Gotta Love the Fall Color!

Well, if you have been reading my blog then you know that I love all of the seasons that are afforded us in the North Georgia Mountains.  While I love the summer and the numerous activities that are available I must be honest, I probably love the fall the best.  And what a great fall it has been!  The temperatures have been moderate for the most part, the trees are changing into their all clothes and adorning shades of yellow, crimson and orange and the apple houses are reopened and offering their myriad of fall treats.

Unlike last year, we have had some great color to enjoy this season.  Last year’s color showing was, well, let’s say disappointing to say the least.  What a great time of year to hop in the car and take a drive through the mountains to enjoy the kaleidoscope of colors in the trees.  I’ve only been waiting eleven months for this color show to happen!

It also appears that we have some cool weather coming our way.  Our temperate fall weather may be coming to an end pretty quickly.  I invite you to take a look at some of my past articles regarding Recreational Vehicle winterization as well as some tips for home winterization and protection from the cold.  Please take a look through the archives (on the left side of the page) and feel free to comment or send me an e-mail.  I love to hear from my readers.

I hope to have some fresh posts coming soon.  I have just been too busy enjoying the beautiful fall weather to be spending too much time inside on the computer.  Soon enough the cold winters winds will be whistling through the trees as our mountain wonderland changes from vivid colors to shades of greys and probably – WHITE!

Despite the forecasted cold weather we may have this winter, it is still a great time to be living along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris

Fall is Coming! Fall is Coming!

So, they say summer has officially ended.  What????  Didn’t it just get started????

Boy, how the time flies when you are having fun.  Speaking of having fun, what a great Labor Day weekend!  Aside from a few scattered sprinkles around the area the weather was beautiful.  Although I didn’t make it to the river for a tubing expedition as I had hoped, I did enjoy the warm weather and [mostly] blue and clear skies.  It was also really nice to hear the additional activity around Coosawattee.  While I do enjoy the peace and solitude of the North Georgia mountains, it does the heart good to hear the sounds of children playing and seeing loads of families enjoying time at Beaver Lake and the various parks around the community.  You could even catch a familiar hint of campfire smell in the afternoons and evenings.  Oh, how that brings back the childhood memories!  Soon enough, though, the warm days and cool nights will give way to cool days and even cooler nights!

As I stated in my last post I am really looking forward to fall.  In fact, the fall is one of my most favorite times of the year! There is just something about the chill in the air, the color of the leaves and that certain smell in the air that you only get when the leaves are falling on the ground.  There is also a certain color to the increasingly angled sunlight of the shortening days that lets you know that winter will soon be knocking.

In my last post I talked about some of my favorite North Georgia day trips.  Well, this fall I’m hoping to have good enough timing to visit Brasstown Bald in the peak of the color season.  I’m yet to catch it, but hear that the views are simply spectacular.  I also hear the views over the valleys along the Dragon’s Tail in North Carolina are pretty amazing, as well.  Neither destination is over an hour from Ellijay so I’ll have to start planning my fall day trips to try to maximize the color viewing.

 

And, a little closer to home we’ll start seeing the scarecrows emerging from their summer hiding spots and begin to make their way around Ellijay, the apple barns will be operating in full swing and the town square will once again be decked in festive fall décor.   We will also begin seeing additional activity of seasonal ‘leaf peepers’ making their way to (and through) Ellijay to enjoy our piece of ‘God’s Country’.

With fall also comes the Apple Festival  – a time of year that the merchants and craftsmen around the area so look forward to.  Tourists = $$$$$ and $$$$$ = a healthy economy.  I’ll be one of the first people to complain about the additional traffic but I also know how important our guests are to keeping Ellijay a viable and working town (and we need help more now than ever).

So, grab a bale of hale, some pumpkins, a glass of apple cider and get those fall decorations in place because it is a good time to be living in the North Georgia mountains, and a GREAT time to be living long the Coosawattee.

Till next time,

Chris

Day Tripping in the North Georgia Mountains

Ah, summer is well on its way along the Coosawattee River.  What a gorgeous summer it has been!  While we have had some pretty warm days, the nights are still cool and mild.  Weather like this is really the reason we live in the North Georgia mountains!  When the weather is this beautiful it is almost mandatory to get outside and enjoy it!

We are quite fortunate to live in an area where there are so many natural resources, natural wonders and scenic stops to enjoy.  There are many day trips one can make that result in a very enjoyable experience without breaking bank.  It’s also just as important to remember the great resources we have inside the gates of CRR.  We have access to several beautiful river parks that are ideal for picnicking, taking a stroll along the Coosawattee River or tossing some bait and trying your luck for fresh dinner!  We also have two beautiful outdoor pools to enjoy when the mercury gets into the high 80’s and 90’s.  I also understand that work on the suspension bridge at Fishtrap is well underway and should be reopened soon to provide better access to residents on both sides of the river to the pool and park.

