On The Mountaintop

Long's Lodge features multiple decks overlooking the mountains with swings to enjoy by the outdoor fire pit.

On the Thursday before the Memorial Day weekend, we took a trip to the mountains of North Georgia to visit some Florida friends who had “pulled up stakes” from the Sunshine State. Over the course of several years, Bruce and Donna Long built a beautiful log home in the Blue Ridge Mountains pretty much by themselves and it is stunning! (Donna's sister and neighbor Annie was on site helping them each day, so Bruce claims "the house was built by two old ladies and an old man.”) With gorgeous views in every direction, from the welcoming porch to the spacious decks, their 3,100 square foot dream home is a tribute to their vision, their skill and their hard work. Building a home is not for the feint of heart or those not gifted in craftsmanship (I’d place myself in the latter category). From selecting the site and choosing the floor plan and design to ensuring compliance with local zoning laws and building codes, the process is lengthy and complicated. And what a job - excavating the site, building the foundation, laying the logs, installing the floor, framing and attaching the roof and installing the doors and windows are challenges normally best left to professional builders, but this couple rose to the occasion with outstanding results in which they can take great pride. It was a real pleasure to visit and be welcomed to their remarkable residence, along with JuDi and Kurt, two other good friends who drove up from Florida to join us.

Located on the square in historic downtown Blairsville, this diner has been serving good food for over 90 years.

We all enjoyed a superb Filet Mignon dinner with Baked Potatoes and Green Beans and spent the balance of our first evening together reminiscing around the fire pit. Before too long, we went back inside for our surprise wedding anniversary celebration, with homemade Raspberry Vanilla Cake (complete with Lotus Candle) and several thoughtful gifts. Thanks folks! After a restful night’s sleep, we bade farewell to JuDi and Kurt on Friday morning as they went off house hunting while the four of us drove into nearby Blairsville for brunch. Upon their enthusiastic recommendation, we went to the Hole in the Wall, Union County’s oldest diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s the kind of place where good homemade food and generous portions are served with authentic Southern hospitality and was an excellent choice.

The Union County Courthouse suffered years of neglect and was condemned before its eventual 1980 restoration.

Laid out in 1832 on land ceded by the Cherokee Indians, Blairsville was a center for gold mining activities up until 1910. The city lies in a heavily forested area and the downtown looks like it was constructed as a backdrop for a Disney movie set in Nineteenth Century America. Directly across the square from the diner is the historic Union County Courthouse that was constructed in 1899 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It now serves as the headquarters for the Union County Historical Society. There, it was our good fortune to meet Margie, our hostess, who was chock full of wonderful information about the region’s history and its most important citizens, The self-guided tour was all encompassing, including exhibits and artifacts covering everything from local military history to sports memorabilia to a dollhouse collection. On the second level is the original courtroom, now serving as the venue for a series of free, Friday Night Concerts featuring regional musicians such as the Mars Hill Porch Pickers, all of which showcase the region’s mountain heritage.

We got a behind-the-scenes look at the making of high quality, small-batch, handcrafted moonshine and spirits.

Nearby was Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Company and it looked so welcoming we just had to step inside. And I’m sure glad we did. We learned that Jack "Mimm" McClure (1914 -1969) was an American Appalachian moonshiner from nearby Young Harris. Local stories abound in the Georgia mountains of McClure's quality bootleg spirits and his self-delivered justice to those who crossed him. He is also reputed to have been behind the rise of a few notable Georgia politicians of his time. In 2012, country musician Tommy Townsend, a great grandson of McClure, announced his partnership with the Georgia Distilling Company of Midgeville to recreate and market his grandfather’s original moonshine recipes, but legally for the first time. Dubbed "Grandaddy Mimm's Corn Whiskey,” it’s produced on stills designed by McClure, and built in Georgia using his secret family recipe. We toured the distillery and signed our names on the bar along with countless others before sampling a tasting of eight thimble-sized shots of their various products, including a Mule Kickin’ 140 proof “moonshine,” a flavored vodka, a whiskey and a rum. I can assure you the term “mule kickin’ aptly describes the punch it packed!

Although barely over 10 feet in height, Cupid Falls is an appealing and secluded small wonder of the mountains.

For a change of pace, we next decided to take a short drive to visit Cupid Falls. It's located roadside along Bryson Drive on the campus of Young Harris College in the city of the same name. The falls are easily accessible by a series of improvements initiated by the city, including a paved parking lot adjacent to a level walkway leading to the waterfall. Anyone expecting a dynamic and ear-splitting rush of water will be disappointed as the falls are rather small, but they are peaceful and picturesque and worth a visit to escape from the world, even for just a few minutes of solitude and reflection.

With no shortage of exceptional mountain views, Living Water Winery is a friendly, and most relaxing place to visit.

We soon discovered that JuDi and Kurt were successful in their quest, having purchased a home in Dahlonega, in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, which they plan to use as an investment property. That called for a celebration so we made plans to rendezvous at the Living Water Winery and Vineyard back in Blairsville. This establishment sits atop a very steep hill with a deeply rutted, unpaved, and dusty road leading to a very new and lovely timber-framed tasting room. Opened earlier this year, the open-air, modern barn features seating for groups indoors or on the outside patio with gorgeous mountain views. Visitors can select from a number of estate grown white wines, red wines, crafted beers or cocktails. They also offer a selection of muscadine wines, a style produced in various colors and sweetness levels from the muscadine grape, a species native to the southeastern and south-central US. Wines were offered by the flight, glass or bottle. We used this occasion to congratulate our friends on their exciting news while appreciating the spectacular scenery and several of the winery’s offerings. Returning to the Long’s Lodge, we were treated to another great dinner, this time of Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob. There was even some leftover Raspberry Vanilla Cake to savor once again for dessert.

The very gifted Appalachian St. Andrews Pipes & Drums band entertained attendees at Blairsville's annual festival.

Saturday morning was spent catching up from the day before and after lunch, we drove into town for the Blairsville Spring Arts, Crafts and Music Festival. (There was so much to do and see up in those mountains.) This two-day event is held annually on Memorial Day weekend, featuring a parade honoring those who have served our nation, along with demonstrations, regional crafts and of course, music. In fact, on arrival we noticed men in kilts outside the diner and were soon treated to a performance of very talented Scottish Bagpipers and dancers! Other live musical acts took place in and around the Square and a multitude of tented vendor tables were set up along the many side streets displaying everything from wood-carved figurines to jewelry to wearables. Hosted by Visit Downtown Blairsville and the Union County Historical Society, the festival was the ideal way to kick off the holiday weekend bringing locals and visitors together in a very festive atmosphere. Our day ended with yet another good homemade meal of Baked Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread.

After an additional restful night’s sleep we bade farewell to all, but not before thanking Bruce and Donna for their outstanding hospitality and congratulating JuDi and Kurt on their house purchase. We headed home to Raleigh with a better appreciation for good friends and many wonderful memories.

Until next time…safe travels.