Yoga Classes at the Merchants on East Main

located at 771-B East Main Street in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia

YOGA for EveryBody

MONDAYS    5:00 pm -6:00pm       &        THURSDAYS   9:30 – 10:30 AM 

yoga mats available for purchase at the class

~A Yin Yoga class taught by Christina Law…

‘On first look, Yin yoga resembles other forms of traditional yoga. However, there is one key difference, unlike other forms, Yin yoga targets the connective tissues, joints, bones and ligaments. It reaches deep muscles rather than just focussing on superficial ones, allowing for a strong and lasting connection between body and mind.

Yin yoga focuses in particular on the connective tissues of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. Christina will show you how to hold various poses which help to stretch these connective tissues and how to lengthen the muscles over time.’

Meet the Instructor:

Christina Law

Certified Advanced 700 Hour Yoga Instructor & other Health practices

Christina Law graduated from PYC Atlanta in 2000, receiving her 200 hour certification in Vinyasa Yoga, a more vigorous  & flowing style. She then trained at Kripalu in Yin Yoga, where postures are held for longer than usual in a passive & meditative way. She completed her 500 hour training in Yogic Psychology, breath work, yogic lifestyle & silent meditation. She loves combining theses varied ways to balance the energy, body and mind.

Raven Cliff Falls Trail

Raven Cliff Falls trail, GA

They are all around you just have to have an open mind to see them. Folklore captures the glimpses into the faces of nature. If one is lucky you can find a forest full as you wander about. I am certain this old fellow has many tales to tell about the many people passing his way daily. His smug look makes me wonder what he would tell others of my travels. Certain he snickered as I tripped over the root trying to take his picture.

Do you see the dragon’s head? Look closely. To the left is the nostril and to the right is the eye on the magnificent weathered head of this creature. Before the days of mass media and technology, I am certain some traveler would have come home with tells of the dragon and the tree spirit along the path.

Are you so focused upon the destination the wonders of the journey are often missed? As I traveled the many trails this past week I watched as folks missed the rare glimpses into the face of nature. When I questioned if they saw the faces they looked at me like I was crazy. Bringing the images back up on my camera some could see them others just saw a tree, nothing more. Sad, so much missed out on due to a lack of imagination. Is it such a bad thing to let your mind see the possibilities? If one cannot see the rare glimpses in nature, what are they missing in their daily walk? How many faces go unseen?

I challenge you to take a hike. Open you eyes and mind to the possibilities around you. Do not limit your visions to trees, the clouds are masterpieces in the making. Rocks and plants often hold their own secrets.

Related articles

• Keith Jennings’s Tree Spirits (neatorama.com)
• The Mysterious Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island. {Breathtaking} (elephantjournal.com)
• The Immortals of Blood Mountain (writer77.wordpress.com)
• Folklore of Trees (keltickaity.wordpress.com)

Wednesdays

6:00 pm -7:30pm

~A class taught by Ken Banwart and Christina Law. Ken will teach simple but effective techniques and postures that have been researched by top experts to help relieve most back pain. Christina will close the class with Yin Yoga. Deep stretching that targets the connective tissues of the body, and is known to help increase flexibility and reduce stress.

*Second class FREE, *10$ drop in donation, 35$/month ,

*free class when bring a friend

FRIDAYS

6:00 – 7:30 pm +

Meet the Instructors:

Christina Law – Co-Founder

Certified Advanced 700 Hour Yoga Instructor & other Health practices

Christina Law graduated from PYC Atlanta in 2000, receiving her 200 hour certification in Vinyasa Yoga, a more vigorous  & flowing style. She then trained at Kripalu in Yin Yoga, where postures are held for longer than usual in a passive & meditative way. She completed her 500 hour training in Yogic Psychology, breath work, yogic lifestyle & silent meditation. She loves combining theses varied ways to balance the energy, body and mind.

