Bear Mountain: Georgia

In the foothills of the Applalachain Mountains is located the Bear Mountain. This located in the central part of Cherokee County in Waleska, Georgia. This mountain has the highest point in the country at 2,30 feet. This is higher than all the points in Atlanta. To next of the mountain and at the foot of it lies the Lake Arrowhead that is formed mostly because of the snow from this mountain.

If you are the kind of a person who loved mountain skiing and water skiing in one day, then this place offers the best combination of both. There are numerous waterfalls that make this a hidden paradise. This place is famous among climbers who find this place very challenging and provides the appropriate amount of adrenaline rush that people are used to. The who mountain is a protected area where you can find may different kinds of wildlife. Bears, deer, wolves are common here. This mountain provides a TV tower for broadcast to entire Atlanta. The height of this mountain provides the perfect setting for an analog TV tower. Lodging at the foot of the mountain is provided by numerous private companies. The lodges are extremely comfortable and not as much expensive as other lodges in beautiful locations. This mountain is also very popular for its different spas. The location is visited as a medical tourism destination by people from all over America who come here to regenerate and revitalize. The spas here offer world class facilities and comforts. Visiting this place will provide a person with a once in a lifetime experience. Many tours are operated to this mountain and special group packages can be availed for a discount to this wonderful place.

Attractions of Tahlequah

Apart from the numerous attractions of historical importance, there are equally as many attractions that are natural attractions. These locations make Tahlequah a complete family destination that attracts people from all around America. The options for recreational activities are abound here with abundant water bodies that welcome all sorts of water sports and activities and bird watching opportunities with numerous species of birds found here.

Elephant Rock Nature park is an ideal place for year round nature outdoor recreation area with numerous activities that attract anyone and everyone. The place is perfect for long outdoor hikes and trekking that goes through various locations and you see numerous wildlife on your way. There are no elephants found in this park but there are other wildlife attractions that are scattered in this park. The park authorities provide facilities for spending the night here in a yurt among all the natural attractions. The lodging accommodations are pleasantly peaceful and have all the basic necessities that are required. There is abundant fauna and flora that makes this place more attractive than it is. This place is located deep in the Ozark woodlands. The hiking trails are well marked and all sorts of safety is assured. The Illinois River passes through this location which provides opportunities for all sorts of water sports. The campsites offered are clean and trekking destinations are maintained. You can indulge in fishing which offers various species of fishes that make fishing all more fun. Other water sports offered here include canoeing and skiing. You need to make your own arrangements because there are a few people who provide these. Hence you will need to be prepared to be amazed by this place and all the things that it has to offer. You are going to definitely see many new things in this place on your successive trips to this splendid unique place.

North Carolinians are Taking Their Power Back

In recent years, the credit crunch has forced a lot of people to take drastic measures, just to keep on living at a standard of living that resembles the one that they had before. However, as the credit crunch begins to lift, and people are less afraid of losing their jobs and being unable to get any kind of loan for anything, they are more concerned about making sure that their monthly payments are at a reasonable level. And it seems that North Carolina is leading the charge, as this conservative state takes a personal step toward throwing off the shackles that the recession placed on just about everyone.

If there is one thing that a southern state hates, it is being carpet bagged by wealthy people who may or may not be from the North. North Carolinians have recently decided to take a stand against their ridiculously high car payments, and have been some of the first in line as car loan refinance opportunities begin to poke up like the first blooms of the spring. Being able to afford their payments is only a small part of the problem, as the issue stems primarily from the desire of North Carolinians to be able to afford things in life other than the ability to keep their cars.

After all, the ability to simply maintain a lifestyle is just the bottom layer, reserved for people who are desperate and who might still give up hope at any moment. As the economy looks up, however, these intrepid individuals are taking the bull by the horns and doing everything they can to make their hard-earned money go further. After all, the people who had mediocre to bad credit a few years ago may now have decent to downright good credit now. There is no reason why a person who has good credit should have to pay the same amount per month in better times.

Museums of Tahlequah

Tahlequah is located in the Cherokee County and is a quintessential American city in all rights. It has an abundance of 80’s architecture that feels like you are in that time and place.  The town is also famous for its outdoor recreation activities which the Tahlequah citizens swear by.

