For fun in the outdoors the Cohutta Wilderness Area cannot be beat. With more than 40,000 acres in Georgia and Tennessee (where its known as Big Frog Wilderness Area), the Cohuttas comprise the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi.

The Cohutta Mountains are part of the oldest known mountains in the world. They run from Fannin County northeast to the Tennessee-North Carolina border, where they are known as the Smoky Mountains, and once bordered a prehistoric ocean. It is from these mountains that the Cohutta Wilderness Area gets its name. As settlers moved west they avoided these mountains because of difficult access and scant level ground for farming. Only a few hardy Scot-Irish settlers scratched out a meager existence in this section of Appalachia.

Around 1900, the Cohuttas became one of the last areas of Georgia to be forested. Logging continued in these areas until World War II when the federal government took over management of the land. In 1976, 36,000 acres were deemed wilderness. Since that time more wilderness area has been added.

What is a Wilderness Area?

A federal designation resulting from the Wilderness Act of 1964, Wilderness Areas are set aside from Forest Service Management and allowed to return to a natural state. Activities such as logging are prohibited

Within the Cohutta Mountains are peaks that rise to 4,200 feet and more than a hundred miles of hiking trails.   Within the Wilderness Area itself are 13 trails that total more than 87 miles of unusual remote hiking. Other than on the popular Jacks River Trail, it is possible to hike in this area for days during the Spring and Fall and not see other backpackers.

Two rivers (Conasauga and Jacks) flow through the Cohuttas, forming the major valleys on the east and west sides of the Wilderness Areas. In the river valleys the flora is prolific. It is not uncommon to see a wide array of plant life, thickly covering any land that gets available sunlight. As the trails climb the mountains the plants lessen, mostly because the trees block the sun.

The Chamber of Commerce Scenic Drive #2 is the Cohutta Mountain Adventures. Be sure to stop by the office on the way to the mountains to get the brochure detailing the drive.

Trail of the Cohutta Wilderness

Jacks River - According to tradition, this trail is named for a Cherokee Indian who lived in the Cohutta Mountains. By far the most popular of the trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, Jacks River crosses the entire wilderness and intersects most of the other trails. The trail begins at Dally Gap and ends almost 17 miles later in the Alacusy Valley. Jacks River Falls at 9.2 miles is a highlight

Thanks to the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce for some of the information that has been provided.

Tags: Cohutta+Wilderness, Gilmer+County, Fannin+County, Conasauga+River, Jack’s+River, The+Front+Porch+View, Blue+Ridge, Real+Estate

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In Georgia, Attorneys handle Real Estate closings. Although title companies have offices in Georgia, they generally work with Attorneys and do NOT handle closings. What would be “Escrow Agents” in other states, are Attorneys in Georgia. The Attorney is an agent of the title company. The Attorney also represents the Lender at closing.

At closing, the Attorney executes the terms of the contract between the Buyer and the Seller, and handles the legal aspects of transferring title. The Attorney, based on instructions the Attorney receives from the Lender, handles all loan documents. The Attorney orders and reviews the title, pays the Sellers loan off, collects the Lenders closing costs, and sends the proper documentation to the courthouse for recording. After closing, the Attorney sends the Warranty Deed to the purchaser (with the Owners Title Insurance Policy) and the Mortgage/Security Deed is sent to the Lender. (more…)

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Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the Gate. 

Hope to see you all there!

Tags: Jeff+Bates, Copperhead+Lodge, Motorcycle, Harley+Davidson, Park+Cabins, Motorcycle+Resort

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I had the great priviledge of working with the Hedeen’s this spring in finding their North Georgia Mountain Cabin. It was a blast, such wonderful people. They purchased a beautiful cabin in Humphrey Heights in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. It was so nice getting to know them, and I am looking forward to a long lasting realtionship with them. Thank you so much Scott, Carol and Hayley, I hope you enjoy your new cabin for many, many years! 

My husband and I had been talking about buying a cabin for the past couple of years.  We wanted a place to “get away” from work and stress, a place to relax with family and friends. 

  A few months ago, we decided we were serious and stopped by several realtor offices to pick up materials/website info on the way through Blue Ridge.  One of our stops was to the Keller Williams main office in downtown Blue Ridge.   We met Chad Lariscy, who followed up with us almost immediately after we stopped by.  Chad spent a great deal of time with us- 3 - 4 weekends in a row, visiting cabins within our range and providing honest feedback on each home and educating us on cabin living along the way.  When we finally found the perfect one, Chad helped us through all the details - he really went above and beyond, surpassing all of our expectations.   I think the two things that made Chad such an asset to our search was his terrific, positive attitude and his incredible knowledge of the area- he grew up in the area and knew every inch of the region as well as all of the locals.  We got acclimated so quickly due to his guidance and we couldn’t be happier with our new home.  This will be a place we plan to have for years to come.