Ken Banwart – Co-Founder

Certified Kripalu & Yin Yoga Instructor

Ken moved to Blue Ridge four years ago after selling a portion of his investment business he founded in 1981. He then received his 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Kirpalu. Over the years Ken has practiced a wide range of areas pertaining to health & exercise allowing him to maintain a vibrant healthy lifestyle.

We truly understand all the differences, details and questions you’ll have in finding and living in a smaller mountain community. Many have never experienced living in an area with four seasons, but we assure you – you’ll love getting used to it!

Carol is originally from Homestead, and Lee from North Miami Beach, Florida. Carol has always loved the mountains, having spent her childhood summers in Burnsville, NC at her grandparent’s home. After we were married every free holiday or vacation day was spent in these beautiful mountains. After we decided to leave the big city life and come to a more peaceful yet prospering area in which to make a living and raise our son, Brandon, we decided to move to Murphy, NC in 1997. Our only regret since then has been that we didn’t move sooner!

You’ll love being surrounded by all the gorgeous mountains, lakes and rivers and experiencing the seasons, wildlife and outdoor activities for young and old alike. While our communities might be a little smaller, the heart and friendliness is more than you can even imagine. Don’t be shocked when strangers say hello and passers-by wave to you. You will however have to get used to not spending a lot of time in traffic.

We look forward to the opportunity to meet and assist you in finding your own “peace of the mountains” here in the western NC, north GA and east TN Mountains.

After getting some careful guidance on property lines from some local neighbors, I took a deep breath of mountain air, suited up and crept into the quiet river. It became obvious I wouldn’t see anyone else for several hours and so I just let my thoughts drift off and drank in the solitude of the waters. The flow was pretty low as summer was in full swing in the mountains and there was no visible hatch so after doing a little prospecting with a royal wulff, I quickly turned to my copper john and started searching for structure, holes at the bottom of riffles and deep bends. I was rewarded with several bows, about two every hour as I inched my way upstream, about 200-300 yards in about four hours.

Under one fallen log that stretched across the river, I pulled three bows that must have been stacked up taking nymphs as they rolled underneath it. I also caught the biggest chub of my life, easily 8″ long. However, the trout got progressively larger until I had a 15″ wild ‘bow to hand who I had to chase a bit farther down the pool and turn to keep him from going over the lip and into a riffle.

Further upstream, past a long meadow pool with high sides and undercut banks, I could have sworn I’d find a big trout lurking, but alas, they were all underneath a small dam that created highly oxygenated water and cover from the baby blue skies. A double nymph rig with an unweighted pheasant tail and a beadhead hare’s ear pulled three more ‘bows from below the rapid.

Finally, I wrapped up the day with the desperate need to take a ‘bow on the fly. I walked the entire length again scanning under every shadow, overhang and in every pool…surely by late afternoon there would be a hatch and a trout hanging out in the open. Even as late as six, there was still no hatch as I reached the very top of where I was allowed to cast a line. Swimming, all by his lonesome, was a trout above the dam, lazily taking midges from the surface. Just below him, a couple of suckers seemed to be following in his wake. I tied on a cahill, figuring that in the crystal clear water and bright sky, a light fly might be seen almost as an apparition, a ghost, to fool the trout. My fist cast was all that was needed. Landing about two feet to the right of the bow in a pile cast, the trout wandered over, wandered away, and thinking the better of it, wandered back and ate my fly. I could see the tips of his fins, white lined, a wild trout.  Ah…private waters.

The Southern depot in Charleston, TN has been razed and replaced by a small brick building. The Southern depot in Danville, KY is still currently standing; I believe it is still being utilized by the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The NC&StL depot in Jasper, TN has been restored and currently houses Jasper’s City Hall. The L&N depot in Blue Ridge, GA has been restored and currently houses the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a tourist short line railroad.

