Helen (Back)

6 Years, 44 Weeks.


For the kids' spring break we decided to visit the Bavarian Alps, to get in touch with our German roots…and we didn't even leave the United States!

Unbeknownst to us, nestled in the lower Blue Ridge Mountains about 2 hours east of Atlanta Georgia, a small rural town called Helen gave the same look and feel as if we actually went to Germany and a resort ski town in the Bavarian Alps.  We took a long weekend, Wednesday through Sunday, and drove up for a neat "international" experience, capped off with a stay at the Reeves' home in Calhoun and a visit with several friends and their families.

It was Wunderbar!

Here's how it went down:

Using their brand new duffel roller bags, each a different color.  They packed their own stuff!

The night before we left, Tangie and I went to dinner at the Hard Rock Hotel.

One of the top restaurants in Orlando, it was nice opportunity to celebrate the Mrs.!

Day 1

Dropping Tux off for boarding.

Again, very excited to be there and see his friends.

And we're off.  And…we're out.

Maddy catches me trying to sneak in a photo.

Taking a stretch during a gas stop.

Picked up Thai in the town of Athens.

Finally arrived at our hotel late in the evening.

Maddy catching a ride to our room.

She brought quite a bit of stuffed animals with her!

Brother was out like a light!

Day 2

Early morning entertainment on the wall.

The hotel came with daily breakfast, score!

Lounging in the lobby before heading out.

Some fresh orange juice to go!

First stop was Cabbage Patch Babyland, where all the Cabbage Patch kids are "born",
a sprawling 70,000 sq ft mansion on 650 acres.  Crazy!

This was something Mommy was super excited to bring the kids to see!

Our 3 cabbage patch kids!

The biggest doll store I've ever seen.

Can I get this?  I want this one!

One of the original Cabbage Patch dolls, this one valued at $37,000!

Next we stopped to pick up some gold!

Watching a short video on how to properly pan for gold.

We found some gold, but not much!

The men fashioning some very colorful mining hats!

The adults were made to wear safety gear for the gold mine tour.

Checking out the biggest quartz haul in the Eastern United States.

Maddy touching the dynamite blasted walls.

Learning about the mining process from the early to mid 1900's.

Taking a breather and listening to our guide 4 stories under the surface!

Next we swung by to see Amicalola Falls.

We had to descend over 400 steps to get to the halfway point of the falls.

That is a long way down!

Catching their breath!

A nice family photo!

On the climb back, Kohl shows his displeasure.  He wasn't feeling well that day anyway,
and ended up blowing chunks halfway back up to the top.  He would be sick for the rest of the day,
having another 2 episodes before the day was through.  Fortunately he was better the following morning.

A quick stop to see a chocolate factory.

Supper at a German restaurant.  Braelyn thought it smelled funny!

We had the entire restaurant to ourselves!  Seriously, there was no one else there.

Chicken schnitzel with spaetzle and pickled red cabbage.  Yum.

Day 3

We visited an eclectic attraction in nearby Tiger, GA called Goats On The Roof.

Brae using a pulley system to help feed the goats on the other side.

A fun attraction, who knew you could put goats on a roof and make money!

Feeding some of the goats back on the ground.

Some of them big enough to go over the fence!

Maddy's finger got bit by this little kid!

Doing what they love to do, gem mining.

She found some gold!

Mommy helping Kohl sort his gems.

We're just a bunch of goats!

A quick stop to see Tallulah gorge, the deepest point east of the Mississippi River!

Swung by the Old Sautee Store.

And we're talking old!

I mean, this was the cash register!!

Taking some samples of cheese and apple cider.

Touring around the town of Helen.

Swung by to get some treats at a German bakery.

We even got to see a windmill!

You would've thought we were in Europe!

A little miniature golfing in the afternoon.

Neat to have the golf course surrounded by gardens and Bavarian architecture.

Big sis taking a breather.

The twins sad about losing their balls down the hole on #18!

Happy again, and happy he was able to eat after yesterday's sickness!

Cleaning and sorting their gems in the hotel room.

Day 4

Chocolate for breakfast?!

Sharing some of Mommy's chocolate covered apple.

Enjoying the scene of this quaint resort town.

Kohl finds his sword and shield, made of wood.

The girls found their knight in shining armor!

Swung by the Nora Mill, fed by the Chatahoochee River.

Watching how the corn was fed down into the milling stones that ground it into corn flour!

Visiting an old Southern heritage covered bridge.

Stealing a kiss from the Mrs. inside.

Arrived at the Reeves' farm, greeting their dogs.

Cory's parents own some acreage next door, so it was great to see them as well.

The Ericksons and Nudds joined us for supper.

They have a nice big table to accommodate many.

And there were a lot of us!

Watching a movie downstairs in the basement.

After the movie was over this was how we found them, all asleep!

Day 5

Early morning Wii racing competition.

The Reeves Srs came over for breakfast of eggs and waffles.

Speaking of eggs, we came home with some from their chickens!

Kohl fell down one of the hills on the Reeves' property and received a nice bump on the forehead from the rocks.
Fortunately that was the extent of the damage, but he was sore for the next couple of days.

A quick stop to Starbucks before our 8 hour drive back home!

Have a great weekend!!