A friend of mine just wrote a good article that explains the difference between renting a cabin and motel or hotel on vacation. The way she puts it you would think motels in mountain areas like Blue Ridge would be out of business.

Read Cabin Rental in Blue Ridge and find out what you have been missing.

When I first moved to North Georgia I lived in a rental cabin for a few months until I found the one I wanted to buy. It was a cozy little place, the only bedroom was the loft. It had a neat old wood burning stove and a beautiful mountain view.

I will be touring Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Chatsworth this weekend for the best Christmas light displays. If you know where some of the best displays are let me know so I can photograph them. I will post pictures and reviews on Monday. I really love this time of year and I hope we get a White Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All!

North Georgia Cabin Rentals – You can find just the right cabin with so many to choose from. If you like the idea of a mountain cabin rental but you prefer amenities like swimming pools and stocked ponds then you will love these Coosawattee cabin rentals. Some of them are for sale too. Choose from 1 to 3 bedrooms some with a Jacuzzi and most are pet friendly cabins too.

If you are tired of the same old day to day routine and need some time to rekindle the flame and leave it all behind then you are ready for a nice romantic retreat. Ellijay Georgia a only an hour north of Atlanta and less than twenty minutes south of Blue Ridge Georgia. There is nothing more relaxing than a quiet weekend in the Appalachian Mountains. Spend your days in a nice relaxing hot tub and then cuddle up by a warm fireplace in the evenings.

Ellijay Georgia is just south of the Tennessee border and has so much to offer that I think it is one of the most romantic getaways available. You can stroll the quaint little mountain town area and shop for gifts and antiques or take a nice scenic drive up to Blue Ridge and visit the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad.

With the Cohutta Wilderness area that covers over 40,000 acres. You probably know of the mountains in this region as the Smokey Mountains. For those that are adventurous and love the outdoors you can enjoy hiking or mountain biking. The rest of us have wonderful locations to choose from for a cozy picnic for two. Another way to spend your day is to rent a pontoon boat on Carters Lake in Gilmer County or Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County. Turn off your phone, bask in the sun and enjoy reading or fishing in the cool lake breeze.

Just married? Great! Try a romantic cabin rental retreat for your honeymoon. Pick a nice cozy cabin in the woods away from everyone. No maids or neighbors to spoil this special time. What a way to get a start with your new life as husband and wife. When you get back home your friends will envy the special glow that is sure to show.

What are you waiting for? Find a nice romantic getaway on a creek, a river, or just one that is tucked back in the woods with nobody but the deer and squirrels. Bring your camera because it will be a time to remember that you will cherish forever.

Here are some pictures from my trip to Dollywood. First I have to share the ducks, so cute. It was a little bit cold but still a very nice trip. The lights were amazing. I watch a couple of the shows and they were all Christmas themed like Babes in Toyland and Appalachian Christmas concert.

All of the water rides were closed for the season but the roller coasters were running as usual with plenty of folks lined up to ride them.

I passed on the high speed rides but I did take the train around the park. If you like steam locomotives they have a nice one at Dollywood. I went on the Ferris Wheel too.

At night they had a little Christmas parade and the lights were fantastic. They had lights on everything, all the trees, buildings, even the train. It was a magnificent sight. I highly recommend it.

Here are the ducks in the water. Too cold for me.

I drove through Ellijay and Chatsworth GA today on the way to Pigeon Forge to see the Christmas lights at Dollywood. I noticed the leaves that were left didn’t have any color to speak of but when I got to the Tennessee line things appeared to be a little more colorful.

I enjoyed the drive and experienced a few interesting sights. a donkey farm popped up in the middle of nowhere and that was amusing because at first glance I though how strange all of those horses looked Also saw an orange and white verticle striped house. It was very hard on the eyes, why, why?

I saw a few trains loaded with coal and pondered where they might be headed, coal fired power plants? Probably to supply the increased demand for winter.

Highway 411 was STILL under construction. It seems like it has been years.

When I got to Dollywood it was about 7pm so I arrived just in time to see a short but cute Christmas parade, have some coffee and meet some friends for dinner. The lights were fantastic. I’m going back during the day tomorrow and it should be a blast.

Millions of people worldwide are riding bikes, from the casual rider to the competitive athlete. So the question most will face is what is the best road bicycle for me. To help determine the best road bike for you there are several things you should consider first.

Why do I want to ride?

How much should I pay for a road bicycle?

