Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fall Color Driving Tour #1

I went out on an expedition into North Carolina today to map out a potential “nice fall foliage tour”. Here’s the route I took, which is not recommended for sports cars, but any normal sedan will do fine. Four wheel drive is not required.

Off the mountain via Katydid. Left onto Lowery, right onto Cutcane, left onto Dean Road, right onto Spur 60.

Take Spur 60 to Hwy 19/129 North/East, through Murphy, and on into Andrews, NC. I continued all the way to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, only because I’ve never been there. It’s a gorgeous drive if you want to head that far, with plenty of photo ops. If not, (or if you do, back track and then) head east onto Wayah Road (if you do this directly, you’ll be making a right, if you’re back tracking from the NOC, it’ll be a left.) Wayah Road runs along the Nantahala Creek (more great photo ops) and up to Lake Nantahala. Once a few more leaves are down, there will be some stunning panoramas. Just past the lake be on the watch for Forest Service road 437 on the right – brown marker. This road is in excellent condition – 1 small tree was down, but I think even a sedan could “take it” – it was only 4-5” in diameter. Otherwise, extremely well maintained and extraordinarily scenic. At the 7 mile mark (check your odometer when turning onto FS 437) there is a house that looks like it’s going to drop down onto the road, and just before that is a nice, fairly high, waterfall on your left. At 10 miles is a lovely photo op of the creek. At 12 miles you’ve reached the end of FS 437 and will make a right onto Hwy 64 West. This is a fairly heavily traveled road, but the trees and mountains are very pretty. As you start the 9% down grade (you’ll see the sign warning the truckers), there is a scenic view pull off to the right. If you’re not traveling 90 miles an hour you’ll have plenty of time to make the turn off. I, however, missed it….

Continue on Hwy 64 West through Hayesville, and keep an eye out for Old Hwy 64 WEST on your left…it’s probably 20 miles at least from where you exit FS 437. Take Old Hwy 64 West as it winds through some beautiful farm country, and then when you see signs for the John C Campbell Folk School, take ‘em. You’ll be turning LEFT onto Brasstown Road. Stop in at the Folk School if you wish – they have a fall festival the weekend of the 3rd. There are some lovely photo ops here with old barns, buildings, etc.

Continue on Brasstown until it dead ends at Martin Creek Road. Hang a LEFT. Martin Creek Road is also very scenic with some gorgeous horse farms. It will dead end at 19/129, just on “our side” of Belleview Home Furnishings, one of my favorite stores ever! So, if it’s open and you want to check out some great stuff and great prices, make a right and it is just down the hill. Otherwise, hang a left and you’ll soon cross back into Georgia.

Couple of options here:

Option 1: Continue on 19/129 into Blairsville. On the way you’ll pass Rountree’s on your right – my other favorite shopping haunt that offers AMAZING home décor items at prices that almost make you feel guilty. Stop in and say hey to Laurel and her amazing dog, Dancer, who smiles when she gets excited. When you’ve loaded up the car with deals, make a right out of the parking lot and continue into Blairsville. Hang a right onto Hwy 515, and go 16.2 miles to Loving Road on the right and come back home.

Option 2: At the traffic light where Granny’s Cottage sits on your right (this would be before Rountree’s), make a right onto Hwy 325. Take Hwy 325 over the dam at Lake Notelly (more photo ops) and continue to Loving Road on the right (just across from the little white church – drive slow, take your time, keep your eyes peeled. If you miss it, no big deal, 325 will take you to Hwy 515 and you can hang a right and come in via Loving Road from the 4-lane). If you don’t miss the turn, enjoy the drive along Loving Road to Old Loving Road and come on back to your cabin for a delicious dinner.

Or, just buy a map and a compass and make up your own itinerary! “Give me a map and a compass, and I will rule the roads!”

Copyright 2010 Above the Rest Luxury Cabins.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

You Just Can't Make Up This Kind of Stuff...

