“It was awesome!” exclaimed two guests of Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals. They created a customized tour and flew over the cabin where they were staying then we went on to fly over Downtown Blue Ridge, Lake Blue Ridge, the Dam and the Toccoa River. The icing on the cake was the Texas two step and the ground rush experience, both which were executed on a private farm. The Texas two step is a special maneuver where the pilot holds the helicopter about 5 to 10 feet above the ground and starts to move it side to side. This motion creates a type of shimmy as you float right above the ground. After that they flew very fast across a field and a small lake then lifted off straight up to 600 feet. The pilot was extremely knowledgeable and you could tell he was very comfortable operating the helicopter and talking with us about the area.

Blue Ridge Helicopters has several tours available starting as low as $40 per person. Custom tours are also available for a special occasion (such as a proposal). The staff is very professional and accommodating.  Learn more about helicopter rides in Blue Ridge, GA with Blue Ridge Helicopters.

Stop in to the Blue Ridge Adventure center for more details or visit their helipad  located just south of Blue Ridge on hwy 515 at 1512 Appalachian Hwy. Blue Ridge GA 30513 Click here for a Google Maps Link

Events and Activities in Blue Ridge, GA March 2012 

Swan Drive In, Now Playing | Friday, Saturday and Sunday | Location: 651 Summit Street, downtown Blue Ridge

Double Feature – 2 movies for the price of 1, $6.00 CASH ONLY! (For traffic flow) Coming March 9th, “John Carter”, Rated PG13 Showing Friday and Saturday, March 2nd and 3rd, Double Feature – 2 movies for the price of 1, 7:15PM “Ghost Rider 2″, Rated PG13 8:45PM “The Vow”, Rated PG13 Showing Sunday, March 4th, One Show Only 7:15PM “Ghost Rider 2″, Rated PG13, Call 706-632-5235 or visit http://www.swan-drive-in.com/

Tom, Dick, and Harry | Mar 1-4, 8-11, 15-18 | Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater

Play by Ray & Michael Cooney. A goof-ball new play from the play-wright of “Run For Your Wife” and “Caught in the Net,” a side-splitting story of three brothers, Tom and his wife are about to adopt a baby. His brothers are anxious to help make a good impression on the woman from the adoption agency. Somehow Dick, Harry, two illegal aliens and a Russian mobster manage to thwart their plans in this rapid fire farce. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30PM, Sunday’s at 2:00PM. Call 706-632-9223 or visit http://www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com/

White Water Rafting | Mar 17 | Location: Ocoee River

Whitewater rafting begins it’s 2012 season on March 17th! Weekends only until May 30th and then they will run daily with the exception of Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August. The Ocoee River has become the most popular whitewater rafting adventure in America with continuous rapids and many play spots for miles of endless fun and adventure. Learn more about Ocoee Whitewater Rafting or start your adventure today by contacting Raft One to book your Ocoee River Rafting Trip

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway opens for the season | Mar 17 | Location: Downtown Blue Ridge

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway begins it’s 15th season. The regular 4 hour, 26 mile round trip winds along the beautiful Toccoa River in vintage climate controlled or open air railcars. The relaxing ride starts at the historic depot, built in 1905 in downtown Blue Ridge, then stops for a layover in the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN where visitors have a 2 hour layover; plenty of time to eat lunch, shop for unique crafts and antiques, snack on ice cream or explore.
Tickets may be purchased on-line or call the ticket office. The ticket depot is located across the street from the Blue Ridge Adventure Center. 877-413-8724 or visit http://brscenic.com/

Youth Art Show | Mar 6 | Location: Art Center, downtown Blue Ridge

“Art Shapes the Earth” opening reception from 4:30PM to 6:30PM in the Richard Low Evans gallery. Each year The Art Center devotes gallery space to showcase the creativity of our youth. Schools across the county coordinate with The Art Center to exhibit art created by their students. The exhibit will remain on display until March 23rd. For more information call 706-632-2144 or visit http://blueridgearts.net/default.aspx

2012 Blue Ridge Writers Conference | Mar 30-31 | Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Join us March 30th and 31st at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Acclaimed novelist Amy Greene will kick off the conference with a keynote address about her work and her novel, Bloodroot. Many other speakers will also be attending. Writers will learn to hone their skills and expand their markets at the 2012 Blue Ridge Writers’ Conference the weekend of March 30th and 31st in Blue Ridge, Georgia at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association location. A reception on Friday, March 30th, will be open to the public.