Now, while I love the resources we have in our own backyard, I also love to explore the mountains and see all the terrific things this region has to offer.  I have written before about some of my favorite locations in the area and thought I would expand on those for my readers that may be new to the area and learning their way around, or those that are looking for something new to explore.

Carters Lake – This manmade lake is only a few minutes drive to the west from the Eagle Mountain and Main gates of CRR.  This lake features a beautiful man-made beach and tournament fishing.  Don’t forget to visit the Marina for a snack and even a color tour around the lake in the fall!

Amicalola Falls – These are the tallest free fall waterfalls east of the Mississippi and well worth the 30 minute drive to the east on highway 52 to view this natural wonder.  Don’t forget to drive on up the mountain to the Lodge where you can experience amazing views and a delicious lunch or dinner buffet.

Anna Ruby Falls – These twin falls are located just west of Helen, GA and are about an hour east of Ellijay.  This federally run park offers a gift shop, facilities and stunning views from the base of the falls.  Be warned, though: there is a quarter mile hike from the ranger station UP to the falls.  The walk provides pristine views of the flowing waters down the mountain on your way to the falls.  Just remember – it’s downhill on the way out!

Anna Ruby Falls

 

Views on the walk to Anna Ruby Falls

 

Lake Nottely – This massive lake provides excellent fishing and watersports and is located about 30 minutes north of Ellijay in Blairsville, GA.  An easy ride up 515/76 out of Ellijay to Blairsville will give you access to this beautiful body of water.  There are plenty of coves and sites to behold if you can travel the lake by boat and plenty of areas to simply view the lake if you prefer to stay on shore.

Chatuge Lake – Speaking of massive bodies of water, Chatuge Lake is HUGE!  Chatuge spreads across north Georgia into North Carolina and weaves in and out of the mountain valleys.  Chatuge Lake is another beautiful body of water to enjoy skiing, boating, tubing or exploring on a personal watercraft.  If you don’t have a boat there are ample locations where they can be rented.  Chatuge Lake is found by continuing up Highway 76 from Blairsville, through Young Harris and east towards Hiawassee.

Helen, Ga – Now Helen is not a ‘natural’ wonder, but is certainly a quaint sight to behold.  Helen is Georgia’s gateway to the Bavarian lifestyle.  The streets of Helen and the accompanying architecture are all in Bavarian style.  The town’s shops and restaurants continue the theme with German style taverns, pubs and authentic food.  After a stroll through the shops on Mainstreet you can stop by the Troll Tavern on the East side of town for a cold lager and watch the tubers making their way down the Chattahoochee River.  Helen is about an hour and a half east of Ellijay.  There are no direct roads to Helen from Ellijay, so grab your GPS and be prepared for a lovely drive through the mountains.

 

Downtown Helen, GA

 

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze – I suppose Uncle Shuck’s could be considered partly a ‘natural’ wonder.  This is a must do for the family in the fall and has become a tradition for us.  The kids and grandkids (and us older kids) get a kick out of exploring this 12 acre corn maze and unraveling the mysteries of the Barnyard C.S.I. game.  Uncle Shucks is located about 45 minutes southeast of Ellijay by taking Highway 52 to 183 into Dawsonville.  And, if corn mazes excite you, you should also visit some of the smaller attractions in the area such as Reece’s maze and the locally sponsored corn mazes in Ellijay.

Local Apple Houses – The local apple houses will be opening soon and provide a nostalgic look into the farm communities of North Georgia.  Whether you have a hankering for some fresh apples, apple butter or pumpkins for fall carving, you will find it all at the various apple houses around Ellijay.

Whew!  This summer has been busy and I am looking forward to the slow transition into fall.  I am certainly hoping the fall colors are a little more brilliant than last year’s disappointing display, but hey, there are always plenty of beautiful natural wonders to behold along the Coosawattee River.  So, get out and enjoy this nearly perfect summer weather!

I would love to hear about and see some of your favorite locations and sights around the area.  Please feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail at chrisgoodson37@gmail.com.

 

Till next time,

Chris

Itching for a good time.....

I must say that summertime in the North Georgia mountains is heaven.  We are fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds.  While we have nice warm (and sometimes hot) days we still have cool evenings.  I’ve been all over this country and I must say that we have some of the most well rounded seasons and weather that I have experienced.  There is nothing like spending the evening on the deck barbecuing and enjoying a few adult beverages.

We are also quite fortunate when it comes to insects.  Very seldom do I become dinner for any preying insects while enjoying the great outdoors……with one exception…..

