For Selah’s very first Christmas in the continental United States, we decided to leave the continent and fly to Bavaria, Germany… well no, not really, but she’s not even two-years-old so we took her to Georgia instead. She didn’t know the difference.
Bavaria, Germany or Alpine Helen, GA?
Alpine Helen, Georgia only has a population of around 430 residents, yet it is the state’s third most visited city. If you visit this charming little town, you will see why it so good at packing a crowd. Helen is a recreated Bavarian Alpine village with the Chattahoochee River flowing gently through its center. Helen first began as a home to the Cherokee Indians before European settlers eventually arrived for the gold and the timber. When Selah Lou Who came to town, she was simply there to see Christmas.
Selah Lou Who likes to carry her own bags!Selah Lou Who is ready to see Christmas in HelenI’m pretty sure she knew Santa wasn’t real!Downtown in Helen, GAGo to Muller’s Fried Cheese Café for authentic German Cuisine!Selah Lou Who waiting patiently with Mommy for our food to be served.Daddy ordered the Pork Loin Cordon Bleu Schnitzel, potato salad, red cabbage, and kraut. It was köstlich …yum!!!Alpine Helen is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in the Southeastern U.S.A. Selah Lou Who just loved the Christmas tree!Mommy makes all my blog posts look better!Visitors to Helen can take home that special souvenir from one of their many German-themed shops.Gingerbread men proudly on displayOne of many finely dressed yuletide displaysUnforunately this candy kitchen was closed for the night, but we would be sure to visit the very next day.The Gourmet Shoppe in Helen offered free samples of the local wines.At the Heidelberg you will find the most authentic sausage plates in town. The grub is great, the service is fantastic, and the beers are large and frosty!The window all dressed up at Windmill Dutch ImportsEven mommies like Santa Claus!After the Grinch made Selah Lou Who go to sleep, he enjoyed an adult beverage… or two!Alpine Helen offers a phenomenal selection of imported German beers and is known for their annual Oktoberfest in September and October.The Paulaner Salvator Double-Bock is a German-beer lover’s dream!Selah Lou Who greets the sunshine behind the Hampton Inn in Helen.This beautiful mountain stream ran right behind our hotel.Jolly’s Toys in Helen, GACome stay in an authentic windmill suite at the Heidi Motel!Inside of Charlemagne’s Kingdom you will find a massive Germany-themed model railroad exhibit complete with miniature villages, Alpine scenery & traditional music.While strolling past this charming row of cottages, Selah Lou Who found herself a friend.She was very disappointed when we didn’t take him home!After Selah Lou Who said goodbye to her four-legged friend, our trail led us into the beautiful Unicoi Park.Selah Lou Who is still looking for that dog.The Alana Falls didn’t so much fall as it did trickle.She was very fond of the tulip girl with the wooden klompen (clogs).Located along the river and right in the heart of downtown Helen, the Castle Inn is a romantic English-style inn with lots of character. These Padlocks on the bridge reminded Rebecca and I of a wonderful trip we took to the real Germany.Enjoying a frosty mug with this busty, headless fräulein!Shortly after that last picture was snapped, Rebecca abandoned me for this headless dude in lederhosen… what a jealous act of revenge!…and now she’s flirting with the soldier while I am standing right there!The only snowmen we found in Helen were all indoors.Poor Frosty was melting!You know we weren’t leaving town without first setting foot inside Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen!She said she has four teeth, plenty enough for a bite out of one of those delicious caramel apples!There was so much to choose from I didn’t know what to get. I ended up leaving with chocolate covered pretzels.The owner of Tim’s Wooden Toys really knew how to make Selah crack a smile. He’s the closest thing to a real-life Geppetto in all of Georgia!This nutcracker was taller than me…. as were the third-graders on the other side of the room.We found wall to wall Santas in Betty’s Country StoreFather Christmas standing guard just outside the doorBefore leaving, we stopped at the Cafe International for the best reuben in town!Now she’s eyeing my sandwich like she wants to make a trade. I tried to tell her!Selah Lou Who, being not yet two, stuck with her trusty peanut butter sandwich squares.It was tempting but daddy was driving home.The heaters and plastic afforded us warm outdoor seating with a view of the river below.
After lunch, Selah Lou Who got buckled in all nice and cozy and napped most of the ride home. While she probably won’t remember much of our two-day bavarian getaway, her daddy and mommy sure will. Memories like these are what makes life precious, especially when they’re still full of so much innocence and wonder. Thank you for visiting my site and I hope your holidays are spent joyfully with family and friends.
Merry Christmas from Big John, Rebecca, and Selah Lou Who!
