Athens, GA "On the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains" - Best Boomer Towns

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Athens, GA “On the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains”

Written by Hank Bailey, from Athens, Georgia on May 26, 2009

Did you realize that Athens, Georgia is on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains? If you like an active lifestyle head north from Athens and you will find plenty of outdoor recreation just a short drive away. From trout fishing and canoeing, with your pick of either a slower pace of a placid mountain stream or if you like the rush of whitewater, you can try on the Chattooga River. Horseback riding and hiking from Anna Ruby Falls to Tallulah Gorge or maybe the quaint whimsical Bavarian village of Helen, the North Georgia mountains provide you with the ability to take a day trip from Athens or make it a week long adventure!

Did you know the world famous Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia? That's right! The 2,175 mile trek starts at Springer Mountain, Georgia and ends at Katahdin, Maine.

A couple of suggestions on where to eat while taking your trip to the North Georgia mountains are two favorites of my family. The Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia serves three large meals a day "family style," and true to southern hospitality no one leaves the table hungry! Also, if you make your way over to Dahlonega, Georgia, you must stop by the Smith House where serving platters are piled high with fried chicken and baked ham. Roast beef and Southern style fried okra, candied yams and a dozen or so different fresh, steamed vegetables; homemade yeast rolls and corn muffins that melt in your mouth keep coming to the table until you say "Uncle!"

If boating and water activities are your pleasure, let me suggest a tour to Lake Burton or Lake Rabun, which are both in Rabun County Georgia. The Lake Burton Fish Hatchery and Moccasin Creek State Park are located on the western end of Lake Burton. The lake is home to Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, White Catfish, Rainbow Trout, and Yellow Perch. Lake Burton is a 2775 acre lake with 62 pristine miles of shoreline which makes boating fun a pleasure! Lake Rabun is a smaller more intimate lake, 835 acres, that is steeped in rich mountain living. One event to note is that on the Fourth of July each year there is a wooden boat parade that follows the shore lines of the lake.

Prizes are awarded to the best decorated boat and boat house. At night from either boat house or by boat, residents and visitors can catch a fireworks display on the lake that exceeds expectations!

The beauty of all of this is that within an hour and a half drive from Athens you can have mountains at your finger tips! Just another reason why Athens, GA is a fabulous place to spend your "Second" childhood!

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