Potpourri

I know I have not posted in some time and that seems to be the opener to most of my posts in the last year!  I have to admit, I’ve been busy.  You know, it seems that as you get older things should get easier.  You should have more time to relax and enjoy the world around you.  The truth is you just get busier and busier and, yes – more tired!


Aside from work I’ve been finishing projects around the house before the summer heat is fully upon.  One of the major projects has been planning a full on assault against the carpenter bees.  Good grief!  I have an older post that discusses these little buggers and various options to help alleviate the damage they cause, but they seem particularly rough this year.  If you have any suggestions, tricks or tips on how to eliminate them please leave them in the comments below!


Since it’s been a while since I’ve posted I think I’m going to jump around a bit this time and cover several topics.  The annual meeting will be upon us soon and I hope some of these topics will bring about positive discussion and change.  As always, I love to hear from my readers so please feel free to leave comments.  You can always use your real identity or post as ‘anonymous’.  I just ask that you keep comments fair, clean and respectful.


RV Section.  I know I’ve written about the RV section many times and I feel to positive results.  I must say that there are some great things happening in the area.  We all know that the RV section went through the some tough times in the last 10 years.  I attribute much of the difficulties to the building moratorium that was instituted.  The moratorium was a double edged sword as it prevented a great deal of shoddy construction, but at the same time idled positive development.  I must say that during my last drive through the area I was pleased to see some great development and a renewed air of ‘pride in ownership’.  We must maintain this movement and encourage continued development and continue to work to make the section great again!


On the note of improvement I would like to say thank you to the Campground Committee (really need to work on the name – just saying) for handling the issue on 12^th Street of the camper with the collapsed roof.  The blight is no more and I am sure appreciated by all the owners on that street.


I’d also like to say that I am pleased that the association took the suggestion I posted on January 21, 2014 about creating an RV section lot buy-back program in my post titled Coosawattee Campground:  Why it is Important to CRR.  Anytime you suggest spending association funds you always have the nay-sayers climbing out of the woodwork to chide you for making such a dastardly recommendation.  However, one must only step back and look at the options.  The only option that CRR has to control and thwart the issues that have plagued the subdivision is to manage the properties that it has the ability to manage.  That means pulling property back into possession, clean it up, deed restrict it and re-sell.  This not only provides the association the opportunity to generate new revenue, but also improves the area and helps all owners.  I have always stood by the philosophy of focusing on goals that positively affect the most owners first.  The February board meeting packet contains the information regarding the set-aside of funding to allow for the buy-back of approximately five lots per year.  Kudos to the board!


Board Meetings.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  CRR is comprised of so many part-time owners that participation in board activities is very prohibitive when physical attendance at meetings is required.  We live in a day and age when technology rules our lives.  Surely we can secure a conference line to allow owners to call in and board members to attend via phone.  The last election cycle generated many e-mails to me asking me to run for a seat on the board.  Wow – I really appreciate that people read my posts and respect my opinion, but I WORK FOR A LIVING!  My work often takes me out of area and out of state.  I simply would not be able to fulfill the duties that are currently required when all members are expected to attend in person.


While I’m on the topic of board meetings……why do we have monthly meetings?  Of all businesses and organizations I have work for and volunteered at I have never seen an organization hold monthly board meetings.  Dedication of one Saturday a month is more than most people would want to stomach (just speaking honestly).  I could see board meetings, at most, every other month if not quarterly.   There just isn’t that much to talk about…..food for thought.


Committees.   Number one – eliminate those committees that are not essential to operations.  Number two – hold meetings after hours when people who work and have families can actually attend.  There is a common belief among owners that committee meetings are held during certain times of the day to curtail participation.  These are not clubs.  They are meant to conduct business on behalf of the board to be reviewed by the board.  Transparency can only be achieved when the majority can be included if they wish to be.


Pools.  Riverside Pool looks great!


