Building Christmas Tradition in Cashiers North Carolina

As Christmas approached last year I found myself without a tree... but from this dilema a tradition was started.... I found my way to the Tom Saweyer Tree Farm in Cashier North Carolina on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau and tradition was found. FOr an experience unlike anyother take your family to the Tom Sawyer Tree Farm this year for the finest in choos and cut trees, garland, and many other christmas needs. The smell of the hot cider, and friendly staff will be sure to provide you and your family an afternoon of fun, as you search for that perfect tree. I have attatched some additional information I found on the tree farms website, enjoy! The tree farm is open beggining November 22 from 9-5 and closed on Thanksgiving.

One of the special things about the Christmas holidays is tradition, events and customs that are handed down from generation to generation. It can be your favorite Aunt’s homemade apple pie she brings every Holiday, dad’s reading of The Night before Christmas after Christmas Eve dinner or even lighting the angel on top of your tree and remembering the true reason for the season.
It doesn’t matter if you are newlyweds sharing your first Christmas or a family with children, come visit our farm and let us help you start another family Christmas tradition; an annual trip to Tom Sawyer Christmas Tree Farms to find that perfect tree.
See the anticipation build as your children explore the farm full of excitement at what they will find. Share in their joy as they grab your hand to show you the ‘perfect tree’. Take in the memory and tuck it away in your heart as your family surrounds the tree that you have all agreed is the one!
It could be a cold and windy day when you visit Tom Sawyer Christmas Tree Farms but we’re sure the thrill of finding the right Christmas tree for your home will not only warm your body, but your heart as well.
At the most joyous time of the year, create a memory that will last a lifetime!

Tom Sawyer's Christmas Tree Farm is located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, sixty miles south of Asheville and just twenty miles north of Franklin, North Carolina.
We have over eighty acres of farms dedicated to growing the finest Fraser Firs. Sizes of trees range from three feet to twelve feet in height so there is sure to be something for even the most discriminating Christmas tree lover.
The farm looks across Lake Glenville at 3800 feet elevation and is open come rain, shine or even snow. Our hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
We invite you to make this a wonderful family experience. Bring the kids. Bring the dog too! Don’t forget to pack a lunch and sit at one of our many picnic tables. Enjoy the view of the area with its ponds, barns and of course, a seemingly endless selection of Christmas trees just waiting to be discovered.
From our family to yours, may the peace and joy of the holiday season stay with you all year long.

So come on out and create lasting memories for you and your family to share for many years....

HOW TO GET THERE

From AtlantaTake I-85 North to I-985. I-985 turn into 441 North.Take 441 Through Dillard Georgia .Just past Dillard Take a right onto 106 at the Chevron towards Highlands .At the light in Highlands take a right and then a left at the first light onto 64 East.Go 10 miles to Cashiers and take a left at the light onto 107 north.(At the Exxon)Go 6 miles and turn left on Lakeside Circle Drive. There will be a Sign and is across from Happs Place Restaurant.Go about 1/2 mile and farm is on your right.

From CharlotteTake I-77 North to I-40.Take I-40 west towards Hickory .Go to Asheville and take I-26 East.Go to Exit 40 (Airport Exit) and turn right toward Brevard.Go to Brevard and take 64 West towards Cashiers.Go to Cashiers and take a right onto 107 North.Go 6 miles and turn left on Lakeside Circle Drive. There will be a Sign and is across from Happs Place Restaurant.Go about 1/2 mile and farm is on your right.

From AshevilleTake I-26 East. Go to Exit 40 (Airport Exit) and turn right toward Brevard.Go to Brevard and take 64 West towards Cashiers.Go to Cashiers and take a right onto 107 North.Go 6 miles and turn left on Lakeside Circle Drive. There will be a Sign and is across from Happs Place Restaurant.Go about 1/2 mile and farm is on your right.

From GreenvilleTake 123 towards Easley and Clemson. Stay on 123 to Seneca.In Seneca take a right on 28 towards Walhalla. Go through Walhalla to Mountain Rest.In Mountain Rest bear right onto 107 North.Take 107 North to Cashiers. At the intersection go straight 6 miles and turn left on Lakeside Circle Drive. There will be a Sign and is across from Happs Place Restaurant.Go about 1/2 mile and farm is on your right.

For more information on how to build your permentant mountain memories Contact Mathew S. Kowal with The Blue Ridge Summit Group at O:828.743.7077 or C:404.394.7144

Christmas on The Cashiers Highlands Plateau - Cedar Creek Farms

If you have ever visited the Cashiers Highlands Plateau, then you have surely seen the Christmas Tree farms. One of the most popular is the Cedar Creek Farm. I found this information on their website and hope that you will consider brightening your holidays with a tree from the Cedar Creek Farm.... If your in the market for wholesale trees there couldn't be a better place.

Cedar Creek Farms - Cashiers, NC

Looking for the perfect addition to your home's Christmas decorations? What could be better than a Wholesale North Carolina Fraser Fir Tree from Cedar Creek Farms in Cashiers, NC!
Cedar Creek Farms, located in the Western North Carolina mountain city of Cashiers, NC, has been providing individuals and businesses with high quality, low cost North Carolina Fraser Fir Trees for over four decades. Over time, Cedar Creek Farms has remained the premier provider of premium Fraser Fir Trees in North Carolina and the Southeastern United States.
Fraser Firs, the "Cadillac of Christmas Trees", are known for their needle retention and strong boughs. The history of these resilient Christmas Trees is almost as old as Christmas itself, so don't miss out on these high quality Wholesale Christmas trees.
North Carolina Christmas Trees are known worldwide, and Cedar Creek Farms provides the best Wholesale Christmas Trees available! Due to the high elevation, cool climate, and frequent rainfall, North Carolina Trees experience the perfect natural climate for tree-growing. Our trees, ranging from 3 to 10 feet tall, are hand planted, and maintained for up to 12 years for maximum health. At Cedar Creek Farms in Cashiers, NC, we have been providing quality North Carolina Trees for over forty years!
If you want the perfect Wholesale Fraser Fir Christmas Trees for your home or business, make sure to visit Cedar Creek Farms in Cashiers, NC for all your Wholesale Christmas Trees help!

Cedar Creek Farms is located in Cashiers, NC in Jackson County, near the touching points of North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina. To contact us for more information about pricing and delivery, please contact Adrian Fowler at (828) 743-2347, or (828) 399-0326. We look forward to doing business with you!

For more information on how to visit our beautiful community or if your interested in becoming a part of this magnificent mountain community contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group O:828-743-7077

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa - Holiday Wine Tasting in Highlands

These select wine tasting at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa are sure to delight even the most refined of palates... Come join us for an evening to remember this Holiday Season.

Holiday's In The Himmingbird at Old Edwards Inn

Enjoy sumptuous hors d’oeuvres amid
the festive fireside atmosphere of
Hummingbirds Piano Bar. In addition to
great wines, we’ll feature designer gift
baskets with selections from our Spa
and Acorns boutique. Old Edwards Inn
and Spa gift cards will also be available,
so you can give the gift of comfort & joy.

