Alpine Helen Georgia area

Helen Georgia originally was primarily a logging town and community that fell on hard times in the mid to late 1960’s.  I think it was almost bankrupt when the town resurrected itself as a replica of a Bavarian Alpine town.  Not in Germany or Bavaria but in the Appalachian mountains in Georgia instead of the Alps. The city changed their zoning and building codes in 1969 so everything was designed and transformed into that classic south German style which is present in every building within the town of Helen.  Even the couple of national franchisees locations of Wendy’s and Huddle House share the Alpine theme. A town corporation was formed, land bought to maintain the desired alpine atmosphere and shortly it seemed the tourists were flocking to the area.

I have a friend who I had not seen since my twenty year high school reunion invite me up to say hello and also see the area once again after so many years.  Much has changed but many of the old country stores and attractions were still going strong.

Tourism became the main business with weekend travelers from Atlanta during the early seventies being the town’s main revenue source. During that time period I remember going up during the winter months and almost everything was closed down. Over the years and as the town has grown it is a vibrant place all year long. The Chattahoochee River run through the city where tubing the river is one of many ways to spend the day.

This was a family I met in Helen who wanted their picture taken with Placido Flamingo.

It was natural for Octoberfest to be one of the major draws to this area so the town holds it’s even in September and October.  Many turn up in the traditional alpine costumes and beer flows freely.  When the leaves in the mountains start turning and the beautiful colors abound on the hillsides Helen becomes crowded with tourists from all over.

Spring and summer find the whole town in vibrant colors from the flowers that are everywhere to the nicely painted murals depicting the alpine way of life.  There are mostly mom and pop shops that have a wide variety of food, snacks, souvenirs, and nick knacks of every sort.  There are baked goods which have the German or Bavarian flare as well as several restaurants offering authentic food.  

Many years ago I had the opportunity to participate in the first Helen to the Atlantic Ocean Hot Air Balloon race in 1974 with my friend H. Harold Carter.  It is hard to believe the race is still going on every June.  The concept simple, people of Helen Georgia believe it will start at the "center of the world" (that's Helen) and as in Columbus’ day the finish line will be at "the edge of the earth", the Atlantic Ocean anywhere between New York and Miami along I-95. Balloons can only be controlled in two directions, up and down, so the direction a balloon takes is totally dependent upon the wind, and thus the length of the finish line.

Normally, a balloon will stay up about four hours, and balloon pilots are followed by an entourage of crew who have tanks of propane to refuel the balloon and send it back up again to continue its journey. It is possible, under the right conditions, to reach the Atlantic in two days. To qualify for the championship, a balloon must reach the finish line within seven days.

Helen is vibrant as ever with the streets filled with people walking to the various shops, eating the wide variety of foods and enjoying a lazy float through town.  Traffic is backed up as everyone slows with all the activity on both sides of the street.  Many shops are now also on the side streets with everyone enjoying the alpine experience.  Helen has expanded in the twenty years I have been away with the valley filling in with local shops, venues for excursions, and several parks for the kids to play and relax.

Things have moved from a tent to a large indoor pavilion area for Octoberfest with its month’s long celebration.  There are several pubs located throughout town now and more local eateries.  There are now several vineyards’ in the area with wine tastings and tours.  Bottles of wine offered and enjoyed in various settings. The national chains have mostly stayed away or possibly not willing to change their facades to the alpine theme required in town. Either way it is nice to see the mom and pop local vendors flourishing these days.  The city has embraced the changes from the once sleepy logging town to a vibrant close knit community with now several generations of local families’ involvement keeping things running smoothly and growing in the Nacoochee Valley.

Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi Park

Just north of the Alpine village of Helen, Anna Ruby Falls is adjacent to Unicoi State Park.  Part of the 1600 acre Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area, the waterfalls are named for the daughter of John H. Nichols, a wealthy White County resident who owned much of the land in the vicinity.  Besides the falls, Nichols had purchased significant amounts of land around the Chattahoochee River, Duke's Creek and Sautee River.  The gazebo that sits on top of the Indian Mound built by Georgia's Mound builders at the junction of Highway 75 and 17 at the start of the Nacoochee-Sautee Valley was one of many area structures he designed and built.

High atop Tray Mountain the water that becomes Anna Ruby Falls begins its journey, part as underground spring, and part as runoff.  The peak, on the eastern Front Range of the Appalachian Mountains (the Blue Ridge Mountains), is a popular destination for area hikers.  Mountain laurel and rhododendron constantly battle for control of the sun.  White pine and poplar dominate, telling the story of the over-foresting that took place here less than a century before. 

The trail to Anna Ruby Falls is a continuous, easy to moderate paved climb with bridged crossings of Smith Creek.  Towards the end, there are well-placed observation decks which afford an excellent view of both waterfalls.  The path to the falls is paved, and benches line Smith Creek, which the path follows. It is a steady climb to the falls and storms have dramatically altered the walk over the last 15 years. When I last hiked this path in the early 1980's it was heavily shaded, with large trees blocking the sun. Today, because of many storms, trees have been removed and light breaks through to the ground in many places.  The rare double waterfall is formed by Curtis and York Creek from Tray Mountain which is behind Anna Ruby Falls.  It is a tranquil walk with the sounds of the water running down the mountain, the water hitting and falling over the multiple rocks with mini-falls as you make your way up and back.

Mark of the Potter

Traveling on highway 197 near Clarksville Georgia is an old grist mill which was turned into a pottery studio in 1969.  It is located on the Soque River right at a small dam across the river.  They have several potters on staff as well as guest potters who come in and do live demonstrations or making items for sale.  The retail store has many different items of all sorts from bowls, plates, cups, or other items. It is very informative and has the history of Mark of the Potter and several newspaper articles.  On the back deck overlooking the river you can see large trout swimming about.  People can feed them as the fish swarm around waiting to be fed.  It is comical watching them waiting for someone to throw food in the water.  The views of the falls upriver are beautiful and vary depending on the season.  Fall colors can give the river a colorful look and when the snow is on the ground or on the rocks it takes on a totally different look and perspective.

There are many activities to do in Helen ranging from tubing the Chattahoochee River, golf, hot tubing at many cabins/lodges in the area, hiking the many trails and waterfalls, museums, winery tours, swimming, biking, and amusement parks.  There is something for all ages in a unique to Georgia setting with the Bavarian theme.

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