L&N Railway Depot - Blue Ridge, GA (Credit: Tom Rock)

NC&StL Railway Depot - Jasper, TN (Credit: Tom Rock)

Southern Railway Depot - Charleston, TN (Credit: Tom Rock)

Southern Railway Depot - Danville, KY (Credit: Tom Rock)

Blue Ridge Mountains in Blue Ridge, GA

The visit to Mercier’s Orchards was great and we left there around lunchtime.  Our original plan was to eat lunch at the Pink Pig and then have the chili we had brought with us for dinner.  We had already driven past the Pink Pig and I was a little hungry but hubby had made us a wonderful breakfast so I figured it could tide me over for a little longer.

We headed over to the Blue Ridge/Fannin County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism info to see what we could find in the area.  I was wanting to find a quilt shop because I know how much hubby loves quilts and that was one thing they had not had an abundance of at Mercier’s store.  The lady at the tourism information desk informed us that she thought there might be several in downtown Blue Ridge so we got directions and left.

Hubby decided he wanted first to go see if he could find his boss’ cabin that they had stayed at once for a meeting at work.  He didn’t have an address but said he thought he could find it. Trust me, he is not the greatest at direction when he has written direction and after telling me he had gotten lost going there the first time he went I was not filled with confidence.

We stopped at a little country store at the corner so I could get a tea to drink.  The station had a big sign that boasted “fresh made sandwiches” so we figured they would probably have tea too.  Hubby came back out a few minutes later carrying a bottled water.  When I asked what happened he reported he loved me too much to have bought me anything they made there.  Apparently the woman preparing the sandwiches behind the counter was not wearing a hair net and had a lit cigarette dangling from her mouth the entire time she was making a sandwich for the man in front of him.  He was appalled by her demeanor and purchased the water and left.  I am so thankful he loves me!

We found his boss’ cabin and the view from there was beautiful too AND the driveway was PAVED!  After our harrowing adventures that was a BIG plus!  We took some pictures of the view and then took a ride to see where we ended up and somehow, despite ourselves, we actually ended up in downtown Blue Ridge!

Welcome to Blue Ridge!

Unbeknownst to us, they apparently had just had a parade and had their tourist train which usually travels a two hour loop doing a “Santa train” with a one hour loop and the whole downtown area was filled with kids and their parents.  We weren’t paying attention and were trying to find a place to park and people were milling about everywhere.  Several times we had to wait for the people to get out of the road so that we could pass by.  We eventually motored through the crowds and found a parking spot a couple of blocks over.  As we walked back to the area where the throngs of people were we now saw that they had put up barricades.  Apparently the street was closed and dummies that we are, we had no idea, so AFTER we came through I guess they figured they better put up the barricades to save the throngs from US!

An elf and gingerbread man taken from the car before they blocked it off

We only found two actual quilt shops although several of the “antique” shops had some quilts.  We didn’t find any that we liked (that we could afford).  We found a couple of pretty ones but they were in the $500 and up range which we weren’t prepared to spend right then.  We did see where there was another “Quiltte Shoppe” on the other side of the tracks nearer where we parked.  It was a little cozy converted house but after venturing inside we realized that they sold quilting supplies NOT actual quilts.  They did teach quilting courses but that would be an awful commute to go to class!

The Santa train conductor

We did find a really good fudge shop and the woman who was in front of us said she went there specifically for their pumpkin fudge.  The owner gave us a sample of the pumpkin fudge and OMG it was SO good it would make your tongue slap your brain!  We ended up getting a couple of dark chocolate “turtles” although they called them something else (I forget what it was) and we bought a half pound of the pumpkin fudge with pecans.  REALLY tasty!

A group of older gentlemen caroling the crowd

We did get to see a bear mascot.  Bears seem to be a theme up there.  Everywhere we went had bears in every shape and form so I guess it makes sense that they had a guy dressed up like a bear walking around talking to the kids!  I’m wondering if he got fed lunch since they have signs everywhere saying NOT to feed the bears?  We also saw someone dressed as an elf, a gingerbread man and the Grinch.  What an eclectic group for their Santa train!

