April 2004 Archived Columns
4/26/2004
We finally got some much needed rain last night (Sunday). All of a sudden, there seem to be twice as many leaves, and we’ve seen the first native lilies – trillium and lady slippers – up on the ridge tops. The native azaleas (flame azaleas) are fully in bloom. Unfortunately, they usually don’t last long. The dogwoods lost some petals from the rain, but most are in full bloom and looking very beautiful. This coming weekend will be high spring in the mountains.The bears are up and around, and I'm hearing a lot of reports of bear activity. This is in general a time of high activity for them, after they emerge from hibernation. Remember that your dog is no match for them, that garbage attracts them, and that they are most active at night and in the early morning. Please don't feed the bears. They usually end up having to be destroyed, because they become nuisances. Also, if you attract them, they may kill the neighbor's dogs.
Last Thursday evening, the Fannin County Development Authority sent out a press release that contained a real bombshell. They have asked the TVA to release to them 130 acres on the lake for the purpose of building, with private partners, a resort/hotel complex complete with marina, ecotourism center, and public park. The press release is simply one paragraph, and both the TVA and local officials have refused further comment. The word on the street, however, is that it is a done deal, that the Ritz Carlton is involved, and that an exemption will be obtained to allow the resort to serve alcoholic beverages (virtually ensuring its success in a dry county). To the best of my knowledge, the only land the TVA actually owns is close to the dam, on both sides of the dam. I imagine that it was originally reserved largely for security reasons. I also understand that there is some precedent for this development on Tellico Lake, in Tennessee. I have not seen that complex, so I can’t report on it.
Obviously, this project is either the best thing that has happened to Fannin County since the dam, or another greedy land grab that will saddle us all with a crushing tax burden, after our clueless county officials finish giving away the store. I imagine that depends largely on one’s perspective and potential for profit from the endeavor. From a real estate point of view, this project is certain to increase property values in Fannin County and make the county more attractive to prospective tourists and second home buyers. Along with the recently announced golf development, it will put Fannin County in a completely new category in terms of development. On the downside, it will certainly increase pressure on the lake – more jets skis, more selfish behavior - and will probably result in considerable public debt, as local officials are likely to make significant concessions to land what they consider a bonanza for the county.
There’s a new business in the old company store, across from the copper plant on Hwy 68, called Smelter’s. They’re selling stone ground corn meal and grits, along with wheat flour. I’ve tried the grits, and they’re wonderful, although they do take a while to cook. To get to the store from Blue Ridge, you go north on Hwy 5, cross the river into Copperhill, and turn left. Just after you pass the old plant, look for the fireworks store and bar complex on the left.
If you haven’t been up recently, you need to come and enjoy a little spring in the mountains. Hope to see you in town!
4/21/2004
Last weekend was simply beautiful, with the temperatures hitting around 80 on the deck, and the leaves seemed to come all at once. It’s rather pretty, with about a million different shades of light green in the woods. Unfortunately, the pine pollen came along with the leaves. The dogwoods are mostly all in bloom, and the native azaleas (usually orange) are just starting to come. I’ve seen some may apples up along the creeks. All in all, it’s a beautiful week in the mountains.The Polk County Ramp Festival is this weekend, and it’s one of my favorite events. If you are curious about this rite of spring, or if you just want a chance to try and buy some ramps, it’s the place to be for a morning outing in the country. For background and directions, go to the archive below and read my column for 4/21/03. All the info there is still correct, and the ramp gathering outing is tomorrow (Thursday)!
For those who want a longer day trip, the famous Dogwood Arts Festival is this coming weekend in Knoxville. Visit www.dogwoodarts.com for more information. The best route is through Copperhill on TN 68, continuing on 68 through Tellico Plains, and connecting with I-75 at Sweetwater. You can usually count on about three hours to Knoxville.
We had a very strong first quarter (we made top 20 Coldwell Banker offices nationwide in March) and we expect things to continue strong through the summer. If you’re in the market for a cabin, it’s a good time to come up and look. If you haven’t been up, you need to get up and enjoy a little springtime in the mountains. Hope to see you in town!
4/13/2004
UPDATE! We've finally gotten some rain, and it looks like the dogwood will be fully in bloom in some, if not all, locations by this weekend. Also, don't forget, it's the weekend of the Adventure Race. If you aren't racing, it's still fun to see the finish in the downtown park. Visit the Chamber of Commerce site for more information, www.blueridgemountains.com. The festivities in the park will begin early afternoon.(4/8/2004) The weather has been fairly warm this week, as we run up to Easter. It was almost 80 on the deck yesterday afternoon, and I’m beginning to see more in the way of butterflies and other interesting insects. The sarvis is almost done blooming, and the dogwoods are just starting to come in the more protected spots. The redbuds have been out for a week or so, and the oaks are starting to leaf out in the valleys. Actually, with the colorful buds on many of the hardwoods, the ridges look almost autumnal in direct sunlight. But the weather has continued unseasonably dry, and I have yet to see the native lilies. The pine pollen hasn’t started yet, but I suspect it will not be very much longer.
About this time of year, along with the spring cleaning things, it isn’t a bad idea to spray along the foundation with Diazinon, using a pump sprayer. If you spray the foundation, up about three feet, and the dirt, about three or four feet out from the foundation, you can significantly reduce the number of creepy-crawly things in the cabin. If you have pets, be sure to keep them inside until the spray is thoroughly dry.
In huge local news, the TVA is considering leaving the lake levels up a little higher throughout the year. This can’t fail to have a positive impact on our recreational activities on the lake, and it will definitely help the local tourist market. Also, it will help sustain increases in property values. But, naturally, there is a local element that is opposed, for reasons that are frankly unclear to me. Rumor has it that comments to the TVA have run more negative than positive. If you believe that the lake should have more water in it in August - and more in December - please take a moment to comment to the TVA by clicking on the hyperlink below. Tell them that you favor more water in the lake in the fall and winter, and a later winter drawdown:
http://www.tva.com/feature_rostudy/
Once there, look at the box on the right hand side and click on the button that says rostudy@tva.gov. If you want to do it, you need to do it now, because the comment period ends on April 12.
The real estate market has continued extremely strong into the second quarter. The leaves are about to come on the trees, so people who are looking for view lots need to get up soon to have a look before that happens. We sold a good bit of inventory in the first quarter, but we still have some very good properties left. I’d especially like to mention MLS 92210. It’s a perfect little chalet, and the pictures really don’t do justice to the view. It’s panoramic, from the beginnings of the Nantahalas in the north, to the Big Frog in Tennessee, and down through the Cohutta range in Blue Ridge and Ellijay. If you’re looking for a clean view cabin with incredible rental potential, take a look at the pictures under my featured listings.
The Adventure Race is weekend after next (Saturday, April 17) and the Polk County Ramp Festival is Saturday, April 24. Turkey season continues, so remember that hunters may be in the woods.
