Helen and Vicinity

Six miles away is Cleveland - home of the Cabbage Patch Kids which is definitely worth a visit.

Best Things About the Resort:
The peacefulness. Although Helen is an easy walk away, be warned the town is deserted during weekday nights apart from the restaurants. The activities manager runs trips and events although we did not attend any.

Resort Experience:
We were warned there were a lot of stairs and no lifts, but our one bedroom unit was on the lower level down about 15 steps overlooking the garden with the river at the bottom, floodlit tennis courts to the right, and tennis courts and swimming pool of another resort to the left.

The lounge had a sofa bed, chair, tv, small table and fireplace at one end and dining table with four chairs at the other. The kitchen contained all the necessary equipment with oven, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. We were even given scourers and dishwasher tablets.

The bedroom had a double bed, one bedside cabinet, tv and fitted wardrobes. It only had a small window with no outlook.

The bathroom was compact with shower over the bath, washbasin and toilet.

There was a deck outside with table and four chairs and it was very peaceful as we sat there at night with the birds and crickets chirping.

Maid service was available for a charge, but linens and towels could be exchanged by taking them to housekeeping on Monday and Thursday. There is a laundry on site with four washers and dryers.

Our unit was very clean as was the whole resort area and the staff very friendly and helpful.

There is a large deck overlooking the river where people were fishing and also a club room where activities are held, and there is a small library.

Gas barbeques were plentiful round the resort.

Check in was very quick and a parking permit is given, which is placed on the dash of the car - the parking place number corresponds with the unit number. Check out was even quicker as we checked out before office hours and just posted keys and permit through the door.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The new kids awaiting adoption in the hospital are from $195 to $350 depending on which size. There are newborns, preemies, and kids. Cheaper models with hard heads are available in the shop, which also stocks clothes and accessories.

The place is set like a hospital with the staff dressed as nurses. A receptionist greets you as you go in, and you progress through the nursery unit and school til you reach the cabbage patch.

As you browse, an announcement is made that a cabbage is about to give birth and everyone has to go to the cabbage patch. The doctor (dressed in green doctors clothes and with a stethoscope) arrives and checks the cabbage. She then informs the audience how many leaves it is dilated. After this the baby is pulled up, wrapped in a blanket, and name suggestions requested. The baby is named and whisked away.

When a kid is adopted you have to swear an oath and an adoption certificate is received.

My husband wasn't too keen on this visit, but I noticed him watching with interest as the baby was born!

The next morning we returned to visit Anna Ruby Falls. There is a charge of $2 to enter Unicoi State Park, but if you are going to the falls you pay at the second paystation.

The falls originate from two separate creeks creating a double waterfall and there is a pleasant half mile climb to viewing platforms.

At the lake at Unicoi is a small beach area which was deserted when we were there, with a roped off area of the lake for swimming and an area where boats can be hired. Barbecues and picnic tables are plentiful set amongst trees.

The lake has a beach with part of the water cordoned off for wading - I wouldn't say it was deep enough for adult swimming, but the children were certainly enjoying it - and it was very busy when we were there.

There was boat area where paddle boats and canoes could be hired, a decking area with chairs and a stage for summer concerts, a shop and plenty of parking and seating areas.

We spent a couple of hours enjoying the sun and the ducks on the lake.

When this old road rejoins the new, about a quarter of a mile from Tallulah Gorge is a pull in where you can look at the gorge for free. There is a shop seling all kinds of things from bird feeders, souveniers to cider. There are also pictures of Karl Wellender who in 1970 walked on a tightrope 1200 feet above the gorge.

Continuing on to the gorge where a parking fee of $3 is paid, there is a very good interpretive centre. Here you can watch a film on the gorge before it was dammed, read about the Indian legends see the wildlife which can be seen and many more things.

There are two main areas to view the gorge. One is down a path to an overlook where we were lucky to be on level with four eagles gliding in the warm currents. It was a wonderful sight, we were close enough to see their beaks and eyes and distinguish their feathers. At this point there are seats so that you can rest and take in the beautiful sight.

The other way leads to another overlook, which in turn leads to steps (about 175) down to a bridge spanning the gorge. I was brave enough to go down, but chickened out on going over (or on) the bridge.

There were a lot of trees which looked as if they were encased in giant spiders webs. We were told that this is a worm which gets into the trees and eventually kills them. The worms could be spotted in the webs.

Back to the highway and a turn to the right brings you to Lake Raburn and a beautiful loop drive. Again there are hiking trails, a beach - though very small - with roped area of lake, picnic tables and benches, and swings, restrooms and cocacola machine.

The place was deserted when we were there we had the beach to ourselves and it was so peaceful.

Along the track from the beach was a bridge spanning a stream which fed the lake and here were dragonflys flitting about.

The start of the falls is up the hill near the Lodge, a short walk from the carpark brings you to it. There are a lot of steps to go down to the bottom , but we didn't attempt it. One man was nearly passing out after his attempt down and up again.

On the way back down, we saw a notice stating there was a wildlife viewing area, but we didn't stop as there was nowhere to park.

In the bottom car park, there is a path to the base of the falls and steps leading further up.

After eating lunch, we started the climb up Brasstown Bald. A shuttle was available at a small charge, but it had just left. The trail is not too strenuous and quite pleasant on a paved path through wooded area.

At the top there is an interpretive centre and steps to a viewing platform from which 4 states can be seen - North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Boards tell you what you are looking at and there are telescopes available for 25c a go.

Helen used to be a thriving mountain town and when things in the logging industry went downhill, someone came up with the idea of turning it into a Bavarian town to promote tourism. We knew it was set in the Alpine style, but the chalet type buildings were just so unusual a sight to see in America.

Saturday was spent exploring the town. We walked down the hill from Loreley and on, reaching the bridge where we watched the people tubing down the river. Even the dogs were taking part - although some looked a little reluctant! The riverbank was thronging with people, sunbathing, fishing, tubing, groups barbecueing.

A little further on and we came to the centre of the town where the majority of shops are and spent a while admiring the beautiful quilts on sale. This area has a sort of square with benches and fountain and souvenir shops. It is also the area to pick up a horse and carriage ride. There were so many people and it was so hot it was nice to return to the peacefulness of Loreley.

The next time we ventured into the town was Tuesday evening and Helen was closed! There was nobody about. There were people in restaurants, but no-one in the street - except us. It seems that the place only comes alive at weekends or festivals.

We used Helen as a base and enjoyed the area, but the style of the town is not at all to our taste.

We did our main shopping at the supermarket called Ingles in Cleveland, but it does not stock alcohol.

Bettys - situated just outside Helen on the road to Hiawassee - is like an old fashioned country store, but quite a large supermarket inside, which is not expensive and stocks alcohol.

There is also a shop in Helen on the main road selling alcohol.

We found Helen ideal as a base - there is so much to see and do in the area - a lot of historic sights to see like the smallest covered bridge off Highway 255, Nacoochee Mound which has a gazebo on it on the corner of the 255 and 75 on the way to Cleveland and the courthouse in Cleveland which was built by slaves.

Also worth a visit is the town of Blue Ridge which has a steam train giving scenic rides, and Elijay, the apple capital, which has many antique shops.