Leaf-Watchers
Guests at Stonehurst Place have felt some cooler temperatures in the last few days, and spirits are high that fall has arrived. According to Gallup polls, fall is American’s second-favorite season, only slightly behind spring. Fall-lovers have many reasons to embrace the months of October and November, whether it be relief from summer heat, a change in fashion, or just a tangy, crisp apple. But everyone seems to look forward to the changing color of the leaves. Once the temperature begins to drop, park rangers begin to hear a common question from leaf-watchers and nature lovers alike, “When do the leaves begin to change?”
Beginning now, leaf-watchers can keep track on how leaf color is progressing across the Georgia mountains on a website called “Leaf Watch.” Filled with top trails and overlooks, fall events, and safe hiking tips, leaf-watchers are encouraged to post their favorite shots to the Georgia State Parks’ Facebook page and Instagram.
State Parks near Stonehurst Place for Leaf-Watchers
A multitude of state parks are just a short distance from Stonehurst Place, and our guests can plan a variety of day trips to enjoy the views! Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers fall leaf excursions each October on their historic railway. Travel along the Toccoa River in a vintage rail car, and catch the breathtaking views. Brasstown Bald, near Blairsville, is Georgia’s highest mountain, and is usually the first to show off the season’s colors.
The Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall is found at Amicalola Falls State Park. The park has both easy and strenuous hiking trails. Pumpkin farms, corn mazes, fall festivals, and apple orchards are all nearby. Just a short distance away is the Apple Capital of Georgia, in Ellijay, where leaf-watchers can also experience the Georgia Apple Festival.
At the end of the day, return to Stonehurst Place, have a delightful dinner at a restaurant nearby, and tuck yourself in to one of our incredible beds. Who knows, maybe we’ll have the fireplace crackling for you!
~ Innkeeper Lori
