Welcome to the Glampground

So you may have noticed I took a few weeks off from writing serious posts and provided a couple ‘frill’ pieces for your entertainment.  After all, this is my second favorite time of year and I love to roam.  Those of you that read my articles on a regular basis know that I absolutely love the fall and THAT is my favorite season – but I don’t want to rush the summer!  Sometimes you just need to take a step back from social strife, take a deep breath and live your life free from the thoughts of others.  I really felt that I needed to let the smoldering embers of the deer cull fracas cool a bit before diving back in with my thoughts, musings and suggestions regarding CRR.  This week I had a new revelation as I perused www.coosawattee.net.  I noticed a contiguous pair of RV lots for sale and thought….hmmmm.

First, let me start by saying that I think we need to move away from the term ‘campground’.  Let’s face it, staying in a modern recreational vehicle is far from ‘camping’.  It really is the epitome of ‘glamping’.  Typically overstuffed recliners, flat screen TVs, air conditioning and modern appointments that rival those of some homes aren’t usually associated with ‘camping’.  We also have many folks that have chosen the downsized lifestyle of RV living over costly and often unneeded homesite living.  The river parks that provide rental lots are campgrounds - the privately owned RV sites in CRR are really just that:  RV Lots.  I prefer to use the terminology ‘RV section’ versus ‘Campground’.  I also feel that there is an elevated level of perception using ‘RV section’ over ‘Campground’….but I digress. 

I would also encourage any new readers to read my other posts regarding the RV section of CRR.  I personally see the great potential and benefit of this resource within our community and hope to continue to see the positive trends that have been occurring.

So, I’m always thinking about ways to improve CRR as a whole and had a crazy thought about the RV area when I saw the adjoining lots for sale.  I think the board and management really need to take a step back and think long horizon in regards to the RV section.  It often seems that our knees keep jerking when it comes to policy making and developing solutions to known troubles in the area.   A key to any well-defined and well-structured development is consistency – and this does not happen overnight.  For the purposes of my thoughts today, let us say we are looking 5-10 years in the future.  Without lighting any fuses, let’s just agree that there are some areas within the RV section that need some ‘attention’.  Most of these issues, by my observation, linger from abandoned properties that didn’t have much value and were left by their owners.  And it is easy to understand why when you behold some of them.  I also believe that people may have passed, left the property to a family member and it has simply been forgotten.  Whatever the reason the condition of some of the properties is unacceptable and not fair to the other owners.

I also think it’s important to note that there are some really great properties in the RV section.  The removal of the building moratorium has truly made a huge difference in the appearance of the area.  The attractive and well-constructed roof-overs have been a monstrous leap in the right direction.  The addition of a roof-over on a lot screams UPSCALE.  The improving pride in ownership everywhere throughout the area is really blossoming.  Below I’ll detail some bulleted points that are ideas for continuing on this path of re-development and re-discovery of this hidden gem.

• CRR must expand its efforts to buy distressed lots.  This includes lots with and without existing units.  This was a point I made in my June 2, 2014 post: Revitalization of the Coosawattee Campgrounds.  A post that, as of this writing, has had 921 visitors.  Not to sound egotistical – but I put that idea forward over two years ago, and fortunately, someone was listening.  CRR has begun buying these lots, and reselling them.  This business plan serves the owners of the area by removing known blight and benefits CRR through additional lot sales, capital contribution, etc.
• CRR needs to keep the prices of available lots stable.  We shouldn’t be giving fire sale prices on RV lots UNLESS – yes, a big UNLESS, the lot is to be replatted with another adjoining RV lot.  (More on this later)  I’m actually quite happy to see desirable lots priced upwards of $10K.  While some may disagree, it is the only way to improve an aging and distressed area.  Elevated prices bring elevated buyers who bring elevated development and elevated pride in ownership.
• Legal should be assisting CRR in tracking down owners of distressed lots and instead of putting them directly on a collections list, should have the authority to negotiate an offer and purchase of the lots.  Most likely an owner of an abandoned property isn’t going to follow through by actually putting the check in the mail.  We could focus on deed backs and balanced sale prices based on current owed dues.  Again – win/win for the community.  However, the board will need to grant authority to management and let management do what they do – manage the day to day business of CRR.