Scott, Carol and Hayley Hedeen 

Tags: Humphrey+Heights, Blue+Ridge, Real+Estate, Sold, North+Georgia

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The trail, on an old road bed at Stanley Gap, begins as a gradual climb toward summit of Rocky Mountain. Almost immediately, on the left, is a regenerating pine stand. After passing timber stand, trail enters woods and continues through forest until reaching intersection with Benton MacKaye Trail coming in from east. Turn onto BMT and follow downhill past regenerating hardwood stand; switchback and descend to waterfalls. Continue down road bed to parking area and wildlife foodplot opening on south side of Rock Creek Road. Turn right on road and begin return walk to vehicle. About three-fourths mile pass road on left leading 200 yards to Stanley Creek. Continue on road to gap and return to parking area.

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2008 Georgia Mountain Fair
July 16-27

Look forward to the 58th annual Georgia Mountain Fair, held at the historic Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds this summer! Thousands of visitors from across the region have experienced the excitement and nostalgia that the event has to offer. With first class musical performances, fun carnival rides, unique attractions and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture, the Fair provides something for every member of the family.

This is such a great event that my family and I look forward to every year. The crafts, concerts, and of course the Funnel Cakes! Well if you ask my children, of couurse they are going to say the rides!

If you are visiting the North Georgia Mountains during the end of July, you will want to be sure to work the Georgia Mountain Fair into your schedule. If you have any questions about the fair, please click the link up top and it will take you straight to their site. There you can view the full schedule of events to take place this year. Have fun and enjoy the North Georgia Mountains at its best…The Georgia Mountain Fair!

Tags: Georgia+Mountain+Fair, Towns+County, Hiawassee, Lake+Chatuge, Concerts, Tickets

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Nottely Reservoir lies in the state of Georgia on the southeastern edge of the Tennessee River watershed, nestled in the North Georgia Mountains and valleys of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The reservoir features a beach and camping area and is a great place for viewing wildlife. Nottely Reservoir serves a number of purposes other than recreation, including flood control and power generation.

My family and I have lived on Lake Nottely for the past 15 years, and we love it here! I was raised on Lake Blue Ridge which is just down the road about 15 miles. I thought for years that there couldn’t be a better lake anywhere, well Lake Nottely could be it. The similarities are great in number, both are absolutely beautiful. I guess the thing that I love the most about Lake Nottely is the fact that it seems to be basically undiscovered. On the busiest holiday weekend, you can count the boats on both hands, and for those that have been on Lake Blue Ridge, they know what I am talking about.

I took this picture on my way into work one morning this week. I got to admit, it is kind of tough having to look at this every morning!

If I can answer any questions or if you have any concerns Real Estate related in the North Georgia Mountains, I’d love to help out. Just give me a call at 706.633.8186, or you can email me at ChadL@KW.com. Thanks so much for sightseeing with me, and come back to The Porch next week to see where we will be visiting. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear about them. Also, if you have been to Lake Nottely, please share your thoughts and experiences!

Make it a GREAT week!

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The Visitor Information Center, located on the summit of the Bald, offers exhibits, video presentations and interpretive programs.

A steep, paved 1/2 mile trail leads from the parking lot to the Visitor Information Center on the Bald. For those who don’t want to walk, a concessionaire operates a shuttle buss from the parking area to the Visitor Information Center for a fee.

Brasstown Bald is open daily from Memorial Day through October and on weekends in the early spring and late fall (depending on the weather). Brasstown Bald offers the following: (more…)

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I hate to admit it, but I have never attended the Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games. The fact that is was named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society says an awful lot! I do believe that I will go down to Meeks Park this year and check it out. Another great Festival making the North Georgia Mountains the place to be.

If you have any questions about our beautiful mountains or if I can be of any help to you in anyway, please let me know. If you know of anyone looking to buy or needing to sell Real Estate in the North Georgia Mountains, I would be grateful if you would pass along this website and my name, Chad Lariscy to them. You can reach me on my cell phone at 706.633.8186, your by email at ChadL@KW.com.

Make it a GREAT weekend!

Tags: Blairsville, North+Georgia, Highland+Games, Scottish+Festival, Union+County, Meeks+Park

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If many of you have been following my Blog, you know that from time to time I have Professional Associates come up on the Porch and guest write for me. Again today, we have the privilege of having Byron Wyndham and Associates with Legal Notes on Legal Issues not only in the North Georgia Mountain Real Estate Market, but in your market as well. I really appreciate Byron taking time to give us a view tips on Lease Purchase Agreements.

This is a question that I get from time to time from potential buyers, sellers and real estate agents. Before entering into such a transaction you need to know the “pros” and “cons” of a Lease/Purchase Agreement.   

The very first thing to acknowledge is that most Lease/Purchase agreements DO NOT CLOSE. In over 30 years as a real estate attorney, it has been my experience that very few of these transactions ever get to the closing table.

WHY?  (more…)

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