It’s CHIGGER season!  As the winter chills give way to sunny, warm days an annoying little critter re-emerges to make life miserable for anyone that loves the outdoors.  While sunburns peel and fade and the occasional mosquito bite itches for a few minutes, no one can forget the persistent itch brought on by a chigger injection.  So, what’s the answer???  I wish I had one, but here are some pointers to avoid becoming these little rascal’s prey.

First, it’s best to understand what a chigger is and why they do what they do.  Long story short - they are a VERY TINY insect that preys on its host by injecting the host with saliva that breaks down the hosts tissue (skin) allowing the chigger to actually suck the liquid tissue from the host in turn causing a nasty reaction resulting in a large red welt and a dreadfully persistent itch that can last for days!  Nice, huh?

Chiggers tend to live in tall weeds and underbrush.  This allows them to catch a ride on hosts passing by as the leaves or weeds they live on make contact with a tasty treat (your legs, arms, ankles, etc.).  While chiggers can quickly transfer themselves to their host it is important to know that they don’t have a real good grip on you.  Many attempts by chiggers to make you their next meal fail because they are easily brushed away or fall off of you.  This is good to remember if you find yourself trudging through tall weeds, grass or underbrush.  Think about brushing down your pants, shirt, legs, shoes and everything else periodically.  This will help remove any chiggers that may be making themselves at home on you.

Chiggers also prefer to live in shaded, moist and relatively cool areas.  So, it’s best to avoid areas that fit this description if at all possible.  They don’t care for areas that are exposed to full sun and get warm during the day. 

You can also help alleviate the chance of being injected by chiggers by keeping grassy yards mowed and any brush and weeds around your immediate property cut short.  Remember, chiggers will also get on Fido and he can in turn transfer them into the house. 

So, what is the best treatment for a chigger bite?  The only real cure is time.  I have yet to find a truly effective remedy for chiggers.  Please remember this, though – if you get a welt caused by a chigger you MUST RESIST THE URGE to scratch it.  Scratching will only spread the poison, inflame the welt and make the itch MUCH WORSE!  Trust me, I know.  And by the way, the old home cure of putting nail polish on a chigger welt to remove it is a myth.  Chiggers do not bore into you like a tick.  The chigger welt is simply a remnant of its last feast.

Do you know of any products or home remedies to alleviate chigger welts?  I’d love to hear about them.  Please post your comments below.

As always, enjoy this beautiful place we call home AND stay out of the tall weeds and brush along the Coosawattee River!

Til next time,

Chris

Revitalization of the Coosawattee Campgrounds

Nothing can start a fiery discussion among neighbors quicker than discussing the Campgrounds in Coosawattee River Resort.  I am certainly not here to start a fiery discussion, but to make some general observations that continue to encourage me to think that CRR is making headway at revitalizing this wonderful community resource.

First, I would like to say that I think CRR has done a great job at marketing not only the Campground properties, but also the residential properties within our community.  The sales figures released in the monthly newsletters show that we are moving property quickly and it is primarily in the Campground area.  I firmly believe as the economy continues to slowly improve we will see more development in the Campground.

Why, you ask?  Well, it is simply economics.  It’s fair to say that people are certainly doing better than they were four years ago.  It’s also fair to say that most people are not riding the high tide of the falsely elevated stock markets and bloated housing industry.  That leaves us somewhere in the middle.  I would say that most people looking to invest in CRR and seeking a weekend getaway or vacation spot are doing ‘okay’ but not getting rich.  I don’t know if you have taken a look at the local real estate listings lately, but there isn’t much in our neck of woods below $100K anymore.  It was only a handful of years ago when prime real estate in CRR could be purchased between $40K and $100K, and this bought you a fairly nice home.  The market is changing and the sun has set on those days.

So, where would a retiree or young family be able to secure a piece of mountain paradise at a reasonable price?  Now, you’re starting to see my point….

A lot of families and retirees still can’t afford to delve into a $100K mortgage for a weekend getaway.  And, I personally don’t believe they should.  It was this uninformed spending that landed us in a bit of a pickle before.  But, there is great value in setting up camp in the Campgrounds without emptying the bank account.  I have also noticed a lot of quality development in the campgrounds.  Not only are more roof-overs being constructed, but also roof over and screen room combos/enclosures.  I have to say, these look great and give such a polished, clean appearance to the area.  These roof-overs and enclosures not only provide attractive aesthetics, but also protect the RV’s and keeps them cleaner and in better overall condition.  The Campgrounds are (hold your breath!) beginning to look like a high end RV Community!  The key to full revitalization is to continue investing in the Campgrounds and keep pushing the property values north.  It’s my opinion that young professional families seeking an affordable weekend ‘cottage’ or retirees looking to live the RV lifestyle will be the demographics that rebuild this once beautiful and bustling area of CRR.  We will all do better once we achieve a level of quality that makes the Campground property sought after.  Just the notion that people are investing a great deal of money into these high-end campground properties should provoke all CRR residents to think what they can do to continue this trend.  I would also think that as these developments continue to rise that the residents and owners of the campground properties will gain a new sense of pride in ownership.

