This year marks the 39th annual North Georgia Apple Festival in the quaint town of Ellijay.  The festival runs the first two weekends in October 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday’s.

What is the apple festival?

It’s loads of fun!  That’s what it is!

Juicy apples, apple butter, apple candy, apple pies, apples apples apples!   Gilmer County is the apple capital of the country, so what better place to celebrate then in Ellijay GA!

You’ll find yummy foods (not just apples!), fun activities for the whole family and handmade and handcrafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations of how selected types of crafts are made.

Looking for some entertainment?  It’ll be there too!  Everything from cloggers dancing away the day to rock and roll and country music!  Pony rides, bounce houses, rock climbing walls and more for the kids and plenty of shopping for mom and dad.

There is also a parade and antique car show each year. The antique car show is held at the Civic Center on October 9th. The parade is on October 16th and begins at 10 A.M.

Make sure to wear your walking shoes – there is so much to see and do, you’ll be on your feet for most of the day; but it’s well worth the exercise!

General Information

When
October 9th – 10th 2010
October 16th – 17th 2010

Time
Sat. 9am – 6pm
Sun. 9am – 5pm

Where

Admission
Adult – $5.00
Children under 10 are FREE

Parking is FREE
Parking Donations Appreciated!
Suggested donation of $2
(Local Boy Scouts)

NO Pets Allowed!
(Does not apply to guide dogs.)

If you plan on being outdoors a lot in the warmer months it is a good idea to bring sunscreen and bug spray.

Around the Kitchen
Kitchens are stocked with basic cookware, cooking utensils, plates and cups, one roll of paper towels, coffee makers, microwaves, toasters and manual can openers.

If you want to cook something requiring a special utensil such as a basting bulb or brush you should bring your own. If you need very large cookware or storage containers for leftovers, tin foil or zip loc bags you should plan on bringing some along.

Food and condiments are not stocked in the cabin.

Grilling outdoors
All of our luxury cabins have gas grills with the gas tanks supplied by Wilderness View Cabins.

Towels and Linens
Plenty of bath towels and wash towels are supplied in each of our cabins as well as pillows, linens and blankets for all regular beds. This starter supply should be more than enough for 3 or 4 day stays.

Laundry
Cabins that have washing machines do not have laundry detergent so you must bring your own. We suggest buying a small travel size.

Telephones
All cabins have a telephone where you can receive phone calls or call 911. Bring a calling card for outgoing calls you wish to make. All of our cabins have local calling service.

Cell Phones
Cell phone service is spotty and can vary by season and weather conditions – the same for cellular internet service.   You will be given your cabin phone number at check in and we suggest sharing it with your family and friends at that time.

Internet Service
All of our cabins have wireless internet for your convenience.  These cabins do not have computers for your use so you must bring your own – preferably a laptop.

Your computer must have a wireless card for it to work properly.

Clothing
Although the Blue Ridge Mountains have very moderate temperatures, as with any mountain environment it can get very cool in the high altitudes even in summer so be sure to bring rain gear and warm clothing.  You may wish to bring a robe for the outside hot tub, especially during the colder months.

Last but not least!
Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all of those great mountain memories!

Wilderness View Cabins want you to have a safe and enjoyable vacation and we welcome your comments and suggestions about your stay with us.

Gilmer County Fair will be here August 10 – 14, 2010 at the Ellijay Lions Club located at 1729 South Main Street in Ellijay, GA.

Join in the fun and festivities of carnival rides, games, craft and livestock exhibits, entertainment and tasty food. The fair will be open from 6 PM to 11 PM Tuesday through Thursday, and 6 PM to 12 Midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for students, children under 10 are free.

Ocoee Rafting, just a short drive from our cabins, has been in business since 1976 and uses only highly experienced and trained river guides for your safety and enjoyment.  No experience is necessary and they supply all the needed equipment for your rafting adventure.

Rafting season runs the third weekend in March through the first weekend in November. Getting wet on a rafting adventure is only half the fun; doing everything you can to stay in the raft is the other half. 

Take a soak in your cabins hot tub to relieve your tired muscles after a day on the river; a rafting adventure in the North Georgia Mountains gets no better!

A Labyrinth is a winding pathway that forms an ancient symbol; but unlike a maze, has only one way to go.  The way in is the way out, so you can’t make a wrong turn. 