A mascot bear and an emo Grinch? Never seen a grinch before in skinny jeans!

We didn’t leave there until probably 3 or 4 so we were both starving since we hadn’t eaten lunch.  We stopped at a place touting real “Amish” fare but didn’t find anything we wanted to buy although they did give us samples of some of their alternatives to potato chips.  They said it had about ¼ of the fat and calories of fried potato chips even though these were fried.  I don’t remember the process they said they used but everything was crispy and almost seemed freeze dried fried if that makes any sense.  Anyway, they had pumpkin chips and sweet potato chips and then “fried” okra chips, green bean “chips”, beet chips and I’m not even sure what all was in the mix.  It was interesting and different to say the least.  I think in small quantities it might be good but to eat them like chips?  I think that might make you a little queasy.  I wonder if that’s why it’s less fattening?  You can’t eat as much?  They did have some beautiful Amish furniture but nothing we could afford to buy.

Just a little taste of Amish!

An authentic amish carraige on display

Since I want to post a lot of pictures with this I will tell you about the Pink Pig in a separate post.  Enjoy our views of Blue Ridge.

The "bear" did look a little pitiful

Hubby found a topiary moose friend

One of the many bear theme displays

I loved the way this old bike had been "planted" in the bed of ivy

I love these old brick buildings with the old ads painted on them

This was a cool sign

And another one

This was a neat little art gallery near the edge of the downtown area

These were some really cool bird houses

I just loved all the old looking wood building with the modern twists

another moose or elk on the porch of a furniture store

The SPCA had some dogs all decked out for Christmas for adoption. I wanted to get them all!

Do the overalls make him the engineer?

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Our view from the cabin as we were leaving for the day

I haven’t had a chance to finish up about our trip to the mountains.  I will probably do this in several posts as I have a lot of pictures I want to post.  I wrote earlier about our getting stuck Friday night in the bottom part of the driveway but despite the little mishap there Saturday morning dawned beautiful with memories of that awful situation fading fast from memory.   The intoxicating views made that little incident seem so insignificant.

Another cabin view

We had decided on Friday night that Saturday would be kind of leisurely with no firm plans other than seeing the mountains and trying to make a trip to Mercier’s Orchards and maybe the Pink Pig restaurant for lunch or dinner.  Everything in between was kind of up for grabs.  Oh, and we knew we needed to try to find a “starter” log for the fireplace as we had no paper or proper kindling and it’s hard to start a fire with  fireplace matches that aren’t working and actual logs.

We had parked at the turn around at the curve/rut from hell and didn’t have too much problem getting out.  The car did kind of spin at one point in the driveway but I was determined NOT to slow down because we probably wouldn’t be able to get all the way up if I stopped at all. I’m not sure what scared hubby more, how fast I drove up the driveway or the thought of sliding back down the mountain if we didn’t make it up there.

View from the parking lot of Merciers

We weren’t really sure where Mercier’s Orchard was but we knew it was going towards Blue Ridge so we headed that way.  The views were absolutely gorgeous!  Breathtaking really but in most of the places the stupid electrical  wires/telephone poles/traffic lights got in the way of the picture taking and really cut down on the affect after I cropped them but you can get the gist of them.

Gorgeous view even with the trucks in the way

First a little about Mercier’s…  Another family had started a small orchard at the site way back when… I think it was 1913 and it was acquired by the Mercier family in 1943.  They have expanded it to be the massive orchards that they now are.  They have over 100,000 trees with over 50 varieties of apples.  They even have a “pick your own” during certain times of the year according to what varieties are in season.

The "by the numbers" sign

In addition to apples they also grow Sweet cherries, Blueberries, Peaches, Blackberries, Strawberries, Nectarines and Plums.  Can’t get any fresher than straight off the vine or tree limb, now can you?  We didn’t pick our own but we did pick up a bag of Granny Smiths and Pink Ladys.  They are so good. Even Chorizo loves them!

