Friday, September 29, 2006

Focus on local real estate

The New York Times' real estate section has a feature today on Blue Ridge, Georgia: Out of Atlanta, Into the Mountains (You may have to register to read this.)
Included, a nice photo of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train in front of the main street storefronts (including those nasty power lines that always discourage me from photographing), and a profile of the 1000-resident town that focuses why it's popular for new residents:
Blue Ridge is the first significant mountain destination along the Georgia Mountain Parkway, the four-lane highway running north from Atlanta that opened two decades ago, sparking today’s boom in second-home ownership. Until then, Blue Ridge was mostly a quiet agricultural community, developed on land taken from the Cherokee Indians in the 19th century.
Thus, it’s no surprise that Atlantans are high on the area — it’s close but not too close. “We’re just far away enough to make it a perfect weekend getaway"...
...With the many Floridians in Blue Ridge, the appeal is much the same. Even though the town is not exactly a short drive away — figure at least 10 hours from South Florida — it’s still about the closest mountain destination from the Sunshine State. And after so many years, that Florida populace has taken on a life of its own, a community within a community. “The best-kept secret is all the cops and firemen from Florida,” said Bob Stevens, a fire battalion chief from Boca Raton who visits his second home in Blue Ridge at least four times a year.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Nothing but rain this weekend; this is storm clouds over Tellico Lake, beginning of the rains that flooded parts of the Tennessee Valley near Knoxville Saturday. Posted by Picasa

Friday, September 22, 2006

Just a glimpse at the amazing light over the changing trees the other night. We are back to cloudy now. Posted by Picasa
They're still here...but will be gone soon. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Sunday ride north

North shore of Hiwassee Lake, marina slowly sinking as the water level goes down for the winter season. Posted by Picasa
In the mountains north of Murphy... Posted by Picasa
Nearing 3000-ft, and the Tellico ORV area. Posted by Picasa
Miles of trails here for offroaders. Posted by Picasa
High country flowers. Posted by Picasa
This one was growing in bare patches, never seen it before. Posted by Picasa
On the road. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Fall=apples

Even the fallen ones look great. Posted by Picasa
Apple orchard, near McCaysville, Georgia. Posted by Picasa
A good crop this year. Posted by Picasa
Golden delicious. Posted by Picasa
Nice views. Posted by Picasa
The dogwoods and sourwoods are starting to look like fall around here. Posted by Picasa
Late-planted flower pots have done great. Posted by Picasa
Petunias. Posted by Picasa
Great crop of mushrooms, after all that rain. Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 11, 2006

Sunday afternoon lake trip. Posted by Picasa
On Hiwassee Lake. Posted by Picasa
Not much water coming over the Cherokee Lake dam. Posted by Picasa
Nice place to sit and enjoy the quiet. Posted by Picasa
At the Brasstown Community Center, on a Saturday night:  Posted by Picasa
Ducktown Station plays. Posted by Picasa