These are just a few basic steps we can be taking as a community to continue on the current upward trend.  Next, I’d like to talk more in depth about the virtues of replatting.  Replatting was a hot button issue some four or five years ago.  I’ll admit I was not the first person to jump on board as I felt the financial impact during the recession could be devastating for the community as a whole.  As it turns out, it really hasn’t affected the community in a negative way at all.  In turn, I believe it has helped the community.  I am a believer in the practice of replatting and have been preaching the message loud and clear.  I know that many have joined me and are spreading the good word of replatting.  One of my readers who I will only refer to as ‘Tizzy’ (as they wish to remain anonymous) communicates frequently with me and was partly responsible for spurning the idea of this article.  Now….on with the show……

• CRR should be communicating CRR owned lot availability to owners with contiguous lots.  This should be in the form of direct mailers, phone calls and/or e-mails.  I watch property availability because it is interesting to me, but part time RV owners may not visit CRR frequently enough to know a lot is available, or whether it is considered ‘contiguous’ for the purpose of replatting.
• CRR should seriously negotiate with contiguous owners to sell the lots under an agreement that they will be replatted within 120 days.  With this, we also need to make sure that owners understand the costs of the septic systems.  Take for instance that Lot A shares a tank with two other owners and Lot B shares a tank with four other owners.  They would now be responsible for the repair costs of 50% of one tank and 25% of another tank should an issue arise with one of them.  I can only guess this is a something that most people don’t think about.

Now I’m going to wander into some new territory and will be interested to hear what my readers think.

• We should re-address the building rules in the RV section to approve larger storage on replatted lots that consist of two or more lots.  And, when I say storage I actually mean single car garages.  OK, so now you’re thinking I’m off my meds and have wandered too far off track…..but not really.  Remember what I said earlier about consistency and higher end buyers.  Many people look to downsize, but without proper storage you end up with messy properties.  Furthermore, consistently constructed garages would create a re-occurring theme through the RV section just as the roof-overs have.  Additionally, each garage (should the owner choose to construct) would have to adhere to identical building plans which could be scaled smaller (not larger) if required due to available space and setbacks since the RV lots can be quite irregular at times.  The garages would have to be built on a concrete pad with no floor penetrations and nothing additional could be added to the structure beyond the approved plans.  My recommended maximum size would be 20X20 with 8’ sidewalls.  Siding and color options are at the owner’s discretion so long as they meet ARC guidelines, but the architecture would remain IDENTICAL.  Think of the type of buyer and elevated appearance we would begin developing if we tried this one idea?  Many owners would appreciate the ability to store their ‘toys’ for their weekend trips and not have to haul everything with them.  It would also provide plenty of storage to keep a tidy and well manicured property.

So, there are some ideas for you to think about.  I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.  You can post in the comments section below or e-mail me directly.  My address is listed in the upper left of the screen.  I’m going to head back out to enjoy the splendor of summer along the Coosawattee River.

Till next time,

Chris

The Miracle of Birth At Babyland General Hospital

So, as I sit back and think about some of my travels over the years I often find that my fondest memories come from the locations that are the strangest.  Now, over the years I’ve had many opportunities to visit a lot of great places around our country and even into Canada (never had much of a desire to leave our continent).  Some of them stunning in natural beauty, others strange tourist traps hell bent on extracting the last nickel from your out-turned pockets, others serene and some just damn strange.  I guess under the category of ‘Damn Strange’ is where is I would list my visit to Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland.

Now, the drive to Cleveland (see my post on Helen, Georgia) is a bit of donkey ride around the mountains, but very scenic nonetheless.  Cleveland is your average, quaint mountain town with a population around 3400 people.   While I personally haven’t spent much time in Cleveland, I have driven through Cleveland on many occasions.  Like most small towns in Northern Georgia, Cleveland seems like it would be a wonderful place to have kids and raise a family of homely, often shapeless children with bizarre names…..wait…..

Yes, welcome to Cleveland, Georgia.   Home of the Cabbage Patch Kids.  Who doesn’t remember the craze of the Cabbage Patch Kids in the early 80’s?  Mothers, fathers, and grandmothers going to fisticuffs and shouting matches attempting to stomp out the competition in K-B Toy stores across the country!  Oh, those were the days.  Folks lining up for a chance to spend their hard earned dollars on these (in my opinion) hideous folk art dolls with very strange names – Damn Strange!  However, many don’t realize that the Cabbage Patch Kids came from a humble beginning known as Little People Originals as named by their artist designer Xavier Roberts.  Mr. Roberts is now 60 years old and I’m sure enjoying a gifted life from the revenue of the little people he created.  Some credit should be given to Martha Nelson Thomas who may in fact be the original creator of the dolls but would not sell her design to Mr. Roberts.  He created his own iteration and the rest is history.

Babyland General Hospital is a very strange dichotomy from the moment you pull onto the 96 acre palatial estate.  The lush plantation sprawls out before you highlighting the impeccable antebellum architecture of the ‘hospital’ itself which stands at great contrast to the garish and whimsical interior design.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’m not posting pictures from this trip.  You’ll really need to visit and see for yourself.  However, you can gain a bit of a peak into the strange world of cabbage by visiting the hospital’s website:  www.babylandgeneral.com.

Upon entering the hospital you are greeted by nurses at the triage booth.  In the main lobby you can peruse glass cases full of the original Little People and the astronomical prices associated with them.  Needless to say, the glass cases are still full!  These Little People are reserved for adopting parents with VERY deep pockets.