The original "apple barn" still in use today

I tell you just walking through their store brought back so many memories of childhood and riding through the apple orchards with my daddy and picking apples not only in the orchards that my dad worked in but also at my grandparents as they had several fruit trees always growing in their yard and fields.  Just walking through and looking at the varieties Rome, Crispin (called Mutzu in this area), Stayman, Braebun, York, Yale and Granny Smith… All evoked those old memories and emotions of walking through those orchards in my youth and hearing my daddy talking about all the different varieties that he was overseeing in “his” orchards.  He still talks about those times with love and wistfulness as we just had a long conversation about just that the last time I was home.

You can even get you a sandwich at their deli and go eat at the picnic table by the lake

Walking through their shops was almost sensory overload.   As you walk in the door they have their “sale” items from their bakery assaulting your senses, but assaulting in a good way.  You can smell the fresh fruits that have been lovingly baked into their breads and fritters and pies. And don’t forget the “fried pies” which is sort of like a mini pie or tart that can be held in your hand to eat.  Sort of like McDonalds fruit pies but on a MUCH better scale.

They even have a deli tucked into the corner where you can sit and eat and they serve Black Forest meats and they have a wonderful selection of cheeses.  Many of the products that they use in their deli and some that they sell in the store come from Amish farms not too far away in Tennessee.  The gentleman we talked to and the lady standing with him couldn’t agree whether the Amish farms were 25 or 60 miles away but I’ll just say, not too far.

Their store

They have the biggest selection of ciders I think I’ve ever seen, from apple to peach to blueberry and more.  They also sell them “regular” or for those health and/or diet conscious they also have sugar free varieties in both the ciders and most of their jams, jellies, preserves and candies.  And the selection of the jams, jellies and fruit spreads and preserves was mind boggling.  They not only carried their own “brand” but also varieties from several other companies.  I ended up buying some apple caramels which are round apple flavored candy coated balls of caramel that literally melt in your mouth.  Succulent and delicious, almost sinful they are so good.

the orchards

They also have decorations and home décor and even their own little “Christmas shop” from which to choose ornaments and knick knacks.  You can also order from them direct from their website for personal use or you can even have their items shipped for gifts.  Their website is www. Mercier-orchards.com and in case you are ever in the area and want to visit, their contact info is:

Mercier Orchards

P O Box 425

8660 Blue Ridge Drive

Blue Ridge, GA  30513

(706)632-3411 FAX: (706) 632-2685

Or you can email them at info@mercier-orchards.com.  Anything they have would make great Christmas gifts!  More on our trip tomorrow but in the meantime enjoy the following pictures from the trip.

On the first morning there, Russell and I ventured into the downtown of Ellijay (very small…about 4 blocks), looked around and got a bite to eat in one of the pubs.  The town was definitely full of treasures and entertained us throughly, and we came back with a few items.  I was obsessed with these scalloped, ceramic white and red tea cups.  We also came across this cow painting, which is now named, “Brother Cow”.  We bought a painting of a pig from the same artist (Diane Whitehead) about a year ago and have been looking for another print ever since.  The last treasure was the green Sinclair Dinosaur.    This dinosaur has been very special to me over my life and I only had a picture of one until now.

Regular 4 hour on Saturdays or 31/2 hours on Sundays, 26 mile round trip winds along the beautiful Toccoa River for one hour (both ways) in vintage climate controlled or open air rail cars.

Contact Info: Ticket Office Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 11:00am-3:00pm
Email: info@brscenic.com

To book one of our great mountain cabins here in Murphy, NC click here to view what we have to offer: http://mountaincountrycabinrentals.com/.  We’re a great place to stay since we are centrally located to everything! 

http://www.cabin-rentals-of-georgia.com/cabins_aska_adventure_outpost.htm

With a fleeting economy and soaring gas prices, vacations have become a rare luxury. People are putting off their family vacation until next year or lowering their standards to travel affordably, but there is no reason to not enjoy all the space and luxury one is accustomed to at an affordable price. If you don’t want to cram your family in a cheap motel or camp out in your backyard, perhaps you should give cabin rentals a second thought.