To best experience the Labyrinth walk heel to toe while winding through the pathway.  Go slowly.  Ancient customs say that walking to the center of the Labyrinth is taking a journey of your life.  Don’t rush to get there.  Pause and take in your surroundings, take a cleansing breath, and enjoy the tranquility of your mountain setting.  As you round the corners, think about the important parts of your life.  When you arrive at the center, you should feel a connection with the present. Take a moment to think about what you have accomplished and what you have learned.  As you return to the start of the Labyrinth, reflect on your life as it is today. 

Labyrinths can be used for meditation, for prayer, and for fun.  Use it for whatever makes you feel good. Â

Grab your favorite bait, a pole, and your sense of adventure and head to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Ellijay and Chatsworth GA for some of the best fishing in the Southeast. There are plenty of fish for almost any bait but we recommend that you consider fly fishing this area. Fly Fishing in North Georgia is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

If you prefer lake fishing then check out Carter’s Lake. Carter’s lake has campsites, RV hookups, boat rentals, and just about everything you need for a fun filled day of fishing.

Looking for a fishing guide?

North Georgia Fly Fishing Guide
Let Sweetwater Anglers guide you on your next fishing expedition. They offer private water trophy trout fishing and instruction.

Trout Fishing
Mountaintown Trout Club is a semi private venue located less than 90 minutes from downtown Atlanta. The club maintains two miles of private trout water as well as some of the best deer and turkey hunting North Georgia has to offer. more…..
Mountaintown Trout is designed to provide an exclusive experience for its members and guests. Our members can choose from a full day on our trophy managed trout water or even a combined day’s excursion with hunting and fishing offered by our “Cast and Blast” package. This hidden gem of a stream has everything from typical mountain laurel confined runs to beautiful meadows that look like something right out of Montana. Plunge pools to pocket water, bottomless holes and meandering bends all make for a fishing experience hard to duplicate anywhere. The really great asset to this stream is it’s accessibility from metro Atlanta.
Whether you’re driving up from Marietta or the airport, there isn’t an easier-to-access trophy stream available in the state. Mountain town caters primarily to its corporate members and theirs guests. We do not mass advertise to the public but rather do a select number of trips typically through member referrals. An event at Mountain town includes exclusive access to the property the entire day of your trip. We do not put multiple trips on the same day. “North Georgia’s Premier Trout and Turkey Destination” Located in Ellijay, Georgia.

Hiking and Backpacking
Be sure to visit North Georgia Outfitters.
North Georgia Mountain Outfitters is a small family owned and operated business in the heart of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains in Ellijay,Georgia -GA. They strive to provide the highest quality hiking and backpacking gear for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking equipment Rentals or Purchase Whether you are headed out on a day hike or a multiday backpacking expedition we have everything you need for a fun and safe adventure. As avid hikers ourselves, we believe in sharing the wonders of the woods with everyone. We provide not only superior gear, but also excellent customer service as well as trail planning and product selection. We appreciate your business and will continue to be a leader in the field as well as out on the trails. Happy hiking!

706-698-HIKE (4453)

Miniature Golf and Batting Cages
Championship Miniature Golf in Ellijay, Georgia in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains…
Gilmer Golf & Games – A Scenic miniature golf course in North Georgia. This course was designed with Mother Nature in mind; rock and water hazards create challenging diversions for the skillful player. With sparkling blue water falls, rushing streams, and lovely gardens you can play and relaxe your mind at the same time.
We are LOCATED: GA Route 515 N bound 1/2 mile south of Ellijay Georgia Walmart, 1/2 mile north of Panorama Apple House, across from Remax/Trinity Mountain Homes… From ATLANTA: Route 575 N turns into 515/Zell Miller Pkwy, 20 miles N of Jasper
(706) 698-4653

In commemoration of the 204th year of Chief Vann House and the 50th Anniversary of its restoration, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of the Vann House will sponsor Chief Vann House Days on Saturday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. ? 4:00 p.m and a 50th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, July 27 from 2:00pm ? 4:00pm. As part of the festivities on Saturday, Cherokee & local craftsmen will demonstrate 19th century pottery, flute making, weaving, basket making, quilting, spinning, rug making, blacksmithing, storytelling, blowgun shooting, woodcarving, and much more. Special guests include Cherokee potter Shirley Oswalt from the Snowbird community in North Carolina and Cherokee flutist Tommy Wildcat from Oklahoma. Regular admission prices will be charges for Saturday. Then Sunday will mark 50 years to the day that the Vann House was first opened as a state historic site. On hand to mark the occasion will be local politicians, historians, and other dignitaries along with Cherokee tribal officials. ADMISSION IS FREE FOR SUNDAY! The Vann House museum will be open both days featuring a short film and interpretive exhibits on the Vann family and the Cherokee Nation. Park rangers will be on hand to provide tours through the Vann House and give information about Cherokee history. Regular admission prices will be charged on Saturday but Sunday is free admission. The Chief Vann House is located three miles west of Chatsworth, Georgia at the intersection of Ga. Highway 52A and 225. For further directions or more information call 706/ 695-2598.