Valet Parking
Arrive at the Front Entrance of
the Inn for Free Valet Parking

Aprés Shopping Wine,
Hors D’oeuvres & Good Cheer
Holidays in the Hummingbird
at Old Edwards Inn
Tastings from 2 pm to 4 pm
$20 at the door, applies toward purchase
Free to Inn Guests

Saturday, 11/22 Italian Wines
Friday, 11/28 Wines of Burgundy
Saturday, 12/06 Sommelier’s Choice
Saturday, 12/13 Opus Event
Saturday, 12/20 Wines of California
For dinner reservations at Madison’s
following the event, call 828-526-8008.
Old Edwards

Contact Mathew S. Kowal to learn how to become a member of our wonderful mountain community O: 828.743.7077 or C: 404.394.7144

The Highlands Cashiers Mortgage Market....

Here is a copy of Jim Mullen's Weekly update. Jim is gracious enough to update us on a weekly basis on how the mortgage market is shifting... If Jim can ever help you or ansewer questions just give hima call... Or contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144



30 year conforming rates are 5.875% and 15 year are 5.5%. About were we were last week. The week was very volatile again with the economic news.

Mortgage TimeMortgage Market News for the week ending November 14, 2008
Compliments of Jim Mullen Mountain Village Mortgage Loan Consultant
PHONE:(828) 743-7073
FAX:(828) 743-9830
https://mail.kendallhunt.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ncmountainvillagemortgage.com
jmullen@metrocitiesmtg.com
3065 Highway 64 EastSapphire, NC 28774
Cell: (828) 200-9168
Events This Week:
Retail Sales Fell
Import Prices Lower
Manufacturing Down
Sentiment Higher
Events Next Week:
Mon 11/17 Industrial Prod.
Tues 11/18 PPI
Wed 11/19 CPI Housing Starts FOMC Minutes
Thur 11/20 Philly Fed

Rescue Plan Changes Direction
For mortgage markets, the biggest news of the week came from Treasury Secretary Paulson during an update on the $700 billion TARP rescue plan. Paulson surprised investors with the news that the Treasury has scrapped the original plan to purchase troubled assets from banks and will use the funds in other ways to support the still "fragile" financial system. Lawmakers and investors were provided few details about the anticipated future use of the funds, and this abrupt shift in plans added to the uncertainty confronting investors in recent weeks.
While mortgage rates ended the week nearly unchanged from the prior week, daily volatility remained high. During October and November, movements in mortgage rates have been much larger than usual, primarily due to the high degree of uncertainty facing investors. Will there be a second major government stimulus package and what form will it take? What will be the impact of the extra debt issued to fund the government programs? Will other countries such as China have less money available to invest in US bonds, including mortgage backed securities, while they stimulate their own economies? Finally, how will the Treasury use the remaining funds from the $700 TARP rescue plan (discussed above)? Once investors have answers to these and other questions, we should see less volatility in mortgage rates.


Also Notable:
China will provide up to $580 billion in fiscal stimulus to boost its economy
October Retail Sales fell a record 2.8% from September
President Bush called for modest financial reforms which would avoid excess regulation
Oil prices fell to $56 per barrel, down from $147 per barrel in July

Average 30 yr fixed rate:
Last week:
-0.49%
This week:
+0.02%
Stocks (weekly):
Dow:
8,600
-250
NASDAQ:
1,540
-100


Week Ahead
The inflation data will highlight the Economic Calendar next week. The important Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation report will come out on Wednesday. CPI looks at the price change for those finished goods which are sold to consumers. The Producer Price Index (PPI) will be released on Tuesday. PPI focuses on the increase in prices of "intermediate" goods used by companies to produce finished products. In addition, Industrial Production, an important indicator of economic activity, will come out on Monday. Housing Starts and the detailed minutes from the October 29 Fed meeting will be released on Wednesday. The Philly Fed index and Leading Indicators will round out the schedule on Thursday. The G20 economic summit, a meeting between large industrialized nations, will take place over the weekend.

To learn more about news impacting interest rates and mortgage markets, go to https://mail.kendallhunt.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.mbsquoteline.comTo learn more about the newsletter, please call 800-627-1077All material Copyright © Ress No. 1, LTD and may not be reproduced without permission.
This email was sent from Jim Mullen at Mountain Village Mortgage. To unsubscribe, email jmullen@metrocitiesmtg.com.



The Blue Ridge Summit Group O: 828.743.7077 or C: 404-394-7144 ask for Matt

Social Gatherings In The Western North Carolina Mountains - The Divide at Bald Rock

Whether you want to be a social butterfly, or find true peace in the serenity of the mountains, it is The Divide at Bald Rock you have been searching for.....

The Pavilion at The Divide is the spot to gather. Bordered by 6500 acre Panthertown valley national forest, this is the ideal setting for you next gathering. The pavilion hosts events galore all year long. From the monthly pot-luck dinners to the gorgeous fall weddings, the setting is surreal. With a full social calender you can be as active as you choose, or just relax surrounded by 1000 acres of "civilized wilderness". At around 3600 square feet of covered space, there is plenty of room for you and your closest friends. With a full size catering kitchen featuring top-of-the-line appliances and plenty of storage space you event can be as big or as small as you wish.Our Fourth of July Party Epitomizes relaxed mountain living. We gather with our friends, and enjoy the most authentic dishes in good ole' down home American style. With the pavilion draped in red white and blue, the smell of peach cobbler wafting in the air, and the giggle of children in the background, this is a party not to be missed.The annual chili cook-off is always one of our more spicy events.... Each resident is invited to enter a recipe, and then we all gather for a lovely tasting and awards. These and many more events resemble the lifestyle that is The Divide at Bald Rock and Bald Rock. For more information on any of these events or to learn how to become a member of our "Civilized Wilderness" contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group: C:404-394-7144O:828-743-7077http://www.dividenc.com/http://www.baldrock.com/

A Cashiers Halloween

It was a spooky Friday all across the Highlands Casheirs plateau.... We saw all the creepy crawlies coming out of the woodwork. Landmark Realty Group hosted their annual open house and left none disappointed.... As the Adam's Family they put out an impressive spread of gouhlish eats and spooky treats, as well as displayed a gorgeous home.

The Plateau was decorated from Sapphire to Highlands and the annual trick-or-treating on main street in Highlands was a hit as usual. This event provides the kids with a great safe place to do their trick-or-treating as well as gives mom and dad a chance to check out the local stores.

The Library Club, Sapphire Mountain Brewery, and Mica's all had their respective Holloween bashes as well.... The Brewery's bash was one of food and fun with some rather impressive costumes. Mica's had their traditional Scary-O-Kee, and everyone had a great time.

And then was the Library's always talked about halloween extravaganza. The stage was set and the band rocked the Library Club till the wee witching hours of the morning. Chef Eric's new

menu has been a hit so far as he is elevating the cuisine at the Library to a new level. Wether it's a fine dinning plate your looking for or his sumptous twists on the old bar classics you can always find a great meal at the Library Club of Sapphire Valley. For more information on the Library or on how to become
a member check out http://www.carolinagetaways.net/product_info.php?products_id=30 or stop by when your in the area...

Halloween was a hit on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau.... For more information on how to become a part of our lovely community contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group and ask for Matt at O: 828-743-7077 or C: 404-394-7144

http://www.dividenc.com/

http://www.baldrock.com/

Let it Snow on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau...

In a place where it rarely snows in the dead of winter we had a beautiful fall dusting last night. It has been a friged week as we in the Western North Carolina Mountains got our first taste of winter this week. The funny part is it was probably colder than it will get all winter. We traditionally have very mild winter here on the Plateau and can enjoy days in the mid 60's even in January.

