During our recent traverse of the Appalachian Trail, Laurie and I resupplied in Helen, a town we had bypassed on previous thru-hikes.

To make itself a travel destination, Helen has transformed itself into a replica of an Alpine village. Being walkers, we strolled along the main thoroughfare, looking at old world towers, exploring cobblestone alleyways and wandering into the more than 200 shops carrying cuckoo clocks, handblown glass and handcrafted quilts.