So, I’m feeling much better. We had three (3) goals for today, in this order:

1. Set up cabins for arrivals. David was on it while I took care of some other business.
2. Go check on the mares. Kachina has started locking herself in one of the paddocks…she goes in to eat the clover, manages to push the gate shut, and voila! Trapped horse.
3. Tile the second bathroom in the house that we recently tiled the first bathroom in.

Things did not go quite as panned. David & Hanker went to Dream Catcher to set it up. I get a call. “Please come pick me up at Dream Catcher”, he says.

“Why, what’s wrong with the truck?”

“Um, it is currently wrapped around a tree.”

“Okey doke – be right there.” (I felt bad later than I didn’t ask if he was okay, but thought, hey, he’s talking, this is a good sign.)

I grab the tow straps and Max and off we go. David’s sitting at the picnic table – clearly shaken.

“Where’s the truck?”

“Look down the hill.”

(Okay, Dream Catcher’s driveway is TOTALLY FLAT, so I’m thinking okkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy, what hill…)

“What hill?”

“Over there” (David points down the road that continues past the driveway.)

Yep, sure enough, there’s the truck. It doesn’t look good.

“How the hell did you manage that???” (Please note – I am laughing because this is too bizarre.)

“I didn’t. I wasn’t in it.”

Now I need a full scale explanation. So here is what happened.

David goes into Dream Catcher. He is in there for 5 minutes when he hears a loud crash. He comes out, the truck is gone. He’s thinking – damn it! Someone stole my truck! Now he’s more worried because Hanker was in the truck; Hanker, his boy, his buddy, his yellow lab mix who rolls in poop and tries to become brown. Please also note that yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of the day Charlie, his best dog ever, was intentionally run down on My Mountain Road, so “Hanker Day” right next to “Charlie Day” – this would be bad.

Well, to make a long story short, David left Hanker in the truck, with the A/C on, as he has done a million times before. Hanker lays down on the seat and waits. Now we don’t know if a deer, a bear, or what passed in front of him, but apparently Hanker got excited. Or maybe he just thought “Hey, here’s my chance! I’s always wanted to drives, but they’s never lets me.” (Insert Hanker’s voice).

Hanker knocked the truck out of park and into drive. The truck moved forward, gaining enough momentum to cross over a small ring of rocks (we don’t know if Hanker was actually accelerating at this point or not…) and then wham! Made a perfect path between two rows of trees and doggone nearly made it out onto the gravel road. Except for that one, solitary, EXTREMELY LARGE oak tree, which the truck collided with, with sufficient force that (a) it got shifted back into park, AND (b) the emergency brake was on (it’s on the floor – so we're thinking Hanker hit the floor after hitting the gear shift) BUT, to Ford’s credit, was still running when David got to it. Hanker was shaken up but fine.

Oh, if you could have seen the guilty look on this dog’s face. It was pitiful. The truck? Yeah, it may be totaled. The tow driver said he’s seen things totaled for less damage and it is a 2004, but it only has 50K on it.

Now, all evidence to the contrary, we’re pretty fond of that truck…so we’ll see what the adjuster says tomorrow.

Needless to say, tiling got a later start than anticipated. David hooked up the wet saw, and the pump wasn’t working. I told him to take my Pathfinder and go check the mares. In the meanwhile, I took the pump apart and fixed it. By the time he got back, I had 2/3 of the floor laid out and edge pieces cut. It was still a long day – 5 hours. Floor looks great.

Man, we sure do hate when our dogs try to drive…but this will always go down in history as the day Hanker totaled Daddy’s truck. It just never ends…

Monday, July 12, 2010

This Week at The Swan

At the Swan Drive In:

Showing Friday and Saturday, July 16th and 17th, Double Feature-Two Movies for the price of one 9PM "Inception", Rated PG13 Starring Leonardo DiCaprio 11:15PM "Eclipse", Rated PG13

Showing Sunday thru Thursday, July 18th thru 22nd, One Show Only 9PM "Inception", Rated PG13 Starring Leonardo DiCapr...io

Monday, June 14, 2010

This Week at The Swan

Coming June 30th, "Eclipse", Rated PG13

Showing Friday and Saturday, June 18th & 19th, a double feature-two movies for the price of one.

