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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 11A RETURN TO THE OLD WEST For fans of the old west, be sure and take a scenic wagon ride and cookout offered at the resort. The chuck wagon ride includes a horse-drawn wagon ride to the Riverhouse where you will enjoy steak and chicken cooked on the grill with all the trimmings, a bon fire and live entertainment. PANNING FOR GOLD While in Dahlonega, be sure and stop by the Consolidated Gold Mines, which offers underground mine tours, gold pan ning and gemstone mining. It is located at 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road in Dahlonega. For more information, go to www.consolidated- goldmine.com or call 706-864-8473. GOLD MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN The Dahlonega Gold Museum is located in the downtown area, which also has many charming shops and restaurants. VICTORIAN HOME Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Conference Center is located on 140 acres of wilderness near Dahlonega. The accommoda tions include this Victorian repro duction cottage that features all of the comforts of home. Home Away From Home Forrest Hills Resort great for mountain get-away BY ANGELA GARY Nestled in the North Georgia mountains is a treasure that is perfect for family gatherings and romantic get-aways. Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Conference Center is located on 140 acres of wilderness near Dahlonega. It’s a vaca tion destination in itself with plenty offered on the grounds. You will leave your stresses away as you travel along the rural countryside and enter the grounds of the resort. Surrounded by lush nature, you arrive at your luxurious pri vate cottage. We stayed in a three bedroom, two bath Victorian cottage. It is an authentic Victorian reproduction cottage with all of the comforts of home. It is spacious and beautifully furnished. The comfortable living room is a great place for the family to gather. It has a wood-burning fireplace and a connecting full kitchen and dining room. The master bedroom on the main floor has a king bed and Jacuzzi tub in the adjacent bathroom. French doors lead out on the back deck where you will find a hot tub. Upstairs, you will find another bathroom and two more bed rooms. Each bedroom has its own television and VCR, as well as one being located in the living room. Free movie rentals are available from the front office. A relaxing stream trickles by the cabin. It’s wonderful to open the windows at night, curl up on the couch and enjoy the peace and quiet as you listen to the sounds of nature around you. Lounge chairs on the deck and chairs on the front porch give you a great place to relax with a book or enjoy your natural surroundings. For a wonderful old-fashioned Southern breakfast, go to the Hideaway Restaurant on the resort grounds. Heaping plates of homemade biscuits, sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, gravy and fried potatoes are found on the all-you-can eat buffet. For supper, our choices included salad, stuffed flounder with shrimp, southwest chicken with rice, potatoes, corn, steamed vegetable, rolls, pumpkin ginger bread and banana nut bread. There is a huge family-style dining room, as well as a private dining room for couples. For reservations, hours or schedules, call 1-706-864-6456. There is also a day spa at the resort which provides a great place to relax and get rid of your stress. The spa is located in the lower level of the office complex. Services offered include massages and facials. Stop by the front desk for prices and scheduling. For fans of the old west, be sure and take a scenic wagon ride and cookout offered at the resort. We visited during the cold time of year but plan to return when the weather warms up and try this. The chuck wagon ride includes a scenic horse- drawn wagon ride to the Riverhouse where you will enjoy steak and chicken cooked on the grill with all the trimmings, a SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM This spacious living room is featured in the Victorian cottage at the resort. The large home has three bedrooms, a living room, dining room and kitchen. A hot tub is located on the back deck. HEARTY SOUTHERN BREAKFAST For a wonderful old-fashioned Southern break fast, go to the Hideaway Restaurant on the resort grounds. Heaping plates of homemade biscuits, sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, gravy and fried potatoes are found on the all-you-can eat buffet. bon fire and live entertainment. Reservations are required. Horseback riding and carriage rides are also offered at the Gold City Corral, located behind the front office. For more information, call 706-867-9395. The resort is conveniently located near Dahlonega, known as a gold mining town established in the 1800s, and Dawsonville, with all of its outlet stores. In only a few minutes, you will be in Dahlonega, where you can pan for gold, check out the variety of restaurants or browse through the quaint shops on the downtown square. While in Dahlonega, we also enjoyed a visit to the Consolidated Gold Mines, which offers underground mine tours, gold panning and gemstone mining. It is located at 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road in Dahlonega. For more information, go to www.consolidatedgoldmine.com or call 706-864-8473. Other nearby attractions include Amicalola Falls, Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve. For more information on the resort, go to www.forresthillsre- sort.com or call 1-800-654-6313.. For more information on visiting Dahlonega, go to www. dahlonega.org. 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