During the 1790s, James Vann became a Cherokee Indian leader and wealthy businessman. He established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, covering 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County. In 1804 he completed construction of a beautiful 2 ½-story brick home that was the most elegant in the Cherokee Nation. After Vann was murdered in 1809, his son Joseph inherited the mansion and plantation. Joseph was also a Cherokee leader and became even more wealthy than his father. In the 1830s almost the entire Cherokee Nation was forced west by state and federal troops on the infamous Trail of Tears. The Vann family lost their elegant home, rebuilding in the Cherokee Territory of Oklahoma. Today the Vann House survives as Georgia’s best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the house which features beautiful hand carvings, a remarkable “floating” staircase, a 12-foot mantle and fine antiques.

Cohutta Wilderness Area
34,102 acres provide the outdoor enthusiast with miles of hiking & biking trails to chose from. The wilderness area is known as one of the best areas for recreational & competition mountain biking.

Etowah Indian Mounds
Cartersville, Ga: The 54-acre Etowah Indian Mounds State Park site, which dates about 950 A.D., includes seven mounds, borrow pits, a plaza, part of the original village and a museum.

The mound builders represent Mississippian culture, the last prehistoric cultural development in North America.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness something from this age in time, a rarity in North America.

Fort Mountain Stables
Fort Mountain Stables Horseback Riding Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area, Fort Mountain State Park offers 37 miles of beautiful horseback riding trails.Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area, Fort Mountain State Park offers 37 miles of beautiful horseback riding trails. Just 5 minutes from our Office, Fort Mountain Stables offer horseback riding adventures 7 days a week for children and adults. To ensure the best riding experience possible, the stables accommodate your preference in horse, time and duration of ride, as well as your horseback riding level. If you own a horse, you may stable it here and ride at will. Enjoy 37 miles of scenic trails of the north Georgia mountains at Fort Mountain State Park. We offer horseback riding adventures 7 days a week for children and adults. To ensure the best riding experience possible, we accommodate your preference in horse, time and duration of ride, and your horseback riding level.

You may contact us by calling 706-517-4906 or by sending an email. Please call Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

Chieftans Trail
This 150 mile trail contains 7 primary attractions noted within these Points of Interest. The Chief Vann House, Chieftains Museum, New Echota, Winman Mineral Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds, The Tate House and Fort Mountain State Park, and The Confederama Hall of History. In Chattanooga, this three-dimensional 480 square foot reproduction of historic terrain is the worlds largest battlefield display of its kind. A must see for civil war buffs.

Carters Lake
Carters Lake is the deepest man-made lake east of the Mississippi. It offers over 67 miles of uninhabited shoreline and a marina along with a resort.Drive to the top and marvel at the dam and the natural beauty that surrounds this amazing place.

This Corp of Engineers lake offers site for sightseeing, hiking, picnicking, camping swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing. Approximate driving time is 40 minutes.

Lake Conasuaga
Lake Conasuaga is situated atop 3100ft. Grassy Mountain and has picnic facilities. The Songbird management area is a 120-acre tract around the lake featuring a beaver pond and a variety of bird habitats.

Murray County Courthouse
The Doric-styled courthouse was erected in 1816 and is one of only three domed courthouses in the State of Georgia. The Courthouse has been home for various county officials and some still maintain offices in the building. In a controversy during the planning, Murray County Commissioners went to jail for contempt rather than see any interruptions of their plans. The first court session as held in February 1917.

God’s Acre
Near the sight of the Spring Place Moravian Mission & Spring. Newly donated to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, this sight contains the burial site of people believed to be Moravian Missionaries. Chief James Vann sponsored these missionaries trip to the area in 1801. Their mission was, among other things, to educate the Cherokees. That education included reading, grammer, writing, sacred history, mathematics, geography, weaving and botany. Several Cherokees and slaves are also thought to be buried at this sight.

New Echota State Historic Site

See the only capital of the Cherokee nation established in 1825. Take a ranger-conducted or self-guided tour of re-constructed structures.

