Dawson Living Magazine March/April 2022

March/April 2022

Megel family expands Longtime Chevy dealership moves north, opens John Megel Ford

ALSO INSIDE Man shares passion for music through handmade panjos

PLUS: Try one of these day hikes in North Georgia | Practice self-care in order to feel and be your best | Lawyer advises getting legal help when injured in an auto accident

Thank you to our community for always supporting us and voting us the best heating and air company four years in a row. As a lifelong resident of Dawson County, this recognition is such an honor. We look forward to continuing to serve you. ~Tim & Lindsay White

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March/April 2022

CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2022

4

John Megel Chevy Jonathan Megel, a third-generation car dealerships owner, has run John Megel Chevy in Dawsonville since 2009. Recently, Jonathan headed north and purchased Jacky Jones Ford in Cleveland.

He plans to bring the same service to the area that employees and customers have come to love.

8

The man behind Coal Mountain Panjo Jimmy Loudermilk took his love of music and fascination with instruments made by everyday people in 1800s Appalachia to create the panjo — a homemade banjo. Ten years later, he continues to share his unique creation with others.

14

ALSO INSIDE: 10 Sudie Crouch, health and wellness columnist Practice self-care to feel and be your best.

WORLDS BEST ADVENTURES: Get outdoors and try one of these six day hikes in North Georgia.

12 Christine Hinton, CPA Diverse tax reporting makes this year a challenge.

13 Steven Leibel, attorney Contact a lawyer when injured in an automobile accident.

On the cover: From left, massage therapist Brian Fraser, owner Sue Gantick, manager Brian Gantick and aesthetician Maddie Tapp. Photo by Jeremy Coleman Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Metro Market Media cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Dawson Living reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by Dawson Living.

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PUBLISHER Stephanie Woody

PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Coleman, @jcreative_media

ADVERTISING SALES Tim Anderson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Colosimo, Sudie Crouch Sabrina Kerns, Alexander Popp

CREATIVE SERVICES Claudette Keeley, April Seymour, Chelsea Sunshine, Tracie Pike

DAWSON LIVING A Division of Dawson County News Dawsonville, GA A Metro Market Media Inc. property www.dawsonnews.com March/April 2022

3

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March/April 2022

Left and Joh

t, Jonathan Megel, dealer principle and owner of John Megel Chevy d John Megel Ford and right, Shawn Boyd, executive manager for hn Megel Chevy and John Megel Ford.

- Photo by Jeremy Coleman

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John Megel Builds on the Family Business Story by Jennifer Colosimo

As a third-generation car guy, Jonathan Megel will tell you, being in this business is just in his blood. It started with his grandfather and a little Ford dealership in Buckhead.

Then his dad, who joked he “sold enough Fords to finally buy a Chevy dealership,” bought a small dealership in Dahlonega in 1998.

When he outgrew that space, he purchased John Megel Chevy in Dawsonville; and that was where Jonathan Megel whet his whistle for selling cars and decided he couldn’t get enough of working with people.

Megel worked his way through the business starting in the service department washing cars.

From there, he began to write service orders, and eventually spent nearly a decade on the sales floor.

A brief stint in finance and in sales management prepped him for NADA School, and when he graduated in 2009, he took over as General Manager working for his dad at the Chevy store, and today serves as dealer principle and owner.

“The one thing that I wanted to do when I got here was create a culture and an environment that was a good experience for both the customers and the employees,” said Megel.

“Without our employees, we have nothing – that’s what I had learned — so I worked hard to keep a core group of people with very little turnover, and grow the store from about 35 employees to more than 100 employees.”

The next growth spurt came when Jacky Jones decided to sell his Ford dealership in Cleveland. Amidst stiff competition, Megel purchased Jacky Jones Ford in December of last year, updating the sign out front, but vowing to leave most everything else the same.

“The appeal of Jacky’s store was because it’s the same kind of thing we have going on at our dealership in Dawsonville,” said Shawn Boyd, executive manager for John Megel Chevy and Continued, Page 6 March/April 2022

5

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Photos by Jeremy Coleman

John Megel Ford.

“They have a lot of repeat and referral customers, loyal customers, and most of the employees have been here between 15-30 years. It’s like family there, and that’s how we like to do business, too.”