To miss the fall color of Highlands area mountains is a personal tragedy, it is a time of such beauty that it is hard to describe. Hues of oranges, yellow, red flame from the forests, hills and valleys. Mother Nature's artistic talent at her finest. Fall typically makes a gentle transition into winter, but this year we have been blasted with some cold. Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years week are very popular times for area inns and restaurants. Winter is also a great time to see the scenic character of property that you might be interested in. During the winter months more and more retail stores, restaurants and inns remain open as the number of visitors to Highlands and Cashiers have increased greatly during these months. The Cashiers-Highlands plateau is quickly becoming a year round destination....

For more information on how to become a member of our lovely mountain community contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

www.dividenc.com

www.baldrock.com

Bald Rock - Equestrian Community in Western North Carolina

775 Gated acres with the most pristine mountain veiws in all of cashiers. This full service equestrian community is bordered by 6500-acres of Panthertown Valley National Forest. At a breathtaking 4100 feet Bald Rock carefully blends a limited number of estate lots with the natural beauty of a secluded wilderness. If it's a second home, a mountain retreat, or just escaping the city life come visit "Bald Rock".

For information on how to become a member of this magnificent community contact Mathew S. Kowal with The Blue Ridge Summit Group at O:828.743.7077 or C: 404.304.7144

Carving up the Highlands Cashiers area....

A South Africans First Halloween....

As he explained to us that he wanted to carve a pumpkin, we replied, "go ahead". Little did we know or even realize that he was from South Africa and had never carved a pumpkin before. We showed him all different types of Jack-O-Lanterns. Well Floris decided he had the artistic ability to carve some pretty intricate designs. Now keep in mind he is a builder by trade so we thought he would be savvy enough to accomplish his seemingly lofty goals.

So he begins to gut the pumpkin and make an awful mess.... I guess we forgot to tell him about newspaper.... After carefully drawing his design on the pumpkin he began carving. The carving was slow going. A few moments later from in the house we heard a loud noise, what could it be??? It was just Floris carving his pumpkin with a jigsaw to make it go faster. A great time was had by all and we got to see Floris carve his first ever pumpkin with a jigsaw.

For more information on how to become a member of our fun-filled mountain community contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at O: 828-743-7077 C: 404-394-7144

Highlands and Cashiers a True Haven

I found this article in the New York Times and it seems to really give some insight into what exactly is happening on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau

HAVENS Highlands and Cashiers, N.C.; On the Blue Ridge, Twin Towns Draw a Younger Crowd

By DENISE KIERNAN
Published: September 30, 2005
HIGHWAY 64 rises on the one-hour drive from Asheville, N.C., to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As it climbs, the cool mountain air and the wide expanse of sky offer a sense of refuge for those arriving from hot, sticky cities like Atlanta and Charleston.
That sense of refuge has drawn Southerners to homes in the twin towns of Highlands and Cashiers for well over a century. But now, with more and more part-time residents staying beyond the summer and a younger, more active set of homeowners over all, it may no longer be true to say that Highlands-Cashiers is one of the best-kept second-home secrets in the nation.
Once, the towns' trademark feature was their several golf communities for retirees, said Ann McKee Austin, a local real estate agent. But now, she said, you're likelier to see ''the S.U.V. with the Labrador in the back and the kayak on top.'' Or, as Cathy Garren, another real estate agent, put it: ''It used to be retirees from Florida. Now it's working people from Atlanta.''
They come for the mild weather and for the lush forests and waterfalls set amid stunning mountain silhouettes. But despite the climate and the setting, relative distance from big cities has helped to keep real estate prices from skyrocketing; local agents say that in the last five years, prices have increased from 12 to 20 percent. ''This is not a boom or bust area, where you have windfall years and then slack years,'' Ms. Austin said. ''It's consistent and steady. We like it that way. It's not some kind of new, made-up town on the coast of Florida.'' The Scene
Highlands and Cashiers (pronounced CASH-ers) are equally affluent fraternal twins, nestled in the midst of the Nantahala National Forest. The area has been used as a summer retreat since the mid-1800's, when wealthy families from the Low Country of South Carolina began putting up summer cottages and modest Greek Revival houses there. The town of Highlands was founded in 1875 by Kansas developers who, the story goes, drew two lines on a map, one from Chicago to Savannah, the other from New York City to New Orleans, believing that the intersection would be ideal for trade.
Today, if there is a difference between the two towns, it is that Cashiers is a little bit country, Highlands a little bit country club. Highlands, fittingly, is also higher, at an elevation of 4,113 feet to Cashiers's 3,500 feet. New homes in both towns tend to be large houses located either in gated communities or on estate lots of five acres or more.
Highlands has a proper Main Street, which draws strolling day-trippers in khakis and polo shirts. But both towns offer plenty of boutique shopping and local crafts. For activities, there's a lot to do, from pampering to playing in the rugged outdoors. You can indulge in a massage at the spa of the Old Edwards Inn on Main Street in Highlands or play croquet on the lawn of the Chattooga Club in Cashiers. Or you can climb the sheer face of Whiteside Mountain, hike to the 411-foot-tall Whitewater Falls or fish on Lake Glenville.
Mike Hays, who owns an insurance agency in Sarasota, Fla., lived between the two towns for five years and is buying a new home in Cashiers.
''I like living in Cashiers and going to Highlands,'' said Mr. Hays, a 36-year-old father of two young children. ''We've got a mountain double-jog-stroller, and we take the kids hiking with us. We go out for ice cream, We play in the yard. We're at home.'' Mr. Hays's family comes back to the area in the fall for the colors and at Thanksgiving.
Sue Gail, originally from England, lives most of the year in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and found herself at Highlands Falls Country Club in 2001, after her husband, a developer, began working on projects in the area.
Ms. Gail, 60, started the Highlands Film Festival, which just completed its second year. She and her husband spend several months in Highlands in the summer; she says many residents she knows are spending more and more time there. ''It's beautiful,'' she said. ''People are so wonderful up here. It's a rejuvenating getaway.'' Pros
Property taxes vary but are relatively low (an example: $1,485 a year on a $1,675,000 house on 6.94 acres). Views are long, summers are mild and breezy, and fall features a mind-boggling palette of colors.
There are many golf courses of distinction in the area. Bobby Jones spent several summers at the Highlands Country Club, and he still holds the course record. The Wade Hampton Club, designed by a golf course guru and area resident, Tom Fazio, was ranked 17th in the United States by Golf Digest in 2005.
Outdoor Magazine ranked Cashiers one of America's ''top dream towns'' in 2004.
If exerting yourself is not a priority, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in both towns, or you can hop into your car and go for a scenic drive. Cons
Anything that travels to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau takes the same twisting drive, and getting stuck behind a land-yacht can add time and nausea to your trip.
Unincorporated Cashiers is dry, though brown-bagging is permitted practically everywhere. Alcohol can be bought in Highlands, which is incorporated, but laws there are complicated (some restaurants can serve wine, but not beer). Nevertheless, many club communities have stocked bars and restaurants, and private restaurant clubs (membership fees range from a dollar a year to more than $100) have full permits.

