Located just on the other side of the Georgia-North Carolina state line, Highlands, NC, offers everything you need to relax and recharge: golf, fishing, hiking, mountaintop vistas and beautiful waterfalls as well as antiquing, theaters and excellent restaurants. Founded in 1875 by Clinton Hutchinson and Samuel Kelsey, it is said that the two men literally drew two intersecting straight lines on a large map – one connecting Chicago to Savannah and the other connecting New York to New Orleans – and determined that the area where the lines crossed would become a huge crossroads for business.  …

Mount Airy, NC. It’s the childhood home of Andy Griffith and, many believe, the inspiration for the setting of The Andy Griffith Show – though some dispute that claim. But that difference of opinion right there is a good enough reason to head off to Mount Airy next weekend, Sept. 22-25, for the annual Mayberry Days celebration and see for yourself. The festival is held every September during the last full weekend of the month – and it is a blast!  There is plenty to do and see: barbeques, talents shows, parades, musical performances and even appearances by some of the stars of the show. This …

We’re getting into that time of year when places that normally reveal merely lovely views in nature change dramatically with the foliage into spectacular vistas of awe-inspiring wonder that can transform the soul and rejuvenate the heart. Such is the case at Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure, NC. Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of the Hickory Nut Gorge in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Lure is as inviting as its name suggests.  It’s also a great “location” – at least Hollywood seems to thinks so. Used as the setting for the movie Dirty Dancing in 1987, starring Patrick Swayze and…

Ok, so if you are a fan of Georgia Tech, then head south to Atlanta, take a run by The Varsity for a chili dog with cheese – or whatever it is that Georgia Tech fans eat other than crow on Thanksgiving weekend - and have fun, if that’s what they call it there. As for our house, we bleed either burnt orange and white or red ‘n black – which means it’s time to either Hook ‘em Horns!  or Gooooooo, Dawgs! Sic ‘em…woof, woof, woof! Yeah, we’re a house unified - unless The University of Texas and The University of Georgia end up on the same gridiron. But we shall not speak of such apocolyptic …

You might have thought of Gatlinburg as just a sleepy little mountain town you've heard about in songs.  But there’s far, far more to Gatlinburg than that - you just need to know where to find it. For nature lovers there are trails to hike, rivers to paddle on or fish in, and the unbelievable “silence” of the outdoors that only getting away to your own little spot on a mountain can deliver. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of America’s most visited parks. You can pack a picnic lunch for the afternoon or pitch a tent for the night. Park rangers even provide educational programs …

I’m a music fan. Classical to classic rock, country to pop, I enjoy good music. So, for my money, Nashville is a great destination. There’s Music Row ­– on 16th and 17th Avenues – with its historic sites, such as RCA’s famous Studio B as well as its upscale restaurants and bars in the heart of Music City USA.  The Grand Ole Opry is always hosting "A" List talent, as is the historic site of the Opry, the famous Ryman Auditorium. And right now there are also some great exhibits and tributes to some of country music’s biggest legends – which will give you insight into the lives of those who made…

Straddling high-performance watercraft and maneuvering closed courses at speeds as fast as cars on nearby I-85, Jet Ski racers will create an aquatic battlefield between Georgia and South Carolina as they scream across Lake Hartwell this weekend in the 2011 Triple Crown Watercross.  It all takes place at Sadlers Creek State Park, a nearly 400-acre water recreation area that sits on a peninsula extending into Lake Hartwell from the South Carolina side. Between competitions, spectators will be treated to expert performances of Olympic-style acrobatic and choreographed freestyle shows. You can …

Wish you could play golf at the Atlanta Athletic Club? Concerned about the traffic and general congestion that 40,000 PGA “guests” might have on Johns Creek? Then grab your clubs and hit the road for the Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa, nestled deep in the North Georgia Mountains.  The course at the Brasstown Valley Resort has been ranked as one of Golf Digest’s top courses to play. You can even get some help improving your swing with the resort’s Golf Skills Challenges, providing instruction and practice in a relaxed setting. But Brasstown Valley is also well known for accommodating the …

Yeah, it’s hot. It’s July and it’s Johns Creek. So why not head up to Memphis and hit Beale Street after dark. That's when the temps cool down to sultry, the street starts glimmering with nightlife and the heat is from the beat in the heart of the city where Rock ‘n Roll was born and the Blues are at home. There are three ways to see Memphis: walking down Beale Street, cruising down "The Big Muddy" or just strolling around Graceland. But first and foremost, let’s get the accommodations nailed down and get out of the sun for a while.   Memphis affords a prime opportunity to stay at what I …

Charleston is a town where people still say “Ma’am” and “Sir” and eat grits because they like them, not because they’re a novelty. She’s a town with “family” heritage that goes back almost 350 years - and folks around here can still tell you all about it. She’s a place where artists capture her classic beauty for the ages, writers preserve her Southern charm for eternity and visitors keep a bit of her timeless soul with them forever. If you ever experience this grand old lady of the South, you will never forget her. The heart of Charleston’s Historic District is where you’ll want to base …