By no means was anything wrong with the Ford dealership before Megel took over, but they were excited to build on what Jones had established, and provide more for their own customer base out of Dawsonville.

“We love the lineup that Ford offers to our customers, it gives us more to show them,” Megel said. “And Jacky knew us well enough to know that we’re going to come in here and keep up his good name and take good care of his people. You don’t really see that in this industry, but he trusts us, because we do business the same way.”

That way of doing business includes tremendous repeat and referral business, something that stems directly from the way employees are treated to the way those employees then treat the customer. It’s personal, it’s convenient, and it’s mean-

6

March/April 2022

ingful.

“It’s also a lot of fun,” added Boyd. “When you walk into John Megel Ford or Chevy, you’ll hear people laughing, our sales people will be joking with customers, they’re playing with their kids, customers are sitting by the fireplace. We make the process fun, we provide a good atmosphere, and we keep the customers involved.”

The team at Megel recognizes that buying a car is the second biggest purchase a customer makes in his or her life, so it’s not lost on them to make it feel important.

“Just because we sell cars every day doesn’t mean we don’t really believe that this is a major purchase,” says Berrong Kimsey, General Manager at John Megel Ford.

“We try to make it easy and happy for them so they’ll want to come back and do business with us.”

Megel will be the first to admit that nobody really loves to go buy a car. But, as someone who has been selling cars to people for more than 20 years now with incredible

Jonathan Megel, dealer principle and owner of John Megel Chevy and John Megel Ford with father, John Megel, left.

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‘It has not always been easy, but it has been very rewarding to see the growth of our team and business over the years.’

- Jonathan Megel, dealer principle and owner of John Megel Chevy and John Megel Ford

repeat rates, he knows treating customers well builds a really big sales team at large. For that reason, they strive to always take care of their customers up front, always give them a fair, good deal, and provide great service after a deal.

“Something that Jonathan says all the time is that it takes a couple of hours to buy a car, but it takes 5-6 years to own one,” said Boyd. “We want to focus on helping people through that entire process of owning it, not just selling it to them.

When they have a problem, we want to be there for them.”

That vision for customer service is what Megel has wanted to ignite within his employees since the beginning.

“Seeing is believing,” said Megel. “Our employees in every department see that the people in management, ownership, and all the way down the line, are involved on the daily. They know I’ll drop anything to help a customer or help them. They know I’ve got their back, and that makes a huge difference.”

While the teams celebrate a beautiful auto union, Megel is excited about what they can bring to the Ford dealership.

They’ll expand the online presence, offer more variety in their used vehicles, and build a better service experience for the customers, similar to John Megel Chevy. What won’t change are services like the Quick Lane for oil changes, batteries, etc., a main repair shop for repairs, warranty work, etc., as well as new and used car sales. And for the loyal customers of Jacky Jones, the faces are still the same, too.

“The people in Cleveland have come to know these salespeople and these managers like family, kind of like the ones in Dawsonville are to us,” said Boyd. “It’s a huge deal for us to have that roll over into John Megel’s business and have these customers who are used to seeing Kris, Hal, Bill, and Berrong, etc. still work with them. They’re all still here.”

That’s so important to the Megel business model, because above all they strive to truly know their customer. The salespeople spend time talking to and getting to know the customer, so that they fully understand what a customer wants and needs before trying to sell them something they don’t. It’s also a lot to do with keeping their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the car industry and keeping those customers abreast of it. The ultimate goal is to get customers the car they want as fast as they can, so communication is pivotal to making that happen — and to making it a good experience. With inventory at an all-time low across the nation, keeping clients up to date with timelines, expectations, and availability is what’s made customers stick it out, rather than shop elsewhere. There are no games here, just good business.

John Megel doesn’t just do that good business from the dealership floor. In fact, they strongly subscribe to the notion that you can’t really make a name for yourself unless you’re getting your hands dirty helping out in the community. To that, they’ve sponsored numerous local youth sports teams, been heavily involved in the outdoor sports world sponsoring tournaments or providing truck giveaways. They work with rotary

clubs, local charities, and the educator purchase program to give back, as well.

“It’s been a great start to a new relationship,” said Kimsey.

“And we’re going to keep it that way. The customers that are coming back after the sign has changed have seen for themselves that it’s the same as it’s always been and they’re happy with that. That’s what we’re shooting for. The philosophy is just about the same — taking care of the customer and making sure they’re happy. So we’re going to keep doing that.”

