Spectacular Seasons in the North Georgia Mountains!

Discover the beauty and spendor of the North Georgia mountains. Mild summers provide a cool refuge for those who live further south. Spring is abound with new sprout, new starts, and beautiful floral and fauna color. In the Fall our trees transform from cool greens to flaming colors of splendor, in the clean mountain fresh air. Mild winters in the North Georgia mountains make it a great time to celebrate an authentic Blue Ridge mountain Thanksgiving or Christmas. Curl up by a fire and take in the wonders. You might even stumble upon a crystal white Blue Ridge mountain snowfall.

North Georgia is an ideal setting for the year round lifestyle. Award winning architect/builder Henry Zuckerman designs and builds exceptional custom homes in the North Georgia mountains, and he’s been doing it for more than twenty years. Now, StoneyBrooke Homes is Henry’s latest vision of adapting today’s lifestyle to casual mountain living. StoneyBrooke Homes are earth-friendly and can adopt as much of the latest green technology as you may desire.

North Georgia and it's famed Blue Ridge Mountains hold a multitude of surprise for any lifestyle activities. Quaint antique shops, authentic homestyle dining, whitewater rafting, tubing, and welcoming state parks make this sure stop for Looking for a refuge? Find a cabin or home with an outdoor deck, grab a book and a rocking chair and breathe in the cool mountain air as you gaze over the mountains.

After Century of Growth, Tide Turns in Florida

By DAMIEN CAVE

Published: August 29, 2009

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The smiling couple barreling ahead on the cover of Liberty magazine in 1926 knew exactly where to go. “Florida or Bust,” said the white paint on the car doors. “Four wheels, no brakes.”

So it has been for a century, as Florida welcomed thousands of newcomers every week, year after year, becoming the nation’s fourth-most-populous state with about 16 million people in 2000.

Imagine the shock, then, to discover that traffic is now heading the other way. That’s right, the Sunshine State is shrinking.

Already, the state’s hold on retirees is weakening, with thousands of disenchanted “halfbacks” moving to Georgia and the Carolinas in recent years. Stanley K. Smith at the University of Florida nonetheless predicts modest population increases when the economy picks up — growth of 150,000 to 200,000 people annually.

Special Offers in North Carolina

August is a great time to explore the mountains of Western North Carolina. Cool mountain waterfalls, whitewater escapades, charming bed and breakfast inns, all set amid the natural wonders of the mountains. And with incredible fall rates, golf packages, and other late summer sales, check out the VisitNC list of special offers

Greenville, SC named one of the best places to live the simple life due to its rich culture, great food, low stress. http://su.pr/2O15wv

Best Places To Live The Simple Life

Greenville, South Carolina was named one of the best places to live the simple life by AARP Magazine due to its rich culture, great food, and low stress.

Dubbed as family-friendly fun, from "penny candy" to goat-cheese pizza, Greenville's median housing price is just $151,080. When the most relaxing way to spend an afternoon is hiking the pristine mountain woodlands of Jones Gap State Park, just 25 miles outside Greenville and simple fun for less than $10 means grabbing a cup of coffee or an ice-cream cone at Spill the Beans, how could you go wrong?

Read the full article by Sarah Mahoney

Enter to win the Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills Sweepstakes! http://su.pr/1bLkSn

Lake Lure & The Blue Ridge Foothills Sweepstakes

From majestic peaks to hip and historic small towns, Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills offer everything you need for a getaway that will help you renew your senses. With great food, fun things to do, and amazing things to see, the lake may lure you – but the spectacular scenery and abundant activities will make you want to stay awhile.

Now, you can win a family trip for four to the area that Frommer’s Budget Travel called ‘a lake not to miss’. The winner will receive:

• Two rooms for four nights and breakfast for four at the historic Lake Lure Inn and Spa


• Admission for four to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park and a picnic lunch provided by the park’s Old Rock Café


• A one-hour Lake Lure Boat Cruise for four.


• A 90-minute eco-kayak tour for four and a ½ day pontoon boat rental from the Lake Lure Adventure Company.


• A half-day guided fishing trip for two from Granddaddy Fly Fishing.


• A two-hour guided scenic horseback tour for four from Cedar Creek Riding Stables.


• $100 gift certificate for MSquared Restaurant


• $100 gift certificate for the Anna Rose Restaurant


• $100 shopping voucher


• $500 travel voucher
  

Enter today! The sweepstakes ends August 31, 2009.

Courtesy of www.visitnc.com