We are on a path to positive change.  I hope that the CRR Board and General Manager continue to put a concerted effort into the continued growth and development within the Campgrounds.   I’m thinking it’s going to be a great summer along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris

Oh, BEE-have!

Welcome to bee season folks!  Yes, it comes every year and no, there isn’t a cure!

Feel better?  Probably not, but while there isn’t a cure for carpenter bees there are a few things you can do to prevent damage and ward off future infestations.

First, let me start by saying that these little devils will only be around for a few more weeks.  Their lifespan is fairly short and while you may think they are being destructive, they simply think they are being good parents.  The urge of parenthood is strong with these little guys – thus….the birds and the bees.  Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Carpenter bees bore holes in wood to create tunnels in which they lay their larvae.  They will be doing this until sometime around July when they die.  The larvae will gestate in these tunnels until next fall where they will begin to develop and ultimately find their way out of the tunnel and into the sunlight only to start the process over again.  You probably didn’t think that your eaves would ever be considered a womb did you???

So, the matter at hand isn’t what a great parent these critters may be, but how do I stop them from boring holes everywhere?  Carpenter bees can be a serious issue if their tunneling begins to compromise a structure.  You should make every attempt to plug a bee’s hole when you find one.  Moreover, it’s just as important to seek and destroy any larvae that may be in the tunnel prior to your reclamation of the kingdom!  This can be done in multiple ways, most commonly with insect spray or bee butter.  The use of insect spray is fairly straight forward – insert straw and spray.  The use of bee butter is not.  Bee butter is not a deterrent, but will kill the bees once they get it on them.  A small dab of bee butter in the hole will surely spread to the bee and larvae in an active tunnel.  Bee butter may also be a better choice since the bee will spread the butter throughout all of the tunnels.  There may be more tunnels than you think and spray may only get to some of the lair.  No matter which way you choose, you should always plug the hole.  A vacant hole is another bee’s opportunity to move in.  This can be done with a quality caulk or you can drill the existing hole out slightly to fit a piece of wooden dowel rod that can be glued into place.  The use of dowel rod will give a more uniform fix depending on where the damage is and how important appearance is.

The other option (and highly recommended) is to put Carpenter Bee traps around your home where you see Carpenter Bee activity.  The premise of bee traps is simple.  As I said before, Carpenter Bees will be more than happy to take up residence in an existing tunnel.  This saves them a lot of energy!  Bee traps are designed to provide an easy entry into a wood structure that isn’t so easy to get out of. 

If you are handy, you can make your own traps reasonably cheap.  The internet is loaded with design options and instructions on how to build them.  The other option is to purchase them.  The General Store at Coosawattee has traps that are built locally.  I opted to purchase the traps as it saved me time and helped support our local economy and our neighbors.  Truthfully, I'm not sure I could build them for what I bought them for.

It’s also important to know where to put the traps and to inspect for damage.  Keep in mind that Carpenter Bees are attracted to bare, non-painted wood.  If your house is painted wood and you have seen carpenter bees buzzing around you may want to inspect around deck railings or under decks where the wood may be unfinished or only stained.  These are also VERY important areas to keep structurally sound.  Painted surfaces deter these little guys, but this is not a guarantee that you won’t have problems.  Painted wood siding is still susceptible if you have worn, thin, flaking paint or areas where the siding has been compromised by water, sun, etc.. 

Another tactic you can try is the old ‘bait and switch’.  You may try baiting the bees away from your home by strategically placing pieces of untreated wood around your property to provide quiet tunneling zones for the bees.  Simply purchase (most of us have a stock laying around from projects) some clean untreated wood.  This could be pieces of 2X4's, 2X6's, etc.  Next, drill some holes into the wood at various angles.  Bees never bore straight into the wood, but typically at an upward or sideways angle to the grain of the wood.  This angle boring protects the tunnel from rain.  You have just created a convenient home for any discriminating bee to take up residence!

You may attach these chunks of wood to trunks of trees around your home with bungee cords or ratchet straps.  Just be careful when hanging them that you have the angle of the holes in the right position.  Bees will not occupy a tunnel that fills with water.  Once bee season is done, remove them and enjoy a campfire!  Just make sure you put these convenient bee condos in areas around your home that show bee activity.  HOPEFULLY they'll choose your peace offering over your deck stringers!

So, take a deep breath and a good look around your home.  Take care of those tunnels now and get them sealed up before they give birth to the next generation.  You can take some relief in knowing that we will only be dealing with these little guys for a few more weeks along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris

Spring Has Sprung Along the Coosawattee - And Summer Will be Coming!

