Guest Post By: Linda Hale

In the fall our hearts and minds turn to harvests, fall festivals, and pumpkin patches. Then there is that new rage: the corn maze! When I was growing up, I lived on a farm. My Daddy grew cotton, soy beans, and corn, and we were sort of poor. Why in the world didn’t we think of making corn mazes back then?

Anyway, there are plenty of them now, and the experience is usually coupled with great pumpkin patches. North Georgia has its share of these fun adventures, as do lots of other states. I’m going to give you a general idea of this experience, and then all you have to do is Google your location to find the closest ones to you.

We have been to a couple of great pumpkin patches with our granddaughter. Two particular ones are in Dawsonville, which is just east of Atlanta near Gainesville, Ga.  Burt’s Farm is just pumpkins as far as you can see, and in every size you can imagine. Of course, they are for sale, but they are also great picture taking opportunities. There is also the tractor pulled wagon for a hayride, and the barn with all sorts of colored corn, gourds, and small pumpkins for sale.  We had a super time there!

Another pumpkin patch and corn maze near this one, also in Dawsonville, is Uncle Shuck’s. With the addition of the corn maze, this pumpkin patch is even more exciting. They have a twelve acre corn field, with 4 miles of trails that you can get lost in for hours. There are check points along the way in case you need help! They also have a haunted corn maze during October that is open at night. There are no flashlights allowed, and you have to make your way by moonlight! Of course, anyone under thirteen has to be accompanied by an adult.

There are hayrides here, too, and these can be during the day or at night. You can enjoy a stop along the way for a camp side bonfire with marshmallows, songs, and stories.

The food abounds! You can fill up on all your fall favorites of hot dogs, hamburgers, boiled peanuts, cakes, pies, caramel apples, funnel cakes, even bratwurst.

Of course, you will return home with some of the best pictures ever! You can get the details about Uncle Shuck’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn maze at www.uncleshucks.com.

Now, as I mentioned, if you don’t live in Georgia, I’ll guarantee you have something like these near you.  If not, I’ll bet you can find one within a day trips distance. It is so worth it! This is a treat for everyone, but little kids love it!

When I Goggled “corn mazes in the south”, I got 2 million hits; 2 million, three hundred for “corn mazes in the north; 2 million, five hundred in the west; and over 5 million in the east. Alaska even had 5 hundred thousand (hits, not corn mazes, but still)! So, you see my point; there is no reason to miss out on this great fall treat for you and your family.

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Are you a history buff? Do you love to visit places that take you back to another place and time? If so, you need to head on down to the Georgia Renaissance Festival. For 8 weekends out of the year, from mid-April through the first of June, you can experience an authentic piece of medieval life. Located off Interstate 85, just a little south of Atlanta, you can park in a field, walk through a gate, and be totally immersed in another time and culture.

We have been to the Renaissance Festival several times, and each time I am completely blown away by the experience. There are 32+ acres full of authentic  16^th century life. Over 1000 fully costumed, period characters are strolling through the fair talking to you, explaining events and life during this period.  There’s the big, red haired, buxom lady who gives you a big red kiss on the cheek, the peddlers, the sheep herders, the singing minstrels, and even the ugly troll under the bridge. And definitely be prepared to make way for King Henry VIII and his court, as they parade through the town.

Your children will absolutely love the period games, rides, and side shows that are taking place constantly as you stroll through the fair. There are lots of demonstrations of medieval crafts like weaving, coin minting, and glass-blowing, and even workshops where you can try your hand at some craft. There are plenty of gift shops, if you would like to take home some souvenirs. In fact, one warning. There is an entrance fee to the festival, and then most of the events inside cost extra. So come prepared to spend, or be firm with your “no’s” to the kids!

One of my favorite things about the festival is the food. There are tons of pubs and shops with all kinds of goodies and meals. In fact, practically everyone you see is walking around gnawing on a giant turkey leg. This is one of the signature foods served there, but there is so much more! Fried macaroni and cheese, fried green beans, desserts, corn on the cob; you name it, it’s there!  Get there hungry!

One really nice thing about the period characters roaming around is their knowledge of medieval life. They are happy to stop and talk with you, and answer all sorts of questions. It’s not hokey, but really life- like. You are actually in the 16^th century while you are there. There is a goose lady who is extremely knowledgeable about geese, and she has several that you can pet and hold. One will even hug your neck (goose style).

Another caution; wear comfortable shoes! This place is absolutely huge, and you will be walking among trees and roots and rocks. My granddaughter and I separated from my husband for a minute, for him to get a drink, and we roamed around for an hour and a half before we found him again. Also, if you are from a more northern climate, remember that mid-April and May in Georgia can be hot.  You will need to dress appropriately, or all that walking will make you really uncomfortable. Just check the weather report before you come!

As I have mentioned, there are all kinds of attractions here, but the highlight is the Jousting. There is an authentic jousting ring, where the knights on their mighty steeds (really gorgeous horses) clash in a very real jousting match. Notice the posted times, and get there early to get a ringside seat. This is great!