Live Music is Better | Mar 31 | Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater

You don’t want to miss this! A well-known actor and singer/songwriter, Ronny’s career ascended to acclaim with his role in the movie Deliverance. Most will recall his guitar playing in the “Dueling Banjo’s” scene. He has since seen continual career achievements in numerous Movie and TV roles. 2012 will be the 40th year anniversary for the release of Deliverance. As part of this event, Ronny has written a book recounting his experiences in the filming of the movie. Pre-release copies of the book will be available. This will be a very special event for the theater and community! http://ronnycox.com Show starts at 7:30PM. Visit theater website and click on “Live Music is Better” tab to purchase tickets. For more information call 706-632-9223 or visit http://www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com

Upcoming Events and Activities in Blue Ridge, GA April 2012

Blue Ridge Adventure Race | Apr 14 | Location: Blue Ridge

the 2012 Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race returns to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia!  This year’s race  offers 2 races. The Sport Race will be 4-6 hours and a longer Elite Race which is 6-10 hours.  There will be festivities and a celebration during and after the race in Downtown Blue Ridge. Spectators can arrive early to enjoy music and and an exciting finish as racers complete the race. Note to racers, Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals has cabin rentals in the Aska Adventure Area. More details are available on our blog about The Blue Ridge Adventure Race

Bikes lined up at the final transition 2011

Adventure for everyone! The 15th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race  now offers 2 races, sport and elite. The Sport Race will be 4-6 hours and a longer Elite Race which is 6-10 hours.  There will be festivities and a celebration during and after the race in Downtown Blue Ridge. Up to 100 teams of two or three (plus one support person) will run along the forested trails of the Chattahoochee National Forest, paddle on the Toccoa River and/or Lake Blue Ridge, mountain bike steep trails and complete mystery challenges along the way. Spectators can arrive early to enjoy music and an exciting finish as racers complete the race.

The Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race began in the spring of 1998 as Georgia’s first adventure race.  Fifteen years later the race continues to be a Southeast favorite.  Race organizers promise a challenging contest with lots of surprises and some of the most stunning scenery anywhere plus the new format with two race levels to choose from.

The Elite Race is similar to the traditional Blue Ridge race experienced teams love, with a six to ten hour finish. The new Sport Race will offer teams a shorter four to six hour course. The 15th annual race will once again finish in downtown Blue Ridge Park in front of The Art Center.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is proud to support the race through volunteering man power to the organizers and by offering top notch lodging to the racers, their families and support crews. Note to racers, Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals has cabin rentals in the Aska Adventure Area. If you are a Team and are looking for a sponsor. Please email cj@southerncomfortcabinrentals.com.

More details on the Blue Ridge Adventure Race are available on their website www.adventureracega.com.

The Ocoee River is a tributary of the Hiwassee River. It was an important river for both the Cherokee and Creek tribes. Most people visiting Blue Ridge today are most familiar with The Toccoa River because of its close proximity to town.  A lot of people don’t realize it, but the Ocoee and the Toccoa Rivers are actually a single 93-mile-long river that flows north through the southern Appalachian Mountains from the North Georgia mountains into South Eastern Tennessee. The Rivers name changes when it reaches the twin cities of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, at the truss bridge. This is where 3 different state routes converge and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway drops passengers for some sight seeing. The river continues as the Ocoee flows through Tennessee. This is the section that is well known for its whitewater rafting. Most people may also remember that this section of river was 100% engineered and made made for the 1996 Summer Olympics. This created an exciting venue for the whitewater kayak slalom events less than 2 hours from Atlanta. The Ocoee River water flow is controlled by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) via three dams. The ten-mile stretch is used for whitewater rafting and other water sport activities such as kayaking. The TVA uses a scheduled volume controlled release table which allows for a great control of flow ultimately making this an ideal recreational area.