Well, I know it's been some time since I've posted.  Spring's coming has led me outdoors (more often) and to a myriad of usual springtime chores.  There just hasn't been much reason for me to be inside on the computer!  The weather's change toward spring has me outside every minute I can be with my mind wandering to the activities of the coming summer......

 

I find that the cool, refreshing spring air is a motivator for me to get outside and get the projects done before the balmy summer days move in.  Heck, I don't want to be working in the summer, anyway.  There are simply too many things to do in North Georgia during the summer months.

 

One of my favorite activities is tubing down the Coosawattee River.  Nothing beats jumping into the sometimes startling cold water of the river and embarking on a couple hour journey down the rapids on a 90 degree summer afternoon.  I have to be honest, I am always a bit disappointed as we round the final bend in the river to see the take-out point approaching.  We have so much fun navigating the rapids and boulders and occasionally sabotaging each other into water-born traps that the end of the trip kind of feels like taking the tree down after Christmas!  Nonetheless, we can always board our tubes and set sail another day.

 

I'm also looking forward to getting down to Foxhound Pool this summer.  Sadly enough, I never had the opportunity last summer and it's practically in my backyard!  As I've mentioned before, I purchased a foreclosure that needed some work to get it back to par, therefore my weekends were spent on one project after another (see my archived posts).  However, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and am looking forward to doing a little relaxing this summer and enjoying all the activities that CRR and the surrounding areas have to offer.  Aside from river tubing and enjoying a little pool time I hope to get the ATV's over to Blairsville and blow off some steam at Beasley Knob.  I hear there are some double diamond trails that should test the equipment - and my back!  My other goal (one of these days) is to get the motorcycle up to North Carolina and try my hand at the Dragon's Tail.  I've heard plenty of wild stories, but have yet to experience it myself.  So much to do, and so little time do it all in.

 

I plan on putting up more posts in the near future.  A few projects I intend to start are installing 'blow foam' insulation in the basement and wiring in a ventilation system to draw fresh air through the basement.  I'll make sure to share the details of all the projects so check back periodically!

 

 

 

Till next time,

 

Chris

Rebuilding a Deck

It’s probably safe to say that 95% of the homes in Coosawattee River Resort have some sort of deck.  And it’s safe to say that they will all need some repair or reconstruction at some point in time.  This post will address some key points that will hopefully help you should you tackle a project on your own – which I always recommend.  Nothing beats the personal satisfaction and the peace of mind you get when completing a project on your own.  I have to be brutally honest, if the builder had taken the care that I took during reconstruction when he was originally building the house, I would not have had to do this project.

 

Let’s start with the basics: 

1.     Screws (not nails) and TREATED wood.  I’ve seen too many decks that are nailed together.  Nails do not hold and over time work their way out of the wood.  ONLY use a good coated deck screw. 

2.     It should go without saying that you ALWAYS use treated wood.  Amazingly, my deck had some boards that had been replaced by the previous owners and they used untreated pine.  You may as well flush your money down the toilet and say your prayers as you may end up getting really hurt when that wood lets go.

3.     Always use a stain and or sealer.  I love the look of virgin wood, but it won’t be long before that beautiful clean looking deck turns grey.

4.     Use 2X6 boards for the top of your deck.  Many home improvement stores sell 5/4” decking (inch and a quarter in thickness) BUT 2X6’s are cheaper and you won’t have nearly the flex in the wood as it is an extra quarter inch thicker.

5.     You need a lot of energy!  Like many decks in the North Georgia region, mine is about 15 feet off the ground.  Not a distance you would want to fall and climbing around on one and a half inch stringers gets tiresome!

The first thing I had to do in my project was to eliminate a great deal of the existing deck.  I can only guess that it was original to the house and it had not been cared for on a regular basis.  Eliminating the top deck boards can be a challenge, because you want to leave enough boards to still be able to walk on – BUT you also need to do any repairs required to the stringers – so let the fun begin.  You can see by the picture below that a chainsaw, circular saw and sawzall all came in handy to ‘segment’ the deck.  I was fortunate that my stringers were in decent shape, and with the exception of one, were all usable. 

The first thing you should always do when re-decking is to examine your ledger board.  The ledger board is the board that attaches to the house and the stringers attach to it.  The ledger board carries the majority of the load of the deck, so you want to be sure it is in good shape.  I coated my ledger board in tar while the top boards were removed to help seal it from the elements.  It is treated wood and in good shape, but since it was fully exposed I took the extra time to completely seal it.  I also opted to add additional stringers. 

