Georgia’s Gilmer County has always been recognized as apple country, home of the Georgia Apple Festival, and claiming title as apple capital of the world. The county is also becoming well known for its tubing and kayaking runs. Both the Cartecay and Ellijay rivers meet in the town of Ellijay, forming the Coosawatte River. The Cartecay River, running alongside the Appalachian Foothills Parkway, offers Class II and Class III whitewater, great for beginners honing newly discovered techniques.
      Just east of Ellijay, on route 52, local river-runner outfitters will deliver you and your choice of canoe, kayak, tube, or funyaks. Tubing runs last about three hours, with kayaking runs much quicker. On the drive upstream, don’t forget to scope out an empty spot on the bus roof to apply your John Hancock. The Cartecay runs through residential areas, and river runners are asked to respect homeowners and their property.
     Generally, springtime sees the most rainfall in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, while the Cartecay most often slows during the fall. Its scenic beauty, quick rapids, and stone obstacles are all part of the river experience.