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October 2006
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North Georgia Road
Trip
by Mary Abreu
Just an hour north of Atlanta is an area teeming
with family-friendly activities, waiting to be
explored during those leisurely drives to check out
colorful fall foliage. From Babyland General
Hospital to scenic Anna Ruby Falls, panning for gold
to chowing down on bratwurst, the road trip to the
foot of the north Georgia mountains is well worth
the drive.
Babyland General Hospital
 Special deliveries are an everyday
occurrence at Cleveland’s Babyland General Hospital,
home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. This former
turn-of-the-century medical clinic is home to some
of the earliest Cabbage Patch Kids ever made by
creator Xavier Roberts. It’s really a miniature
museum in disguise, one that entranced my toddler
daughter and amused her teenage brothers. The
self-led tour winds through the nursery, filled with
dolls in cribs and incubators, ending up in the
cabbage patch where an LPN – that’s licensed patch
nurse – helps Mother Cabbage deliver her “babies.”
Along the way you’ll see the evolution of the
Cabbage Patch dolls from their earliest forms to the
ones now popular with another generation of kids.
The gift shop is filled with every doll and
accessory imaginable, if you’re inclined to adopt a
Cabbage Patch Kid of your own.
 Dahlonega
There’s gold in them thar hills!
Really – Dahlonega sits on the largest U.S. gold
deposits east of the Mississippi River, and the
thrill of the hunt tempted thousands of gold seekers
20 years before California’s gold rush. Get a
glimpse into Georgia’s gold-plated history by
touring the Crisson Gold Mine and Consolidated Gold
Mines. You can pan for gold at both locations, see
Crisson’s 10-stamp mill, which continues operations,
and get a tour of Consolidated’s tunnels led by
actual miners.
Ruby Falls and
Unicoi State Park
 One of Georgia’s most spectacular
natural treasures can be found at Anna Ruby Falls,
which is adjacent to Unicoi State Park. The twin
waterfalls – created by Curtis and York creeks –
drop 153 feet and 50 feet, respectively, and are
part of the 1,600-acre Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area.
The walk from the parking lot to the falls is less
than a half mile but takes about 30 minutes to
complete. Expect the trail to be slippery, so wear
walking shoes and hold little hands tightly. More
ambitious hikers can tackle the 4.6-mile Smith Creek
Trail, which leads to Unicoi State Park (others may
choose to drive the short distance). The park is not
to be missed, especially for families who love to
hike (12 miles of hiking trails) and bike (8 miles
of biking trails, with a $2 trail fee). Be sure to
check out the frequent programs held at Unicoi,
which highlight the area’s resources – both natural
and historical. There’s even room to pitch a tent,
park an RV or trailer, or bunk in the 100-room
lodge.
 Helen
Nestled in the mountains just 90
minutes up the road from Atlanta is a small Bavarian
village. OK, it’s really just Helen, which underwent
a bit of a renaissance a couple decades ago to
attract tourist dollars. The gambit worked. Visitors
flock to the city year-round, but especially during
its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Polka music,
costumes, singing, dancing and food – oh, the food!
– attract crowds to Helen. I’m proud of my German
heritage and couldn’t wait to make the drive to show
my family some old-fashioned Oktoberfest fun. The
costumed dancers at the Biergarten were a hit with
the entire family, and my teenaged sons planned
their day around the different restaurants in the
area (lunch, snack, dinner and dessert). If you go
during the weekend, be prepared for lots of crowds
and lots of walking – this is a pedestrian
experience, for sure.
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