Mountain Living
Why the Mountains
W
hen I began thinking about how to best describe the joy of calling the mountains home, I thought that there should be a place where you can find reviews from residents on their town or county or even part of the state. We are review driven consumers. It is the digital version of the oldest form of advertising, word of mouth. So I decided to ask for reviews from natives, almost locals, new comers, part timers, and visitors. I asked a simple question on Facebook and the response was amazing. I’ll go first and will include my review here: “I love these mountains for their views, the kindness of the people, clean water and air, waterfalls that take your breath away, local art, old stories, country stores, thriving downtowns, great locally owned restaurants, festivals and fairs, generosity, one finger waves and head nods, it means a lot knowing if I need a helping hand I’ll find one and I love dirt roads that take me to mountain tops.” There is much to love about the northeast Georgia mountains, if you don’t want to take my word for it, take theirs, my question was... What do you enjoy most about living or visiting in the mountains? “It’s home in my heart, I was raised here and thankful that I was. I’ve called it home almost 60 years. It is beautiful, and it never gets old. I never want to take the beauty around us for granted. I can see the stars at night, I can hear and watch the birds each morning while drinking my coffee; watch a deer and a fawn. I love our community and at any moment everyone is ready to be there for each other and rally around them. I love the compassion that is shown in prayer for matters in our lives. God planted me here and I’ll try to bloom here!” - Teresa Coalley
“No matter what jam you’re in, people will ALWAYS stop to help you. Living here epitomizes “love thy neighbor.” - Monica Collier “My first 18 years of life at the VERY end of Warwoman Road in Rabun County had me so anxious to move away with no thoughts of returning. Fast forward 20 years, I had a family and a career that knew how important it was to me that I get back to these mountains. Back to the rhododendrons, back to the cool temps, back to the breathtaking views, back to the colorful autumns, back to the sound of whippoorwills, and most importantly, back to family!” - Stephanie Harden Branch “The peaceful, safe feeling of home, you know when you see the mountains in the distance on your return from travel. The Mountains, they are beautiful, they protect us, they sing to us, they smell like home. The people in those mountains, they love and protect fiercely. We have our own ways, but we are there for each other. We are Rabun! When you’re in Rabun, you are home.” - Colette Lovell 12 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - August 2022
“I have lived here all my life (62 years) and why I choose to live here is that it is home. Nothing feels better than simply home. Plus all the beauty, and love that God put in one awesome place on earth.” - Audrey Penland “I’ve been here for 40 years…. so many things have kept me here but the one I love the most is waking up early and listening to all the sounds of nature. My favorite is my neighbors donkey!! I just love it! It makes me smile.” - Rabun Martin “I love the beautiful nature around us, from the rolling clouds on early morning drives, the beautiful sunrises dropping the kids off at school, glorious sunsets, and the wonderful people and community that live here.” - Brittany Ragsdale “I’m just a regular ol’ boy and I know right now that if I needed anything and didn’t have it, I could call up a buddy and say ‘I need this or that’ and if they had it, I could go get it from them or they would bring it to me. That’s what I love about good old Rabun County and I have lived here all my life” - Charley Beck
