Hello! We're Chris and Emily. As Maryland natives, our roots run deep here, but our story together began with a bit of modern-day luck. We first met in Baltimore in 2008 after Emily answered Chris's Craigslist ad for a roommate—a true house-hacking story before it was cool! What started as a roommate arrangement blossomed into marriage. Once Emily finished her degree, we felt the call of a slower pace and began building a life centered on connecting with the outdoors and creating spaces where families could unplug and reconnect. In 2018, our lives changed as we welcomed our son, Logan. Life became a whirlwind of joy — full of new priorities, new adventures, and a deepening love for the kind of getaways where time slows down. Along the way, Logan was diagnosed with a rare condition that required a level of care that shaped where and how we lived. That journey led our family to Florida, where Logan is thriving today. We're thrilled to share this property with guests, and we hope you enjoy your stay just as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to life.

Welcome to River & Vine, a boutique riverfront retreat perched directly over the Chattahoochee in Helen, Georgia. The river isn't just a view — it's the soundtrack to your stay, rushing past below the deck as you sip morning coffee or an evening glass of wine. The main level opens into a warm living space anchored by a stone fireplace beneath a 95" home cinema screen and two reclining leather sofas. The fully outfitted kitchen flows onto the deck, with views of the river, surrounding hills, and Mt. Yonah in the distance each fall and winter. River & Vine offers 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, sleeping up to 10. Two bedrooms have a king bed each; the third is a bunk room with a king plus a bunk bed (full over queen) — great for multi-family trips. Several balconies sit directly over the river, including a private hot tub, plus a cozy wine and coffee bar. Walk to Helen's Alpine village — shops, biergartens, tubing outposts, mini golf, and the Festhalle, home to Oktoberfest each September and October. Note: parking is limited to 1 vehicle per stay. The home sits close to the water, so river sounds (and occasional wildlife) are part of the charm.

Guests love that River & Vine sits right along the Chattahoochee, close enough to walk into the heart of Helen's Alpine village yet quiet enough to feel like a private retreat. It's an easy stroll to the town's famous Bavarian-style shops, biergartens, and the Festhalle, home to Helen's Oktoberfest each September and October. For food, guests often head to Hofbrauhaus for classic German fare, PiNK PiG for Southern BBQ, or Hoochee's River Basket for breakfast on a creekside patio. Cowboys & Angels and Francesco's Restobar are popular for dinner with a view. The area is known for river tubing right from downtown, plus mini golf, the Georgia Mountain Coaster, and ziplining nearby. Families enjoy Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods for easy hiking, and Unicoi Hill Park's playground and waterfall are a short walk away. For something different, weekend tours of the Uhuburg castle are a local favorite. Helen's walkable Alpine setting, river access, and small-town charm make it easy to spend a full day exploring without ever needing a car.