What differences are there between the lower and higher priced bikes?

Determining the reason why you want to ride a bicycle is very important and the reason why it is the first question we must ask ourselves. If you are just a casual rider there is no need to buy the high priced, carbon fiber bicycle, go ahead and get the lower priced entry-level bike. You won’t be putting a lot of miles on the bike so there will be less need for maintenance. There will, however still be a certain amount of maintenance that will need to be done on the bicycle. You may not have a need for the upgraded components because you don’t need to shave a few seconds off your times. The only caveat to this is that the lower priced bike with their lower quality components will likely wear out quicker and therefore need to be changed or repaired sooner.

The Tommaso Velocita is a first rate example of a mid-range bike that offers both quality and better prices.

A determining factor for buying a bike for many people will be the price of the road bike. Most entry-level bikes will run you about 250 to 450 dollars depending on what bike you buy and where you decide to buy it. This bicycle will suit you well as a casual cyclist because you won’t be putting a lot of miles on the bike. You are better off buying a better bike if you plan on riding more than once or twice a week. Depending on the road bike and where you purchase it, a mid-range bicycle will cost between 500 and 1200 dollars. If you are planning on making cycling an integral part of an exercise program or you would like to even compete at your local events then you should consider a bike that will stand up to the stress you will be placing on it. You can pay up to 7000 dollars for a higher-range road bike with the lower end coming in at around 2000 dollars.

The quality of the components is what differentiates the price among the three relative price ranges of each bike. A novice may not notice that his low priced bicycle weighs 20 pounds and he has trouble shifting when traversing a steep incline, while the more experienced rider sails by him on his 14-pound carbon fiber frame road bicycle that seems to shift effortlessly without missing a single tooth with his upgraded crank and derailleur. The novice may not even notice that he has to slow way down when he comes to the bend in the road at the bottom of the incline while the higher-ranged bike seems to glide effortlessly through the turn with speed and confidence.

When you are ready to purchase your next road bike refer to these few examples. Your long term and short term goals are the keys to choosing the best road bike for you. Base your decision by choosing a bike that has stood the test of time and has a manufacturer that is well known in the cycling community for producing a quality product.

I have ridden many types of road bikes and I am an avid cycling enthusiast. I put together a site of the best selling and most popular road bikes in the three price ranges based on sales and customer feedback. The most popular low priced bike is the Schwinn Prelude. The Tommaso Dura Ace Is one of the most popular mid-range bicycles. The best high end road bike is the Lamborghini La Dolce. I urge you to check these out before buying your next or first road bike.

As the use for bicycles has become more popular as a gas saving transportation device the demand for different types of bicycle baskets has also grown.. For many years bicycle baskets were used primarily on children’s bicycles or on three wheel bicycles. Now there is a wide range of bicycle baskets that are designed to meet the needs of any cyclist.

Bicycle baskets can be an invaluable addition to a bicyclist who travels via bike on a daily basis and must have a place to put their things. or lunch. In the past bicycle baskets were made in a standard shape and size which was unsteady on bicycles that made sharp or fast turns.

Three wheel bicycles are ideal for bicycle baskets because they are usually build to accommodate individuals who carry groceries or other large parcels in them. The span between the rear wheels of a three wheel bike provide the stability necessary to carry weight without endangering the rider. Since the rear wheels of a three wheel bike provide stability it is very rare that items dislodge from the basket.

The use of bicycle baskets on bikes that are used for sports is increasing in popularity. These baskets are designed in an array of shapes, sizes, and textures, and can be purchased to reflect the personality of the person using them. Baskets are specially designed which look like bicycle baskets that are attached permanently to a bike’s handlebars, but in fact are attached loosely with hooks. Bicycle baskets for sports bikes are built to hold light weight products that will be consumed during a long distance bike ride and are not as stable as other bicycle baskets.

Knowing what the use of the basket will be and how often it will be used will play a part in the type of bicycle one chooses. Many bikes that are designed for trick riding are not appropriate for bicycle baskets and the goods placed in a basket on this bike could easily be damaged or broken. However, with a regular bicycle that is going to be used for commuting to work or for long rides that will not require sharp turns a handlebar bicycle basket is a perfect choice.

If a bike is going to be used as a primary mode of transportation and there will be a lot of weight placed on the bicycle basket a three wheel bike may be a good choice. Three wheel bikes provide support and comfort for a rider as well as a bicycle baskets that is large enough to carry numerous items.