Well, I have to get back to work and nothing else too pressing is coming to mind.  I’m excited for the warm weather and cool nights and can’t wait to hop on an inner tube and enjoy a blissful journey Along the Coosawattee River!

Till next time,

Chris

Time for Giving Thanks

Wow – what a couple of weeks it has been.  I personally have been basking in the glory of our wonderful weather.  While it would be wonderful if our skies would part with a little dearly needed water, we can’t control that.  Aside from missing the rain, I do miss sitting outside at night with a campfire burning while I enjoy a couple (few) adult beverages and retell the stories of the past summer to anyone willing to listen! 

I could use some time for rest and relaxation.  Color tour season is always busy for the misses and I.  It seems that family and friends come from all over to see the colors, enjoy the apple houses and farms and drink in near perfect temperatures with warm days and chilling, autumn like evenings.  And, that is exactly what the majority of October entailed.  And now, we will once again be preparing for the influx of guests for the holiday season.  I have to say – I just realized today that Thanksgiving is next week ALREADY!  What happened to Halloween?  In fact, what happened to September and October?  Haha.  I guess time flies when you are having fun! 

Regardless, Thanksgiving is coming and it is always a time to reflect on the previous year and prepare for the next.  I give thanks for the things I have.  I give thanks for the things I don’t have, but give me the drive and desire to continue to strive to get there.  I give thanks for the simple things – blue skies, color streaked forests, a deer wandering around the property, spring rains as the buds come onto the trees before exploding into a thick carpet of greenery.  There is so much to be thankful for and yet so many people spend their lives in turmoil and anger.  Our country has never known that fact to be more true than now.  So many people need ‘power’ and ‘control’.  I don’t need either of those.  I want to be left to my own devices to live my life.  The past election was representative of what went on within our own boundaries not too long ago.  Sad really.  It’s terrible that people have such low personal thoughts of themselves that they can only raise themselves up by attacking others. I hope that sometime in the future the angry parties can accept certain truthes and move on…… but…..enough about that. 

I wanted to take a few moments to post some of the terrific pictures I’ve captured this fall and to tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving!  Additionally, I would like to extend well wishes to our new president-elect.  I’m sure he doesn’t check in on my blog (that often), but I wish him well.  He doesn’t have an easy task before him, but I have every faith that he will do a great job…..we’re gonna love it!

Enjoy the pictures and I’ll be posting again soon as the seasons change along the Coosawattee River.

 Chris

Farewell summer - Hello fall!

My, my, my……what a busy summer it has been!  I’ve been meaning to get back to the blog for several weeks now, but have had so much going on and really enjoying the waning days of summer.  Aside from the usual summer activities of tubing, swimming, seeing the sights of North Georgia and enjoying cool summer libations on the back deck, I have also added off-road motorcycling to my repertoire.  I recently had a TON of fun riding the trails near Lake Conasauga (Windy Gap and Milma Creek) and Beasley Knob in Blairsville.  I’m looking forward to hitting a few more destinations this fall as the weather grows a bit cooler.  There is nothing quite like climbing to the highest elevations of North Georgia and looking down thousands of feet across the peaks and valleys.  Now……speaking of fall…

So, if you have read my blog at all you know I LOVE fall.  I dare say that it is my favorite time of year and unfortunately it also seems to be the shortest season.  I’m especially excited about this fall for two reasons:  1.) the aforementioned bike riding, and 2.) it has been a bit of a dry summer this year in the mountains so that means it should be a great fall for color!  Now, I am not a farmer and probably not the best source information for anyone planning on publishing an almanac - but, if my memory serves me correct the last dry summer we had in 2013 led to one of the most striking fall color shows that we have had in a while.  A stark contrast to the ‘fall that never was’ in 2014.  Well, I shouldn’t say it never was…..the leaves turned color and fell off in about a week.  BUMMER!  I am really hoping for a brilliant color show this year.