To get in touch with the history of Tahlequah, you will have to visit the Thompson House that is one of the jewels of Tahlequah’s historic past. Although the home was built only in 1882, it has its roots stuck way into the past. The architecture is an example of the Queen Anne Carpenter Gothic architecture which is decorated internally with a delicate woodwork that is Eastlake style. The person on whose name this house is built upon was a very prominent person in the Cherokee history and helped built the Tahlequah city. He was a Doctor by profession who held important positions in the city. He lived in this home till the 1930’s after which this place was restored and named a national monument. Another similar place of historical significance is the Murell Home in Park Hill. This is located outside of Tahlequah, but is as much a part of Tahlequah as the Thompson house. This home was built in 1845 by a Scottish man known as Murell. The home is an example of the high class of lifestyle common around here. The Cherokee Heritage center is another example for the rest of America to follow to preserve their history and culture. The museum is built of stone concrete that were procured from the natives and also has the first learning center for women as part of the Cherokee National Female Seminary. It has some one of a kind Cherokee tribe uniforms that are clothes of some of the greatest Indians of the Cherokee tribe and a few from other Indian tribes too.

Cherokee Green Space Bond

Cherokee County is one of the few places in America where the government take special interest in the maintenance of parks and other recreational areas that are important for every town. But Cherokee is one place where not just the government takes initiatives to maintain the green cover, but here also concerned citizens who take special initiatives to make this place more welcoming and nature friendly.

One of the most powerful bonds that protect the green cover of Cherokee County is the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond. This bond was created in 2008 by the citizens of Cherokee County through an election ballot. As a part of the move to ensure a greener and healthier future, the Cherokee County officially make it mandatory to provide parks and green space for the present and future generations. The natural areas are also maintained so that nature and humans can live in perfect harmony. Sitting areas, paved walking trails, waste free greenery and camping sites are all part of the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond. The local dog owners are also allowed in the parks and recreational areas so that they can run and play with their favorite mates without getting into any trouble. The park equipment is made safe for children of all ages so that they do not get into any trouble. Fields for baseball and football are maintained as part of this bond along with a gym center, Aquatics center, skate park and other improvements are all made so that people can spend some time outside of their homes. The bond has received more than $90 million in funding from the government to make all these efforts a reality for the citizens and well as tourists to Cherokee County. It has special powers from the government which can be used to safe guard the forest properties from timber merchants and wild life poachers.

Attraction of Iowa

Iowa is one of the few places in America where something is always going on. Throughout the year events are organized which keep tourists as well as locals involved. There is more to do and see that one person can do in one week or month here. This is the reason that thousands of new residents come to Iowa to become permanent residents of this place. There are numerous natural locations that bring nature lovers to this place. Apart from that there is the architecture that keeps people grabbed on to this place. Shopping is another top thing to do here, especially in the capital city of Iowa in Cherokee County.

There are numerous festivals that keep going on year along. In the month of February Des Moines is being organized in the capital city of Iowa that is a combination of multiple attractions, shopping and the famous culture of Iowa. The whole city is decked up for the annual festival that is organized in February. The playhouses are filled with numerous performances that bring people from all over the world. Another city of Iowa decked up in February is Ames where it is more about a family recreation instead of shopping. The University of Iowa organizes this and brings along musicals, concerts, sports. Museums and many other attractions. There are events such as the Farm Progress Show, Octagon Art Festival, Iowa Games events, VIESHEA and many others. Around valentine another famous event is organized in Preston to the delight of hundreds of couples from around America. The annual wine tasting festival brings the famous wine makers from all around America for the wine festival that brings together delicious chocolates and bakery items along with the all-time favorite wines. The Storm Lake winter festival which is popular among children’s, adults and senior citizens too. There are no ice games there are organized, but instead there are events such as snowmobile poker, broom ball, extreme bike ride and others. This place does not suffer extreme below freezing temperatures that are seen in Alaska, hence it is popular among the holiday crowd.

Georgia’s Union County

Around the Blue Ridge Mountain range in the Union County is located Blairsville. Blairsville is located closer to the Cherokee County border in Georgia. This area is also home to the Chattahoochee national forest. This area was founder after signing a treaty with the Cherokee Tribe in 1832.

The Union County faces some very distinct weather with temperatures that range between 69.3 to 48.5 degrees. The area faces 52 inches of abundant rainfall. This region also gets a good amount of snow that covers the Blue Ridge mountain range and makes Blairsville more beautiful to visit. The town of Blairsville has somewhere around 700 people. Blairsville is the capital of Union County. This area is prospected heavily from the discovery of gold in this region and was a major factor in the development of the town. The town today is known for its clean air, low crime rate, scenery, friendliness and its bustling economy which all play a major part in attracting thousands of visitors each year to the town and much more to the Chattahoochee National Forest. The town also attracts new residents each year who make this as their permanent home. The most famous attraction of this region is the Blairsville Historic courthouse that was erected in 1899. This was restored recently by the Union County Historical Society. The town is also close to the Brasstown Bald Mountain that is known to be the highest mountain in Georgia. At the top of the mountain is located the observation tower and a picnic area that brings people to this place from all over America. The town along with its many other natural attractions also includes the Lake Nottely that attracts skiers, fishermen and jet skiers. Every year a festival known as the BlueGrass festival is held by the Union County Historical Society that attracts youngsters from all over America to performances by local as well as some major international performers. It is listed among Americas best festivals and is on the list of the festivals that the concert going crowd look forward to throughout the year.

