Author: lovenorthgeorgia

Located in Adairsville, Ga this memorial park hosts two play grounds, a walking trail, pavilions and Willow’s favorite ….a DOG PARK!!! She loves this place and is so happy that it has opened back up. While you are visiting don’t forget to take a look at the memorial wall honoring veterans past and present.

Like most Americans we came to a halt on March 13, 2020. The first weekend was kind of nice to slow down. Then reality set in. We began to wonder what we could do. We were bored! Were there safe places to go outside and explore in the areas of North Georgia? Willow and I have started to search for places that are beautiful and isolated so we can practice social distancing! I hope you will enjoy the places we wander!

Please comment below or post pictures of the places you are exploring. We would love to see them.

Spring is here! The rains of winter seem to have subsided and the beauty of the trees and flowers have emerged!

For everything there is a season. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Euharlee Covered Bridge, built in 1886,  is the states oldest remaining covered bridge. There is a museum beside the bridge that is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 1-5. There are many community events held here throughout the year.

The local Euharlee Christmas parade is November 24, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Festival of Trees.

 

Vader was feeling left out of my Love North Georgia posts! He went and visited the ROCK Garden in Calhoun.  He had a great time walking through the castles and over the bridges! We met up with Lady Joyce and her husband. They were working on one of the structures. She told me they have been working on this garden for over eleven years. More than 50 structures have been built over the years. She uses small rocks, pebbles, pieces of glass and shells to name a few of the materials used to make these stunning castles!!

The area is so peaceful. There are areas to bring a picnic and eat lunch or have a snack. There are also benches to sit on if you just need a quiet place to sit and reflect. If you haven’t visited before I would highly recommend it! You won’t be disappointed.

The ROCK Garden is located at:

1411 Rome Road

Calhoun, Ga 30701 (Directly behind the Seventh Day Adventist Church)

 

 

 

Ellijay, Georgia known as the apple capital of Georgia is busy in the fall. There are many places to enjoy: beautiful scenery, picnics, camping, and many apple barns. There is something for everyone here. Some apple barns feature hay rides, corn mazes, and even pig races! Others feature orchards where families can go pick apples. Although if apple picking isn’t something you want to do, each barn has a variety of apples already picked! Many of the apple barns also sell fried pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and fresh vegetables. Everyone seems to have a favorite apple barn that they go to each year.  These two happen to be some of our favorites!

The day was so beautiful that we decided to head over to Vets Memorial Park and walk along the river. There was an awesome walking trail, terrific playgrounds for the kids, and many awesome photo opportunities!

I would love to hear what your favorite types of apples are and where you go to purchase them! Please leave me a comment!

My favorite fall event is our family trip to Burt’s Farm in Dawsonville, Georgia. Our excitement grows day by day as the weekend draws near. The typical questions ring out; what time do we need to leave, what time does the hayride start, what will we bring to cookout, what should we wear? Although we know the answers to these questions because they don’t really change from year to year, we still feel the need to discuss!

We know that each year we will leave our house by no later than 7:45 am. My husband wants to be the first person to be on the hayride. If he isn’t on the first hayride he at least has to be on the second.

The hayride winds through the pumpkin patch and up a little mountain path. This year we saw a flock of wild turkey. I was hoping to see a bear, but no luck!

This is a stop on the hayride. Autumn and Gordy tell about the life of a pumpkin!  As the hayride crests the top of the hill, if you look closely enough, you can  see Amicalola Falls.

Next is off to see the pumpkins, take some pictures, get pumpkin bread, popcorn, and boiled peanuts! Burt’s store has something for everyone. There are scare crows, shirts, jam, jellies, and pumpkin seeds to name a few.

 

                                            

When we leave Burt’s we head a couple of miles down the road to Amicalola Falls for a picnic and a hike. The smell charcoal fills the air at the picnic areas. We generally grill hamburgers, hotdogs, and brats. We have spent many years watching our kids play on the playgrounds and walk around the ranger station. If you haven’t ever visited this state park I would highly encourage you to visit. This is an incredible state park.

 

 

 

 

 

Fall is in the air. That means high school football, college football, marching bands, fairs, fall festivals,  and beautiful colors on the trees! Fall in our family always seems to rotate around many family traditions. One of our biggest traditions is The Great Locomotive Chase Festival in Adairsville, Ga.

The is the most exciting time in our little town. This year Adairsville will celebrate the 50th year!  This festival is filled with crafts, food trucks, local bands, and of course rides. The excitement rises when the first carnival ride rolls in to town! Kids and adults alike light up at the word Festival! Everyone knows what it is and everyone is going! It begins on Friday October 5 and closes down on Sunday afternoon October 7, 2018. There is also a parade on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.  The parade includes floats sponsored by local businesses and churches, pageant winners, local recreation sports teams, the high school band, football team and ROTC. There are also many restored cars and trucks.  Sometimes there are often a few horses too!

History behind the Great Locomotive Chase:

The Great Locomotive Chase was a military raid led by a civilian named James Andrews and some volunteers from the Union army on April 12, 1862.  They stole a confederate train named “The General” and traveled north toward Chattanooga destroying tracks and telegraph lines on their way.  The General is now on display at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Ga.  For more information on the museum check out http://www.southernmuseum.org .

I look forward to seeing  everyone at the 50th Anniversary of the Great Locomotive Chase Festival. Looks like it will be a beautiful weekend!!!