9PM
"Toy Story 3" Rated G

10:45PM
"Prince Of Persia", Rated PG13

Showing Sunday thru Thursday, June 20th thru 24th
9PM
"Toy Story 3" Rated G

Monday, May 10, 2010

This Week at The Swan

Coming May 21st, "Shrek, The Final Chapter", Rated PG


Double Feature Friday and Saturday, May 14th & 15th-two movies for the price of one


8:45PM

"Iron Man 2", Rated PG13

10:45PM

"The Backup Plan", Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, May 16th

8:45PM

"Iron Man 2", Rated PG13

Sunday, May 2, 2010

This Week at The Swan

Double Feature Friday and Saturday, May 7th & 8th-two movies for the price of one

8:45PM

"Iron Man 2", Rated PG13

10:45PM

"The Backup Plan", Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, May 9th

8:45PM

"Iron Man 2", Rated PG13

Thursday, April 29, 2010

706-946-5100.
Christy Lee’s Private Wine Lockers Available!
Our customers have the oppor-tunity to rent a Private Wine Locker annually at Christy Lee’s. Upon rental you will receive a customized gold plaque with your name on it and enjoy some Great Wine. Call us for further details.
Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grille would like to Thank all of our patrons for the support of our Restaurant. We appreciate all of your feed back. Christy Lee’s is here to please the customers of Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas. We are always open to any suggestions you may have, please feel free to email us at Brenda@christylees.com
Check out Christy Lee’s Courtyard for Outside Lunch, Dinner, Wed-dings and Special Events!
We would like to introduce our Courtyard with beautiful
landscape along with a fabulous fountain, Surrounded by great music , and an incredible re-laxed casual atmosphere. Look for our live bands and great entertainers on our website www.christyleescourtyardgrille.com
Christy Lee’s Sports Stop!
Christy Lees is a Fan Favorite among sport enthusiasts in Blue Ridge, Georgia . Our custom-ers will never miss a second of their favorite game. Our Sea-food Raw Bar is surrounded by Great Friends, Great Food and Two Great Big Plasma TV’s for your Sports Enjoyment. Call to reserve your spot at the bar
Christy Lee’s First Live Mu-sic and Seafood Weekend Specials. Seafood and Live Music in our Courtyard starting at 5:00pm and until its over on May 29, 2010! Please RSVP by email: Brenda@christylees.com or calling 706-946-5100 no later than May 20, 2010.
Christy Lee’s Second Live Music and Seafood and Live Music June 12th. Please RSVP by June 1st 2010. 706-946-5100
Christy Lee’s Third Seafood Festival Surprise and Live Music July 2nd and 3rd. Please RSVP by June 30th 2010. 706-946-5100
Tell everyone you know!!
Our First Newsletter!
Christy Lee’s Live Music and Seafood Weekend Specials !
588 EAST MAIN STREET
BLUE RIDGE GA 30513
706-946-5100
IN THE COURTYARD OF THE MUSTARD SEED BUILDING
Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grille
Family, Friends, and Happiness
www.christyleescourtyardgrille.com
APRIL 26 2010
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
UPCOMING ADVENTS April 29th with Bill Pound April 30th and May 1st with David May 6th with Bill Pound May 7th and 8th Jazz with Melissa and Michael May 21st and 22nd Jazz with Melissa and Michael May 28th and 29th with Breaking Point June 1st with Bill Pound June 4th and 5th Surprise Artist June 8th with Bill Pound June 11th and 12th with Breaking Point June 17th with Bill Pound June 18th and 19th with Ben Hammond visiting us from Florida June 21st with Bill Pound Check Web Site for additional music and seafood Festi-val dates