Ocoee Rafting
Rafting season runs the third weekend in March through the first weekend in November. Experience the thrill of white water rafting in the Blue ridge Mountains.

Fort Mountain State Park
Just 5 minutes from The Overlook Inn and Wilderness View Cabins, Fort Mountain State Park rests on two mountain peaks near the summit of the most prominent peak of the Cohutta Mountain Range at the terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The elevation is just approximately 3000 feet. The park derives its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall which stands on the highest point of the mountain. Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the 3,520-acre park has overlooks, hiking and mountain biking trails, picnicking and a small lake and beach.

Imagine escaping to the sun-drenched mountains where the greenery abounds. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon fishing or gazing at the wildlife. Get your juices flowing on one of the nearby nature trails or white water rafting adventures. To experience mountain life at its simplest, wander over to the stables and hop on a horse. No one does nature like we do.

Not a naturalist? You’ll enjoy the local scene: antique shops, quaint cafes, apple houses, specialty stores, art and music festivals. Visit the historical sites to understand the history and folklore. Ride the railroad and discover fascinating facts about the area. No one does culture like we do.

Want to escape the harried life of the city? Unwind in the hot tub overlooking the spectacular mountains. Curl up on the porch with the latest best-seller. Bask in the peace and quiet. No one does relaxation like we do.

Whatever you’re in the mood for this summer, the north Georgia mountains have it: fishing, hiking, swimming, rafting, shopping, relaxing. With endless days of sunshine, surrounded by the most beautiful setting in the state, you’re sure to come back again and again.

Kangaroo Conservation Center
Visit America’s Aussie Adventure, the largest group of kangaroos outside Australia. Enjoy this fabulous 87 acre wildlife preserve.

Wildwater LTD. Rafting
Whitewater Rafting at it’s finest. Choose from a number of adventures.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
The 3 1/2 hour, 26 mile round trip winds along the beautiful Toccoa River in vintage climate controlled or open air railcars. The relaxing ride starts at the historic depot, built in 1905 in downtown Blue Ridge,Georgia then stops for a layover in the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN where visitors have an hour and a half, plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream or explore.

Nestled in the mountains of Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest, historic Blue Ridge awaits you and your family. Known for friendly folks and old time atmosphere, it’s definitely a place to visit. Blue Ridge has been called the “antique capital” of northwest Georgia. The 3 1/2 hour, 26 mile round trip winds along the beautiful Toccoa River in vintage climate controlled or open air railcars. The relaxing ride starts at the historic depot, built in 1905 in downtown Blue Ridge, then stops for a layover in the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN where visitors have an hour and a half, plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream or explore. For mild or wild water fun, take a Rail and Raft or Rail and Tube trip. (Click on Train Events on the left for more information.) Come to the mountains! Rent a cabin, climb a mountain, hike a trail and ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

800-934-1898

Sassafras Studio
Designer and builder of custom furniture and cabinets in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

T & D Designs
The woodworking of Dwight Tuse Mallernee of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Carver of wood spirits and other fine carvings. Custom builder of cabinets.

Blue Ridge Mountain Mall
Here’s a store with over 25 vendors selling antiques, custom furniture, civil war artifacts and much more.

Blue Ridge Community Theater
A community theater group located in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, seeks to enrich the cultural life of residents and visitors through performances, productions and education of all aspects of contemporary and classic theater.

Blue Ridge Home Inspections
Blue Ridge Home Inspections, LLC. is owned and operated by Tommy Vannoy, who has over 15 years experience in the building industry.

Country Stitches, Inc.
Located in Blue Ridge, GA, we are a full service quilt shop which offers a wide variety of fabrics, patterns, notions and friendly assistance so that you can obtain what you need for your projects in one location.

Mercier Orchards

Mercier Orchards is Southern Living Magazine’s “favorite roadside apple market,” according to the October, 2002 edition. “If you come for no other reason, you must sample the fried apple pies and cider,” the article says. “The cooks create some of the most memorable pastries, fried pies, fritters, doughnuts and dumplings that you will find anywhere.”

Blue Ridge Community Theater
Blue Ridge, Georgia Community Theater is a community theater group located in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Call for information on plays. Get a little culture right here in North Georgia.

Swan Drive-In Theater
Watch a movie at an old fashioned drive-in in Blue Ridge. Bring back memories of the good old days at this vintage drive in theater. Conveniently located in downtown Blue Ridge. Give the kids a taste of your childhood. It’s always fun for the whole family.