There is still “gold in them thar Hills" of Lumpkin County, Ga., but not only in the shape of precious metal.

During the 1800’s the fields and mines surrounding Dahlonega Georgia yielded gold in abundance for miners willing to find it. In 1829 more than 15,000 miners rushed to the town with gold fever. During an annual fall pilgrimage people flock to the town for Gold Rush Days Festival.

The historic district of downtown Dahlonega boasts of buildings that range in date between 1836 and 1998, the oldest is the Lumpkin County Courthouse in the center of the town’s square and now being used as the Gold Museum.

During the rest of the year, visitors can be found coming to the area for its laid back lifestyle, outdoor recreation, wildlife and their habitat.

Today, the gold of Lumpkin County is to be found in the gorgeous settings of forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, which are within a short drive from Chattanooga and Atlanta.

“The gold” is found in the sunlight which shines on the Chestatee River which winds its way south from DeSoto Falls. This river, along with the nearby Etowah, is perfect for rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall in the eastern U.S. is also nearby. The region at the heart of the North Georgia wine country is the gateway to the Appalachian mountain range.

We didn’t visit the Kangaroo Conservation Center, but it is on our list for a next time visit.

Southern hospitality seems to be the “gold standard’’ around Dahlonega-Lumpkin County. It certainly is in the inns, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and shops of downtown Dahlonega.

The innkeepers, the restaurant owners and the shop staff have a smile on their faces and are willing to extend a welcome to all visitors.

So hunting for precious and semi-precious stones in the gold mines of Dahlonega is not the only way to strike it rich on a visit here.

Yes, visitors can discover gold daily on a panning adventure in several different area destinations. At Consolidated Gold Mines, you can even descend into the mine. My granddaughter, Mary and I enjoyed several hours of mining and learning at this mine. Mary panned for gold and precious gemstones along with bus loads of visiting kids from a North Atlanta summer camp. It was so easy that a five-year-old could accomplish the task and then be thrilled with her new bounty.

All the equipment you need to pan is provided (including kiddies’ buckets) and you can purchase individual experiences or an entire package. The gold mines are open every day (except major holidays); summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

But for Mary and me, our real find was exploring the town of Dahlonega and staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn. The choice of the Lily Creek Lodge, approximately five miles from downtown, along Auraria Road couldn’t have been more perfect.

Lily Creek Lodge’s Alpine chalet exterior belies the eclectic interior, which is filled with antiques, collectibles and artwork from around the world. Innkeepers, Sharon Bacek and her late husband, Don had been world travelers.

“It was our desire to travel to all seven continents," said Mrs. Bacek, “and we accomplished that goal. The couple, who had previously lived in Atlanta purchased the inn, built in 1985, 14 years ago after Mr. Bacek retired.

“While many people don’t live with these possessions," she continued, "some of which they may only see in museums, we enjoyed being surrounded with our collection."

That collection includes a glass breakfast room chandelier which originally hung in a hotel in Kansas City, a hand-carved ebony cabinet which once resided in the governor’s mansion in Ohio and a framed child’s christening gown from the Maori tribe in New Zealand.

Mary’s favorite find was a concrete Tic Tack Toe game in the outdoor pavilion near the swimming pool with sported its own rushing waterfall. Her next favorite was the rope hammock strung between two trees nearby.

The charming and hospitable innkeeper (sometimes accompanied by her cat Biscuit) greets each guest and makes sure they are not only welcome but truly comfortable.

Some return guests wished to watch the World Cup Soccer finals on television before getting on the road home. Mrs. Bacek tuned her television to the event and they settled in the library of her home.

And while the inn features guest rooms with a geographical or period themes (and furnishings to coordinate), the beds and baths offer new, comfortable linens, down comforters and pillows.

Some of the inn’s more than a dozen guest rooms have had additional updating. Right outside our second-floor window was an enormous blueberry bush, which Mrs. Bacek was picking in her spare time.