Some of the restaurants and shops shut down during the winter, and even in summer, things close early. ''We do have some great restaurants,'' said Debi Dickson, an Atlanta resident who spends four months a year in Highlands. ''Just don't expect to eat at them at 10 p.m.'' The Real Estate Market
Expect to spend at least $700,000 to buy into one of the high-end, full-amenity gated communities. (Many of the club amenities in those communities close in the winter.) Houses at that price will probably not include a view or a fancy kitchen. At about $900,000, you can begin to have a house with everything: views, granite countertops, extensive decks, three bedrooms, an acre of land. Styles vary, but variations on Adirondack, Shingle-style and English cottage are popular.
Bargains can still be found in some of the smaller, older cottages in the woods, especially if you're willing to be 10 to 15 miles outside town. With some searching, you can perhaps find a little bungalow, a ranch or an A-frame in the $200,000-to-$400,000 range with two or three bedrooms, depending on the condition and age of the home.
It's not unusual for a house to stay on the market for six months because of the seasonal nature of home sales. Ms. Austin recently sold a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, 1,962-square-foot Shingle-style house on 3.47 acres in the Chattooga Club. It had another 1,069 square feet in porches and decks, views and included many antiques. It was listed at $2,295,000 and sold 35 days later for $2,245,000.
Ms. Garren recently sold a 30-year-old three-bedroom, three-bath house on .81 acres in a subdivision for $440,000. It was on the market for 64 days.
There is a good deal of new high-end construction in the area, more than 3,000 acres in and around Cashiers alone. But agents suspect that the out-of-the-way location of Highlands-Cashiers, although attractive, keeps prices and development from spiraling out of control.
''We don't want the fudge factories, the T-shirt shops and water slides,'' Ms. Austin said. LAY OF THE LAND POPULATION -- The Highlands area has about 3,000 year-round residents and about 20,000 in season. The area around Cashiers has 1,700 year-round residents and about 10,000 in season. LOCATION -- Western North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains, roughly 80 miles southwest of Asheville. WHO'S BUYING -- Retirees with a love of golf who park themselves there for the summer and wealthy pre-retirees from nearby Atlanta who use their homes throughout the year. Still a favorite of Southerners, but Midwesterners are starting to stop in. GETTING THERE -- Asheville's airport is the closest at about 60 miles, roughly an hour and a half drive. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is a two-hour drive away in South Carolina. Atlanta is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING -- The Old Edwards Inn and Spa (445 Main Street, 866-526-8008) on Main Street in Highlands offers Swedish massage packages, upscale shops and fine dining in Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden. Its 30 rooms, suites and cottages start at $235. COMPARABLES Mountains Where Weekenders Find Reasons to Stay All Week Information on properties was supplied by the listing companies. WHAT -- 3-bedroom house HOW MUCH -- $435,000 This 2,200-square-foot house in Highlands was built in 1995. It has three bathrooms, decks and mountain views. The property is 4.66 acres. Agent: Cathy Garren, Century 21 Mountain Lifestyles, (828)743-7999; www.c21mountainlifestyles.com. WHAT -- 3-bedroom house HOW MUCH -- $745,000 This 3,400-square-foot house is within walking distance of Main Street in Highlands. It was built in 2001 and has two gas fireplaces and three and a half bathrooms. The property is .68 acres and has a small stream and an artificial waterfall. Broker: Wick Ashburn, Coldwell Banker Ashburn Real Estate, (828)526-4151; www.ashburnrealestate.com. WHAT -- 4-bedroom house HOW MUCH -- $1,999,999 This 5,374-square-foot Cashiers house was built in 2000 and expanded in 2003. It has six fireplaces, including two gas ones in the master suite; a greenhouse; and four full and two half bathrooms. The property is 3.49 acres at an elevation of 4,350 feet. Agent: Terri Hammond and Beth Townsend, McKee Properties, (828)743-3411; www.mckeeproperties.com.
Correction: October 7, 2005, Friday A picture caption with the Havens column last Friday about Highlands and Cashiers, N.C., misidentified a golf course in the area. It was the Highlands Falls Country Club. (The Highlands Country Club is nearby.) A property tax example cited in the column, for a house priced at $1,675,000 on a 6.94-acre lot, was in error. The house in the example has not been assessed since it was completed. The figure $1,485 was for the tax on the land before the house was built.

For more information on the Highlands Cashiers area or to learn how to become a member of one of our astonishing communities contact Mathew S. Kowal, The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

Western North Carolina - Catamounts

WCU

Just minutes from Highlands and Downtown Cashiers is the town of Sylva, Home to Western North Carolina University. Just qa quick trip north and down the mointain you can enjoy the life of a great mountain school. The "Catamounts" have provide us with a host of activities from the arts to colleges sports. For a list of calanders and sporting activities check out http://catamountsports.cstv.com/index-main.html .






The Catamounts....



The Moniker since 1933



What is a Catamount?????



This article courtesy of the WCU website... Check out great fun at an excellents institution, Come support the Cataounts Golf Team as the compete in the catamount classic at The Country Club of Sapphire Valley in Cashiers the begginging of November.







Western Carolina University's unique mascot and nickname for its athletics teams seems to always bring about the same question when the Catamounts play on the road ... "What exactly is a Catamount?"
Webster's Dictionary defines "catamount" as "any of various wild cats such as a cougar or lynx." Cats of the catamount variety, including the bobcat, have roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains, where Western Carolina University is located, for years.
The nickname evolved from a contest that was held on the Cullowhee campus in 1933. At the time, the school was called "Western Carolina Teachers College" and its teams were known as "the Teachers."
Everyone on campus was invited to participate in the naming of the teams. The usual names were suggested -- Bears, Indians, Panthers. However, the college wanted an unusual name, a name that few others had and that everyone would not copy.
The contest came down to Mountain Boomers, a small ground squirrel that scampers about the woods and is extremely difficult to catch, and Catamounts. The latter was the favorite of Head Football Coach C.C. Poindexter and was the nickname chosen. Poindexter wanted his players to be Catamounts with "fierce spirit, savage attacks, and lightning quick moves."
Western Carolina University is the only one of two NCAA schools playing under the Catamount moniker. Western is the only football-playing school in the nation using the nickname "Catamounts," with the University of Vermont being the only other school using that nickname.





For more information on WCU or it's affiliated events Check out the web or call The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077

http://www.wcu.edu/

Market Statistics - Highlands, North Carolina

A big thanks to Traci Morreale Strub for posting this great article about the Highlands Market. Traci has been visiting the area for years and will vouch for the untouched natural beauty of the area.

Traci Morreale Strub

HIGHWAY 64 rises on the one-hour drive from Asheville, N.C., to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau (including Lake Glenville) the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The sense of refuge has drawn Southerners to homes in the twin towns of Highlands and Cashiers for well over a century. But now, with more and more part-time residents staying beyond the summer and a younger, more active set of homeowners over all, it may no longer be true to say that Highlands-Cashiers is one of the best-kept second-home secrets in the nation.
Once, the towns' trademark feature was their several golf communities for retirees, said Ann McKee Austin, a local real estate agent. But now, she said, you're likelier to see ''the S.U.V. with the Labrador in the back and the kayak on top.'' Or, as Cathy Garren, another real estate agent, put it: ''It used to be retirees from Florida. Now it's working people from Atlanta.

