Lake Rabun, Georgia

 

“Skip a stone. Take a hike. Sit a spell. Listen. Daydream. Just breathe. This is lake living.”

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This year for our fall vacation weekend, our family decided to go to the mountains to enjoy the fresh mountain air, scenery, waterfalls, and have a peaceful retreat. We were blessed since we got to enjoy this weekend with the family, our daughter, Jeannine, her husband, Darren,  their ten children, our son, Josh, and Darren’s parents. We were fortunate to have found a large beautiful home that could sleep all of us right near the dam on Lake Rabun.

We left on a Thursday afternoon, the day after Zeta, the 27th hurricane this year (2020), had passed through. On our drive to the mountains, we could see the dark clouds for miles and miles off in a distance from that storm as it eased its way up north. We got closer and closer until we were under the dark clouds but fortunately we didn’t get any rain. What a gorgeous ride it was as we passed through small two block towns, fields adorned with rolls of hay drying for the winter, rustic beautiful barns, tree lined roads, and down curvy mountain roads with an occasional small waterfall on the side of the road.

By the time we got to Lake Rabun, it was pitch black. We turned onto Lake Rabun Road which is a curvy narrow road that meanders around the lake and is dark and scary at night with hairpin turns and steep drop offs. We saw many homes right up against the road with boat houses perched just above the lake. This area reminded me of New England. Our navigation took us down a wrong road but soon we found the correct road and saw the rental house perched against a hill. We drove up the steep driveway and parked. Ah.  We made it.

Getting out of the car, we instantly felt the difference in the temperature. You could tell we were in the mountains. The mountain air was cooler compared to our home in Augusta, Georgia and the air smelled of leaves decaying on the ground. It was a nice earthy scent. Looking up at the stars was amazing since there was no light noise. We were the first to arrive at the home so it was silent. While standing on the deck, the only thing we could hear was the water rushing on the reservoir which lead to the main part of the lake.

The house we rented was a beautiful home that was just perfect for us. The rest of the family soon arrived and our weekend fun started. We got settled in and comfortable. The next morning, we woke up early and walked down the road that lead around the lake. Now in the daylight, we could now see all the beautiful luxury homes with matching boat houses with boat lifts and areas to sit up top to view the lake. This was obviously a wealthy neighborhood. It is known that Lake Rabun has become a second home to some of the most wealthy and politically connected individuals in Georgia since the 1920’s. Most residents come just for weekends in the summer.

We walked a little further and saw a small but pretty waterfall on the side of the road. They were lowering the lake which we were told they do most every year around this time so the lake didn’t look as pretty as it could have. The water was very clean looking even as it rushed past us. Lake Rabun is the third lake in a series of six lakes. There is Lake Burton, Lake Sneed, Lake Rabun, Lake Tallulah Falls, Lake Tugalo, and lastly, Lake Yonah. They are all beautiful mountain lakes.

Lake Rabun began in May 1915 with the completion of the Mathis Dam. Mathis Dam stands 108 feet tall with a span of 660 feet. Lake Rabun is an 835 acre reservoir that has 25 miles of shoreline located in the north east corner of Georgia. Georgia Power owns the lake and at one time this lake produced the largest amount of electricity in Georgia. Now it only provides electricity for peak times.

This lake offers everything you can imagine with camping, hiking, water sports, boating, swimming, and fishing. The lake sits at an elevation of 1690 feet in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. One great event to see at the lake is on July fourth. They have a wooden boat regatta, which is considered one of the country’s largest inland fleets and they put on a great parade. There is also one of the most beautiful falls to see in Georgia on the banks of Lake Rabun called Minnehaha Falls. After a short quarter mile trail, you can view this spectacular 100 foot waterfall.  

A house alongside of Lake Rabun posted this sign that we saw while walking.   We didn't see any sign of the people living there taking advantage of their warning sign.  Lake Rabun is a beautiful lake to be enjoyed by all. We enjoyed our time at Lake Rabun and will be back. 

 Till next time. Bye for now.