Dusty Rogers guiding raft "Hells Hole" on the Ocoee River

The three Ocoee dams are numbered sequentially, with #1 being the farthest downstream and #3 (1996 Olympic section) being the farthest upstream. This may sound funny but upstream  is actually south of where the Blue Ridge Dam is, which creates Lake Blue Ridge. So the water that you raft on the Ocoee River is the same water you can swim in at Lake Blue Ridge or fish for mountain trout on the Toccoa River! The Middle Section contains some 20 + named rapids ranging from class 1 – 4! This provides amazing recreational opportunities throughout its eight-month season (March – October). One of the largest rapids on the Middle Ocoee, “Hell’s Hole,” runs right beneath the bridge leading to the power station, with “Powerhouse,” a significant ledge with a strong hydraulic… This makes for  ONE BIG wave. For real thrill ask your guide to “ride the Bull”!  Ocoee whitewater rafting schedules vary based on the releases and are planned around the best and peak times to raft. The two sections used for whitewater rafting on the Ocoee are the one-mile Olympic whitewater course released from Ocoee #3 and the “middle” a 4.5-mile whitewater rafting area downstream from the Olympic  section released from Ocoee Dam #2.

Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals recommends Raft One on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. Raft one wants customers to have the best adventure-filled trip they can possibly have. With over 20 years of experience on the Ocoee river, Brent and Dusty Rogers, the owners of Raft One, have worked every aspect of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. Adding to their diversity both brothers have taken every opportunity possible to work with or experience other whitewater rafting companies across the country.

To learn more contact Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals or Raft One in the Blue Ridge Adventure Center located in downtown Blue Ridge. 240 West Main Street across for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Raft One Outfitter provides the best Ocoee Whitewater Rafting experience and most exciting Ocoee Zipline Canopy Tours in the region!

It was a jubilees event, with classic “golden oldies” playing over the sound system and happy event-goers dancing unabashedly in the streets, often times with pets and children.  Vendors from around Blue Ridge flocked to the Chili Cook-off to show off their wares, and more importantly, give away their one-of-a kind chili samples.

Some recognizable names included Harvest on Main, who prepared a savory concoction of different cuts of meat in what they called a “classic style chili”, or one without any beans. Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grill, and Mercier Orchards came prepared with strong showings, with both chili’s containing unique spices and ingredients that had people asking for more. Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals made a huge impression on the crowd, showcasing their people-friendly approach with their own sound system and what was perhaps the most original chili blend of the day, which included several secret ingredients that provided chili lovers with “sweet heat”. People swarmed for the innovative chili batch, using sample cups and utensils faster than SoCo could keep up with them.

And the winners, you ask? Christy Lee’s won People’s Choice, Trout Unlimited won best organization, and Mercier Orchard the coveted judges award for best tasting chili.

In the end the event was a huge success, bringing great attention to Blue Ridge with a crowd three times the size of last year’s event, 1/3 of which was local and the rest reportedly from Atlanta and Florida. The night was capped off with the soulful sounds of Francene Reed, veteran of the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Event and master of Blues music.

Plan on attending next year and make it a weekend… Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals will provide the setting, you make the memories!

The story starts on a family vacation to Blue Ridge, when the newest addition to the SoCo family  cooked up an unusually excellent pot of chili, dubbed “sweet-heat”. You could also call it a family tradition from now on. The recipe had been in development for several years and was under constant refinement. The latest ingredient a.k.a “whiskey” was not added to the recipe until another visit to Blue Ridge. Our chef Matt Maddox planned a bachelor party for one of his long time friends and it happen to be on the same weekend as the first Blue Ridge Fire and Ice Cook Off. Jokingly, this is when our plan started to brew out of a simple suggestion. “You should enter your chili next year!” the seed was planted.

Team SoCo Started cooking after work late on Friday night prior to the event. Due to Chili shortages the prior year the Blue Ridge Business Association modified the amount of chili to 10 gallons. The rules stated that teams must cook 5 gallons prior to the cook off and the cook another 5 gallons at the event. A small amount of the five gallons cooked at the event would be used for the Judges and the rest could be given as samples for the people choice award. Our communications intern from Reinhardt College was at the event to cover the festivities first hand. Here is what he wrote about the 2012 Fire and Ice Chili Cook Off.