''They come for the mild weather and for the lush forests and waterfalls set amid stunning mountain silhouettes. But despite the climate and the setting, relative distance from big cities has helped to keep real estate prices from skyrocketing; local agents say that in the last five years, prices have increased from 12 to 20 percent. ''This is not a boom or bust area, where you have windfall years and then slack years,'' Ms. Austin said. ''It's consistent and steady. We like it that way.
Sun rise in Highlands, NC
The Scene - Highlands is nestled in the midst of the Nantahala National Forest. The area has been used as a summer retreat since the mid-1800's, when wealthy families from the Low Country of South Carolina began putting up summer cottages and modest Greek Revival houses there. The town of Highlands was founded in 1875 by Kansas developers who, the story goes, drew two lines on a map, one from Chicago to Savannah, the other from New York City to New Orleans, believing that the intersection would be ideal for trade.
Today, if there is a difference between the two towns, it is that Cashiers is a little bit country, Highlands a little bit country club. Highlands, fittingly, is also higher, at an elevation of 4,113 feet to Cashiers's 3,500 feet. New homes in both towns tend to be large houses located either in gated communities or on estate lots of five acres or more.
Highlands has a proper Main Street, which draws strolling day-trippers in khakis and polo shirts. But both towns offer plenty of boutique shopping and local crafts. For activities, there's a lot to do, from pampering to playing in the rugged outdoors. You can indulge in a massage at the spa of the Old Edwards Inn on Main Street in Highlands or play croquet on the lawn of the Chattooga Club in Cashiers. Or you can climb the sheer face of Whiteside Mountain, hike to the 411-foot-tall Whitewater Falls or fish on Lake Glenville.
Pros - Property taxes vary but are relatively low (an example: $1,485 a year for 6.94 acres). Views are long, summers are mild and breezy, and fall features a mind-boggling palette of colors.
There are many golf courses of distinction in the area. Bobby Jones spent several summers at the Highlands Country Club, and he still holds the course record. The Wade Hampton Club, designed by a golf course guru and area resident, Tom Fazio, was ranked 17th in the United States by Golf Digest in 2005.
Outdoor Magazine ranked Cashiers one of America's ''top dream towns'' in 2004. If exerting yourself is not a priority, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in both towns, or you can hop into your car and go for a scenic drive.
Cons - Anything that travels to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau takes the same twisting drive, and getting stuck behind a land-yacht can add time and nausea to your trip. Unincorporated Cashiers is a dry county, though brown-bagging is permitted practically everywhere. Alcohol can be bought in Highlands, which is incorporated, but laws there are complicated (some restaurants can serve wine, but not beer). Nevertheless, many club communities have stocked bars and restaurants, and private restaurant clubs (membership fees range from a dollar a year to more than $100) have full permits.Some of the restaurants and shops shut down during the winter, and even in summer, things close early. ''We do have some great restaurants,'' said Debi Dickson, an Atlanta resident who spends four months a year in Highlands. ''Just don't expect to eat at them at 10 p.m.''
The Real Estate Market - Expect to spend at least $700,000 to buy into one of the high-end, full-amenity gated communities. (Many of the club amenities in those communities close in the winter.) Houses at that price will probably not include a view or a fancy kitchen. At about $900,000, you can begin to have a house with everything: views, granite countertops, extensive decks, three bedrooms, an acre of land. Styles vary, but variations on Adirondack, Shingle-style and English cottage are popular.
Bargains can still be found in some of the smaller, older cottages in the woods, especially if you're willing to be 10 to 15 miles outside town. With some searching, you can perhaps find a little bungalow, a ranch or an A-frame in the $200,000-to-$400,000 range with two or three bedrooms, depending on the condition and age of the home.
It's not unusual for a house to stay on the market for six months because of the seasonal nature of home sales. Ms. Austin recently sold a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, 1,962-square-foot Shingle-style house on 3.47 acres in the Chattooga Club. It had another 1,069 square feet in porches and decks, views and included many antiques. It was listed at $2,295,000 and sold 35 days later for $2,245,000.
There is a good deal of new high-end development in the area, more than 3,000 acres in and around Cashiers alone. But agents suspect that the out-of-the-way location of Highlands-Cashiers, although attractive, keeps prices and development from spiraling out of control.''We don't want the fudge factories, the T-shirt shops and water slides,'' Ms. Austin said.
LAY OF THE LAND POPULATION -- The Highlands area has about 3,000 year-round residents and about 20,000 in season. The area around Cashiers has 1,700 year-round residents and about 10,000 in season.
WHO'S BUYING - Retirees with a love of golf who park themselves there for the summer and wealthy pre-retirees from nearby Atlanta who use their homes throughout the year. Still a favorite of Southerners, but Midwesterners are starting to stop in.
GETTING THERE -- Asheville's airport is the closest at about 60 miles, roughly an hour and a half drive. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is a two-hour drive away in South Carolina. Atlanta is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.

For More Information Contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

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Cashiers and the Chattooga River

Here is a great article by Buzz Williams talking about the Cashiers Quadrangle. The Chattooga watershed area has some of the most amazing natural wonders you could ever hope to see. Wether your just coming to visit or your looking to make the Cashiers area you home you will surley want to read this.

