Confessions of a Lazy Travel Blogger

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Here's a fun fact: My first blog post was published on June 26^th of 2006. That means that I've been blogging on Wayfaring Wanderer for a little over five years now. Sheez louise, that's a long time! When I started blogging, I had no clue as to what it was all about. Honestly, I don't even remember how I learned about blogs or what actually made me start one. What I do recall is that blogging was something I started doing as a means to substitute what I was no longer able to do, which was rock climb. Wayfaring Wanderer didn't even start out as a travel blog, really.

(I've talked about why I was no longer able to do rock climb many times here on WW, so I won't get into any further detail about that, but if you're interested, you can get some insight here: How I Reached A Path of Happy Healing.)

Over the years, WW has taken on many different forms and has gone through several transformations in the process of my personal growth. There's a lot that I learned during this time, I've healed in ways that I never really expected (physically, mentally, and emotionally), and have had some crazy dreams come to fruition since the inception of my lil' ol' blog. From my solo journey to Oahu, Hawaii to the all expenses paid foodie blogger event in San Diego furnished by Sony Electronics, I've had a lot of awesome things happen over the years.

Blogging has been one of my most favorite outlets, but it's also come with its fair share of struggles along the way, too. What I love most is how I can look back on where I used to be, so that I can better appreciate where I am right now. Without acknowledging where you came from, it's hard to grasp how far you have come. At least, that's how I feel about it. Blogging has made that possible for me and that's another reason why I love doing it.

BAD HABITS DON'T BEGIN OVERNIGHT

When I get all sentimental and start sifting through my archives, I cringe at some of the old photos and how I mutilated them in photoshop with unnecessary filters and adjustments. Now, I barely bother making any adjustments to my images in photoshop. And my writing, oh lawdy, it was atrocious! However, with time (and practice), I got much better. To date, I've published 537 blog posts, so I'd hope that there were some lessons I learned along the way!

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Back in the day, I used to blog 5 days a week, which seems completely absurd to me now. I'm lucky if I can manage to publish one blog post a week. I've gone through phases where I'd blog a whole lot and then taper off to nearly nothing only to come back again full force. There's been a lot of up and down when it comes to blogging for me. It's easy to get burned out. If you're a blogger, you know! One thing I do know is that I've never given up on it entirely. I couldn't. For some crazy reason, it means too much to me to keep it going that I couldn't bear to quit all together!

I'M NOT REALLY LAZY, JUST INCONSISTENT

When I go quiet, it's not for lack of things to blog about, because I have a list of potential posts that's at least a mile long. And I'm always going somewhere fun and taking pictures along the way, so material is plentiful. In all honesty, I probably have enough stuff to blog about for the next year if I planned things out properly! There are so many places I meant to blog about, but never made the time to do so. Making time is one thing that is extremely important when it comes to putting together posts, and that's exactly where I've failed lately. I just haven't made the time. It's not that I've been o-so-busy. The truth is that I just haven't set aside the time required to get the job done.

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Another thing that I let cripple my ability to blog is just the fact that more eyes are reading my posts than ever before, and it's slightly overwhelming at times. You know, it was easier to blog when you knew that people weren't reading what you had to say. However, now that I have regular traffic, things have changed. As a result, I've become slightly more judgmental of what I produce. You'd think that it'd get easier over time, but that's not always the case. The problem is that I need to stop being so critical, and just put it out there! Who cares who does and doesn't like it, right?! Just get it out there so that opinions can at least be formed one way or the other.

MY PLAN FOR BECOMING A BETTER TRAVEL BLOGGER

One of my main issues with inconsistency is that I've never really come up with a schedule for my posts. I just sort of do them on the fly whenever I feel like it, which isn't the best way to approach blogging. That is, if you want to build your following and keep people coming back for more. After all this time, I finally realize that, and I'm prepared to do something about it. One thing that I need to revisit is the direction and design of my blog. The current layout is about 2 years old, and it doesn't really feel like me anymore because I've expanded my adventures beyond my own backyard. Since I've graduated with my graphic design degree, I think it's time to redesign WW, so it suits the type of traveler I am, not the traveler that I used to be 2 years ago.

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While I'm working on the Wayfaring Wanderer redesign, I will also be working on bringing you more content consistently. My goal is to blog at least 3x's a week with regular features. People seemed to enjoy the “Choose Your Adventure” series I experimented with last month, and I'd also like to revive “Foodie Fridays" because I'm always eating good food everywhere I go, and I would really like to share with you. If you have any ideas, throw 'em my way!

So, there you go: Confessions of a Lazy Travel Blogger

I'm far from being perfect when it comes to blogging, but I genuinely want to be better than I have been. One of my favorite things to do is share my photography and stories with you in hopes that it will inspire your own adventures close to home! If there is anything, in particular, that you'd like to see on WW, I'd love to hear any suggestions you may have. Please feel free to share here in the comments or on the WW Facebook page!