Next you move into a room that features hand stitched Cabbage Patch Kids.  The adoption fees for these children run around $200 per ‘kid’.  Each doll is hand sewn and painted just like the originals.  Once you leave this area you enter into the 70,000 square foot spectacle that is all things cabbage.  While my excitement level was not topping the gauge, the little ones that were with us went berserk.  Anything you can imagine that is Cabbage Patch Kid related is available.    I’m pretty sure you could literally spend hundreds of dollars on outfitting one Kid and that doesn’t include the adoption fees!

It shouldn’t take long upon entering the main area of the hospital to spot the Cabbage Tree and the holy grail of the Cabbage Patch empire – Mother Cabbage.  Every hour on the hour her tender and beautiful leaves open wide and release a new Cabbage Patch Kid into the world (as I laugh uncomfortably under my breath).

OK, I’ll be honest.  This is when things get damn strange.  The hospital, for the most part, is a giant toy store.  However, the hourly celebration of life with Mother Cabbage is both beautiful and vexing.  To witness the coming of life you’ll need to listen for the hourly announcement that Mother Cabbage is ready deliver.  You’ll need to join the throngs of real ‘little people’ that gather around the Cabbage Tree to witness this miracle.  After making the necessary preparations and the initial examination is complete, the orderly gives Mother Cabbage a shot of TLC to help her relax and then it happens…..  No, I can’t really share the whole thing.  Again, you’ll need to visit to understand how each and every kid comes into this world!  All I can say is that I can only liken the entire act to a Disney movie – adored by children and written for the humor of adults.

After the miracle of Kid birth, the audience gets to name the new baby.  Most often, the names are made up from the first, middle and last names of the kids in the audience.  After the naming celebration the Kid is whisked off to its post-natal examination and shots which everyone is welcome to witness.  Keep in mind these Kids are not your average garden variety (cheap pun intended) boxed versions by Coleco (though there are hundreds to choose from).  These are mid-grade kids that run from $100-$200 in price, er, I mean adoption fee.  So, be prepared if you have a little one with you that you may get a full court press to adopt the new Kid that your own little one just watched be born and may have been responsible for naming.  Yeah, it’s a great sales pitch!

While the whole affair is a little strange (sorry – Damn Strange) it is very well done and it’s neat to see the little ones enjoying themselves so much.  The staff are obviously dedicated to their jobs and do a great job staying in character as doctors, nurses, and orderlies.  All and all it’s a great day trip that everyone can enjoy and find a bit of humor in. 

While the spectacle is worth witnessing, nothing beats getting home with empty pockets and self-medicating after a busy day at the hospital ‘birthin’ babies’.  Another great trip ends with a great evening along the Coosawattee River.


Till next time,

Chris

Let's Take A Road Trip To Helen

So, I thought it would be nice to lay aside some of the issues of late and take a day trip in the North Georgia Mountains.  If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times.  We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area with so much to do.  Even during times where neighbors disagree and resolution may seem far away, we have a responsibility to ourselves to turn those things off on occasion and enjoy and be thankful for what we have.  I am always amazed at simply taking a ride through the sprawling wilderness of CRR and seeing the beauty that surrounds us.  I am ‘one of those’ people that love to look at all the different houses and get design ideas from others.  Likewise, I also enjoy visiting some of the quaint towns in the area and taking in their local flavor and rich southern hospitality.  I guess you could say I’m a curious creature by nature and love to see and do different things.  It truly brings about an appreciation of the world around us.So the weather is nice out – let’s take a day trip to the Alpine City of Helen Georgia!Now, let this be said.  Like many destinations in the mountains there is really NO GOOD WAY TO GET TO HELEN from Ellijay.

When I visit I commonly make the full loop.  I leave Ellijay and head East, South East on 52 and circle my way up to Helen through Cleveland.  Now, if you have never stopped at the Cabbage Patch nursery in Cleveland, you really should.  It is a site to behold.  But, more about that [maybe] in a future post.  And, I typically take the northern loop home from Helen via 76 through Blue Ridge and back south to home.  Feel free to explore, but make sure you have a GPS.  I’ve gotten turned around more than once and ended up driving an hour out of my way!  During my last trip I made a wrong turn and ended up coming home via Young Harris north of Brasstown Bald.  Oh, yeah, Brasstown Bald…..no wait, I promise, that’s another postJ

Anyway, the history of Helen dates back to 1828 when gold was found in the nearby Dukes Creek in Nacoochee Valley.  Following the gold rush that occurred for almost a century came the lumber mills.  The Gainesville and Northwestern Railroad line came up from the Chattahoochee River to valley area that would later be known as ‘Helen’.  The valley was named in 1913 after the daughter of the railroad surveyor in charge of the project.  The logging operations dessimated the valley area.  The logging and sawmill operations lasted until 1931.  The lumber was shipped throughout the U.S. and even to Europe.