This Week at The Swan

Double Feature showing Friday and Saturday-two movies for the price of one. Showing April 30th and May 1st
8:30PM
"The Back-Up Plan", Rated PG13
Starring Jennifer Lopez

10PM
"Clash Of The Titans", Rated PG13

Showing Sunday, May 2nd, One Show Only

8:30PM
"The Back-Up Plan", Rated PG13
Starring Jennifer Lopez

Monday, April 5, 2010

This Week at The Swan

Double Feature-two movies for the price of one, Friday and Saturday, April 9th & 10th
8:30PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG

10:15PM
"Dear John", Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, April 11th
8:30PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

This Week at The Swan

Double Feature-two movies for the price of one, Friday and Saturday, March 26th and 27th

8:15PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG

10PMDouble Feature-two movies for the price of one, Friday and Saturday, March 26th and 27th

8:15PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG

10PM
"Dear John", Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, March 28th

8:15PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG



"Dear John", Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, March 28th

8:15PM
"How To Train Your Dragon", Rated PG

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

This Weekend at the Swan Drive In

Double Feature-Two Movies For the Price Of One

8PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

9:45PM
"When In Rome"
Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, March 21st

8:PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

Monday, March 8, 2010

Swan Drive In Schedule for this Weekend

Double Feature, Friday & Saturday, March 12th & 13th

7:15PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

9PM
"When In Rome"
Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, March 14th

8:PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

This weekend at Harvest on Main

We'll be open late nights again this Friday and Saturday - March 5 & 6 - serving dinner until 9 p.m. and small bites until 10:30 p.m.

Plus you can join us at The Loft@Harvest for entertainment beginning at 8:30 p.m. each night.

Friday night we have Steel String Session - who you can see here http://www.steelstringsession.com/

And Saturday night features the return of LaFrandin who kept the crowd singing and smiling last weekend!

Cheers!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

February Newsletter On-line

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:9508.8049709723/rid:3d252d912a13fcb0ff08227f0fd70d31

Monday, March 1, 2010

This weekend at The Swan

Double Feature, Friday & Saturday, March 5th & 6th

7:15PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

9PM
"When In Rome"
Rated PG13

One Show Only, Sunday, March 7th

7:15PM
"Alice In Wonderland"
Rated PG
Starring Johnny Depp

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

This weekend at the Swan

7:15PM
Valentine's Day, Rated PG13

9:15PM
The Book Of Eli, Rated R
Starring Denzel Washington


One Show Only, Sunday, Feb. 21st
7:15PM
Valentine's Day, Rated PG13

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Mountain News

Warmer weather has come to the mountain - highs in the 40s, still nice & "cold weather snuggly" in the evenings. Serenity Garden Cafe downtown is either closed or temporarily closed for expansion remodeling - have to find "the scoop" on that.

Here are the current showings at The Swan Drive In:

Double Feature showing Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22nd, 23rd

7:15PM
"The Tooth Fairy", Rated PG

9:00PM
"The Blind Side", Rated PG13
Starring Sandra Bullock


One Show Only, Sunday, Jan 24th

7:15PM
"The Tooth Fairy", Rated PG



Look forward to seeing you on the mountain soon!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Cold, Snowy & Drive In Showings

It's extremely cold here right now - 14 degrees this morning, and snow showers Thurs and Fri. Perfect hot tub and snuggle by the fire weather, if you ask me. But, if you feel like taking in a drive in show on a starry night, here is the current schedule for the Swan:

7:15PM
"Alvin and The Chipmunks, The Squeakquel", Rated PG

8:45PM
"The Blind Side", Rated PG13
Starring Sandra Bullock


One Show Only, Sunday, Jan 10th

7:15PM
"The Blind Side", Rated PG13
Starring Sandra Bullock