Blue Ridge County - March/April 2014 - 29

Specialties at this bistro are chicken and seafood but
dessert, too, as the name suggests. "We really want
to be heavy on the chocolates," says the owner, Chef
Michael Collins. "We make our own fudge."
Keeping connected to the land is a motto at the
Union County Farmers Market, which buzzes with
business in Blairsville. Same goes for The Sawmill
Place. Established in 2001, this nearby restaurant
specializes in farm-to-table freshness. "We're in
partnership with the local farmers, and they bring
in the produce a couple times a week," says manager
Robin Kight. "We do the country vegetables for
lunch."
COME SPRINGTIME , exploring the mountains
means hitting the famous AT, springing forth from
Georgia's Springer Mountain. Or it could mean a
simple pleasure, like cooling down with a scoop of
Rocky Road ice cream squeezed atop a waffle cone
at the Scoop de Scoop of Helen. Why, it could even
equate to spending a rainy day in Cleveland awaiting Mother Cabbage to give "birth" to a Cabbage
Patch Doll inside the BabyLand General Hospital.
OK, laugh - but go see for yourself: The birthing
process promises a delight, thanks to the performance of a funny "patch nurse" named Ashley
Maddox.
In these mountains, from Brasstown Bald to

TRAINS : FULL SIZE AND MINIATURE

With my seven-year-old son in tow across the mountains of Georgia, I knew stops to see trains
would be a hit. And, so, we both loved the Museum of the Tallulah Falls Railroad, where the
railroad station houses a full-size, two-foot gauge locomotive, passenger car, flat car and caboose
at Rabun Gap.
Still, I never figured we would discover so much more in such a small region. I also never figured
I would see this same region look so small.
At the Misty Mountain Model Railroad near Blairsville, the engineer, Charles Griffin, spent more
than 14 years constructing tracks. Now, what was once just for fun with friends and family has
become a public attraction, running up to 16 trains through little versions of Tallulah Falls,
Gainesville, Blairsville, Blue Ridge and Brasstown Bald.
In Helen, the miniature train attraction called Charlemagne's Kingdom depicts Germany - the
place where owner Willi Lindhorst was born. "Maybe I'm homesick, I don't know," Lindhorst
says. "But I like trains."
Charlemagne's Kingdom boasts a 22-foot-high mountain plus 3,000 trees made by Willi's wife,
Judi. Scattered about are buildings, bridges, more mountains and the German Autobahn. Soaring
above are hot air balloons. Look close and you'll see a bungee jumper - even a UFO. "It's just a
combination of 20 years of gluing models together," Judi says. "It was his idea." --JT

Brasstown Valley, it would appear the prefix of
"brass" could also mean class. And that's a class that's
contagious at the Brasstown Valley Resort's restaurant. "There are a lot of people who drive over two
hours," says Sid Kurrimbukus, the executive chef.
"They just come up for dinner - the view and the
dining room and the food."

Why vacation
in a one room hotel?

Magical Easter
Eggstravaganza
April 12, 2014 * Cleveland, Ga

* 25,000 Egg Hunt * Parade
* Breakfast w/Cabbage Patch Kids
* Arts & Crafts

1-800-392-8279
www.whitecountychamber.org

Plan your escape today.
www.escapetoblueridge.com ~ 1-866-618-2521
EACH OF OUR CABINS INCLUDES:
* High-speed WiFi
* Hot tubs, game rooms & DVD players
* Modern kitchens, laundry rooms,
& appliances
* Warm and welcoming fireplaces

CUSTOMIZE YOUR VACATION WITH:
* In-cabin services such as chef-prepared meals,
wine tastings & massages
* Pre-stocked kitchen
* Self-guided tours, local events and attractions

MARCH/APRIL 2014 | 29

http://www.escapetoblueridge.com

Blue Ridge County - March/April 2014

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