Georgia – Helen and Sautee

With a forecast of rain all day Bill rested while Barbara and Melissa headed into town.

Unicoi State Park is just outside the town of Helen, Georgia.

In an effort to create a tourist destination in the 1960s, the town got a Bavarian make-over with Tudor architecture, red roofs, balconies, cobblestone alleyways, and clock towers. The town is adorned with shops, beer gardens and flower gardens.

Even the doorways had a European style.

Barbara and Melissa walked around the town in the rain peeking in a few shops, some nice, some tacky. The funny thing was that there were more Beef Jerky shops there than anywhere we’ve been.

Next Barbara and Melissa went to the little town of Sautee wanting to see the Old Sautee Store.

It looks like an unassuming little place from the outside. The first thing one sees when one enters is a room that looks just like a general store from the 1800s. Antique staples line the shelves behind the counter; other antiques fill the room.

Melissa slipped a quarter in the player piano (Is that what it’s called?) and we watched it play.

Beyond the antique room is a fun, tasteful 21st century gift shop with lots of tempting things. We sampled their farmers’ cheese and checked out the merchandise. Then we went to their café next door for lunch. Barbara loved her panini -- ham, farmers’ cheese, spinach and apple on sour dough bread. Yum!

Our next stop was the Folk Pottery Museum.

This was another unexpected gem. The museum explains the process and history of Northeast Georgia pottery with well-designed displays and a video. The clay and materials for the glazes were originally all local. Pottery grew from functional items to decorative. Some of these potters were known for shaping faces in their pieces. Would you like one of these on your mantle?

The last place we visited was Gourd Place. Barbara had never been to a place like this. There were three sections, all related to gourds. The museum section had gourds from around the world: instruments, bowls, and other things from Africa, India and China. In the shop section, everything was made from gourds.

Barbara wearing a gourd mask

(the sign said we could try them on)

The third section is what they are best known for – pottery that is created using gourds.

Some of the pieces were beautiful.

What an interesting day! We said good-bye to Melissa as she was heading back to Massachusetts.

Camped at: Unicoi State Park