ABG
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us

Cumberland Island

The Beginning of Helen

4/18/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
By Jennifer Perren
​​@PerrenJennifer
​
It's rare that I get to play tourist here in Georgia and I haven't spent much time in Helen.  I have vague memories of a drive through when I was small on a trip to visit a friend of Mama's actually named "Helen" I thought that was funny.  Anyhow, it's our own little "alpine village" but it's oh, so much more.  I won't even begin to fully relay the experience, of this mountain gem, but I will let you in on a couple of the highlights from my latest and more memorable trip.  

Anna Ruby Falls  -  The drive up - to the hike - up to the falls is just as beautiful as the hike and falls. You twist and curve around through Unicoi State Park and right now in the Spring, all I could think was a little poem I came up with for the season 

"bianco, viola e verde" 
Purple, white and green, 
that's Georgia in Spring 

The morning that I went up was crisp and sunny.  There is a 1/2 mile paved trail up the the falls, easily navigated.  I didn't need even need my walking stick, well, not for hiking - daddy would have a fit if I was alone and unarmed in the woods, even if it is a paved trail.  The falls are great and one of many beautiful waterfalls that we have here in our great state.  I can now check this one off of my list.  

I'm here in the mountains for a purpose, my little neice, Avery, has a birthday on this day and since I am the President of the Procrastinator's Club International, Georgia Chapter (meeting tomorrow) I need to buy her a gift.  I'm basically wasting time until her party later today so, I'll stop in at the Nora Mill General Store. 

Picture
Nora Mill General Store - I walk in and this place is just so *pretty*!!!  I adore it.  I'm thinking, no way I can afford any of this darling stuff.  All kinds of handmade, home grown, just beaufiful items that appeal perfectly to an old soul like me.  I'm peeping price tags and whattayaknow?  I'm able to get my neice a tin full of sea animals that she can toss rings onto their noses while she's in the bathtub AND my sister an apron (her birthday was last week) that says "You're doing it Wrong". I know her husband will thank me for this.  It will save her from actually saying this to him.  She will only have to point to her apron now.  All of this, and the lovely shopkeeper giftwraps both things for me, for under $25.00.  I will reserve my rantings about any large retailers for a later date and just say, that when you are in Helen. Stop in at Nora Mill.  All this hiking and shopping and I'm starved.  Downstairs is pizza.  

Picture
Nacoochee Village Tavern and Pizzeria - I think Nacoochee means "great bourbon selection" in the Cherokee.  I kid, it actually means "bear", but they do have a great selection here.  I knew that I was gonna love this place when the first thing I noticed was a big ole' bottle of Virgil Kaine out front and center on the bar  - and the Fireball was buried somewhere down below.  My kind of tavern. I only had water, as I'm a lady and we don't show up to 3 year old's birthday parties smelling of bourbon.  At least not on Sunday, but I thought I'd make note.  

Picture
Yes, the is a pizzeria, and yes, I am part Sicilian, and I have a deep emotional bond with pizza - don't judge me. It is not often that I have found a great slice here in The South.  Something that I will say, the north is just much better at - forgive me, but I'll call a spade a spade.  BUT I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the menu and saw that the bear Tavern has my all time favorite topping, green, yes people, green olives.  I'm thrilled when I get my slice and it's the best I've had since I was in Mystic, CT last year at the world and cinema famous Mystic Pizza.  Yes, I'm in love.

What made my experience here even better though was, of course, the people.  Marcus and Andrew the bartenders and the other beautiful lady with the lavender hair, (I didn't catch her name!).  They made me and everyone at the bar feel welcome. I gathered from conversation that a few there were tourists here in Georgia, it made me proud to see our Southern hospitality at work. Everyone happy and laughing and "at home".  Everything a neighborhood tavern should be.

Shop small.  Tour your home state. Make a friend at the bar.  Even if you have stuff to do later in the day, you can still take a hike.  ​​​

1 Comment
L Adams
5/2/2016 11:52:52 am

Great article! Just one note: the Cherokee word for Bear is Yonah. In fact, Mount Yonah is located near Helen.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Sam B.

    Historian, self-proclaimed gentleman, agrarian-at-heart, & curator extraordinaire
    ​READ MORE


    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor, Click Here
    Picture
    ABG Sponsor - Click for Link
    Tweets by @BiscuitsGA

    Social Media

    RSS Feed

    Books Blog Directory

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Art
    Books
    Business
    Christmas
    Civil War
    Community Revitalization
    Culture
    Education
    Family
    Fashion
    Fiction
    Film & Television
    Food
    Garden
    Hiking
    History
    Home
    Industry
    Local
    Music
    Native American
    Outdoors
    Politics
    Restaurants
    Revolutionary War
    Tradition
    Travel
    World War II

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    March 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2010

Copyright 2015
ABG. The celebration and preservation of Southern history, culture, and agrarian ideals.
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contributors
  • ABG CFB
  • Reference center
  • Contact Us