptons of Atlanta". Rabun County, Georgia - "Where Spring spends the Summer" - is unique in that while the area can be accessed in under two hours from any part of metro Atlanta, Asheville, Greenville, Gainesville or Athens, these mountain lakes are still a well-kept secret. The three lakes in Rabun County are Lakes Burton, Seed and Rabun. All three were built in the early 1900s by Georgia Power and remain three of the most pristine lakes in the United States. Fed by the Talulah River and numerous smaller tributaries ,but no longer used primarily for producing hydro-electric power, the lakes offer boating and water sports and numerous other opportunities for family fun. In addition, visitors and residents enjoy white water rafting, fabulous fly fishing, hiking on the Appalachlian Trail, Georgia's highest state park - Black Rock Mountain State Park, numerous waterfalls, Foxfire and the Talulah Gorge.
I have been an active REALTOR since 1978 - working in the metro Atlanta market until coming to Rabun County in 2004. Twice Realtor of the Year for the Metro-South Association of Realtors; twice President of the Metro-South Association of Realtors; recipient of the JL Christian Award; graduate of the Realtors' Institute (GRI), holder of M-ABR, E-Pro, served as chairman of 8 statewide committees for GAR including the first 2 year chair of the Georgia Realtors Political Action Committee (2003-2004) and Education Commitittee Chair in 2007; actively involved in Senator Johnny Isakson's campaign. Currently a member of the Rabun County Board of Realtors, the Rabun County Multiple Listing Service and The First Multiple Listing Service in Atlanta.
Occasionally I have the opportunity to work with persons who require anonymity and that trust is a respected part of my business. Entertainment and sports figures feel comfortable here because they and their families can lead a 'regular' life - free from the hubbub of their workday worlds.
If you're looking for excitement other than that of landing a trout, dodging a family of wild turkeys as they cross the road, finding a waterfall at the end of a trail, making a great golf shot or 'shooting' a canyon in a raft on whitewater - you'll need to find somewhere else for your home. Georgia's mountain lakes are easy to get to, but those of us who live here or come for vacations or the summer, find it almost impossible to leave.
For more details about Lake Burton, contact me at lynda@lyndahester.com
The New York Times recently referred to Georgia's 'mountain-lakes' area as 'the Hamptons of Atlanta". Rabun County, Georgia - "Where Spring spends the Summer" - is unique in that while the area can be accessed in under two hours from any part of metro Atlanta, Asheville, Greenville, Gainesville or Athens, these mountain lakes are still a well-kept secret. The three lakes in Rabun County are Lakes Burton, Seed and Rabun. All three were built in the early 1900s by Georgia Power and remain three of the most pristine lakes in the United States. Fed by the Talulah River and numerous smaller tributaries ,but no longer used primarily for producing hydro-electric power, the lakes offer boating and water sports and numerous other opportunities for family fun. In addition, visitors and residents enjoy white water rafting, fabulous fly fishing, hiking on the Appalachlian Trail, Georgia's highest state park - Black Rock Mountain State Park, numerous waterfalls, Foxfire and the Talulah Gorge.
I have been an active REALTOR since 1978 - working in the metro Atlanta market until coming to Rabun County in 2004. Twice Realtor of the Year for the Metro-South Association of Realtors; twice President of the Metro-South Association of Realtors; recipient of the JL Christian Award; graduate of the Realtors' Institute (GRI), holder of M-ABR, E-Pro, served as chairman of 8 statewide committees for GAR including the first 2 year chair of the Georgia Realtors Political Action Committee (2003-2004) and Education Commitittee Chair in 2007; actively involved in Senator Johnny Isakson's campaign. Currently a member of the Rabun County Board of Realtors, the Rabun County Multiple Listing Service and The First Multiple Listing Service in Atlanta.
Occasionally I have the opportunity to work with persons who require anonymity and that trust is a respected part of my business. Entertainment and sports figures feel comfortable here because they and their families can lead a 'regular' life - free from the hubbub of their workday worlds.
If you're looking for excitement other than that of landing a trout, dodging a family of wild turkeys as they cross the road, finding a waterfall at the end of a trail, making a great golf shot or 'shooting' a canyon in a raft on whitewater - you'll need to find somewhere else for your home. Georgia's mountain lakes are easy to get to, but those of us who live here or come for vacations or the summer, find it almost impossible to leave.
It's early in the morning as I write this and my head is filled with memories of Saturday, February 14, 1976. It was my father's 50th birthday.
Our family had always celebrated Valentine's Day in a special way, probably because it was Dad's birthday, too, but my elementary school years were a time when we made Valentine Boxes out of discarded cigar boxes begged from the local mercantile. Covered with fancy paper, lacey cutouts made from doilies and sprinkled liberally with glitter, I'd never seen anything prettier.
And the joy of finding a Valentine in that box from every child in the class! Some were given more weight than others of course. To have a Valentine that read, "Will you be mine?", and signed by a cute - normally shy- little boy who sat two rows over was cause for days and days of sideways glances to try to figure out if he really meant it or if he was just filling out the cards as they came to the top of the stack. ( As far as I can remember, he was just signing the cards as they came up and putting them in envelopes without paying attention to the message on the card.)
The best cards were enclosed in lumpy envelopes. When the envelopes were opened, the lumps tumbled out and transformed into colorful chalky candy hearts inscribed with meaningful two or three word messages. "Love You"; "Be Mine", Yours 4 Ever".
But time passes and while many hearts are gladdened and filled with love, others are broken and on June 15, 1976, three days before her 45th birthday, my enthusiastic, fun-loving, playful, delightful mother succumbed to a long battle against breast cancer. I had known her time was limited, but had wanted to give her the ultimate gift of a grandchild before she died. When she passed away, I was one month pregnant and suddenly responsible ( in my mind) for not only a relatively new husband, but also for my younger brothers and my Dad.
My first doctor's appointment was on my Mom's birthday and to my great surprise, the doctor told me the baby was due on Valentine's Day - my Dad's birthday. I knew immediately that once again, God was working in my life in his own delightful way. I just love it that he has such a sense of humor!! Maybe it was too late for the baby to be a gift for my mother, but what a special 50th birthday present a baby would be for my Dad!
Sure enough, I never wavered for a moment in my belief that the baby would arrive when scheduled. Everyone else pooh-pahed the idea that the baby would be born on Valentine's Day - the due date. The family of my sister's boyfriend planned an engagement party for that Saturday night - even though I told them the baby was coming that day and we wouldn't be able to attend. (They never doubted me again...)
I woke early that Saturday morning - very much like this morning - and realized we needed to get on the road to Atlanta and the hospital. A very special little girl - named Anslyn, for my mother, Ann, and me, Lynda, arrived right on schedule that happy Valentine's afternoon.
Thirty-three years later, she continues to be a joy to all who know her and my Dad will tell you...he's never gotten a better birthday/Valentine's Day gift than he received on his 50th birthday.
So, Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours and may your heart be filled with love (and your mouth with Valentine's candy!)
If you ever find yourself in the beautiful mountain lakes region of northeast Georgia, give me a call. I'd love to show you around!
Lynda
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I am the owner/broker of a boutique company dealing in resort, vacation & retirement properties in the most northeastern county in Ga. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround sparkling lakes. Come see us!
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