Be sure to check out their website at www.garenfest.com  before you come, to get dates, times, and special event information. On our last visit they were featuring the Lipizzaner Stallions, so you never know what kind of treats they may have in store for you.

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Yes, travelers, there are still Cabbage Patch Kids being born. You and your kids can experience the birth of these adorable dolls with a visit to Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. Now Cleveland is another one of those “you can’t get there from here” places, so you are going to have to make a special effort to get there. But the trip will be part of the adventure. When you get to Cleveland, which is probably easiest to do from Interstate 85, exiting at Gainesville, you will find yourself approaching Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains, which is a beautiful drive in itself. But you will also be less than 20 miles from Dahlonega; the site of the first major U.S. gold rush (at least 20 years before California), and Helen, which is an authentic German village on the beautiful Chattahoochee River.

So sit down with your family, and make out your itinerary for this trip. Anytime is beautiful, but fall is gorgeousto se the Appalachian Mountains!

Cleveland is a small town, so finding Babyland General should be easy. The admission is free, and you are in for a great treat. Might want to bring your checkbook, though, because once your kids see all those thousands of Cabbage Patch Kids. . . . . . . oh well, you get the picture.

My husband and I took our granddaughter three years in a row, on her birthday, and she ended up with three boys in her Cabbage Patch collection.

When you arrive, you will have the option to visit several rooms in the hospital, including the nursery for newborns; the preemie room, with the babies in incubators; and various school rooms, with the toddler aged Kids. The children can choose which Kid they would like to take home, give it a name, and go through the adoption proceeding.Our first was Jason Ryan; a toddler.

They can also visit the Magical Cabbage Patch, and witness the birth of a brand new baby CabbagePatch Kid. The Cabbage Mother’s birthing experience is attended by doctors and nurses, who help with the birth.

The birth of a new Kid is always one of the highlights of the trip, but to me, the adoption process was pretty impressive. Once your baby has been selected, you will be taken to a private room for an adoption consultation with one of the hospital staff.  Your child will be asked questions about taking care of the new baby, given some instructions, and then will take an oath to love and care for it. Children take this really seriously, and it is a treat to watch them.

Of course, next comes the gift shop, where you can buy just about anything you want or need for your new baby Cabbage Patch Kid. And, rest assured, you won’t get out without at least one outfit, and all the accessories!

You probably need to plan on this experience taking at least half of a day. There is so much to see, and so much to get involved with here; you, nor your children, will want to leave. This is a really fun family outing, and definitely worth a trip through the Northeast Georgia mountains to get there.

According to their website, Babyland General was voted one of the Top Ten Toylands by the Travel Channel. So visit their website at www.cabbagepatchkids.com, and get all the details about dates and times, and give your children a great treat!

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Guest Post By: Linda Hale

Want to give your children a great experience on your vacation?  If you happen to be travelling the Southern coast of Georgia, you will find a wonderful treat in store.

Don’t we all love turtles! From Nemo’s friend Crush to the little box turtles trying to cross the road, we seem to be fascinated with them. Particularly kids!  Well, come over to Jekyll Island, Georgia, and give them the opportunity to see some sea turtles really up close.

My family does a lot of vacationing on the beautiful Georgia Golden Isles of St. Simon’s and Jekyll.  Jekyll is well known , and  there are many, many activities and fun things to experience while you are there. However, we believe the Georgia Sea Turtle Center may be one of the best finds we have made, especially for our granddaughter.

Not only is the center a treasure trove of information about the sea turtle, with rooms full of museum type exhibits on the life cycle, the nesting, and the travels of this gigantic animal, it is also a sea turtle hospital!

Sea turtles that have been found stranded on beaches because of sickness or injuries, or those that have been rescued after an accident involving ski boats or dredges many times end up at the center hospital.

Within the actual center, you have the opportunity to look into the hospital through a giant window, and watch the turtles be examined by the doctors and nurses. You will be amazed at how they handle these huge reptiles. From there, you can go into the rehabilitation area, where you can see the recovering sea turtles in their individual pools and tanks. They have each been given a name, and a poster is attached to each tank area to give you information on their specific illness or injury, thetreatment they have received, their prognosis, and what the center’s plans are for release.

Many of the turtles recover completely, and can be released into the wild, while others will have to go to zoos or aquariums.

One really cool thing you can do for your children is come spend a week at Jekyll or St. Simon’s during the summer, and enroll them in the Sea Turtle Center Camp. This is a week of spending close-up time with the turtles in the hospital, as well as roaming the beaches looking for nests, and turtle tracks. Maybe they will even find some, since summer is the nesting season for sea turtles. They will learn all about the sea turtle conservation programs and research the center is involved in, as well asenjoying lots of hands on experience with the turtles.

The camp is for children ages 6 through 12, but you will need to check out the website (http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/) for the specific dates and other information.

If you are a day visitor, they have a huge gift shop with all kinds of interesting gifts and turtle information, not to mention a gigantic skeleton of a sea turtle hanging from the ceiling.

So come spend a day with the sea turtles, learn about their lives and habits, and the exciting and worthwhile rescue efforts  of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Guest Post By: Linda Hale