”A Georgia Mountain Getaway!”
Leave the Interstate’s and find a Georgia Mountain Getaway! Don’t zip through Georgia on I-75 or I-85 to get to another destination. Slow down, take a scenic drive on country roads, and find a Hidden Gem. Nestled in the North Georgia Mountain, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa offers a unique mountain getaway. Stepping into the rustic, oak-vaulted ceiling lodge with its massive stone fireplace, we are greeted with fantastic panoramic views of glorious mountain vistas and exquisite golf links. Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is a peaceful and unique mountain getaway only two hours from Atlanta with a variety of outdoor activities and a place to rejuvenate. Our lodge guest room has luxurious bedding, well-appointed furnishings, a cozy sitting area and an updated bathroom. The best is the porch with views of the lush pool area and the mountains.
Pick a swing! The Resort has several swings around its lush lawn and garden area perfect for relaxing and enjoying the mountain views, sunsets, or moon and star gazing. Beautiful landscaped gardens with plenty of flowering plants and roses combine with the natural setting. Strolling the property we find a delightful indoor and outdoor pool, a waterfall, and the golf course. In addition to their award winning golf course, Brasstown Valley features a Stable with guided horseback trail-riding, over 9 miles of hiking trails, and their Equani Spa, inspired by the Cherokee people. The “Happening Place” at the Resort this Sunday evening is the 19th hole, Brassies Grill. The pub is hopping with guests and golfers reliving their exciting day. As the resort is in a dry county, it is the only place where one can partake of an alcoholic beverage on Sundays. Our evening finale is moon gazing from a comfy swing.
Morning starts with a hearty and lavish breakfast buffet in the Dining Room. A wide array of hot and cold breakfast items are available. Golfing early this morning, it’s a short walk to the Pro Shop which is attached to the main lodge. With accolades from Golf Digest magazines Top Places to Play, we prepare to tee it up on this 18-hole championship golf course.
After warming up at the driving range, we test our putting skills on the challenging and undulating putting green. The impressive first tee is high above the fairway with scenic views, it’s an adrenalin rush as we tee off. After the demanding sloping fairway on the first hole, the course becomes a little tamer with the more rolling terrain of the Georgia foothills. It may not be a mountain course but it makes up for it. Winding its way through wildlife preserves, ponds and streams it is an exciting course for all skill levels. There are numerous marshes to carry especially on the par-3’s, a plethora of bunkers, expansive greens and a few holes with elevation adding that extra dimension. Playing early as a twosome, we have a great pace of play and enjoy the nuances of the course. The course is in excellent condition and the staff was warm, welcoming and ready to assist. After golf it’s a tasty lunch at Brassies and then some relaxation and a dip in the pool.
Now to tackle the remarkable Brasstown Bald. With a summit elevation of 4,784 feet Brasstown Bald is the highest point in the state of Georgia. A few miles from the Resort, we make several turns and twists to get to the parking lot of Brasstown Bald. Decisions! Take the 6/10 mile path to the top or the shuttle bus. We opt to slowly climb the often steep path to the top. Luckily it is paved and has convenient benches for a resting on the way up. Taking a slow steady pace we enjoy the lush woodlands and many flowering rhododendron and trees. It only took us 30 minutes to get to the summit. At the top we have fabulous views across the states of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Under partially cloudy skies our magnificent panoramic views have areas with rain pouring down and others under bright sunny skies. Just beautiful! We were a little late for our hike and the theatre and museum were closed, so we recommend arriving earlier to experience these. Going down was a leisurely stroll.
Brasstown Valley’s dining room is known for its picturesque mountain views that complement its outstanding food and service. Our dinners of Pecan Crusted Georgia Brook Trout that is locally harvested and Pan Seared Scallops topped with Orange Rosemary Butter Sauce are scrumptious. The endless salad bar assures we don’t leave hungry. The salad bar is a meal itself. Feeling we have expended plenty of calories today with golf, swimming and a hike, we partake in the tantalizing Bread Pudding. After dinner we again have an evening of “swinging under the sky” gazing at the millions of twinkling stars in the night sky.
If you go:
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, 6321 Highway 76, Young Harris, Georgia 30582; (706) 379-9900; www.brasstownvalley.com