I was quite amazed when I examined my stringers to find that they were only toe-nailed into the ledger board with two nails each.  Now, granted, it had stood for 23 years at that point, but the idea scared the hell out of me.  Before installing the additional stringers I purchased double joist hangers to secure them.  Joist hangers are galvanized metal brackets that screw to a header or ledger board and the stringers set inside.  The stringers are then screwed into the bracket from the sides.  Since I was doubling up my stringers I purchased hangers that would accommodate two 2X6’s side by side.

Finally, the top deck was stripped and fresh stringers installed next the existing ones.   

It was finally time to add the new top deck.  Now, before you start decking, make sure you put some thought into the length of your boards.  You DO NOT want your seams to land in a row (think laminate flooring).  You want to be sure that your board seams are staggered AND the staggering is copasetic across the deck.  I bought a mix of 12’ and 10’ 2X6’s and had to cut each one down a bit to stagger my seams equally.  You may choose to add a bit of a gap between your boards for easier cleaning.  I caution you to not go TOO BIG on the gap.  Your new boards will dry out and continue to shrink after installation.  Your gap is likely to DOUBLE in size.  If you do add a gap a really easy way to do it is with a couple of pencils.  Simply put the pencils between the boards when you lay them down.  The pencils are a perfect spacer.  However, I prefer to butt the boards up snug to each other and let nature create a smaller gap.

Adding the top deck is the fun part.  You finally get to see the fruits of your labors start shaping up.  The final step you have is to protect your work and invest in a good sealer/stain.  I prefer Thompsons since almost everyone carries it and it is easy to color match when I have to re-stain next year.

Now, I actually prefer to wait a couple of weeks before I stain a new deck.  First, as I discussed before, the boards are going to dry and shrink a bit.  You want to be sure you get that sealer all the way down between the boards.  Allowing the boards to shrink and spread a bit will make it easier.  Second, the boards are pretty damp with treating when you get them home.  It is best to let them dry out a bit so they soak up that sealer.  One thing to remember about stain and sealer is that you don’t want to get it on your siding – it will not come off.  I always brush the stain on up close to the house and spray the remainder with a pump up sprayer (commonly used for weed killer or pesticides).  The sprayer makes it much easier to get into all the small spaces.  If you use a sprayer make sure to clean it thoroughly and IMMEDIATELY after using it.  Stain and sealer is pretty sticky stuff and will ruin your sprayer if allowed to dry.  I typically buy a cheap and sacrificial sprayer from my local home improvement store.  A one gallon sprayer can be found for around $10.00.

Well, spring is just around the corner and soon the brilliant green buds will begin making themselves seen along the Coosawattee River.  It’s time to grab a brush, a sprayer and some stain and make that deck look like a winner!

Till next time,

Chris

Pictures - Snow!

While most don't enjoy driving in the snow and ice I think we can all agree that it is quite beautiful.  Please send me your favorite 'SNOW' pictures from around the area.  Unfortunately my timing has been impeccable and I have not been at CRR during the last two snow storms.  Call me crazy, but I would have loved seeing it first hand!

The following pictures are from Brian Freeman.  Click on the image for a full screen view.  Thanks!

 













Thanks!

Chris

Pictures - Fall and Wildlife Along the Coosawattee River

Thanks to Brian Freeman for sending these pictures!  They are beautiful.  The vista view pictures are stunning and the 'critter' pictures are amazing.  Enjoy!  Please feel free to e-mail me any pictures you would like published - I actually have my e-mail address now showing to the left:)

 

These are prime examples of the true beauty of Life Along the Coosawattee River!

 

You can click on the images to expand them.

 

 

Backyard View

Backyard View

 



Backyard View

Backyard View

 



 

Backyard View

 

Baby Box Turtle

 

Baby Pine Lizard Eating and Inchwarm

Barred Owl

Black-Chinned Red Salamander

 

Male Box Tortoise

 



Dragon Fly Hatching

 



 

The First Neighbor to Say Hello!



Six More Weeks....Are You Sure?

Well, the great prognosticator has spoken.  “Six more weeks until spring”.  Whew, that's great news because I don't know what I would have done if he had said there would be six more weeks of winter!  The cooler weather reminds me a lot of my childhood and a lot of fond memories growing up, but it is starting to wear out its welcome.

 

I must say, however, despite the frigid bouts of Polar Vortex I have enjoyed much of the winter months.  I usually save up my outdoor projects for the wintertime.  I’m getting older and the heat isn’t as friendly to me as it used to be!  There is always the usual work to be done:  cleaning gutters, washing the house, staining the deck, trimming the trees – it just never seems to end.  But, I am holding Phil to his word that the weather will break in 42 days, the sun will be shining, the birds will be chirping and life will begin to renew in North Georgia……

 

That sounds really nice, but I am not holding my breath!  My prediction is that spring will be coming the second week of April.  I’m just not so sure we will have seen the end of the cold weather by the beginning of March.  I am hoping that our ‘mild’ trend holds out for us.  Let the north have the snow – it’s GREAT for their economy.  Unless we get enough snow to ride my snowmobile – I don’t want it!

