Season is here, I can tell by the increased traffic at the Gallery, and the smell of honeysuckle around every turn. I love the smell of honeysuckle, it brings me back to my childhood, walking down the back roads of Thomaston GA, and going to Perk's. That was a pool and 30-acre park in the town I was born. The pool was spring fed, no overwhelming chlorine smell, just fresh rushing, very, very cold water. I do miss those simpler times.

There is a special kind of peace in the mountains, and I for one enjoy sharing it with others. This week there are an interesting variety of events, from a Green Egg-fest to a Symphony in the Historic Courthouse in Blairsville, and an Adventure Race to a Theatrical Production.

If you live in the mountains, check out what is happening in a neighboring town. Wander through the countryside, visit one of the many art galleries, or unique shops, enjoy your favorite restaurants, hike, bike, raft, zip line, horseback ride, or just sit on the porch of a great mountain cabin and enjoy the peace and quiet. You can use the buttons to the left to find a lot of great resources for your next visit.

Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend, if you haven't made plans yet, check out our featured lodging choices, and plan a last-minute getaway.

If you would like some adventure while you visit, contact Great Mountain Retreats at 828-835-3275 or tara@greatmountainretreats.com and plan an adventurous Memorial Day weekend.

Hiawassee, GA
Green Egg Festival
May 20th, 9 am - 5 pm

Don't miss the Annual Georgia Mountain Egg-fest in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Activities will take place at the famous Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Georgia.

There will be some amazing food coming off the eggs all day long, so pace yourself! You'll soon learn why the Big Green Egg is the "Ultimate Cooking Experience". Hiawassee, Georgia is home to many famous activities including the Georgia Mountain Fair, Fall Festival, conventions and much more. The area features two championship golf courses, hiking trails, Lake Chatuge, waterfalls, scenic tours and Rhododendron Gardens.

click for more information and a map...

Blairsville, GA
North Georgia Chamber Symphony
Spring Concert
Friday - May 19th - 7 pm

Copland's Hoe Down from Rodeo is our opening number, followed by Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Violins. Laura Tomlin and Laurin Smith are the violinists.

Samuel Wesley's Symphony No 5, three tangoes (Por Uno Cabeza, Oblivion and Libertango), Mancini's Baby Elephant Walk and Charade follow and we close with The Wabash Cannonball.

Gate opens at 2:00 p.m. at 58 Boardtown Road off of Hwy 515, south of Blue Ridge.

click for more information and a map...

Blairsville, GA
Blue Ridge Adventure Race
Downtown Blue Ridge
Friday & Saturday - May 19th - 20th

The 2017 Blue Ridge Adventure Race Weekend will start in downtown Blue Ridge Georgia, Friday Evening May 19, 2017 for the 24 Hour teams and the start for the 8 Hour Teams is on Saturday Morning May 20, 2017. All teams finishing Saturday Evening for a special event including food, drink and a live band.

Race director Jeff Leininger will be setting 2 incredible courses. The course is based on the 2008 USARA Nationals design which will take racers North to the beautiful Cohutta Mountains.

[Disciplines: Trekking, Biking, Paddling, Navigation, Orienteering]

click for more information and a map...

Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Community Theater
presents
No Sex Please, We're British
Thursday - Saturday 7:30 - Sunday Matinée 2:00
May 18th - June 4th

A young bride who lives above a bank with her husband who is the assistant manager, innocently sends a mail order off for some Scandinavian glassware. What comes is Scandinavian undesirable materials. The plot revolves around what is to be done with the veritable floods of undesirable materials, photographs, books, films, and eventually girls that threaten to engulf this happy couple.

The matter is considerably complicated by the man's mother, his boss, a visiting bank inspector, a police superintendent, and a muddled friend who does everything wrong in his reluctant efforts to set everything right, all of which works up to a hilarious ending of closed or slamming doors. This farce ran in London over eight years and also delighted Broadway audiences.

click for more information and a map...

Official Blue Ridge Trout Trail Maps
Available at the Art Center
420 West Main Street  •  Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association
presents
Blue Ridge Trout Trail
April Through June

Announcing an exciting public art project celebrating the beauty of the trout fish presented in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Blue Ridge has officially been designated with two honors…the ‘Trout Capital of Georgia’ and "One of the Top Art Towns in the Nation."

In highlighting what Blue Ridge does best, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited have partnered to host a county-wide public art event. We call this incredible project Trout Art Trail. The Trout Art Trail Project will offer a limited edition series of five-foot fiberglass trout sculptures presented as a county-wide event.

For more information contact BRMAA:
706.632.2144 or BlueRidgeArts@gmail.com.

Chimney Rock, North Carolina
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Spring Photo Contest
Now through May 28th

Every season, each and every day, offers something new at Chimney Rock. Warm weather energizes us and encourages us to get outside and moving.

The forest bursts into color and birds begin to reappear. Ah, so invigorating. Look around you; notice the many signs of spring – smiling faces, fresh green leaves, flowers in bloom.

Capture that special moment or scene on your camera, enter it in our seasonal photo contest and tell us about it. We'll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you'll win some fun prizes.

Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

For more information on the contest or how to submit your photo(s), call (828) 625-9611, or email visit@chimneyrockpark.com.

click for more information and a map...

Planning a trip to the Mountains? The Highlander has a new "Request Brochures and Information" form, feel free to use it to ask for information for your next trip or move to the mountains, click here to send make your requests

Great Mountain Retreats has many Retreats and Package Deals for Friends and Families, Church Groups, Youth Groups, Corporate Groups and more.

Great Mountain Retreats can create a retreat specifically for you from Bare Bones to Luxury Accommodations. We have Adventure Retreats, Artist Retreats, Girl Friend Getaways, Father and Son Trips, Family Reunions, Youth Retreats, Wellness Retreats and more.

Great Mountain Retreats knows the mountains better than most and can save you lots of time and aggravation, not to mention money, while creating the perfect retreat for you and your group. Call 828-835-3275 or email tara@greatmountainretreats.com today and get started.