New Visitor Center Unveiled at Cherokee County

A new History Museum and Visitors Center was unveiled on Cherokee County, GA on February 5th Saturday. The new center is located on the 100 North street, Canton, GA in the historic courthouse.  The center was hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

The center will feature the display of the Cherokees tribe that occupied this are before their removal from here. The center is located in the first floor of the Marble courthouse. The museum is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The museum has become popular among school going children.

The center does a really good job or outlining the history of the area in the displays that it has. The home work done prior to setting up this museum has been a daunting task for the museum authorities who only numbered 2.

The Cherokee County was inhabited for thousands of years by the prestigious Cherokee Tribe and other native Americans bore their forced exit in 1830. The land along the Etowah River, was inhabited by Cherokees and Creeks whose profession was fishing, hunting and farming. Around the 1755 a battle between the Creeks and Cherokees was fought which was won by the Cherokee. The Creeks were forced out of the land through the Chattahoochee River. Cherokees sided with the French and British troops in various wars which reduced their numbers along with small pox and failed treaties were the reasons for further population decline. In the 1789-1833 a number of policies by the central governments were passed to force the Indians to live in a civilized manner. They began to become over dependent on farming for their livelihood. They also began to gain wealth and could afford themselves to buy slaves. These Cherokee tribes were in time forced by the federal governments to give up their lands. The discovery of gold in Northern Georgia attracted gold rushers into the county which further pushed the Cherokees away from here. Cherokees have now joined the list of Indian tribes like the Seminoles who obtain special rights from the government and enjoy special privileges.

Cherokee County Blasted by Snow

Cherokee County has been hit by a wave of snow storm that are making accidents the order of the day. The roads are covered with a thin sheet of ice that is making travelling unmanageable for everyone and tourists have completely stopped.
This is a part of the storm that has hit two thirds of America and is putting normal life haywire. The met department predicts more snow in the coming days and is asking people to stay prepared with fuel and other commodities in case power and roads are cut. There is an eighty percent chance o f precipitation with freezing rain and temperatures below zero degrees. The temperatures are set to be around 39 degrees in the day with a low of 20 degrees at night. Sunday although will come with a bit of sunshine with temperatures as high as 63 degrees.

The snow is set to return again according to the satellite pictures. The police have set warnings and emergencies on all roads and highways, which has avoided any major accidents till now. The number of tourists is completely dwindled. People are driving sensibly which has made the job of emergency services easier. There have been just 20 accidents were taken place on highway number 69 and 79. These accidents saw no major fatalities or accidents. A few people were stuck in the snow with broken down cars that had kept the AAA services on their feet at all times. There were 16 accidents on the streets of Jacksonville that too with no major fatalities or injuries. There were a few accidents that involved only one vehicle with no major injuries. Many smaller accidents went unreported with any complaints to the authorities. There were many complaints of water cuts, because of frozen pipelines and burst pipes. The water department was kept busy because of this. The electricity was temporarily cut off in a few areas where fallen power lines were being serviced.

Lighthouses in North Carolina

Bald Head Light, North Carolina, USA

Image via Wikipedia

The eastern coastline has been quite dangerous for incoming ships over the years, so dangerous in fact, that’s the coastline in North Carolina has been dubbed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” As such, there have been eight unique lighthouses constructed on the shores in North Carolina, all of which provide photo opportunities, as well as safe fun for you and your family while you’re vacationing in North Carolina.

The lighthouses have been a vital instrument in guiding ships safely to port for over two centuries. The lighthouses are approximately forty miles from each other, making it possible to see more than one in a day. The lighthouses are as follows:

  • Oak Island Lighthouse, built in 1958, is not open for public viewing.
  • Bodie Island Lighthouse is located near Whalebone Junction and is not open to the public, though there is a visitor’s center.
  • Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is the newest of the lighthouses. It was built in 2004 and is home to a museum about the maritime history of Roanoke.
  • Old Baldy, is located on Bald Head Island and was built in 1878, making it the state’s oldest lighthouse. Take a tour and check out the observation deck at the top.
  • The Cape Hatterras Lighthouse is 208 feet tall and was constructed in 1870. The structure was moved to its current location back in 1999.
  • The Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in 1823, making the oldest lighthouse that is constantly used on the eastern coastline. This location is not open to the public for tours.
  • The Cape Lookout Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses in North Carolina. It was built in 1812 and is decorated in an unusual diamond pattern. It is still in use today.

Some of the lighthouses are not open for tours, but they still present opportunities for some great pictures.