 

I recently had the opportunity to visit some friends in Florida.  While Florida isn’t necessarily my cup of tea, anymore, the weather was really nice.  We had a few nights where the temps dipped into the 30’s but that was a cakewalk after what we have been enduring in North Georgia.  It was still typically in the mid 60’s during the day.  The news outlets in Florida never cease to amuse me, however.  You would think a frost advisory was really the sign of the apocalypse.  The forecast one night was for the temps to dip to 30 degrees!  “THIRTY DEGREES – RUN PEOPLE, RUN.  SAVE YOURSELVES!!!!!”  I was fearful going to bed that I might wake the next day to earthquakes, plague and locust swarms by the way the news people were talking.  Fortunately, the dawn came with a light frost and afternoon temps reaching the high 60’s.  Tragedy averted. 

 

As I write this I am seeing headlines popping up about stranded travelers in the North.  Another big winter storm is moving in on them and it appears that many Super Bowl attendees have been stranded.  Honestly, they aren’t getting any more snow now than what I remember getting as a kid in the north – and it really is good for their economy.  The ski resorts should be loving life and the snowmobile riders are finally getting a winter that’s worthwhile.  I’m guessing a good part of the population is hoping that Phil was right with his prediction – but I wouldn’t put money on it.  Nonetheless, I will be rushing to get my annual chores done in the next 42 days.  After all, Phil does have a 50/50 chance of getting it right!

 

Have you experienced any travel woes from the weather or have any stories you’d like to share?  Please feel free to comment below or e-mail me and I’ll publish in this post.

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Brian Freeman



 

Here is to hoping that spring will have sprung in 42 days along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris

Coosawattee Campground: Why it is important to CRR

When I started this blog I made a commitment to try and stay out of ‘hot button’ issues as there are other venues that dominate discussion on these topics.  However, I felt it important to touch base on (what I personally feel) to be an important, and integral part of Coosawattee River Resort.

Most residents are familiar with or have heard of the Campground area (even if they have never found it!).  The Campgrounds at Coosawattee are comprised of 750 privately owned, deeded RV lots with power hookups and shared septic systems.  As I stated before, my first foray into ownership within CRR was in the campground section.  My lot and camper provided my family and friends with an affordable get-away and a small (but very well appointed) home away from home.  I have to tell you, I have many great memories of our times in the campground.  Despite some things I’ve heard about certain areas of the campground, I can say that my street was quiet, clean and I rarely saw the owners of the other RV’s.  My little place was a great getaway and provided a peaceful and private retreat.  In fact, the family and friends loved the area so much we quickly outgrew the tight confines of the RV and I ended up finding a great buy on a foreclosure in the residential area.

I have to be honest, although my experience in the campgrounds was exceptional; I have done enough exploring in the area to know that there are areas that need some help.  The primary issues I see that haunt the campgrounds today are actually the ghosts of the past.  The last couple of years (and revision to the building covenants) have proved to be healthy for the campgrounds.  A lot of the current issues that residents, as well as myself, have with the area are the old, unkempt and often abandoned properties.  The other issue lies in often shoddy construction or RV repairs that would not meet any Architectural Review Committee or safety requirements.  Fortunately (unfortunately), most of these issues arose in years past when the monitoring of construction was not regulated.  New building requirements and closer attention paid by CRR management is slowly correcting these problems.

Aside from known flaws, the campgrounds are very unique properties that can provide families the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful community without full-out homeownership.  They also provide a sizeable amount of our income each year.  I am a big supporter of the campgrounds and would like to detail some of the reasons that the campgrounds are vital to CRR’s overall health.

PROS:

·      The campgrounds (by my best approximation) consume less than 5% of the overall land mass of CRR.  However, the dues generated by the campground properties represent 10% of our overall dues revenue.  There are 7500 lots in CRR – 750 of those are in the campgrounds.  Not too shabby.

·       By majority, the campgrounds are utilized by ‘occasional use’ owners.  These are typically weekend visitors in spring, summer and fall.  The dues generated by occasional use owners far outweigh the use and wear and tear on amenities and infrastructure.

·      These visitors may also become future homeowners.  I have heard numerous stories from people that had purchased a lot in the campgrounds and ultimately ended up falling in love with CRR and purchased a home.

·      The campgrounds provide additional exposure for the tent and RV rental campsites as well as the Ogden road RV Park.  These are the rental sites owned, maintained and operated by CRR.

CONS:

·      Aging properties.  There are many properties in the Campground section that are showing their age or simply have not been maintained.  The recent change to allow roof-over construction is slowly fixing this problem.  Roof-overs provide protection from the elements and in general keep the RV’s clean and looking good.

