The perfect Summer Destination - Georgia's Scenic Highway 197

Follow Scenic Highway 197 along the Soque River from Clarkesville to Lake Burton to antiques, art, lodging, pottery, great restaurants, a marina, wonderful shops and galleries, real estate, mountain views, stained glass, history, fishing and boating ... just minutes from state parks and lots of other local attractions. They've got something for everyone in the family.

It's quite a lineup ... from Clarkesville: Soque Artworks, Once Upon a Time Antiques, Mark of the Potter, Serendipity Stained Glass, Batesville General Store, Headwaters Realty, Hickory Flat Pottery, Paradise Properties and Soque Cabin, North 40 Lodge, Cottage Garden Furniture, Burton Gallery, Water's Edge Restaurant, and LaPrades Marina.

There's a Community Farmer’s Market in front of Batesville General Store every Saturday morning from 7 to 10 AM throughout the season.

Fresh local vegetables, fruit, eggs, homemade baked goods, bread, plants and herbs … handmade crafts and hand sewn items, too!

Visit Scenic197.com for more information.

Greenstone Soap

Just a few miles away, in the beautiful Sautee Nacoochee Valleys, is one of northeast Georgia's local treasures.

Making natural herbal soaps by hand since 1996, Greenstone also manufactures their own line of aromatherapy bath salts and massage oils, hand and body lotions, organic liquid shower gels and sea salt and brown sugar body scrubs. Kate's beautiful mosaics are also available ... they're one-of-a-find, so if you see one you like, you'd better take it home. It won't be there next time you visit!

Be sure to pick up a bar or two of Greenstone's Shampoochie Dog Shampoo Soap while you're there. Made with flea and tick fighting pure essential oils, Shampoochie leaves your dog's coat soft and silky smooth, with a natural, fresh herbal scent.

Visit GreenstoneSoap.com

Christmas in July!

Santa's in town and staying with Georgia Mountain Rentals, so they're celebrating Christmas in July!

During July, $2 of your rental fee will be donated to Toys for Tots. Holiday treats for guests, too, like discount coupons to local attractions and eateries! There's also a Toys for Tots drop box in the lobby.

Tomorrow you can Wake up in the Mountains.

Be sure to check their seasonal and honeymoon SPECIALS. CabinsInHelen.com

Waterfall Weddings

Tom's got a few weekend spots and lots of weekdays open. Besides a wedding in front of one of Northeast Georgia's beautiful waterfalls, he can also arrange for the preacher, lodging, and dinner at a casual fine dinning restaurant.

Visit icpweddings.com ... or call Tom at 706.969.1194 and ask about his Vow Renewal specials.

July Events

Summer Fest - July 18 & July 22 - July 25 - The main attraction will be the community story performance "Headwaters: Birth, Death, and Places In Between." 706-878-3300 - 283 GA Hwy 255 N, Sautee snca.org

Unicoi Visiting Artist Series - July 18, July 24-July 25 & July 31 - 11am - 7pm - Several talented artists and craftspeople from Georgia and surrounding states will demonstrate and have samples of their work for sale. $5 parking. Handicap Accessible. 800-573-9659 ext. 305 - Unicoi State Park, 1788 Highway 356, Helen

The Wizard of Oz - July 22 - July 25 & July 29 - July 31 - Call for times
Habersham Community Theatre presents: The Wizard of Oz. 706-839-1315. Downtown Clarkesville

Witch's Head Excursion - July 24 at 11 am - 1 pm - This guided hike will take you to the bottom of the dam to view the witch's head rock and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Bring lots of water, lunch and proper foot wear. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-754-7981 - Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr, Tallulah Falls

Heritage Craft Workshop - July 24 at 9 am - 2 pm - Traditional mountain crafts classes will soon be offered in Clarkesville. Class offerings include: muslin caps and bonnets; Civil War era hats and straw bonnets; sewing fundamentals; tea party hat trimming; spinning; and aprons: old and new. Class is $30-$50. Supplies are included. 706-754-2220 - Historic Mauldin House Millinery Shop and Museum, 458 Jefferson Street, Clarkesville

2010 Saturday Evening Concert Series - July 24 & July 31 at 9 pm - Some of the best musicians in the area perform a variety of music, from Appalachian Mountain to bluegrass to Southern gospel. "Pass-the-hat" donations. Handicap Accessible. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305 - Unicoi State Park, 1788 Hwy 356, Helen

Headwaters: Birth, Death, and Places In-Between - July 25 2 - 4 pm - The widely acclaimed community story performance, returns for SummerFest 2010 with a play about families and friends, in-laws and outlaws, trials and triumphs, featuring local performers using music, movement, puppets and more to paint a rich portrait of life in this Goodly Portion of Beautiful Northeast Georgia. 706-878-3300 - Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Hwy 255 N, Sautee

Tallulah Gorge Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike - July 25 8:30-10:30 pm & July 26 9-11 pm. Join Tallulah Rangers an a moonlit hike down into the gorge. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-754-7981 - Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr., Tallulah Falls

Show & Shine Car Show - July 30 at 5-9 pm - "Cruise-In" Awards for best in show, Best & Outstanding Ford, GM, Mopar, Foreign and Orphan. 706-878-8404 - 726 Brucken Strasse, Helen

Folk Life Traditions - July 30 at 8-9 pm & July 31 at 10 am - 9 pm. Watch demonstrations of everything from spinning to candle dipping, to butter churning. Concerts will feature traditional Appalachian and old-time mountain music. Festivities will include mountain skills displays, concerts, and Appalachian-style community dancing. Handicapped Accessible. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305 - Unicoi State Park, 1788 Highway 356, Helen

Visit exploregeorgia.org/ and roadsidegeorgia.com for more north Georgia events.

Highlight: Georgia's Scenic Highway 197