Vagabond Tales- Helen and Back Food Tour for 4

March27, 2022 The Lord’s Day

The town of Helen is located only 35 minutes from Don Carter State Park and if you haven’t heard of it…It is quite unique! Incorporated in 1912, I was a big lumber town, had several factories and was part of the southern gold rush. It was quite the bustling metropolitan area but as the years went by, the lumber business faded out, the factories folded and people were leaving in droves.

In 1969, three business men from the town met to brainstorm a rebirth of sorts for their town. They would become a replica of a Bavarian Alpine town…not in the Alps but right here in the Appalachians. These guys had some weight in town because they mandated every business would have to change the look of their business to go along with the German style theme. That includes the few franchises that do business in Helen.

We were blessed with a bright sunny day but it came along with
temperatures that were chilly and winds that were amazingly brisk. We feared it might just blow our hair off of our heads!

Sunday afternoon, Charlie, Suzanne, Harry and I went on a food tour called…”Helen and Back” with our knowledgeable guide, Tobbi and a family of five we had never met before. We visited five restaurants and enjoyed many German dishes!

The story goes…Jackie Gleason had a place he stayed right outside of Helen. Having a bit too much refreshment, one night he looked out and saw something large and hairy pass in front of his window…he was positive he had seen Sasquatch. He continued to tell his story to anyone who would listen and then one day…this showed up in town!
Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Shop had an interesting sign in the window. And the wooden carvings on many of the buildings were exceptionally attractive.
Tobbi,- our guide, and an interesting brandy from Germany that we learned about…when the pear is budding, they place the bloom into a bottle and let the pear ripen inside the glass until ready to pick. Once they pick it…they fill the bottle up with brandy!
Here we are…All bedazzled and ready for the first restaurant…before the wind made me look like a zombi!😀
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