“For generations, it has been our philosophy that the people make a difference at John Megel and a testament to our Leadership that has created long-standing customers and happy employees,” said Megel. “I hope this inspires future generations to go above and beyond for our customers and employees, continuing the John Megel legacy.

“My dad, John Megel, gave me a great opportunity over 20 years ago to be a part of the family business,” he continued. “It has not always been easy, but it has been very rewarding to see the growth of our team and business over the years. It comes with great pride to say we have finally sold enough Chevrolets to become a Ford Dealer.”

John Megel Chevy Where: 1392 GA-400, Dawsonville, GA 30534 Contact: 706-265-5400, megelchevy.com

John Megel Ford Where: 2742 US-129, Cleveland, GA 30528 Contact: megelford.com, 706-865-2168

March/April 2022

7

DAWSON FEATURE

Jimmy Loudermilk, owner of Coal Mountain Panjo, plays one of the instruments he made.

‘It’s about the music’

Local man passes on passion for music with his handmade instrument inspired by 1800s Appalachia Story by Sabrina Kerns | Photos by Jeremy Coleman

J

immy Loudermilk first started playing music when he was only 8 years old, picking up the guitar before moving on to every stringed instrument he could get his hands on.

He loved the way music could bring him and his friends and family together while also giving him a brief escape from his worries as he paid close attention to making his music come to life.

After years of playing music, he saw an etching from the Civil War era of two men sitting at a campsite, one of them holding an instrument made from a cigar box — the likes of which Loudermilk said he had never seen before.

The man in the etching holds the stringed instrument under his chin and plays it with a bow much like a violin.

This inspired Loudermilk to start thinking outside of the box when it came to music, and he eventually found his way to the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee, where he learned about instruments made by everyday people in that area in the 1800s.

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March/April 2022

“People used to make instruments out of whatever they had at home, and I like that spirit,” Loudermilk said. “They couldn’t afford instruments, so they would make stuff out of what they had.”

This idea eventually inspired the Forsyth County resident to create Coal Mountain Panjo, a travelling business where he sells the instruments he makes out of thrifted or recycled household items.

Loudermilk made his first instrument from a pan, an item found in most everyone’s kitchen, using the circular part of the pan to create the main base of the instrument and the handle to create the neck where he placed each of the three strings.

After he was finished, he aptly named it a panjo, a play on the word banjo also inspired by canjos, instruments made from soda or oil cans.

He said the first few instruments he made didn’t quite sound how he wanted them to, but eventually, he got the hang of crafting the panjos. Now, he’s been making them for 10 years, and has

DAWSON FEATURE

It makes me feel like if I was on a deserted island somewhere that somehow, no matter what the circumstance, I could make something to play music.

- Jimmy Loudermilk, musician and owner of Coal Mountain Panjo

On the left are some of Jimmy Loudermilk’s cigar box guitars, on the right are some panjo designs.

no plans to stop anytime soon.

“I’ve made probably thousands of them by now, and when I make it, still, I get that feeling of, ‘Wow,’” Loudermilk said. “It makes me feel like if I was on a deserted island somewhere that somehow, no matter what the circumstance, I could make something to play music.”

Although he began making panjos about 10 years ago, Loudermilk said Coal Mountain Panjo came later. He actually started to make the instrument for students during a vacation Bible school.

He was helping with the class and thought it would be fun for the students to learn an instrument and a song to perform for their parents after class. So he made each student their own panjo to play and take home.

From there, the idea of the panjo started to snowball.

Loudermilk said he started getting calls from other churches to help them make their own panjos for students, and the instrument’s popularity continued to grow.

This led Loudermilk to visit music and craft shows in the area where he could sell the instrument and show people how to play. He fell in love with the experience.

He said he loves seeing kids stop by and pick up a panjo and learn to play music. He said they are always so excited to create a tune and learn something new.

“Especially when I play their first song with them, they’re just hooked,” he said.

He also shows their parents the different panjos he’s made and shows them how to play their own song.

Being a three-string instrument, Loudermilk said anyone can pick up the panjo and play it. For him, it makes it more than just an instrument — it’s an experience to share with family and friends.

