Sumter outdoors columnist Dan Geddings: Back to the mountains

Westminster is a small town in the northwestern corner of our state. U.S. 76 runs through it. Ginger and I were on our way to a new adventure. After passing through Westminster, we stopped for gas at a country general store in the Longcreek Community. The Blue Ridge Mountains loomed in the distance.

Just down the road we entered the Sumter National Forest and eventually crossed over the Chattooga River into the mountains of Rabun County, Georgia. It was a beautiful drive through miles of hardwood forest decked out in all the colors of fall.

U.S. 76 led us on through Clayton, Georgia, and a section of the Southern Highroads Trail. The road was good, and the mountain views were amazing. Eventually we rolled through Hiawassee, Georgia, and into the town of Blue Ridge, our destination.

Our lodging had a check-in time of 2 p.m., and we were early, so we drove on through town searching for a parking space and a place for a late lunch. The weather was nice, so we sat out on an elevated porch for our meal at a quaint little restaurant. After lunch, we headed to Bear Claw Vineyards.

Our lodging was a treehouse at the vineyards. A gravel road led from the highway up through the woods above the vineyards to a beautiful treehouse. It was nestled on the side of a mountain in the woods. The treehouse had easy access up a ramp and a short section of stairs. A big front porch overlooked the vineyards and inside, all the comforts of home. A big tree passed through the floor and out the ceiling.

There was a full kitchen and bath. A couch, chairs and a television. Up a spiral staircase was a loft bedroom with a king-sized bed. The rooms were decorated in a bear motif. We unloaded the car and settled in. We heard music coming from the vineyard below and went out on the porch to listen. A local artist played and sang a variety of songs until the nighttime crept in.

We had noticed the treehouse walls leaned outward and some of the roofs sloped downward. The floor was a little out of level, all of which added to the ambiance of the place. It was unique. That night we laid in bed and looked out at the stars through the treetops.

The next day we left early to get breakfast and check in for our ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad. The train followed the Toccoa River out of Blue Ridge to the joined towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, on the state line. A tour guide narrated the points of interest along the river. There was a two-hour layover at McCaysville station. We visited shops in the towns and found a place for lunch across a steel-beamed bridge over the Toccoa River.

On the train ride back to Blue Ridge, we had a better view of the river and the surrounding mountains. The river was very swift with many rapids. Ducks and geese were in the quiet pools and feeder streams to the river. The tour guide said it was not unusual to see deer and turkeys along the way. The train ride was very smooth and pleasant.

Back in Blue Ridge, we took the time to walk around town and visit some of the shops. Ginger wanted to check out the quilt shop and a candle store. I went into a book store and a fly-fishing outfitters place. We met back at the train station and took a walk along the main street to some of the other shops.

We could have stayed another day, but home was calling, and we decided to hit the road that afternoon. It had been a long day, and we had a long evening ahead of us, but it was OK. Blue Ridge was a total surprise for us. We had not expected all the things to see and do there. And the mountains were magnificent. I think we will be back.

Reach Dan Geddings at cdgeddings@gmail.com.