Buzz Williams

It has often been said by the folks who really know Chattooga country that one could spend a lifetime exploring the places in the watershed that have cultural, geological, aesthetic, or environmental significance. We thought it might be more practical for our quarterly publication to take it a little bit at a time. This installation marks the first in an ongoing series that will examine an area in the watershed as defined by the standard U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) “quad” maps. The 200,000 acre Chattooga River watershed is covered by 10 USGS quads. We hope you enjoy this first installment in the Chattooga River Quad Discovery Series, featuring the Cashiers Quadrangle.
The U. S. Geological Survey is a federal agency founded in 1879 with the mission to classify the public domain by surveying the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of America’s vast public lands. Today the U. S. Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and almost all other federal and state agencies as well as most conservation groups use U. S. Geological Survey maps. These quads are also the base maps of choice in most Geographic Information Systems (GIS) used by everyone from land management professionals to amateur explorers. Standard USGS maps cover one eighth of one degree of latitude and longitude, or a rectangular area encompassing six miles by eight miles. The scale of a quad map is 1:24,000.
The Cashiers Quad, General Description
The northeast corner of the Chattooga River watershed is covered by about one-third of the Cashiers quad, roughly bounded by Chattooga Ridge on the east as it zig-zags its way north, connecting the dots of eight mountains all around 4,000 feet in elevation, and finally connecting with the Blue Ridge Divide at the extreme northwest corner of the map near the resort village of Cashiers. The eastern two-thirds of the Cashiers quad covers the headwaters of the Whitewater, Thompson, and Horsepasture Rivers, which along with the Toxaway and Eastatoe Rivers further to the east in the Reid Quad, make up the spactacular Jocassee Gorges. Highway 107 roughly follows the Chattooga Ridge on the road’s winding way from Walhalla, South Carolina, in the south to Cashiers, crossing at low points at Heady Gap and then back across Chattooga Ridge near Cashiers. Here, the Chattooga Ridge brackets Cashiers to its east along the tops of Chimneytop Mountain (4,618 ft.) and Rock Mountain (4,300 ft.), both of which exhibit sheer granite faces to the southwest. Highway 107 t-bones into Highway 64 in Cashiers with the left fork leading 10 miles to Highlands, and right to Sapphire Valley, Rosman, and eventually to Brevard, North Carolina. Two secondary roads lead west off of Highway 107, the Whiteside Cove Road to the north just out of Cashiers and the Bull Pen Road at Mulkey Gap. These two roads leave the Cashiers quad, heading west but soon merge near Horse Cove leading to Highlands. The Chattooga River winds its way down the west side of the Cashiers quad from its headwaters above Cashiers Lake to the old iron bridge on Bull Pen Road just on the southwest corner of the quad. The state line between North and South Carolina runs from the east just below Upper Whitewater Falls diagonally to the west to the Chattooga River at Ellicott Rock. Here, the river south of the 35th parallel becomes the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. A large part of the 9,012 acre Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area is shown in the south west corner of the Cashiers Quad at the boundary along the Bull Pen Road and down Highway 107.
The Chattooga River and Its Tributaries
The most prominent of the six small mountain streams that make up the headwaters of the Chattooga River emerges as a small spring at the crest of the Blue Ridge Divide about a mile northwest of Cashiers, North Carolina, where it tumbles onto a plain at about 3,000 feet in elevation above sea level. A small resort lake in Cashiers briefly restrains the fledgling headwaters stream for about one-half mile before releasing it to plunge away for another .8 miles and then down the 150 foot Silver Slipper Falls into the deep woods of Nantahala National Forest. The strengthening headwaters flow boldly for about one-quarter of a mile, merging with other streams flowing from beneath the foreboding Devil’s Courthouse looming above on the north side of Whiteside Mountain. For three quarters of a mile or so, the young stream—now a large creek—passes through young forests growing in old abandoned fields before tucking under a ledge against a steep cliff on the right and cascading for a sheer 75 feet to a pool below. Ribbon Falls, as it is called, offers a dramatic view of the eastern side of Whiteside Mountain. The large potholes lying in a row down the left side of the smooth, worn precipice at Ribbon Falls, some three feet across and eight feet deep, testify to the age and power of the Chattooga landscape, among the oldest geologic forms in the world. The Chattooga River gains its true identity here and for the next three-quarters of a mile, the river flows swiftly through old forests gaining volume, crossing into private property and then emerging in a wide, green valley of pastures and old fields about one-half mile above Grimshawes Bridge on the Whiteside Cove Road. The sheer 2,000 foot face of Whiteside Mountain to the northwest comes into full view in the open terrain here at the mouth of Whiteside Cove, offering some of the most stunning scenery in the Southern Appalachians.
The cultural history of both native American and European settlers runs deep in these ancient fields and fording places near Grimshawes Bridge. The old Norton Cemetery is located on the south side of the Whiteside Cove Road, about a mile to the northeast of Grimshawes Bridge. Buried here are some of the Norton family who first settled Whiteside Cove in the early 1800’s. The Forest Service has acquired a small parcel of land on the river just north of Grimshawes Bridge called Sliding Rock that has been a favorite swimming hole for generations. Grimshawes community is located only about one half mile to the west on Whiteside Cove Road, where once stood an old inn dating back to the turn of the century, and where still stands a tiny building that has the distinction of once being the smallest post office in America. Another old cemetery, Whiteside Cove Cemetery, is located a few miles west the on the Whiteside Cove Road. A short distance further west is the site of Whiteside Church, once an old school house at the juncture of an old road that crossed the river below Grimshawes community.
Below Grimshawes Bridge by about three-quarters of a mile, the river merges with Fowler Creek coming in from the river left. Fowler Creek heads up in Cashiers near Wade Hampton Country Club. Heavy logging along Fowler Creek at the turn of the century is evident all along its length where a “dummy line” was used to pull logs to a saw mill near Grimshawes community. A steam-driven tramcar was used to pull the lumber up Fowler Creek to Cashiers, where it was taken via ox cart to the railhead in Toxaway, North Carolina. About a mile below Fowler Creek, just above the confluence with Green Creek coming in from the river right, is Corkscrew Falls dropping vertically for 25 feet, the largest single drop on the Chattooga River. Just below Green Creek, the river crosses back onto federal land where it continues for another 1.5 miles along a moderate descent, to Norton Mill Creek coming in from the right.
A short distance above its confluence with Norton Mill Creek, an old ford crosses the Chattooga River that once connected the old Bull Pen community with Whiteside Cove (mentioned above). On the east side are the ruins of an old cabin that was built by one of the first settlers in the upper Chattooga headwaters known as the Monroe cabin. Downstream, the river flows beneath Chattooga Cliffs, which tower 400 to 600 feet above. Many rare plants occur in these unique outcrops above the upper Chattooga narrows, including rock clubmoss (Huperzia porophila), fir clubmoss (Huperzia selago), Biltmore sedge (Carex biltmoreana), divided leaf groundsel (Senecio millefolium), dwarf filmy fern (Trichomanes petersii), and sword moss (Bryoxiphium norvegicum). This 2 mile section of the river to the old iron bridge on the Bull Pen Road includes spectacular scenery, treacherous rapids, large tree-topped boulders, and swirling potholes.
The Chattooga River turns east below Bull Pen Bridge, flowing for another 2 miles over rapids and cascades interspersed with deep green pools between steep ridges to Ellicott Rock. Notable in this section is scenic Scotsman Creek, that tumbles into the Chattooga about 1 mile below Bull Pen Bridge on the left side. Similarly, the second Fowler Creek enters the river about three-quarter of a mile further down. Here ends the coverage of the Cashiers quad.
Wild and Scenic River Classification
The Chattooga River as required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is classified by section according to its level of wildness. Sections with no impoundment, unpolluted, and which are inaccessible except by trail are classified as wild. Scenic sections are primitive in nature but may be accessible in places by roads. Recreational sections are readily accessible by roads with some shoreline development and may have had some impoundments or diversions in the past. The section of the Chattooga River from .8 miles below Cashiers Lake to .2 miles above Norton Mill Creek is classified as recreational. The next two miles along Chattooga Cliffs is classified as wild. From one-quarter mile above to one-quarter of a mile below Bull Pen Bridge, the river is classified as scenic. The Ellicott Rock section of the river, from one-quarter mile below Bull Pen to one-quarter of a mile above Burrells Ford Bridge, is classified as wild. The part of the Ellicott Rock section below the Cashiers quad description in this article will be covered when we get to the Tamassee quad.
Trails
There are four major developed trails in the Cashiers quad: the Upper Chattooga River Trail, the Bull Pen Bridge Trail, the Bad Creek Trail, and the Sloan Bridge Trail. Only part of the Bull Pen Bridge Trail and most of the Upper Chattooga River Trail lie within the Cashiers quad but will be described in full here.
The Chattooga River Trail runs south from a parking lot in the Nantahala National Forest near the Whiteside Cemetery on the Whiteside Cove Road, descending to the river below Green Creek down to connect with the Bull Pen Bridge Trail. This 6 mile trail offers spectacular views of Bull Pen Mountain and Chattooga Cliffs.
The Bull Pen Bridge Trail is a 1 mile loop trail from and then returning to Bull Pen Bridge on the west side of the river. The first part of the trail near the bridge is a rough, up-and-down hike, and then descends along the river for some spectacular scenery along the narrows. After about one-half mile, the trail turns back west and up to an old logging road, and then south back to the parking lot at the bridge. The trail has an elevation change of about 200 feet.
The Bad Creek Trail is a 3.5 mile trail that follows a ridge to the Ellicott Rock wilderness boundary, where it intersects the Sloan Bridge Trail and then descends to the river, intersecting the Chattooga River Trail. From this intersection it is only a short distance to the famous Ellicott Rock. The elevation change on the Bad Creek Trail is 800 feet.
The Sloan Bridge Trail is a 6.3 mile trail from Sloan Bridge at a parking lot on Highway 107, about one mile below the North/South Carolina state line, to the intersection with the Bad Creek Trail, and then onwards 1.2 miles to Ellicott Rock. The trail is moderate, and passes north of Fork Mountain (3,294) in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area. Sloan Bridge is also the origin of the Foothills Trail that runs northeast, 4.4 miles to Whitewater Falls, and southwest for 3.3 miles to the road leading from Highway 107 to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery. The elevation change on the Sloan Bridge Trail is also 800 feet.
History
The rich human history of Cashiers Valley, Grimshawes, Bull Pen, or the Pleasant Grove communities can not be covered adequately in this Cashers quad overview. Look for future articles in the Chattooga Quarterly about early settlers including the Norton, Alley, McCall, and Zachery families. Also planned are articles about famous early visitors to the area such as Andre Michaux, who was sent to America in 1788 by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antionettee to gather seeds and plants from the New World for the famous Parisian gardens of the Park of Rambouillet, explorer naturalists Ben Grosscup and Wilber Ziegler, who visited the Grimshawes homestead in 1883, the travels of geologist George Featherstonhaugh in 1837, and the raid on Whiteside Cove by Colonel George Kirk, who led a band of renegade Union soldiers and Confederate deserters known as “Kirk’s Raiders.” Other topics exploring the natural history and geology of the area will be addressed in a regional context in future articles. For more information about the natural and cultural history of the Cashiers area, see past articles in the Chattooga Quarterly including “General Wade Hampton III” (spring 1999), who established a summer retreat in the Cashiers Valley prior to the Civil War, “Green Salamander” (spring/summer 2001), that describes a rare disjunct population of salamanders that inhabit the Chattooga River watershed, and “The Walton War” (winter 2005), about the “Orphan Strip” where in the early 1800’s lawlessness prevailed in a disputed strip of territory of about 12 miles along the border of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, until the famous survey by Andrew Ellicott.