Cabin rentals offer vacationers the space and luxury of any top notch resort and the value of any economic motel. The cost of a one night stay at a resort can easily reach upwards of a couple hundred dollars and that usually doesn’t even include a kitchen, a game room, a living space, or complementary parking. Not only are you getting all this for the same price in a cabin rental, best of all you are keeping your group all together under one roof. Instead of going out for dinner or entertainment, you can save money and have it all at your fingertips at your luxury cabin rental.

A cabin rentals with Cabin Rentals of Georgia becomes more than just a place to sleep, its what makes your vacation. Rather than looking for ways to get out of your cramped and crowded hotel room, you will only find endless reasons to stay in. Whether you prefer to play games with the kids, soak in your private hot tub, or roast marshmallows by the fire, all the cabins at Cabin Rentals of Georgia offer numerous luxurious amenities that will make you never want to leave. Plus, you never have to worry about stepping onto your balcony and having a parking lot view with noisy neighbors on either side. The luxury cabin rentals at Cabin Rentals of Georgia offer privacy and seclusion while being conveniently located along the Toccoa River, Lake Blue Ridge, or atop the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kids grow up too soon and time passes by too quickly. Don’t put your vacation off until next year and don’t lower your standards to spend time with friends and family. Indulge in that luxurious vacation you have been waiting for without breaking the bank with your next luxury vacation destination Cabin Rentals of Georgia.

Mom's Farm

I have a gazillion pics, recipes and notes to post about my Thanksgiving Farm to Table Dinner!

While I had every intention of writing about that tonight, I just settled into a big plush chair by the roaring fire, in my Mom’s amazing farmhouse, and just feel thankful. Not the standard Gobble Day “I am thankful for…”, but truly deeply thankful.

I agreed to be guest chef for a Farm to Table Thanksgiving Dinner at Mom’s B&B, The Martyn House last summer. Invites went out, online registration went live. Tickets were purchased. On November 14th, I canceled. Oh yes I did.

Exhausted from work, birthday celebrations and life in general a two-minute disagreement over the phone regarding the menu resulted in me selfishly saying “I am not going to do it”. Click. Click. Good thing we are family lol.

Next day, I redid the menus and sent them with a shopping list. Game back on. I loaded my tiny car with fresh local Brooklyn Buratta Mozzarella, Italian salamis, San Danielle Prosciutto, Caputo Bakery bread, an 85 lb Weimaraner, books and a sack of wooly warm sweaters, tall boots and a few pashminas. I bought a coffee. I hit the open road, leaving Brooklyn at 12 noon on the dot.

14 hours, 2 coffees, 6 red bulls, 3 tanks of gas, 1 speeding ticket and 886 miles later, I pulled into the farm drive.

The past 6 days have left me thankful for many things that I, in my too busy life, have forgotten a bit about. So here are my Top 10 things I am thankful for right here right now.

1. American Farms

Silos in the Sun

Sula and I enjoyed the open road even more with the passing farm silos standing proud in the fields. We are losing our farms. We are losing our crops. I am thankful for those that continue to work the land. The Martyn House, Mom’s farm, still yields a heavy crop each year of herbs, veggies and fruits. More than Mom can cook with, can or give away even. Abundance from our own soil is something to be thankful for.

The Martyn House

2. Co-Pilots

Sula & Silos

Although she was a very quiet co-pilot and her movements, from front seat to back, seat nearly resulted in me losing control a few times, Sula was a great co-pilot. She didn’t complain about my loud music once and slept like a babe curled in a tiny ball for more than 9 hours. Just when I was losing interest, she would give a good sloppy kiss on the cheek to wake me up. For this, she gets to stay on the farm for an extended vacation.

