Sounds like Oct. 28th may not be a good date after all. Even a problem for us as the night before we have a wedding related event. Is Nov. 18th a better date? Does that Saturday on the weekend before T-giving become a problem?
Cindy and I went up yesterday and we checked out Helen proper and this time of year our options for space is HIGHLY limited at best. The parking itself may likely cost us $3 to $5 a vehicle. I checked out Smithgall Woods State Park just outside Helen on 75A and they even charge per vehicle for entry. Plus this is a hunting and fishing preserve so Saturday's might get a bit crowed. We stopped at the Mt. Yonah Traihead parking lot and it will work but for a Wednesday midday, we were surprised at the number of cars there so we wondered what a fall Saturday would be like. Should still be room if early but getting towards midday, that may change.
Couple of miles back down the road in Cleveland is an Ingles Grocery Store with large parking lot and that may work as well. FYI, they make a damn good sub sandwich at the Ingles Deli.
If we still want to do the 28th, I'm game and at the moment it seems the interest on the 28th is waning.