We are about 4 miles east of the entrance to Amicalola Falls State Park. Amicalola Falls has a view from the top that is spectacular along with a lodge with a buffet restaraunt. Inquire at their number: (706) 265-8888. They also have camping and hiking. The beginning of the Appalacian Trail is 6 miles from their lodge on Springer Mountain.

If you are driving out from Dahlonega, you'll pass Larry Greenway's woodturning shop and studio. He's right at the corner where Hwy 9 and Hwy 52 branch apart. He's on the 52 branch. Great hand turned bowls!

About 3 miles from here is the largest Kangaroo Conservation Center outside of Australia...go figure....For families with children over the age of 8 you can make an appointment to tour their grounds.

Forrest Hills Resort, Mountain Laurel Inn, and Gold City Corral are located in the valley and surrounding hills behind us. You will find everything from accomodations for family reunions and conventions, to honeymoon cottages, and horseback riding. Everyone we meet who is staying there says they are having a wonderful time and hope to come back again. I think that speaks for itself.

Lily Creek Lodge is another wonderful place to stay, and the folks who run the place will undoubtedly make your stay a memorable one as well as comfortable. I went to a fund raising tea there, and got the grand tour. Each room is elegantly decorated with wonderful antiques, and individual themes. What a paradise! The waterfall into the secluded woodland pool with the cabana was fantastic, but I was truely taken with the cool tree house.

Fourteen miles to the east on highway 52 is Dahlonega, GA. The Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce has a website, and I would like to recommend several favorite restaurants in Dahlonega.

Oar House Restaurant about 3 miles out of town towards Cleveland is a dining on the river experience with very good food and service.

Coming up through Dawsonville, the Mexican Restaurant called "Fajitas" is excellent across from the Thunder Road complex.

There is a new lodge, the Cedar House Inn and Yurts . here in Dahlonega. The yurts are furnished and look very comfortable inside.

As of November, 2007, a new restaurant has opened in Jasper, GA called Sharp Top Mt. Grill. This is fine food, fun dining at its best! The prices are incredibly reasonable, and the service is excellent and friendly. I very much enjoyed the fried catfish platter, but everything we tasted was excellent. They also have a full bar and beautifully decorated and comfortable atmosphere. It is located in downtown Jasper across from the courthouse. Do try it soon.

Another fine Bed and Breakfast is Mountain Laurel Creek Inn and Spa just north of Dahlonega. The location is fantastic with full mountain views and a close proximity to many day trip delights.

I learned how to design and publish this Website myself but visit Cast Web Design if you need help on developing your own site. They will provide Web design at a reasonable price (they did Barbara Rheingrover's current Website).

This link can lead you to a site about stone carving as well as a list of sculpture gardens to visit: The Learning Stone

This is a list of my favorite artist links that I like to visit. They are not neccesarily nearby, but worth an internet visit:
John Nolan, an artist in Dublin, Ireland, whose acrylic paintings with gobs of contrasting colors take "visual delight" into a new dimension. His site is: Nolanart.com

I love to carve wood, and I have several links that you may enjoy on that subject: Woodcarving Illustrated has a message board forum that is a very helpful resource. Chainsaw Sculptors is a web site devoted to chainsaw carving. Chris Pye Woodcarving is an incredible example of fine woodcarving.