Breakfast in the formal French dining room couldn’t have been more informal or tasty. Guests at the time we visited included family members of some people who lived near me in Northwest Florida. Another couple hailed from Columbus, Ga. All found the inn because they wanted someplace both comfortable and unique in a mountain setting.

Breakfast, though billed as “continental” on the brochure, meaning “petite," was the exact opposite. Mrs. Bacek had requested guest choices the previous night and produced beautifully presented and delicious fare adhering to each guest’s dietary requirements.

Mary ordered French toast (which she had never before eaten) and scrambled eggs. She got both, plus a fresh fruit compote, toast and bacon. Mrs. Bacek, a member of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau suggested places for us to visit, geared to a young child. She also made dining suggestions.

We found Connie’s Ice Cream Parlor & Sandwich Shop on the square in downtown on her recommendation along with that of Rachel Shannon, a summer employee at Consolidated Gold Mines.
In fact, just about everyone who we inquired of said “Go to Connie’s.” We did, in fact, twice in one day.

The first visit was for great ice cream - at very reasonable prices - and then for lunch, also good and reasonable. Connie’s seemed to stay busy all day, with locals and tourists. The homemade cakes and desserts were really tempting. A healthy salad with grilled chicken was priced at $6.29. The service was efficient and friendly. This old-fashioned parlor and sandwich shop should be a must on any visit.

There are several attractive restaurants and cafes surrounding the square. The famous The Smith House, just off the square, is closed on Mondays.

The Crimson Moon Café is said to feature eclectic entertainment and artistic cuisine. “Where the Creative Spirit Shines," is the mantra of the restaurant which is located in the circa 1858 Parker-Nix Storehouse. The café supports and promotes creativity and community.

There are shops galore on and off the Dahlonega town square, including the Dahlonega General Store, with its old-fashioned candy and toys. You can even get a five-cent cup of coffee here.

But if, as you wind your way back to Atlanta or Chattanooga, you feel the need for a shopping fix, you can stop in Dawsonville (less than ten miles on Highway 400 South) and stock up at the North Georgia Premium Outlets, which offers great bargains within its many stores.

For Your Information:
Lily Creek Lodge: www.lilycreeklodge.com, e-mail: lilycreeklodge@windstream.net, or 706 844-2694.

Consolidated Gold Mines: www.consolidatedgoldmine.com, 706 864-8473.

Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce: www.dahlonega.org

Connie’s: On the Square in Dahlonega. 706 864-1382.

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Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega
Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, this year’s two-day celebration of Gold Rush Days will take place Oct. 16 and 17. Plans include a parade, children’s activities, fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race and lots of live entertainment and local cuisine.

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve
This Dahlonega attraction has announced the “rarer than rare” animal birth. The baby “Zedonk” is a cross between its zebra father and donkey mother. With a “golden-hued” coat and unique zebra-striped “leggings," the foal has the wild instincts of a zebra, sitting up alert for predators rather than lying on her side like a donkey.

Visitors to the preserve will get a glimpse of this seldom seen animal as well as more than 100 other rescued creatures not normally found in Georgia from Bengal tigers, black leopards, servals, African lions, lemurs and monkeys.

Fall Foliage
While taking in the ”golden leaves” near the Chattahoochee National Forest, visitors can now also take in the “golden-colored” chardonnay which is being produced by north Georgia’s booming wine country. You can tour five different wineries and several tasting rooms and learn about the growth of the wine from the ground to grape to glass.

Hillbilly Corn Maze
Something else “golden" in north Georgia is an eight-acre labyrinth of golden stalks highlighting the Hillbilly Corn Maze.

A series of twists, turns and dead-ends are carved into the six-foot-tall corn stalks for an experience that is fun for the whole family. Most participants spend about one hour trying to maneuver their way out of the mind-boggling puzzle.
Additional activities include; pumpkin picking, old-fashioned hayrides, pony rides, and concessions. For more information, www.HillbillyCornMaze.com.