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How to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Helen, GA

What used to be a struggling logging town back in the late 60s, Helen, GA has since been revamped to simulate an alpine village in order to promote tourism. It's not quite like what you would find in Germany, but the town has a unique look that captivates many visitors. You'll find over 200 specialty and import shops lining the main strip offering everything from cuckoo clocks to homemade candies. Dining options are also plentiful and range from German-fare to southern food. This quaint little town is far from fancy, but it offers a great deal of excitement with lots of entertainment and outdoor activities to keep you occupied. While there is much to see and do when you are there, it can be experienced in a day if your time is limited.

WHEN TO GO

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen, GA is only a 1.5-hour drive from Atlanta, GA. The best, and busiest, time to visit is during their annual Oktoberfest event that runs from the end of September to the beginning of November. (Apparently, it's the longest running Oktoberfest celebration in the south.) If you time it just right, and venture to the town in late October, you can witness the fall leaves at their peak. Keep in mind, though, that the place will be packed with other tourists who are also hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful scenery, too.

WHERE TO SLEEP

When Cody and I began staying in Helen, back in 2008, we opted to camp out at the nearby Unicoi State Park to keep our costs low. If you want a campsite, though, it's best to reserve early because they are often booked solid during this time of the year. If camping isn't your thing, you also have the option of staying in their lodge, which is a lot like a hotel. While not walking distance to town, it only requires a 5-minute drive to reach the center of the city, so it's pretty conveniently located.

In the last two years, since we began inviting friends, our alternative to staying in the state park was to rent a cabin in Helen, GA. When you have a larger group of people, it makes more sense and is a whole lot more cost effective when compared to local hotels. We've had wonderful luck using Homeaway.com to find suitable accommodations that fit our needs and price range. This year, we stayed in a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom cabin, complete with a hot tub, & game room with a ½ basketball court for $540 for the weekend. Not too bad when it's split among 7 people! Compared to hotels, cabins are ideal because it's nice to have a home base where you can prepare meals, and have a place to continue the evening once the town has shut down.

WHERE TO EAT

There are a ton of options to choose from when looking for a place to refuel. The problem, though, is finding a place with good food. One of my new favorite places to eat in Helen is Cafe International. It has outdoor seating, and is right along the Chattahoochee River. I recommend the Rueben Sandwich, which I spent an entire year craving since our last visit. The flavor is amazing, it's easily one of the best Rueben's I've ever eaten.

One place that I will tell you to pass on is the Troll Tavern. I don't usually include the places I don't like in my blog posts, because I like to keep things on a positive note, but this place is truly disappointing. Yes, we've eaten there for the past 4 years, but we didn't know any better. Our entire table left dissatisfied with our meals this time around. If it weren't for our capable waiter, this place would have no redeeming qualities to speak of.

Another notable eatery includes Jordano's, which offers pizza, mostly. What's nice about this place is that it's along the river. Our pizza was ok, nothing spectacular. If you're not looking for German-fare, this would be a good spot to go. For a quick bite, Alpine Hot Dog would be a safe bet. They have a decent selection of moderately priced options to choose from, like a Grilled Bratwurst or Gyro Wrap. It's fast because you can order right from the sidewalk through their take-out window, and eat on the go. Our food was ready in no time!

THINGS TO DO 

What's left to cover when it comes to Oktoberfest in Helen, Ga? Oh, yeah, DRINKING! While there are many things to do in Helen, GA, it seems like one of the most beloved past times there is drinking. One of the best places to do that is at Festhalle! Festhalle is operated by Helen's chamber of commerce, and it's one of the biggest and most festive venues around town to hang out and have a good time.

Depending on when you go, the place can be cluttered with wall-to-wall people. However, there are rows and rows of cafeteria-style tables to take a seat at. Lines for food and beer can often be long, and the dance floor can be just as scattered, but it's the atmosphere in this place that's the real draw. It's always lively and full of people having fun. I doubt that you can escape the lure of doing the chicken dance no matter how silly you look doing it.

Now, if you don't have a hangover from partying too hard the night before, I highly recommend taking the time to explore the nearby Unicoi State Park where you can take an easy hike up a concrete path to Anna Ruby Falls, a 150ft double waterfall. There's also a nice hike that meanders around the lake if you're looking for a leisurely stroll to take in the surrounding scenery. Other outdoor activities are plentiful in this area as well, so don't miss out on those!

If you'd like to find out more about Helen, GA, here is a link to the website.

Every October, I look forward to spending a fun-filled weekend in Helen, GA. While this town isn't for everyone, it does have some charming qualities that I enjoy even though it can sometimes be overran with other tourists. With nearly two million visitors a year, it's an extremely popular place. In fact, it might be THE place to be for Oktoberfest! All I know is, that's where you'll find me celebrating :D

 

 What do you think about the look of Helen, GA? Is it a place that you'd like to go? 
Please share in the comments or on Facebook!

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