Every time I think of the onset of fall I get a feeling of nostalgia.  It may be the trick-or-treating as a child, carving pumpkins as a kid (or very big kid), paraffining leaves, clambering around in leave piles or walking the trails near my house admiring the brief, but beautiful change of clothes that mother nature was showing off.  It won’t be long before the scarecrows begin to make their way out of their summer hiding spots and begin populating their popular haunts around downtown and throughout yards all over Ellijay.  That familiar smell of damp leaves on the ground will perfume the air with a distinct scent etched into my memory from playing in leaf piles and those cloudy days with rogue rays of sunshine cutting through the sullen grey skies to splash across the color stained mountains.  Ahh, yes!  Fall is coming and such a welcome old friend.  Shortly after that, the mountains will go quiet and rest for the winter, but the chaotic and ever invigorating get-togethers of the holidays will leave no time for us to rest.  And just when you think you have a break……the brilliant green buds will begin popping on the trees as we prepare for another activity filled, sun drenched summer.  Yes, we do live in a wonderful place and should all count our blessings for what we have.

I am beginning to lay out my plans for this fall season and thought I would share some of the things I enjoy doing this time of year.

1. Uncle Shucks Corn Maze in Dawsonville – this is a #1 MUST DO!  I don’t care if you are 7 or 70, this is a ball!  Nothing like getting turned around in a 12 acre corn maze.  And, as night approaches, the ghouls make their way into the haunted maze where you must watch your back as you navigate the dark rows of corn……yes…..you may just find “he who walks behind the rows”….. Don’t miss the regular maze, haunted maze, hay rides, marshmallow roasts, corn cannon and precious goats.  www.uncleshucks.com

2. Amicalola Falls and lunch at the Maple Restaurant at the lodge – aside from having an outstanding lunch buffet, the lodge and restaurant at Amicalola Falls provides one of the most stunning views as seen in the picture below.  It's also a blast to park the car and traverse the walk up.....and down the falls.  For fun challenge, see how many of the old wrecked cars you can find in your travels.  These cars are said to be left over from the 'rum runner' days and met their fate many, many years ago.  All that can be seen anymore are rusty frames and bits and pieces of the rusted bodies.  Enjoy!

1. A visit to Helen – You can check out my previous post on the small, quaint town of Helen.  A great spot for an afternoon trip with the family and don't forget to take a walk up to Anna Ruby Falls on a crisp day!
   
2. Pappy’s Plaza in Blairsville – What can I say about this place other than…..different!  It’s very different, but a lot of fun.  Tons of shops and a delicious restaurant built over the Nottely River.  Pappy’s harkens back to a simpler time of roadside attractions and makes for a great afternoon.  And, you can't beat getting a table 'on the water' and watch water rush by!  www.pappysriversiderestaurant.info/
   
3. Brasstown Bald Visitor Center – Brasstown Bald is just a few mile northeast of Pappy’s and provides stunning views of the mountains from Georgia’s highest peak.  Brasstown Bald looms over all other peaks at 4,784 feet.  Make sure to visit on a clear day – though the clouds can still consume the observation deck even if the sun is shining below.  A great trip, nonetheless.  You can navigate to their website by clicking here.
4. Tail of the Dragon at Deal’s Gap – Tail of the Dragon is well known by cyclists and thrill seekers across the east coast.  It is also a great drive (anytime really) once the leaves begin to change.  Just be sure to check your brake pads before embarking on 318 turns in 11 miles.  It's a bit of a drive up to Andrews North Carolina – but a great day trip.  There is a terrific observation/parking area near the top of the mountain that provides pretty amazing views.  Slay the dragon at www.taleofthedragon.com 
   

Or, simply take a drive through the country and stop by any one of the numerous apple houses or farm markets to peruse the seasonal offerings and help support the farms and orchards that make this area so great!

So – what are your plans this fall?  What activities do you recommend for the whole family?  Please post in the comments below.  I am always looking for great suggestions on new things to try and do.

Well, it’s about time find another one of those libations as we slowly wrap up another summer along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,


Chris