Good To Know

Ellijay is located in Gilmer County. One of the best resources when visiting The Nest is Ellijay's Chamber of Commerce website. They have businesses listed by category so it's a great place to find restaurants and places to visit.

You can also visit the Chamber Welcome Center while you're there.
Address: 696 First Avenue, East Ellijay, GA 30540
(706) 635-7400 

Click [HERE] to check out their website.

Before you visit, you can request a Visitor's Guide from their website. This is a great brochure (bigger than a brochure) but it is something you can put in your hand and would be very helpful.

Another great website to visit is HelloNorthGeorgia.com.

Click [HERE] to visit their website. 

If you're like me and LOVE LOVE LOVE waterfalls, here are a few websites that will point you in the right direction to find nearby waterfalls.

Waterfalls of North Georgia (Photographer Jack Anthony)
Click [HERE].

Blue Ridge Highlander
Click [HERE].  

Georgia Trails
Click [HERE].  

FYI: Other than Ellijay, my favorite nearby towns are Blue Ridge and Dahlonega. There are others to see, we just haven't made it there yet. LOL

Great place to eat in Blue Ridge is Blue Jeans (Italian).
Great place to eat in Dahlonega is The Smith House (AYCE family style).
Great place to eat in Ellijay is The Rib Shack (get the ribs) and The Cantaberry Restaurant (great sandwiches and be sure to get a piece of carrot cake OMG).  

FYI - Terry and I have decided to list The Nest with a vacation site in order to get more exposure. WE NEED RENTERS!!! :) We will still be handling everything personally. It is just a website where people can find it easier which will generate some interest.

Thanks to those who subscribe and follow the updates on the blog. FYI - I have revised the posts, took out a lot of the verbiage and tried to streamline it. The blog will primarlily be pictures with a little bit of explanation from this point on.

Thanks to those who have already rented. We appreciate it VERY much!!

God Bless!!

Update: Effective 4/27/13 The Nest is listed with Vacation Rentals. You can go to http://vacationrentals.com and inquire on Property #112136 or go directly [HERE]

Apple Festival

The fall is one of the best times to be up at The Nest, of course because of the beautiful color. One of the best things to see and do in the fall is The Apple Festival, which is the 2nd and 3rd weekend in October every year. Click [HERE] to learn more about the festival. 

As far as seeing fall color from what I've seen, the best time is towards the end of October or very first part of November. It's a guessing game, either way, but I've been able to see more fall color in north Georgia than I've ever been lucky enough to see in North Carolina, and it wasn't as far to drive.

Carters Lake

Carters Lake is one of the coolest things about the area, in my opinion.  We have been going to Ellijay for years because my brother has a cabin about 7 miles away from The Nest. 

Check out the view of the lake from the back deck of his cabin. You can see from the date on the pic, this is a couple of years ago. You won't be able to get this perspective from down on the lake but I wanted you to be able to see it.

If you stay at The Nest and love the water, I really recommend you check out the Marina on Carters Lake (see below). The marina will rent boats so you can see the lake for yourself. Click [HERE] to visit their website for boat rental information. 

 

 

 Carters Lake is a Corp of Engineer project, so there is no private property with lake access. You can access the lake through the marina or several parks with boat access. Please note, there are fees to enter the parks and marina area. There are two parks within 7 miles of The Nest for a great day on the lake and have a picnic. Click [HERE] to learn more about these parks. Harris Branch Recreation Area is the only public swimming area on Carters Lake. The beach area is known as the Red Neck Riviera.  Click [HERE] for information about Harris Branch.

Click [HERE] to view a map of Carters Lake. Notice Coosawattee River, top right, and 382. You turn right on 382 when leaving The Nest out of the Eagle Mountain gate. You will go between 6-7 miles and come to Doll Mountain Park first; then Harris Branch. Both are on 382. Be looking for the signs. 

To get to the marina, you will continue to travel on 382 to 136. Turn right on 136. It will be several miles but be looking for the signs to the marina. You will access the marina and the Dam Recreation Area from the same turn off of 136. Click [HERE] and [HERE] to learn more about Carters Lake and the Dam.

