Falling for the South: Georgia on our minds

Summer just won't go away.

Another heat wave is gripping much of the South. Temperatures rose to 100 degrees F yesterday, the last day of September! Apparently, it was the hottest September ever recorded for many cities, not just in the South. We have enjoyed swimming in the river, but seriously, it's time to move on. To fall season.

Pumpkins and squashes galore at a store in Ellijay

Grocery stores and shops exude fall atmosphere. Cider, apples, pears, pumpkins, Halloween costumes line the aisles. As we step outside with our purchase, it feels anything but fall.

So we'll have to wait a tad longer to go apple picking or hiking in the mountains of North Georgia. A couple hours drive along the scenic backroads brings us to charming mountain towns like Ellijay (famous for its Apple Festival), Blue Ridge (artsy downtown, apple picking at Mercier Orchard), Dahlonega and Helen. The last two towns can be quite busy as they are closer to Atlanta, so be prepared for traffic! Dahlonega is the site of the first major gold rush and home to the University of N. Georgia while Helen is a replica of a Bavarian Alpine village with wineries and Oktoberfest is a popular fall attraction.

Go apple picking at Mercier Orchard in Blue Ridge

or buy your apples at the store

Dick's Creek Falls, half hour north of Dahlonega

Even closer to us is Cloudland Canyon, one of our favorite places to hike. If you're thinking of hiking down to see the falls, check with the state park to see if the falls are dry, as we had a hot and dry September.