As readers of The Gemstone Chronicles know, Nana and Beebop’s house in the books sits perched on a mountain in the north Georgia mountains. For those who don’t know, the mountains in Georgia are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains (which are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain). While not towering like the Rockies, the mountains can be very remote and extremely rugged. They are also beautiful!
Recently, Lana and I decided to visit Brasstown Bald and see what the highest spot in the state looked like. We were not disappointed!
The views were breathtaking and expansive. On a good day, you can see North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and, of course, Georgia. Rising over 4700 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald allows spectacular views like the ones below!
These and similar views were the inspiration for the setting of the four books of The Gemstone Chronicles. I also discovered my fascination with gemstones that are found in the hills. Findecano, one of the elves in the books, was trapped in a chiastolite fairy cross found in the mountains. Fairy crosses are often found in Fannin County, GA, which can be seen from Brasstown Bald. I have found rubies, emeralds, sapphires, garnets, aventurine, carnelian, amethysts, and different other quartz during my many rock hounding trips. I recently joined a gold prospecting group, too, and I am looking forward to finding some of the gold left in the mountains!
The region also has some fantastic homes nestled in the hills. One of those houses became the prototype for Nana and Beebop’s house. I think this one is a bit larger than their home, but what a great place to spend a day. There is even a gold-bearing creek running through the area – the basis for the river running through Beebop’s property.
The House and The River:
There you have it. The North Georgia Mountains and streams that inspired the setting for The Gemstone Chronicles. Feel free to share pictures of the mountains and streams (or whatever else) that have inspired you!!
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