Food Feature: Wilderness awaits

Once again I found myself listening to the call of the mountains. So I threw some things into an overnight bag and left for Big Canoe. A quick, 45-minute drive from Atlanta took me to the confines of the gated resort community which is lost in the wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With three lakes and a host of recreational activities including golf, horseback riding, fishing and sailing, the public is encouraged to stay a while.
There’s a wealth of nature lurking in the 6,400 surrounding acres. The Paleo Indians were the first known inhabitants of this part of North Georgia more than 4,000 years ago. They left behind an unexplained set of rock mounds, which can still be seen in the 50-acre green area named Indian Rocks Park, near Lake Petit. To this day no one knows what the rocks were used for. What is known is they called this property “Enchanted Land.” The Cherokee Indians also once inhabited the area ... that was until they sided with the British during the War of 1812. As history would write, they signed a treaty to withdraw and move to Oklahoma. Lots of interesting trivia to think about while sitting by the side of the lake.
I was on my way to the hiking trails when a gaggle of geese came up to me. We chatted for a long while. Our conversation was interrupted as they officially greeted cars and people as they entered the area. We parted company and I headed off to discover the land. Big Canoe is home to 15 miles of hiking trails and jogging trails, so with walking stick in hand I ventured into the mountain brush.
The ground was covered with fallen leaves that crackled like a fire, which alerted the wildlife to my arrival. But as chance would have it, I met up with a family of deer. For several minutes I sat on a rock and exchanged glances while the sunbeams reflected through the trees, my only reference of time. As darkness drew closer it was time to find my way back to the artist nook I’d rented, a haven completely fronted with windows so as to witness the surroundings. The porch was ideal for sitting and watching the raccoons and deer frolic below. Directly above me were the upper waterfalls, which roared with a never-ending rhythm but completed the eternal cycle of life on the mountain. It’s a great escape, but for me it was yet another chance to connect with a part of life that seems to pass too quickly.
From I-285, take GA 400 to the Hwy. 369 exit. Turn left, go 12 miles to Yellow Creek Road. Turn right and follow to the end. Turn right, go 1/4 mile to Steve Tate Hwy. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to the main entrance. Accommodations range from $160-$1,500 a week. Call 770-893-2733 or visit www.bigcanoerealty.com for information.