“If they were just for looks, I don’t think they would do quite as well,” Loudermilk said. “But when someone gets one, they’re thinking, ‘I want to play it.’ They’re buying more than a panjo, they’re buying it thinking they’ll be a musician.”

When not making panjos, Loudermilk gives guitar and banjo lessons to students. He has been teaching music for nearly 30 years, but as Coal Mountain Panjo grows more popular, he has started spending about half of his time at shows and festivals Continued on Page 11 March/April 2022

9

DAWSON MENTAL HEALTH

Self-care can go a long way

By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist

During the month of December, I always take a week off to celebrate my birthday. A bit silly and indulgent, I know, but it helps me have time to reflect and look ahead at how I want my next year to go. It’s the one rare time each year that I will take a chunk of work off, because in my mind, I think work may not be able to go on without me.

And what usually happens during that one week off?

I get sick or something happens that causes me to not be able to do the things I had planned.

Why is that? Because the other 51 weeks out of the year, I have not given myself the proper self-care and when I do have the time off, it’s like everything crashes.

Kind of like you have to take your car in for scheduled maintenance, you have to give yourself self-care in order to feel and be your best. The only difference is, you need to do it more regularly than every several thousand miles.

What is self-care exactly?

Just as there are different dimensions of wellness, there’s different types of appropriate self-care to meet each one. While there’s differing theories pertaining to what all is covered in the wellness wheel, the most accepted dimensions often include: emotional, physical, spiritual, professional, and environmental.

Practicing self-care in any of those areas can mean that we are taking proactive steps to make sure we’re healthy, happy, and whole.

Some other ideas for self-care can include: • Taking a hot bath/shower: Water has a way of helping us soothe and relax; you can also add some Epsom salts to help make it more soothing; • Enjoying a favorite cup of hot tea or cocoa (or iced tea/ lemonade in the warmer months); • Journaling your thoughts to help process them; • Watching a movie that you know will make you laugh; • Going for a walk: Getting outside in nature can help you in so many ways, by giving your fresh air, helping you clear your head, and getting in some movement; • Reading: this can be your favorite genre (mystery, fiction, biography, etc.) or, it can be something inspirational or spiritual.

As those examples show, self-care doesn’t have to be big, expensive steps. Rather, self-care can be those small things we do to give ourselves that kindness that we deserve.

Honoring yourself by practicing a bit of self-care is one of the kindest, nicest things you can do for yourself. And you absolutely deserve it.

Self-care can look like: Emotional: Paying attention to our feelings; talking to someone when we need it; journaling our thoughts; expressing our emotions and feelings honestly in healthy ways Physical: Getting exercise or moving our bodies; eating healthy foods/beverages; taking care of ourselves when we’re sick Spiritual: Anything that helps us feel connected with our beliefs. This can be prayer, meditating, being in nature, attending a service, or speaking with others who hold the same spiritual values/beliefs (fellowship) Professional: Keeping good work/life boundaries; taking sick days when sick, and vacation days to help prevent burnout Environmental: Decluttering our space can be one major form of self-care in this area, as can making sure noise and other distractions are kept to a minimum.

Even though there’s numerous benefits to taking these steps and practicing self-care, we still may find ourselves struggling to do those things that would help us the most.

Somehow we’ve gotten the notion that self-care is selfish; it’s not.

If anything, self-care is critical to our overall wellbeing. It keeps us from feeling burnt out, exhausted, and neglected.

Giving ourselves a few moments of care is something we often overlook. We get busy taking care of others. We’re busy with work. We’re taking kids back and forth to school and different events. We feel like we don’t have the time to do something for ourselves, but we should make self-care a priority.

Practicing some self-care can help us refill our own cup so we can continue to show up for ourselves and others. Plus, a lot of self-care steps can be easily added into our everyday routine.

Sudie Crouch is a health & wellness coach, helping clients create healthy, attainable changes using positive psychology and cognitive behavior approaches.

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March/April 2022

DAWSON FEATURE

throughout Georgia. playing a song, I’m really not worWhile he loves teaching, he ried about anything else. I’m that said he has a passion not only for song as I play it. That’s what I’m going to the shows, but for creatthinking about. ing the panjos.

“Music gives you kind of an outMost of the panjos he sells are let or escape. If you ever notice a made from pans, license plates bunch of guys playing music or a and cigar boxes, but in his spare band playing, they’re not worried time, he makes the instruments about anything else at that moment. out of all sorts of thrifted and It’s about the music right then.” recycled items.