Cohutta Grandview From Above the Clouds

It may be cold outside, but the deals are hot at Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals. See Cabin Rental Specials

Winter time means less congestion around town, and more of a selection when booking your favorite North Georgia Mountain cabin rental. January through March is prime shopping time in Downtown Blue Ridge. Local shops will have winter discounts throughout town, so make sure to take advantage while you still can!

There’s nothing better than sitting outside on the deck of your cabin rental with a cup of coffee or cocoa and experiencing a Blue

Ridge sunrise. You’ll be wowed by the incredible long range mountain views, picturesque vistas and charming wildlife. Add to that a dusting of snow, and you’ll be in the midst of your own winter wonderland!

Looking for a romantic getaway? It’s time to queue up the Barry White music, lay out a blanket near the fire and cozy up with that special someone. Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals offers several romantic packages, including everything from roses, to chocolates to fruits and even champagne. Start the new year off right with the loved one who knows you best, and treat them to a  memorable stay in the North Georgia Mountains with Southern Comfort.

Call 706-258-3737 to speak with a reservations agent to plan your escape today! Find Quality With Us.

Season’s Offering From The Blue Ridge Mountains…

As the holiday season takes hold and we move into a time of year that gives us an opportunity to gather with friends and family Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals would like to add some food for thought to your table with some AMAZING OFFERS! Share Blue Ridge with your friends and family and take advantage of these exclusive holiday offers from your trusted source for vacation homes!

Facebook Promotion… During the month of December “like” Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals on facebook and comment or share a picture from Blue Ridge and you will be entered to win a 2 night stay at Choctaw Mountain Lodge. Comment and “Share” our Facebook page with your friends and your name will be entered twice! So, a new “like” that comments and then “shares” our page will be entered 3 times!!! We will add all the names to a drawing which will be filmed in Blue Ridge and posted to the winner’s wall in January.  What a great way to start 2012. This promotion ends 12/31/2011 at the stroke of midnight.

LIMITED TOME OFFER December Only Treat your extended family to an early gathering in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Receive 15% off 4 days or more when you stay with Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals during the month of December. This is available on all cabins and nights excluding holidays. ALL DECEMBER RESERVATIONS made before the end of November will be entered to win an Apple TV just in time for the gift giving season! Apple TV winner will be posted on facebook and announced in our January newsletter. Contest ends 11/30/2011 at 5:30PM.

I Need To Recharge… Like Now! Would you like a getaway to the North Georgia Mountains sooner rather than later, but you only have a few days to do it? Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals is expanding the available dates on the Three for 2 winter special! Book any 2 nights November 28^th 2011 through May 31^st 2011 and receive 1 free night! Learn more about year round cabin rental specials in Blue Ridge, GA

Looking For an Outstanding Gift Idea? Give the gift of a vacation time! Southern Comfort is offering discounts on gift certificates for the holidays. Purchase a $100.00 certificate or more (applicable to all cabins and dates) and receive 10% off if purchased by December 23^rd. You will instantly receive a confirmation email that can be used in a card. An actual certificate will be mailed on the same day as purchase.

Thank you for trusting Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals for all your vacation accommodation needs in the north Georgia Mountains.

We hope to see you in the Blue Ridge Mountains soon!

“Many people call me a ‘camouflage artist,’ but that doesn’t really fit. If I have to categorize at all, I prefer to think of myself as a ‘concept painter.’ I am an artist who uses camouflage to get my story across, to slow the viewing process so you can discover it for yourself. Everything I do is intended to enhance the idea of each piece. For me, camouflage is a means to an end, not an end in itself. My meaning and message are never hidden.” – Bev Doolittle

Bev Doolittle ~ The Forest Has Eyes

Join SoCo Cabins in celebrating 9 treasured works of art in the beautiful reception lobby of the Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals office & Blue Ridge Adventure Center. October 15, 2011 – 4pm to 7 pm 240 West Main Street, Blue Ridge Georgia 30513

These exquisite pieces are being offered for sale by the collector. Persons interested in the entire collection may view the prints prior to the event. Contact heather@sococabins.com to set private appointment

Learn More about Bev Doolittle at: www.bevdoolittle.net

Events and Activities in Blue Ridge, GA for November, 2011: