| As Atlanta residents ease back into the rhythm | | | | opening their orchards to visitors, who can pick |
| of school days and relentless scheduling, that | | | | Gala, Honey Crisp, Golden Supreme, Jonathan, |
| relaxing summer vacation fades quickly from the | | | | Ginger Gold, and Detroit Red apples to their |
| mind. Can it really be only a short time ago that | | | | hearts content. If all that reaching and picking has |
| the family was enjoying a beach vacation? Now, | | | | you work up an appetite, the Orchard has several |
| between packing lunches, back-to-school nights | | | | on-site snack options to choose from, including a |
| and soccer practice, not to mention your own | | | | full deli for gourmet sandwiches. Kids will love their |
| job, closing your eyes on the beach is a distant | | | | apple-cinnamon bread or fried apple hand pies. |
| memory. | | | | Somehow, Blue Ridge mountain cabins feel even |
| With no long weekends or holidays between | | | | more homey with a bowl of freshly picked apples |
| Labor Day and Halloween, back-to-school season | | | | sitting on the kitchen table, and maybe even a |
| can become dreary and routine. Instead of falling | | | | fragrant apple pie in the oven! |
| into a mind-numbing cycle of carpools and | | | | If it's a crisp October weekend you're taking |
| homework, plan something the whole family can | | | | advantage of, pumpkin picking might be more |
| look forward to. | | | | appropriate. A short drive from most North |
| Fall in North Georgia is a beautiful season, the air | | | | Georgia cabins, there are two well-known pumpkin |
| crisp and cool, the leaves fiery and bright. From | | | | farms in the area. Burt's Pumpkin Patch, though a |
| most areas of Atlanta, it's a simple trip of about | | | | bit further away, really encapsulates everything |
| 90 minutes to reach the windy mountain roads | | | | fall. From hay rides to pumpkin rolls and apple |
| and escape the city's traffic. With a variety of | | | | cider, Burt's Pumpkin Patch has it all, even curly |
| activities perfect for visiting families, a trip to Blue | | | | squash and bumpy gourds for decorating. The |
| Ridge Mountain North Georgia might be just the | | | | thousands of pumpkins they've grown range in |
| thing to look forward to this fall. | | | | size from miniature (the palm of your hand) to |
| Cabin rentals in North Georgia can make it easy | | | | gigantic (the size of a wheelbarrow)! One rule of |
| to set up your family's home base for the | | | | thumb that will help when your children want to |
| weekend and allow you to experience the full | | | | bring home a hundred+ pound pumpkin: If you can |
| effect of being engulfed by the slow, peaceful | | | | carry it, you can bring it home! |
| way of life. With several bedroom options, a | | | | At Southern Tree Plantation, you'll find much more |
| kitchen and plenty of entertainment, your family | | | | than just pumpkin picking. During the colder |
| will be able to enjoy the cozy feeling of being | | | | months, they also grow Christmas trees. For the |
| home, rather than a generic hotel. Pet-lovers will | | | | fall season, though, the family will have a blast on |
| be glad to know that many of the Blue Ridge | | | | a long hayride, winding through a wooden maze, |
| mountain cabins even allow your four-legged | | | | or petting plantation animals in their petting zoo. |
| friends along for the trip. | | | | Pony rides and marshmallow roasting also has a |
| Once you're established a reservation at a Blue | | | | place on this 60+acre farm in the midst of Blue |
| Ridge Georgia mountain cabin, it's time for the fun | | | | Ridge Mountain North Georgia. |
| seasonal activities the area is known for. | | | | With all the activities available, your time in one of |
| The Mercier Orchard has been producing some of | | | | the Blue Ridge Mountain Top vacation rentals will |
| the state's top apples for over 60 years, and is | | | | fly by, but at least you'll have apples, pumpkins |
| still a family-run business. Fall weekends see them | | | | and a taste of fresh mountain air to show for it! |