“I like to go into thrift shops and He said it’s even more rewarding flea markets,” Loudermilk said. to see what people can be inspired “When I turn, I see different things to create or play after they buy a and think ... that seems like someLoudermilk tunes one of the panjos, something he panjo. Some go on to create their thing I could make an instrument does for each customer before they take the instru- own instruments or write their own out of.” ment home. songs to play.

He enjoys pouring his creativity He especially loves seeing kids and time into making instruments dedicate themselves to learning more about it and becoming out of these random items that look beautiful while still being able to create music. This is what he said makes panjos truly spe- musicians themselves, believing everyone needs some sort of creative outlet. cial. It’s an art and a pastime.

“Music itself is so powerful,” Loudermilk said. “When I’m “It’s amazing what people can do,” Loudermilk said.

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DAWSON FINANCE

DIVERSE TAX REPORTING MAKES THIS YEAR A CHALLENGE The time to organize your tax records is now. Informational tax information is hitting your regular and digital mailboxes from now until late March. To make matters worse, this year there are economic recovery payments, unemployment benefits, and advance child tax payment records to organize! Here are some tips to get on top of your tax records.

Organizational Hints Create a folder for the current year’s files. Create a file with copies of your signed tax return(s) for the year. Include any support documents provided with a filed tax return.

Files in tax return order. Create annual files to match the flow of your 1040 tax return.

Income. Copies of W-2s, 1099s, Social Security statements, interest income, K-1s, and investment activity go in this file.

Charitable Donations. Create a separate file for cash donations and one for non-cash donations. Include a copy of your charitable mileage log in this file.

Medical and Dental. Create a file for all your medical expenses. Include a copy of your medical related mileage log in this file.

Other itemized deduction file. In this file include all other proof of itemized deductions. This includes property tax statements, mortgage interest, and state income tax documentation.

Business activity. Have a file for each hobby and business activity. Include a copy of your business mileage log in this file.

Education. Create a file for all documents related to educa-

tional expenses. Include in it copies of invoices, tuition and fees.

Include invoices for music lessons, instruments and any materials required to purchase for your student.

Other. Put all your miscellaneous receipts into this file. This includes any payments received from the government due to COVID or the new advanced child tax credit. But also save any documents you are unsure about like receipts for daycare, Form 1095s and any other tax related items.

Statement file. Sort all your financial statements by vendor, then by month. Create a separate file for these statements. This can include bank statements, credit card statements, and investment account statements. Consider creating a digital back up copy.

The Digital Alternative If more of your records are in digital format, consider creating a tax folder for each year on your computer and then place your digital records into sub-folders using the same sort as noted above. Create password protection for each folder.

Rotation idea At the end of each tax year, place a note on the return to confirm the date the tax return was sent to the federal and/or state government. Note on the outside of the file when you can toss the support documentation. While you keep the tax return indefinitely, most documentation is safe to shred after 3-1/2 years. But do not take this action unless you are certain of the length of time you will need to save these records.

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DAWSON LEGAL

WHEN SHOULD I CALL A LAWYER? Many people question whether they need a lawyer when they get injured in an accident. The answer is yes, they do.

Here a few of the many reasons why you should strongly consider involving an attorney in the process: Understanding what insurance coverages an at-fault party has can make a difference in the amount of money an injured person can get.

A good example of insurance coverage that many people don’t think about is medical payment coverage, also known as “MedPay.” Medical payments are often available to an injured party without regard to who is at fault, when a person is injured in another’s home. Like homeowner’s policies, some businesses may provide no-fault medical coverage for persons injured on their premises.

Aside from the question of what coverages are disclosed, there is also the question of how insurance adjusters can take advantage of unrepresented individuals by trying to get them to settle their cases

quickly, or making low ball offers when people just want to get it over quickly. However, there are more pressing legal issues involved in resolving a claim.

A signed release binds an injured party to terms and conditions which may later cause Steven Leibel them problems. I have seen where those who settle their claims still owe money to doctors and health care providers, after believing that the entire case has been resolved, because they settled too quickly, or didn’t know about those claims.

Employer-sponsored health care plans can make claims against settlement funds even after a claim has been resolved.