3. Fans

Book Siginings

Book signing at LL Beanery in Blue Ridge GA. Thanks to Mom for arranging. Thanks to Linda, the proprietor, for having me, thanks to you. Yes you, the ones that bought my book. You made my day.

4. Home Cooked Dinners

Cider Roasted Pork Crown with local apples & garden sage

Something we should never take for granted, even on Thanksgiving. Everything top to bottom was fresh prepared this year. Does it taste different? Can you really tell? Hell Yes. Just sayin. While trying to work off a few of the sticky toffee pudding pounds yesterday I read a great article in Newsweek about food differences and choices among the classes in the US. Not all of us are having home cooked meals. We all should be. I am thankful for mine, but also thankful that I have the power to do something about those that are not.

5. Small Town Traffic

Realz

Enough Said.

6. Woman’s Best Friend

Sula!

My girl is happy. She has Free Pee. No leash. No Sidewalk. No City. She is running the trails every day with me and her two buds Maya & Grace (farm dogs). She chases squirrels. She lies on the porch. She is happy dogz! I am thankful she has this place in her dog life.

Farm Girlz

7. Relaxation

Fire pits Rock

Post Gobble Feast we sat around a big bonfire, turkey glazed eyes staring silently into the flames. No smores, no idle chatter, just fire, sky and fresh air.

Then we went back into the dinner tent and watched a movie on the BIG screen with candles and popcorn and warm woolly blankets and friends around. Sometimes it’s so nice to just sit in the dark and be the passenger for a while.

Dinner & a BIG movie

8. Small Town Lighting of the Tree Ceremonies

Blue Ridge GA had their annual “Light Up” tonite with a live animal nativity, a parade, live music, food and of course the lighting of the town tree. It’s America at its finest to me. It’s how I grew up. It’s real, like it or not. I am thankful for traditions.

The Claus's in for a visit!

9. Angels

Kidz Float!

Children help us remember how to be authentic! The town was filled tonite with little angels, sending letters to Santa, petting the animals, going to Candy Land (ahem,  a big kid ended up there too) and riding in the parade. Big silly smiles say it all. Have a chat with a child sometime. It will remind you of what is really important.

Big Kid Fun

10. Toy Soldiers

The perfect man turns out is not the gingerbread man at all! It’s a toy soldier. He can protect you much better than ole Ginger. He is handsome. Never speaks. Has great posture. Is well dressed. I sort of had a fling with one tonite. He won’t even tell his friends about it. Gotta be thankful for that. LOL.

Boy Toy, hahahaha

I am also thankful this week for sous chefs name Elaine, talented fashion designers named Martha, town Mayors named Linda, fabulous fans named Jim, tech support & graphic design mavens named Rick, old friends named Cooper and most of all one of a kind best friends and mother named JoJo.

Are you sitting on your couch, at your desk, on a bar stool or on the john wondering what you are going to do with yourself for Thanksgiving? Let me guess your thoughts;

1. You are way over dried out, sausage stuffed turkey (and you never win the wishbone war)

2. Your family is just a wee bit TOO much to see for both holidays and you have already surrendered Dec. 25th to them!

3. You really are craving fresh air, fresh faces, a long woodsy hike &  a fresh locally sourced gourmet meal that you can scarf happily without hearing about Auntie Ramona’s aching ingrown!

All the reasons you need to jump in the car or on the plane or on the train and get to Ellijay GA by 2pm this Thursday.Hey, I covered my 885 miles from Brooklyn to here in a mere 14 hrs with the help of my good buddies coffee and red bull. Real friends that probably are not going to pay for the speeding ticket they induced, but now is not really the time to hash that one out.

