Named for its dark-colored sheer cliffs, Black Rock Mountain State Park constitutes a 1,743-acre patch in the glorious quilt of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. As we drive toward the top, Cindy’s snapping photos of luxuriant mountain laurel tucked beneath ginormous hardwoods. This curvaceous parkway up the mountain will be ablaze with color soon. And its peak will be more beautiful still.
As we arrive at the top, we are not disappointed. The views are nothing short of stunning here on the crest of the Eastern Continental Divide.
Cindy and I stop and talk with a couple as they depart their cabin. “It’s wonderful! The cabin’s just perfect and the view is amazing,” they gush. We also notice warning signs about the presence of bears. The 1976 horror film Grizzly was filmed in this area. Nevertheless, when we get home, I’m booking a cabin stay for next year.
There’s so much to do and see here: camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, photography and picnicking. The park has a 17-acre lake, comfortable cottages for up to eight, numerous tent sites, trailer and RV campsites, a pioneer campground, picnic shelters, a playground and, of course, the Summit Visitor Center/Gift Shop. The mountain is also home to the Foxfire project and Outdoor Museum, featuring 20 historic log structures that preserve Appalachian culture.
We learn that it’s also an enchanting wedding venue. Local Keller Williams Realty agent Debbie Wiedor tells us, “Black Rock Mountain State Park is dear and near to my heart. I got married there in 2021 on an overlook close to God with the mountains spread out before us. The Nantahala Overlook on the north face of the mountain- that’s where we stood.”
According to gastateparks.reserveamerica.com, it’s the state park with the highest elevation in Georgia (3,640 feet) and showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Park overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas for getting married or just soothing the eyes.
Visitors to the park will also find the nearby Town of Clayton, incorporated in 1823, a jewel to be explored. Despite its modest population of about 2000, Clayton has virtually zero empty storefronts. Its historic downtown features local boutiques, galleries and a charming community vibe. Reeves Hardware, with the usual hardware stuff plus apparel and fly-fishing gear, has operated on Main Street since 1928.
The town’s also known for its farm-to-table restaurants, local diners and unique culinary options. We have good friends who live over in Sky Valley, Georgia, 13.5 miles from here, and they often drive down to Clayton to eat.
We’re dining at Henri’s Bakery and Deli in Clayton. Henri’s originally opened in 1929 in Atlanta and offers authentic French cuisine. The menu includes fresh-baked pastries, muffins and cookies, along with sandwiches on house-made bread.
We’re sitting by the window enjoying our lunch when a couple of local ladies take seats at the table beside us. We strike up a conversation. They tell us all about the area and how much they love Clayton, especially its people, whom they find to be good Samaritans. While we’re talking, an older lady across the street stumbles and falls. We watch half a dozen people rush to assist her. “That’s pretty typical of how people react here,” they tell us. There’s a big cross up on the mountain overlooking the town. “It has been controversial. But it’s on private property,” one of the ladies says, smiling.
Today is Sunday. There are two large churches close by and their parking lots are full.
It’s usually a pretty good sign if Cindy likes a place. So, I ask for her thoughts about Clayton. “Well, I see a lot of beautiful shops—clothing stores, design shops—and probably six or eight good restaurants. The streets are clean. The storefronts have been freshened up. People are out walking and enjoying activities with family and friends. It’s super-close to Lake Rabun. With its narrow streets and ancient stone walls, Lake Rabun looks like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. Clayton’s only about thirty minutes from Highlands, without Highlands prices. A big plus is that two big lakes, Lake Rabun and Lake Burton, are within easy driving distance. These lakes remind me of Alabama’s Lake Martin but, unlike Martin, they’re completely surrounded by gorgeous mountains,” she says.
We’re back home now, but my mind keeps drifting back to North Georgia. My finger is still itching to push the SPORT button on the console of my Accord and engage the Tail of the Dragon’s Sister. (To understand this, you’ll need to read my October feature, if you missed it.)
I can taste the pastries at Henri’s, and see the valley spread out before me from the Visitor Center atop Black Rock Mountain. I recall sweet words of hospitality streaming from local favorites like Dillard House, and the Cupboard Café may be the only eatery left in existence that serves liver and onions. It’s eighty-five degrees outside now in the River Region. I check the Clayton weather. Sixty-five degrees! I pick up my iPhone and call the number for Georgia State Parks. Within seconds, I’m talking with a reservation specialist. I ask for Black Rock Mountain State Park.
It’ll be my Christmas gift to Cindy. She started painting recently. This time next year, she’ll be standing on the long deck of our cabin overlooking the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains, an easel and canvas at the ready. I’ll be sitting nearby in a rocker. And a soft, cool breeze will make me smile.
Jeff Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and speaker. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. His novels include Lawson’s Bluff (2021); The Slash Brokers (1998). He also manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC at The Waters in Pike Road, Alabama. Contact Jeff at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. You may print out his features at www.jeffbarganier.com and take them with you when you travel!