Blue Ridge Real Estate

I would like to take a week off of statistical analysis to discuss a common occurrence/problem for many of our part-time residents: Do we invite guest into our vacation cabin or politely ask them to rent their own cabin?
Here’s the scenario: You’ve just closed on your dream cabin. You’ve had to settle on a few items; the decks weren’t as wide as you wanted, the closets are not quite as big as you’d hoped, and some of the view is blocked by trees growing on your neighbors property. But when it’s all said and done, you feel like your cabin has almost everything you’ve wanted. After furnishing, shopping for linens, stocking the pantry, and several trips to the hardware store, you’re ready to invite company and celebrate your good fortune. You’ve told all of your friends and family that they’re welcome to visit any time – that’s why you have a cabin in the mountains, right?
But then… the calendar starts to fill up with family, friends, friends of friends, kids of friends of friends, etc. Some of the self-invited are subtle, some are bold. “Can we bring our Labrador Retriever? He’ll just love the mountains!”. “Are these sheets clean?”. “We’re just looking for a quiet girls trip – how many cabin your cabin hold?”. The request start coming in slowing, then more rapidly. You slowly become resentful towards your guest because you spend the first 4 hours taking inventory, cleaning, and fixing broken items. Resentment turns into confusion and confusion turns into frustration. “These are my friends!”, you exclaim! Why is this a problem!?
If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve heard this story played out many times. Allow me to pass on a few tips from some successful cabin owners. The first suggestion is to locate a nice, reputable cabin rental company or hotel. When the request comes, be quick with a number and location of your chosen alternate accommodations and let the guest know that they’re welcome to visit for the day. This provides a clean break and avoids any confusion, but might cause some awkward moments and hard feelings. If the first suggestion is not your style, some owners charge a $100 cleaning fee, regardless of the guest. Even the closest friend gets a bill. This gives the cabin visit a slightly more formal feel, with the hopes that the guest reciprocates this feeling. Another suggestion is a “Welcome Sheet” that provides the guest, in writing, your expectations. Feel free to go into great detail on your procedures. The brutal truth is that, as the cabin owner, you should be entitled to enjoy your cabin however you choose. If you’re experiencing these or similar issues, set up some policies that satisfy you first, then your guest. And if you’re a guest of a cabin this weekend and you’re reading this, please go and buy your cabin owner a very nice gift – they’ve earned it!

In light of the upcoming Fireworks Display in McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN, I thought I would add a few notes about the area.  By the way, the “new” bridge has some of the best spots- come early and bring your lawn chairs.

In the corner of Polk County, Tennessee, lies Ducktown and Copperhill, Tennessee’s copper district which has been famous for nearly a hundred years.  Known for some seven or eight decades simply as Ducktown, then for a number of years as the Ducktown Basin, but now more often referred to as the Great Copper Basin, or Copper Basin, this locality boasts a history and reputation unique in the annals of southern growth and development.

The area of the Ducktown Basin is approximately one hundred square miles, though the commercial and mining area covers only about twenty-five square miles. The state lines of Tennessee,Georgia, and North Carolina meet on a hill near the ancient church of Pleasant Hill, three miles east of what was once the Basin’s principal town, Copperhill. From there the Georgia-Tennessee state line runs diagonally across the Basin to Big Frog Mountain on the west. Several square miles of the Basin extend southward into Fannin County, Georgia.

Once a booming mining community, the sleepy little town of Copperhill, TN is the terminus of our local Scenic Railway.   There’s a great little Irish pub on Main Street (or Hwy 68) that serves Fat Tire- go figure!  One of the local establishments, known as Mayford’s (but previously known as Ralph and Grady’s), still sports bullet holes in the 100 year old tin ceiling from the some of the rowdier days of of the mining company.

Another point of local interest, the Ducktown Basin Museum is located just down the road in Ducktown, TN.  The museum, owned and operated locally, highlights Copper Basin’s history through exhibits and examples of the kinds of equipment used in the mines. The history of the Cherokee Nation, including an in-depth discussion of the “Trail of Tears” is also included in the tour.  They can be reached @ (423) 496-5778.  If you’re visiting the area this weekend, it’s worth treating yourself to this tour.