·       Lack of Pride in Ownership.  I think that the Great Recession may have had a hand in some of the abandonment issues, nonetheless I have witnessed general lack of caring.  When I had my camper I made special trips to CRR to do routine maintenance cleaning on the lot and RV.  All properties come with a great deal of maintenance.  It doesn’t matter if you have a $250,000.00 cabin or $15,000.00 RV – they all need maintained!

·       Clutter.  Let’s face it, campers don’t provide a ton of storage and when RV’s are used as small cabins you can acquire a lot of ‘stuff’.  It is important to plan ahead with additional storage if you are a ‘stuff’ gatherer like me!

Revitalization:

My sincere hope is that the CRR management and Board continue to make concerted efforts to focus attention on the campground’s needs and revitalize this asset.  Some things to consider that will make a large and positive impact on the properties as a whole:

·       In house legal counsel should seek avenues for obtaining rights to remove abandoned units and clutter from known eyesore properties.

·       Additional research efforts should be put into place to locate owners of trouble properties and advise them of the issues with their properties AND detailed steps that can be taken to correct issues (this is common practice in all HOA’s).

·       Put into place a Local Operating Procedure for verifying the installation and age of all RV’s entering CRR by owners of deeded lots.  Our covenants specifically state no units older than 15 years.  I realize that options for enforcement become limited once a unit is located on the property, but proactive policy and installation requirements would give CRR more legal authority if the proper steps were not taken.

My last suggestion is a controversial one, but an idea that would make a HUGE difference with some of the older neglected properties:

·       Create a temporary CRR Buyback Program.  Offer owners of neglected, or eyesore properties a predetermined, nominal cash payout and past dues forgiveness for their lot and camper.  Demolition and removal could then occur hassle free.  There are many recyclers that would come and take the old RV’s for free if the unit is given to them.

·       This program could be operated by our current real estate staff, would improve needed areas of the campground AND raise property values – in turn making CRR’s investment worth more when resold.

So, these are my ideas and thoughts on this unique asset.  I have seen the campground changing for the good over the last few years and I hope this trend continues.  It appears that most of the vacant campground lots owned by CRR have been sold this past year.  More investment and activity can only lead to better things along the Coosawattee River.  I’d love to know your thoughts.  I know this post is a borderline ‘hot button’ topic, so please keep all comments civil and constructive.

Till next time,

Chris

Favorite photos from my travels

One thing I really enjoy doing is to take a ride off the beaten path and explore new areas.  I also love to take pictures of unique locales and ‘things’ that inspire thought.  Winter is well underway and I find myself recounting the great times I had with family and friends this past season in the Ellijay area.  The only thing I missed this year was the vibrant autumn colors.  I guess the rainy summer had Mother Nature a bit confused!

 

I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from this past season.  Click on the image to view it full screen.  Feel free to send me some of your pictures with a description and I’ll post them here.

 

The pictures below  are a couple of my favorites.  I can’t really say why, other than there is something about it that really screams rural North Georgia - and I love it.  Not something most get to see in today’s world of bustling cities and mass transit.  The train trestle pictured below is just below Carters Dam on the Coosawattee River.  It took a bit of an awkward jaunt to get the second picture, but it’s another moment in time where rural North Georgia shines.  The best area to get scenic pictures of this trestle is from the Carters Dam viewing area below the dam.

Speaking of Carters Lake; it is truly a watersport enthusiasts dream come true.  Carters Lake is a fantastic recreation destination.  There are numerous parks around the perimeter of Carters Lake to simply stop and take a walk, dip your toes in the cool, clean water, pack a lunch for a picnic or have a family function at a covered pavilion.   It is also home to championship bass tournaments and some enormous Walleye – yes Walleye!  Most people don’t believe that Walleye live as far South as North Georgia, but they do.  In fact, Carters Lake is one of the most southern areas where anglers can find Walleye.

 

And who can visit the North Georgia region without a visit to Amicalola Falls.  There isn’t much more that can be said for the falls but ‘stunning’.  A true natural wonder.  The picture below was taken just after sunrise.  It was a very frigid morning in late October.  If you visit the falls make sure you also visit the ‘lodge’ at the top of the mountain for some spectacular views (and the lunch buffet isn’t too shabby either!).

 Autumn Falls at Sunrise

The Falls in the Summer

 



 

The Falls from Below

Here are some of my favorite photos from within Coosawattee River Resort.

 

Stone Bridge by Beaver Lake

 



 

Coosawattee River Downstream Under Fife Bridge

 





 Beaver Lake

Still going through the photo albums, so more to come!  Again, if you have any favorite photos you’d like to share feel free to send them to me and I’ll post them here.

Till next time,

Chris