In northeast Georgia, 2 hours north of Atlanta on Hwy. 444, Rabun County is one of the gems of the Deep South. From Atlanta, take I-85 north to I-985, then continue to its end at Hwy. 441. Proceed 30 miles north into the heart of Rabun County, with its Blue Ridge Mountains scenery galore.

With cascading waterfalls, lakes, mountain vistas, and fish-filled streams, Rabun is one of the vacation meccas of Georgia. Bordering both Carolinas, it is filled with outdoor adventures -- though not necessarily those depicted in the famous film Deliverance with Burt Reynolds, which was shot here.

The Chattahoochee National Forest covers more than 60% of the county, including wilderness areas like the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, consistently rated among the top 10 white-river runs in America. Attractions range from Tallulah Gorge, called "the Grand Canyon of the South," to Rabun Bald, with its panoramic vistas.