Without a doubt, Chattanooga, Tenn., is an incredible destination with plenty to offer. You can visit the Tennessee Aquarium, cruise down the Tennessee River aboard the Southern Belle riverboat, travel up and down the Incline Railway, see Ruby Falls and, of course, visit Rock City Gardens. Yeah, all of those "Visit Rock City” signs on barns and birdhouses – one of the most clever ongoing ad campaigns ever – are actually advertising a real place. But there is no way you can take this trip without the song, Chattanooga Choo Choo, running through your mind, so you might as well acquiesce and …

It was 75 years ago that Rhett Butler first told Scarlett O’Hara, “My dear, I don’t give a damn.”  Three years later, film producer David O. Selznick had Clark Gable add the word “Frankly” to the line, change the book's scene location from a room in the house to a dramatically framed front door exit into the fog of future uncertainty - and movie history was made. But it all started with Margaret Mitchell, a native of Atlanta, who, as a kid, often visited relatives at her family’s rural home in Jonesboro - an area that would come to inspire her to write Gone With The Wind.  Last week marked …

As we quickly approach the "dog days" of the summer vacation season, there are three important “family getaway” requirements that must always be observed: Go where you can get cool, find affordable accommodations and make sure the kids have something to do.  Failure to meet these requirements can result in an arduous trip, believe me. Fortunately, many of Georgia’s wonderful family oriented destinations more than merely satisfy these requirements. Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge – affectionately known as Little “O” – is a great example.  Little ‘O” is located near the towns of Helena and…

Want to get away for a day hike, a weekend hike or a moonlit hike - yes, a moonlit hike? Then Tallulah Gorge State Park is the place! About an hour-and-a-half north of Johns Creek, close to the North Carolina state line, Tallulah Gorge State Park serves up a variety of outdoor challenges, including hiking, rock climbing and rappelling - in the midst of some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet down – the deepest gorge in the eastern United States.  A number of trails are available for hiking, depending on your stamina and scenic …

Nestled in the heavily wooded Snake Creek Gorge, about 20 miles south of Douglasville in Carroll County, Historic Banning Mills is a beautiful rustic resort and conservancy that was once a thriving mill town and now boasts a variety of relaxing activities such as hiking, kayaking and horseback riding.  It also has bragging rights to a not so relaxing activity which is best left to the not so faint of heart. The “Screaming Triple Eagle” at Banning Mills is the world’s largest continuous zip line eco-canopy tour in the world.  The half-mile zip line can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour as …

Cooler climes, beautiful scenery and a bit of history always make for a winning summer “getaway” combination. One place you should consider for a quick escape is the area around Fort Mountain State Park, not far from Chatsworth, GA, – about halfway between Ellijay and Dalton on Highway 52. The trails are great for hiking and the views can be breathtaking, especially from The Overlook Inn Bed and Breakfast. This rustic, yet very comfortable, inn blends “mountain cabin” charm with all of the creature comforts of home.  It features five tastefully appointed rooms – most with fireplaces and spa …

It’s Memorial Day weekend; the end of school and the official start of the summer vacation season. It’s also the first “long weekend” of those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” about which Nat King Cole use to sing.  So, be prepared for crowded venues wherever you go this weekend – because it will seem as if everyone is where you’d like to be. With that in mind, a day in the park might be just what you need – say, like the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The great thing about this day trip is the space – and the peace and quiet.   The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park …

One of the great things about living in North Georgia is the proximity we have to some of the best hiking and most spectacular views in the country.  Amicalola Falls is a prime example – and a great day or weekend trip from Johns Creek. At 729 feet, this majestic waterfall is the tallest cascading falls in the southeastern United States – and there are a variety of vantages points from which to experience her dancing beauty.  One can literally stand on top of the falls by driving up the park road toward the Amicalola Lodge, stopping on the righthand side of the road - just before reaching the…

The temperatures are climbing.  It’s now time to head for higher ground and away from the hot, congested north metro Atlanta urban sprawl.  Traditionally, warm weather weary adventure seekers have headed north to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Clayton to find relief from the heat in the cool mountain breezes.  Of course, unique, out-of-the-way sights, restaurants and boutiques found in and around this quaint little mountain hamlet also help provide a nice escape.  Local, one-of-a-kind art, antiques and edibles can be found just off the beaten path, which can make the trip a real adventure.  …

It’s that time of year again — time for a road trip!  And what better way to burn the pavement than on the back of a “Hog” - a big, rumbling Harley-Davidson motorcycle.  Interstates aren’t always your best bet; you miss so much, even when you’re astride a thundering 1450cc V-Twin.  So, the ride to Asheville from Johns Creek via Clayton, Ga., is much preferred – even with its limited stretches of interstate highways.  Certainly the best place to stay in Asheville is The Grove Park Inn – and yes, even if you’re on a Harley.  The staff of the nearly century-old treasure of the South can easily …