For more information contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

www.dividenc.com

www.baldrock.com

Cashiers.... A Top Ten Retirement Destination

Top Ten Small Towns To Retire To

A great article shedding some light onto Western North Carolina's active retirement scene...

Elizabeth Lewis, Feature Writer



When the time comes to retire, many people dream of retreating to the quiet life of a small town--preferably one conveniently located near the amenities of a larger city. For people looking for just such a situation, North Carolina is a haven. The state offers a slew of choices that can fulfill any prerequisite hopeful retirees might have: quiet life, outdoor activities, good weather, top-notch medical care, cultural events, easy access to major highways...you name it. What follows below, and in the related college-town feature, is our look at just a few of the many options that await you in North Carolina.

Highlands/Cashiers

Legend has it that, in 1879, developers Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson took out a map and drew two lines--one connecting New York to New Orleans, the other connecting Chicago to Savannah. The men believed the spot where the lines intersected would be the ideal location for a vacation town. That spot was Highlands, N.C.
It turns out Kelsey and Hutchinson were right. And all the things that make it a wonderful place to vacation make Highlands, and nearby Cashiers, the perfect place to retire.
Located at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the point where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia meet, Highlands and Cashiers offer a pleasant climate, clean air, fantastic shopping and the natural beauty of the mountains and numerous waterfalls.
The Highlands Country Club features a world-renowned Donald Ross golf course, which has been played by many golf legends. The course record is still held by Bobby Jones, who maintained a summer home at the club. Highlands also is home to the Highland-Cashiers Hospital, recognized for its excellent staff and modern facilities.
Cashiers, which has only one stoplight, is home to the High Hampton Inn and Country Club. The rustic retreat features cabins covered with shaggy chestnut bark, horseback riding, water sports on Lake Hampton, mountain climbing and gold.
Currently Highlands has a permanent population of about 2,000, but each summer that number jumps to 25,000. (In Cashiers, those numbers are 1,250 and 9,000 respectively.) During their summer vacation, those tourists can expect cool temperatures. During July, the average low is 56 degrees; the high 76 degrees. The residents who stick around for winter can expect an average low of 24 degrees and an average high of 42 degrees in January.
The great weather is perfect for outdoor activities of all kinds and the Nantahala National Forest provides ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and more. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway also are within driving distance of Highlands.
If you're interested in more cultural pursuits, each summer Highlands is home to an annual music festival and the Highlands Playhouse has performances throughout the season. If you're interested in continuing your education, Western North Carolina University is in nearby Cullowhee and Elderhostel offers a summer program each year.

For more information about how to make the Cashiers Highlands Plateau your retirement haven contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

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What Is A Conservation Easement???

Rae's blog, The Cashiers Real Estate Insider. Helps ansewer the question; What is a Conservation Easement? We have many conservation easements throughout the Cashiers Highlands Plateau and they are an important and integral part of sustaining the natural beauty of our area.

The view of Laurel Knob and Cow Rock from Lonesome Valley's new 26 acre conservation agreement.In Cashiers, just off of Highway 64, there is a remarkable box canyon with a view that extends to Laurel Knob, the tallest granite face in the Eastern United StatesThis place is known as Lonesome Valley and has been owned by the Jennings family since 1895. This nearly 800 acre tract of land has enjoyed a rich history as a farm, mink ranch, trout farm and today is an innovative, family-friendly, conservation-oriented community.At the very heart of the community the Jennings family has established a 26 acre conservation easement that encompasses six different habitat types including the vast main meadow, a cove forest, and a southern Appalachian bog.In a conservation easement or conservation agreement, owners give up certain rights to future development within the easement area. They still own the property, and in exchange for development rights, they may receive a federal income tax deduction and a North Carolina tax credit. Most importantly, the easement are is forever preserved and protected from future development. The easement must be received and monitored by a qualified entity such as a land trust.The Lonesome Valley conservation easement is held by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and protects important open space, wildlife habitat and an incredible scenic view of Cow Rock and Laurel Knob.The landscape of western North Carolina has become increasingly fragmented over time as development has progressed. In Jackson County alone, the number of new parcels in the last 10 years exceeds 5,000. The ecological result of this fragmentation is the loss of habitat, along with isolating remnant habitat patches from each other. This fragmentation potentially inhibits the movement of wildlife and plant dispersal.The Conservation Easement at Lonesome Valley avoids this isolation effect by being connected to approximately 250 additional acres of designated greenspace within Lonesome Valley including streams, wetlands, rock faces, and forests that will never be developed.More than 30 percent of the entire development is committed to greenspace selected specifically to maintain the ecological integrity and connectedness of the Lonesome Valley landscape. Additionally, Lonesome Valley's green corridors also connect to Panthertown Valley, a 7,000 acre portion of the Nantahala National Forest and wildlife sactuary.To learn more about Conservations Easements, contact the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust at (828) 526-1111.

For more information on the cashiers Highlands area contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at O: 828-743-7077 or C: 404-394-7144 or check out The Cashiers Real Estate Insider

What is the Cashiers Real Estate Market...

I Found this article posted by T.C. and Company Properties and I hope it will help you understand what and where the Cashiers Market is.

The real estate in Cashiers, as in many areas of the Appalachian Region of Western North Carolina, has been on a steady rise for many years, and nothing seems to be able to derail it. For investors and people looking for second (third, fourth) homes, this place is a gold mine. You can always expect a return on your investment in the coming years. And, don't be surprised if you see a movie star or the head of a Fortune 500 company in any of the restaurants in Casheirs, Highlands, or nearby Sylva.