What? What’s that you say? You need me to convince you a bit more? A little more flirt wouldn’t hurt? Ha! I brought my big spatulas to the party…let me seduce you …

First and foremost, book your “glamping tent” at The Martyn House asap. You will dine like a god and sleep with the angels. Try me, then scoff. IF its sold 0ut for sleeping, you can still get a place at the dinner table. Hurry!

2nd off, if you make it by 1pm or even 3pm tomorrow, I will personally read for your from my book.. I will even sign the copy and maybe even give you a little gift! It happens.

You can find me at LL Beanery Coffee in Blue Ridge GA! If that is not appetizing enough…then this should get you there…

To Start

And now…for the main attraction…

Oh Yes, you Can!

I would never leave you without something sweet…

Sweet Dreams

Blue Ridge, Georgia is the ultimate outdoor family vacation destination.  No, you won’t have to stand in line for 45 minutes in the 95 degree temperatures to ride a 5 minute ride, you will find plenty of cool things to do, and most of them will cost you nothing!

Hike on the Appalachian Trail or Benton MacKay Trail, go fly fishing, canoe or tube or kayak or go whitewater rafting on many rivers, go horseback riding, ride a train, go mountain biking, go on auto or motorcycle tours, for more information about all there is to do while you are on Vacation in Blue Ridge in the North Georgia Mountains, go to our Blog on our website at http://info.cabinsbysundance.com

7^th night free with 6 night stay!

Fall Special – 10% Discount on reservations booked before October 31st!

Call us toll free at 888-881-3286 for availability of this and other cabins! 

Georgia Cabin Rentals 

View from the dock at River Spirit

River Spirit – View from deck

View from Kitchen

Stonework in the master bath

Master Bedroom

Upscale Kitchen

Forget about the world here

Master Bathroom

Living Room looking out on the river

Guest Bedroom

Riverside Pavillion

River Spirit

 

 

View from the dock at River Spirit

River Spirit is the best luxury cabin on the Toccoa River, to stay and play in Blue Ridge. The rest of the world’s worries will fade away as soon as you see and hear the river, relaxing on the dock over the Toccoa.This tastefully decorated cabin boasts 3 bedrooms (2 master bedrooms) 2 baths, upscale kitchen, sunroom, high speed internet, a game room with pool table and large screen TV. Out doors there is the spa on one of the decks, pavilion with a gas grill and of course, the dock over the river.
Launch a Kayak or canoe, tube the Toccoa River or fish several popular ‘holes’ all out your back door!

According to tripadvisor.com’s “TravelCast”, Blue Ridge, GA is listed as number five in the top ten travel destinations in the US in ‘08. Here is the full list:

1. Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
2. Kitty Hawk (Outer Banks), North Carolina
3. Seward, Alaska
4. Kailua, Hawaii
5. Blue Ridge, Georgia
6. Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania
7. San Marcos, Texas
8. Paso Robles, California
9. Rockport, Texas
10. Copper Mountain, Colorado

Here is a link to the article for a full explanation of how they came up with this list. Check out http://www.tripadvisor.com for other cool travel stuff

This was the Inaugural Blue Ridge Mountain Masters 50k, held near
Blue Ridge, GA on November 11, 2006. It was also my first ultra (by
default a PR), with the first and last third on hilly forest roads
and the middle on tough, steep hiking trail covered by fallen leaves,
so we could not see the rocks or roots underneath. As the name
implies it was open only to runners 40 or older. This year the number
of runners on the T-shirt was just about the same as the number who
ran. The unique thing was the finisher’s award which was a nice
coffee mug, much more useful than a medal–I use it every day!

Running Bib Info:
Inaugural Blue Ridge Mountain Masters 50k
Ultra Marathon
Blue Ridge, GA
November 11, 2006

Your Official Time: 6:55:22
Was this a Personal Record (PR)? Yes (It my my first Ultra)

Read my race report at:

http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/Articles/BRMMTR2006byRussJohnson.htm

submitted by Russ Johnson