 

An interesting fact about Carters Lake is that they dammed the Coosawattee River to create Carters Lake. Yes, the same Coosawatte River where The Nest is. Apparently, the Coosawattee was quite a white water destination before the dam and has links to the movie, Deliverance.

Here are a few of my favorite pics taken while on my brother's boat.

 Notice the tree on top. This is the Dam Recreation Are. I find it all to be  quite impressive and very interesting. The recreation area has tables and restrooms, and is another great place for a picnic. On some of the sites I have linked, you may read something about reserving sites at these parks. This is only needed for a large group. Otherwise, just show up and pick a great spot for an awesome view of the lake. Don't forget, Harris Branch is the only park with swimming access. If you go swimming, don't be surprised when the fish nibble bite. I'm serious, if you don't keep moving, they'll let you know they are there. I think it's part of the adventure. When I have been swimming, it's been right off of the boat in the middle of the lake, not at Harris Branch so I'm not sure if they are so brave in that area or not. I just don't want you to be surprised when you feel a nibble.

If you notice the irregular shape of the lake from the map link I posted, that is created from all the valleys of those hills. Literally, the Coosawattee River is at the base of Carters Lake. With the dam, the water rises up those mountains to the level we see.

I hope you will check out the lake, whether it's from a rented boat, one of the recreation areas or hiking trails. It is one of the THINGS TO DO while visiting The Nest for sure.

Must See

There are endless things to do while visiting The Nest.

Gibbs Gardens
A new place that opened early March 2012 is a MUST SEE. It is about an hour's drive or less from The Nest.  If you like landscaping and nature, you'll want to go. It's a botanical garden with over 200 acres to walk around. It was beautiful!! Cost is $20. It might seem pricey but if you love gardens, want a slow leisurely walk with awesome venues every turn you take, you will love Gibbs Gardens. You can walk around as much as you want, with plenty of places to sit and relax. There is a sandwich shop and a great place outdoors to eat. I had a sandwich on walnut-cranberry bread. The bread is baked fresh by a nearby bakery. It was yummy!! You will be in awe of the beauty, landscape, water ponds, blooming bushes or flowers, Japanese Maples. It truly was amazing. 

They have it designed where every month has something different to see.  Click [HERE] to visit their website. I have a few pictures below from the day I was there but believe me - like we always say - the pictures don't do it justice. 

Here's a close up of that tree. I wish I could remember the name of this tree or bush.  They were all over the place and crazy, full of blooms. One thing about  Gibbs Gardens - they have strategically planted to have some kind of color or blooms throughout the months they are open, which is March thru November.

They have quite a few bronze sculptures, as well.

It had rained during the night so everything was lush and green.
I have a feeling that it might be that way no matter when you're there.

I think we were just before the azaleas and rhododendrons blooming. I think that's one pink azalea in the back there. I can't imagine how pretty it would be. I can't wait to be there in the fall to see the fall gorgeousness!! (Sigh!)

More Progress

Here are some pictures to show you the progress. If you are unable to see them well, click or double click on them. They should enlarge. Then press the back arrow (left) to look at the others.

 MASTER BEDROOM - BIRD ROOM

When you see it, you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

 GUEST BEDROOM - BUTTERFLY ROOM

with Queen Size Bed

(My friend, Karen)

AMERICANA BEDROOM

This room has a TV to watch movies.

I Got 'Em! I Finally Got 'Em!!

Just about any time you ride through CRR, deer will suddenly appear and run across the road, right in front of you. It's like they appear out of nowhere. This gets me almost as excited as when I get to see the river. The sad part is they appear and run away so fast, I never get a picture. That is...until THIS time. I rounded a corner, and THERE THEY WERE!!! I couldn't believe it. Luckily, my friend, Karen, was holding my camera so I was able to get it out and ready pretty soon. I rolled just a little bit closer to get a good angle above the side view mirror. It's like they just posed for me and held...except for one of them. He couldn't pull himself away from a little munch. 

I'm so excited I finally got them on camera. I felt almost like I had gotten a 10-point buck. (sigh) I may not get 'em again but I did THIS time. Just sayin'...

 AREN'T THEY GORGEOUS?!?!?!?!