ZIP Code: 28717Approximate

Location Boundaries: Southern Jackson County in North Carolina

Location Characteristics: Combine the drastic granite dropoffs of the Blue Ridge escarpment with more than 80 inches of rain a year and something dramatic is bound to happen. Around the town of Cashiers (pronounced CASH-ers), perched at 3,500 feet on the Eastern Continental Divide, the jackpot shows up in the form of waterfalls—everything from tiny cliffside seeps to 400-foot-plus cataracts that roar into deep gorges. The downtown is little more than a crossroads, the junction of U.S. 64 and North Carolina 107, and a mile or so radius of antique shops, high-end restaurants, and second-home clusters discreetly tucked into the woods. The thousand-foot cliffs of Whiteside Mountain provide the kind of hairy, multipitch, huge-exposure climbs that would almost make you swear someone had trucked the place out from Yosemite.If you're ready to get away from commercialized areas, a town in the Blue Ridge Mountains "finger" of the Appalachians, Cashiers is your place. There are no chain restaurants or unsightly billboards and enormous signs. Cashiers is protecting the natural beauty and integrity of the area, and it has been a secret, second-home destination for the rich and famous for many years. The extremely private, but convenient location to nearby airports and major interstates to metropolitan areas (Asheville, Atlanta, Greeneville, etc.) make it a "no brainer" destination.

For more information on how to purchase a home or for additional information on the Highlands Cashiers Real Estate Market contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group at O: 828-743-7077 or C: 404-394-7144

The Divide at Bald Rock
Bald Rock

The Cashiers area and Fun Activities For the Whole Family...

The love of nature and our beautiful mountain surrounding has long been a magnet for attracting visitors and second home owners to the Highlands Plateau. Here are some of the outdoor things to do in Highlands, Cashiers and Sapphire Valley.
Posted at the Highlands Chamber of Commerce website

Adventure Depot, TheRentals of mountain bikes, canoes, & kayaks. Conceirge services like arranging rafting-horseback riding, Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, rock climbing, rappeling, transportation, & hiking tours.Phone: (828) 743-2052Address: 2091 Yellow Mtn Road, Cullowhee, NC Highlands NCWebsite: http://www.adventuredepot.net/

Arrowmont Stables and CabinsArrowmont has one of hte best trail programs in the southeast, perhaps even the country. Plus there are comfortable vacation cabins with fireplaces and views. There is also a charming rustic lodge for weddings, receptions, parties, meetings, and fun.Phone: 828.743.2762Address: 276 Arrowmont Trail Cullowhee NCWebsite: http://www.arrowmont.com/

Great Smoky Mountains RailroadA variety of vacation packages are available from romantic getaways to Mystery Theatre Dinners to Polar Express.Phone: (800) 872-4681Address: 119 Front Street Bryson City NCWebsite: http://www.gsmr.com/

Jackson Hole Trading PostCleanest gem mine around. Large gift shop and snacks. Covered for all weather fun. Handicap accessible. We cut gemstones and create jewelry. We are 9 miles from Highlands on Highway 64.Phone: (828) 524-5850Address: 9770 Highlands Rd Highlands NCNantahala Outdoor CenterFull service outdoor center featuring whitewater rafting on the nantahala, French Broad, Pigeon, Ocoee, Chatooga, Nolichucky, and Cheoah rivers.Phone: 888.590.9266Website: http://www.noc.com/

Primitive Outback, Inc.We offer kayaking on the Little Tennessee River. It"s a 3 hour trip on a class I+ river section. It offers nature, animals, and bird life in its natural habitat. We also offer limited primitive tent camping. Our prices include pickup service at end of trip. See our website.Phone: 828-349-1717Website: http://www.primitiveoutback.../

Rolling Thunder River CoWhitewater Rafting - Camping - Bunkhouse - For Groups - Also Have Retail Store. www.RollingThunderRiverCo.comPhone: (800) 408-7238Website: http://rollingthunderriverc.../

Sapphire Valley Ski AreaA four-season resort nestled in the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We offer skiing, boating, dining, special activities, and attractions. During the summer we offer "Tubby"Phone: 828-743-7663Address: 207 Sapphire Valley Rd. Cashiers NCWebsite: http://www.sapphirevalleyre.../

Scaly Mountain Outdoor Sports ParkWe are a 4 season destination featuring snowtubing.Phone: 828-526-3737Address: 7420 Dillard Road Highlands NCWebsite: http://www.scalymountain.com/

Southeastern ExpeditionsSoutheastern Expeditions is a whitewater outfitter on the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River. We run guided rafting trips and offer kayak and canoe instruction.Phone: 706-782-4331Address: 7350 HWY 76E Clayton GAWebsite: http://www.southeasternexpe.../

T.J.'s Water Adventures, LLCWe are offering half and full day canoeing and kayaking trips on Cedar, Bear, and Wolf Lakes and tubing and funyaking from East Fork to La Port Park on the Tuckasegee River.Phone: (828) 293-5110Address: 10223 Hwy. 107 Tuckasegee NCWebsite: http://www.tjswateradventur.../

The Fun Factory In The SmokiesOver 100 arcade games, go-carts, inside/outside mini golf, ferris wheel, carousel, kid's play area, laser tag, bowling, meeting rooms, Pizza Factory, Dessert Factory, Boiler Room Steak House- Family Entertainment Center.Phone: (828) 349-8888Address: 1024 Georgia Road Franklin NCWebsite: http://www.thefunfactoryint.../

WhiteWater Equestrian Center - WhiteWater GroupEnjoy horseback riding and gem mining at WhiteWater Equestrian Center near WhiteWater Falls . Kayren Hinkle will share local history, plant and animal life information, as well as local Indian stories while riding through the woods on old Indian tra...Phone: (828) 966-9646Address: 6420 Whitewater Road Sapphire NCWebsite: http://www.funhorsebackriding.com/?see also golf courses
Labor Day Getaways
Lake Glenville Boat Rentals


For More information contact The Blue Ridge Summit Group: 828-743-7077 404-394-7144
or Check out The Cashiers Real Estate Insider

Bald Rock
The Divide at Bald Rock

Western North Carolina - Relocating To The Mountains

Relocation Information for the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains of Jackson County.Of course Jackson County is a wonderful place to plan a getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, but it also serves as a wonderful place to live for its residents.If you want to settle in a wonderful mountain locale, then we have just what you are looking for here in Western North Carolina, including a pleasant climate and the scenic beauty of the mountains. Jackson County was founded in 1851, in the heart of the North Carolina Mountains, nestled among the Great Smoky Mountains, and features a nice balance between peaceful forests and vibrant downtowns.Since we are already here, we have listed the Top Four reasons why you should relocate1. Central Location - Jackson County is 50 miles from Asheville, 111 miles from Knoxville, 50 miles from Gatlinburg, and only 150 miles from Atlanta. It's also convenient to Upstate South Carolina, and less than three hours from North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte.2. A River Runs Through It - The picturesque Tuckasegee River flows 40 miles throughout Jackson County. A moderate current makes it one of the best white-water rivers for beginners and families, and it is considered Western North Carolina's best stream for trout fishing.3.Booming Business - With a 24 percent increase in population in the 1990s, economic growth abounds. The county is also a popular tourist destination, which has fueled growth in the downtowns of Sylva, Dillsboro and Cashiers.4. Lovely Landscape - The county's 491 square miles encompass some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Southeast. Elevations range from 2,000 feet to more than 6,000 feet. The landscape is highlighted by waterfalls, rocky peaks and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.The new 'Our Town ' magazine is here! This magazine is FULL of beautiful scenery and helpful information. Our Town can be accessed instantly online by going here!

For Information on how to join our wonderful community or if your just passing thorugh contact Mathew S. Kowal at The Blue Ridge Summit Group 828-743-7077 or 404-394-7144

Check out Rae's Blog at The Cashier Highlands Real Estate Insider
http://cashiersrealestate.blogspot.com

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