Medicare health plans have rights to part

of the settlement proceeds when an injured person uses Medicare to pay for medical bills resulting from an accident.

The job of a personal injury lawyer is to make certain that the minefields associated with settlements are avoided. Protection of a client is a duty a lawyer owes to the people they represent.

Insurance adjusters have no duty to people who are injured because of the negligence of individuals that they insure.

Our office always provides free consultations for personal injury cases. Feel free to contact us at 404-892-0700 or at Leibel. com.

Steven Leibel is a well-respected personal injury lawyer in Cumming and Dahlonega. He has consistently been recognized as a GA SuperLawyer in Personal Injury; rated 10 by AVVO, and he is considered “preeminent by his peers, as an Martindale AV rated attorney.”

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March/April 2022

13

DAWSON HEALTH

World's B es t A d vent ur es

6 day hikes in North Georgia Story by Alexander Popp | alex@worldsbestadventures.com Spend an energetic day out in nature, scaling mountains, seeing beautiful vistas and waterfalls, and maybe enjoy a cold one after a picnic lunch.

We have 6 awesome day hikes in North Georgia that suit anyone, no matter their age or skill level.

Brasstown Bald I always put Brasstown Bald at the top of any list I write, because for one, it’s the tallest mountain in Georgia and nearly always offers a stunning 360-degree view from its peak observation deck.

But I also like to recommend it, because the trails surrounding Georgia’s highest point have something to offer for virtually anyone. If you’re looking for a short hike with a great view, park at the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center and hike the .5 mile out and back trail to the top. If a challenge with a big payoff is more your speed, start at the Jacks Knob Trail parking area and take the 6.2 mile out and back trail to the peak.

Difficulty: Easy-difficult, Mileage: 1 mile (via the Brasstown Bald Trail) 6.2 miles (via the Jacks Gap Trail)

Tallulah Gorge Possibly one of the most beautiful locations in Georgia, Tallulah Gorge State Park in far Northwest Georgia is truly a sight to behold. Surrounded by hiking trails, campsites and views overlooking the gorge, this destination should definitely be on your short list of places to take your valentine in 2022. Check out the Tallulah Gorge North and South Loop Trails, which will take you 2 miles past multiple views overlooking the gorge and Hurricane Falls.

Difficulty: Easy, Mileage: 1- to 5-plus miles

Mount Yonah Yonah Mountain is a day hike that will rival anything else in Georgia. With just over 1,500 feet of elevation gain in 2.4 miles, this out and back trail will leave your legs burning and your lungs searching for air. The first 2.4 miles are up, up, and up the side of Yonah Mountain, and the last 2.4 are right back down. This is a popular hike and is used to train U.S Army Rangers. The view at the top will leave you breathless and it is worth the climb.

Difficulty: Moderate, Mileage: 4.8 miles

Blood Mountain Topping out at 4,458 feet in elevation, Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and your legs will feel every foot of it. The views are spectacular at the top and rival those seen in the Rocky Mountains. Be sure to plan on having lunch at the top to soak in the entire experience. Blood Mountain Day hike is an out and back

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March/April 2022

This article comes to us from our sister company World’s Best Adventures. World’s Best Adventures provides guided luxury backpacking adventures in Georgia, North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

For more articles on backpacking and hiking, and to learn about the services World’s Best Adventures offers, visit www.worldsbestadventures.com or call 770-535-6323. starting at the Byron Reece parking lot and going to the summit. The total trip out and back is approximately 5 miles.

Difficulty: Hard, Mileage: 5 miles

Cloudland Canyon Like Brasstown Bald, Cloudland Canyon State Park is a great option no matter who you are, because it has trails and sights for just about anyone. If you’re looking for a challenging climb down into the canyon with waterfalls take the 5 mile out and back Sitton’s Gulch Trail. But if something more lowkey is more your style, check out the 4-mile West Rim Loop Trail.

Difficulty: Easy-difficult, Mileage: 1- to 10-plus miles

Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve Hidden in the growing North Georgia city of Gainesville is a system of trails that will take you away from the traffic and city noise for a few hours or a whole day. Chicopee Woods Park contains miles and miles of hiking and walking trails that take you through the forest, around a picturesque pond, and along babbling streams. Numerous great spots for a picnic littler this spacious park.

Difficulty: Easy, Mileage: 1- to 8-plus miles

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