Coweta Fayette Real Estate & Newnan Homes for sale blog by Richard Weisser of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

Many modern visitors flock to Helen Georgia in late September though October for the annual Oktoberfest celebration.

But what many modern day revelers may not realize as they enjoy the festivities of the fall season is that the area was home to ancient civilizations and was a popular spot long before the arrival of European settlers.

Ancient Mississippian tribes inhabited nearly all of the fertile river beds in Georgia thousands of years before the arrival of the colonists. They constructed mounds in the river valley not only to ceremoniously bury their dead, but also to have a place to build important civic structures above the alluvial flood plain.

So if you take a trip to the Georgia Mountains this Autumn, spend a few moments reflecting on the rich anthropological history of the region.

After all, we may walk these valleys but a short time.

Photo: Mississippian burial mound in the Nacoochee Valley near Helen GA.

It's hard to believe that Memorial Day Weekend is already here. It's time for barbeques, get-togethers and the Indy 500. Traditionally, it also marks the beginning of the summer vacation season as well.

But we should never forget the genuine significance of the occasion. Memorial Day is the day that we recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by those that fought to protect our way of life. Many did so in pain and agony, enduring suffering beyond imagination.

And our remembrances should be more than perfunctory. Every privilege and entitlement that we enjoy as Americans has been purchased at a very high price by the brave men and women that fought and perished for it, and by the families that lost their loved ones forever in the struggle to preserve our freedom.

Every locality in the nation has an official commemoration on this most important day. Wouldn't it be a good thing to pay tribute to our fallen heroes by planning to attend?

And while you're there, shake the hand of a surviving veteran and thank them for their service.

I'm certain that it will be appreciated.

Photos Courtesy of North Georgia Photos.

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
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One of the best hikes in the Helen Georgia area takes you from the lodge in Unicoi State Park to the gazebo in Downtown. Start by driving North through Helen, then right (east) on Georgia 356.

Turn right after you enter the park on the driveway that leads up to the lodge. There is plenty of parking here. Here at the lodge, you can obtain a free map of the trail. The trail begins in the parking lot, and begins the 3 mile descent into Helen.

The trail is well marked, and is only steep in a few places. It passes through woodlands and some open grasslands. There is an excellent opportunity to spot deer, turkey, and all sorts of birds and small mammals.

There are bridged stream crossing, but use caution in very wet weather. As you come into Helen, you will arrive in the Park just above the gazebo. Here you can rest before the trip back to the lodge.

If you prefer a shorter walk, leave a car at the Gazebo parking lot and shuttle to the lodge. Each way takes about 90 minutes, and it's more of a climb going back up the hill.

Be sure to make this hike a part of your next visit to Helen. I am certain that you will enjoy it!

Photo courtesy of North Georgia Photos.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

One of North Georgia's most popular tourist destinations is the Alpine Village of Helen.  Although the Bavarian façade of the town is relatively new, the history of the area is long and diverse.

The ancient Mississippians who inhabited these lands gave way to the Cherokee Nation, who settled these rich valleys in the sixteenth century. There are still burial mounds visible in the region.  However, European settlers desired the fertile farmlands of the mountain valleys and eventually removed the Cherokees. The local economy became one of agriculture and timber harvesting.

As the timber was depleted, landowners in the Nacoochee Valley area sought an industry to replace logging and supplement agriculture.

The quaint Alpine village style of modern Helen was conceived in the 1960's as a way of drawing tourists to the area.  Since that time, Helen has remained a North Georgia center for shopping, dining, relaxing, hiking and family-style entertainment.

You can spend hour after hour in it's quaint and unique shops.  Or you can enjoy a Bavarian style feast of Bratwurst and sauerkraut.  A horse-drawn carriage rides through town could top off a great meal.  And best of all, it's less than a two hour ride from Atlanta!  Helen can be very busy at certain times of the year, particularly during Oktoberfest.

Helen is just slightly over a one hour drive from downtown Atlanta, but is worlds apart. If you are planning a visit to the Atlanta area, be sure to add Helen to

More information about vacationing in the Helen Georgia or in the North Georgia Mountains in general including rates for cabins and other rentals?

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and North Georgia Photos

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

The North Georgia Lake and Mountain region offers excellent vacation opportunities for all kinds of recreational aficionados. Whether it's hiking, boating, canoeing, fishing, outdoor photography, horseback riding, rock climbing, gemstone mining, gold panning or just relaxing, North Georgia offers something for everyone.

The Chattahoochee National Forest covers a third of the North Georgia Regions, and recreational facilities abound, There are also many state parks, the most popular being Vogel, Amicalola Falls. Blackrock Mountain, Moccasin Creek and Fort Mountain.

The North Georgia Lakes include Lanier, Allatoona, Hiawassee, Carters, Hartwell, and Tugaloo. The Chattahoochee and Chatooga Rivers offer excellent opportunities for canoeists and kayakers.

Waterfalls in the region include Anna Ruby Falls, Amicalola Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, DeSoto Falls and Helton Cteek Falls. Most of the falls have visitors area and can be viewed after short hikes.

The Appalachian Trail has its Southern Terminus on Springer Mountain which can be reached via a Forest Service Road and a short mile and a half hike or from the 8.5 mile approach trail commencing in Amicalola State Park.

North Georgia Vacation offers mountain and lake cabin rentals on a daily ( 3 night minimum) or weekly basis. Online calendars show at a glance the open date for all properties. In you are planning a vacation visit to the North Georgia area please visit  the site for more details.

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties 770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX) Follow me on Twitter Account cowetafayette All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.