Michael on the Map

Michael on the Map By Michael Detrick

In this series I will be traveling to the towns of northeastern Georgia and western North and South Carolina, sharing my adventures and discoveries as I meet the locals who make up the area. Hop in my Jeep and let’s hit the road!

Take 11: Blairsville, GA

Hello, readers! Michael on the Map was Michael off the grid for the month of November as I was traveling elsewhere. I went to a wedding, rode some rollercoasters, saw some of my best friends, and spent some time in my home state of Florida. I am back to my (brrrrr) mountain abode and happy to return to pen to paper and fingertip to keyboard as we close out this year. While I did not write an entry for November, I visited where I would eventually write about, and returned there to showcase my findings for December.

My original travels found us ebbing into Fall, with some green remaining, but the majority of the leaves had turned into that magical menagerie of yellows, oranges, and reds. The weather was particularly tricky during this time, requiring layers in the morning you would peel off as the day progressed. Since then, all of the leaves had achieved their most vibrant Autumn hues before retiring to the forest floor, leaving behind that twisted network of barren winter branches.

Looking towards the end of 2022, I looked further west within

Georgia than I previously had and found my next point of interest in Blairsville, GA, which sits 57 winding miles away from my backwoods cabin. Blasting some Led Zeppelin, I wound myself deep into the depths of North Georgia!

Founded in 1835 due to gold strikes, Blairsville is the county seat of (and remains the only incorporated town in) Union County. Thought to be named after Revolutionary War Hero James Blair, the town remained a gold-mining center until 1910, known then for the purest and most brilliant gold found in this part of the country. Sitting at an elevation of 1883 feet, the town is also worldfamous for its sorghum, and is the only area in Georgia that grows sorghum especially for syrup-making. And the area has other bragging rights. “We know there’s other counties and communities, but we are very proud of what we have right here. We really think that Union County and Blairsville is the most beautiful place in North Georgia. We’re roughly 50% National Forest, so we have the trees, we have the leaves, and we have some of the most beautiful hiking trails,” said Steve Rowe, President/CEO of the Blairsville Union County Chamber of Commerce. Nature in spades, folks. I got to enjoy some of the area’s spectacular scenery during my

visit to Vogel State Park. Nestled at the base of Blood Mountain at an elevation of 2280 feet, the park lies wholly within the Chattahoochee National Forest and is one of the richest botanical areas in Georgia. Covering 233 acres and centered around beautiful Lake Trahlyta, Vogel is one of the first of two state parks established in Georgia in 1927. Both the lake and nearby Trahlyta Falls are named for a Cherokee Indian princess who, legend says, drank from a secret magic spring, which blessed her with eternal youth and beauty. Her fame spread throughout the land, until she was eventually kidnapped by a would-be suitor she had rejected, and it was only then that her looks began to fade. Legend says. The trail to the falls is an easy 1-mile loop along the lake, and then through hardwood forest down a well-maintained path. Approaching the waterfall, you descend a wooden staircase to an observation deck that sits directly in front of the 50-foot cascade. Stay for a while and feel the mist on your face as you take in nature’s splendor. A side trail offers access to the base of the falls for those feeling a bit more adventurous. And on these adventures, I like to enlist in the help of the locals in choosing where I should grab a bite to eat. On my first visit to Blairsville, on the recommendation of Crystal with the Chamber of Commerce, I set out for Jim’s Smokin’ Que. After all, you can’t go wrong with a place whose slogan is “You can smell our Butts for Miles!”

Recipients of Money Magazine’s Best Barbeque in Georgia, Best Ribs in Georgia, and voted #6 for Best BBQ in the country by TripAdvisor, Jim’s Smokin’ Que comes from humble beginnings. Starting in 2010 at the (locally famous) Booger Hollow Gas Station, the business expanded to its current location in 2012. Taking the helm in 2019, Zachary Edmunds and Chris Cuviello have continued the tradition. “I have had a love for BBQ all of my life. From training at one of Georgia’s oldest BBQ restaurants to competing on the Georgia Barbeque Circuit, I have also always loved Blairsville and hoped for a chance to re-locate to the mountains. “ Zachary shared. “Jim’s Smokin’ Que was the perfect opportunity.” I had the pulled pork sandwich. And the ribs. And their accolades are well-deserved. Boy, do I love good BBQ. I also love my record collection (I have about 1000), so because the Blairsville Pickers Barn has within it a record store, I next set my sights out for this 27000 square foot indoor mall jam-packed (but organized) with antiques, jewelry, coins and silver, knives, pottery, glassware, furniture, hand-made quilts, books, records, and more. The next month, I returned to the area with some friends and family. Because I had an antique nut on my hands, we found ourselves back at the Pickers Barn. Another day in town meant it was also time to check out another local eatery – and luckily – I haphazardly stumbled upon Union County’s oldest diner, in operation since 1931. Being the history buff that I am, I was excited to get to talk to Jan Teague, whose extended family has run the operation since 2006. “What makes this place so unique is that a divorced woman opened it in 1931. Divorced women didn’t do that,” Jan said. “She started selling sandwiches from a wagon in the square and saved up enough money to buy this place. It’s been in operation ever since.” Her name was Margie Henson. Margie Henson made me think of Mildred Pierce, minus the murder plot. Good for Margie! Hole in the Wall made it into Explore Georgia’s Top 100 Plates as well as the state culinary guide for their famous stuffed French toast. My tastebuds weren’t feeling particularly sweet that day, and I had a fried catfish po’boy instead. Such a rebel. And this brings me to the end of my initial and sophomore experience in Blairsville. Other points of interest in this area include Helton Creek Falls (a super short walk to a set of two waterfalls), Brasstown Bald (the highest peak in Georgia), and I hear from the locals you absolutely must go to Sunrise Grocery for boiled peanuts, if you are a fan. Be sure to check out visitblairsvillega.com for more information and upcoming events, including the Tour of Trees, which happens every year in the month of December. Until the New Year my friends, I wish you all happy holidays and good fortune to come. And of course, in signing off for this final time in 2022, I leave you with a song lyric, from the aforementioned Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and company:

“Ramble on, and now’s the time, the time is now. To sing my song, I’m going ‘round the world, I gotta find my girl.”