North Georgia residents don’t have to go too far to find beautiful mountain countryside with plenty of outdoor adventures.
Thrillseekers come to Rabun County to test their skills against the powers of nature through kayaking and whitewater rafting. Other outdoor adventures include hiking, biking, horseback riding, golf, hunting, fishing, canoeing and camping.
A recent visited to Rabun County included breakfast and an overnight stay at the historic Dillard House, hiking at Tallulah Falls to see breathtaking views of the gorge and waterfalls and a stop at the Lake Rabun Hotel for dinner. We also stopped at Annie’s at Alley’s for ice cream and shopping and at Tiger Mountain Winery for a tour.
I grew up stopping at Tallulah Gorge and was amazed at the view from the roadside. I had no idea that there was so much more to Tallulah Gorge State Park. The site includes more than a two and a half mile long gorge and five waterfalls.
The interpretive center and hike to view the falls is so educational, entertaining and enlightening. In the interpretive center, you will find a diorama depicting the town in 1912. It was such a bustling town in those early days.
After a short hike, you will get a great view of the waterfalls, including the tallest one at 96 feet. Danny Tatum is the park ranger and he gives visitors information and details about the state park. Tours are offered occasionally on some of the formations. They have 10 overlooks and 100 permits are given each day to hike to the bottom of the gorge. On five weekends during the year, boating is allowed through the gorge.
DILLARD HOUSE
After our day of exploring Rabun County, we sent a restful night at the Dillard House, which has large rooms with comfortable bedding. At the Dillard House, activities offered include horseback riding, petting zoo, fishing, tennis and a swimming pool.
“We don’t have everything on the grounds but we can get you there right quickly,” owner John Dillard told a recent group of visitors. “We’re sort of a throwback to the old days.”
Four generations of the Dillard family have run the business and it continues to expand and thrive. The inn opened in 1917 when Mr. Dillard’s grandmother took in visitors for overnight stays. In 1958, the restaurant opened.
The restaurant features old fashioned southern cooking. Our breakfast included homemade sausage, country ham, red eye gravy, sausage gravy, biscuits, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, strawberry fried pies, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit. Jellies made with fruit fresh from nearby Osage Farms. Each meal at the Dillard House, includes 14 to 15 dishes.
The dining room has a full glass window that provides a great view of the beautiful mountain countryside.
More than 20 films have been filmed in the Dillard area, including Deliverance and The Great Locomotive Chase. Many of the stars and crew stayed at the Dillard House.
For more information on the Dillard House, go to www.dillardhouse.com.
DINNER AT LAKE RABUN HOTEL
Lake Rabun Hotel, located at 35 Andrea Lane in Lakemont, is a wonderful spot for dinner in beautiful surroundings. The shrimp and greats is a great choice as an appetizer or main course. The grits are so creamy and are perfect with the shrimp. As for the entrees, the pecan crusted mountain trout is amazing. Hand-made potato gnocchi, grilled portabellas, roasted zucchini, glazed carrots and caper-herb butter. For dessert, the meringue and local strawberry napoleon is a light, sweet end to your meal. Strawberries are layered between meringue with mint syrup and chocolate sauce.
For more information on the restaurant, go to www.lakerabunhotel.com.
For information on visiting Rabun County, go to www.gamountains.com or www.explorerabun.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
