Immerse yourself in the deep peace and beauty of this area. Driving through the last section of road through the lush rhododendron passageway and arriving at the house with the beautiful backdrop of mountains and national forest immediately sets one's soul at rest. There is a strong sense of beauty and sanctity of nature surrounding and from within this house. It carries the feel of a mountain cabin with many of the comforts and coziness of a modern home. We enjoy sitting on the back deck (or, from the inside, the panoramic view living area) and absorbing and being humbled by the enveloping beauty of the mountains and nature. The shadowing on the mountains from passing clouds and change in light direction throughout the day, highlighting various ridges and contours, is amazing! We also enjoy being wrapped in the clouds from time to time. The elevation is ~3,700 feet, which makes it very comfortable in the summertime...when the rest of North Georgia is 85-90 degrees, it is 75 up here. The unique microclimate of this region creates a flora a special habitat. Each season brings its own splendor, as well as options for different activities. Flora and fauna come alive in spring, with full splendor. Summer offers the coolness and comfort of the altitude, and many surrounding hikes, waterfalls, sliding rocks and swimming holes. Fall brings the changing of the leaves and mountain town festivals. Winter offers unique Christmas shopping opportunities, snow tubing nearby, and Highlands has an outdoor ice rink that is open until early March. There are so many things to explore and immerse oneself in around here!
The Bartram Trail is steps away from the front door and take a right on the trail, and from the house, the hike to the top of Rabun Bald (2nd highest summit in Georgia, with an old fire tower turned observation deck at the top) is 1.6 miles. Or, take a left on the trail, and meander further into the valley and encounter many babbling streams and small waterfalls.
There are 2 bedrooms with private full baths (one with a garden tub), 2 loft bedrooms (each with portable CordaRoy mattress in addition to bed) with Jack and Jill bathroom, and a basement with full bathroom with additional sleeping options.
There is a Vermont Castings wood heater in the center of the 2 living room areas, and a fire pit in the back yard.
The high speed internet is fast and reliable. There is full cellular service (for Verizon, and others). There is a grill, binoculars, books, backpacks, and board games for guests' use.
We are dog lovers and the house is dog friendly, with a large fenced back yard area, freely accessible from 2 doors on the back deck.
There are myriad outdoor opportunities and adventures in this region, as well as many communities within a 30 minute drive, each with their own charm and personality, including:
Sky Valley, GA (waterfall hike, golf course/club, residential community): 3 miles
Scaly Mountain. NC (Highlands Outpost snow tubing and alpine slide, Highlands Aerial Park/ziplining, Winfield Farms/venue for Bear Shadow Festival): 3 miles
Dillard, GA (local craft shops, restaurants): 7 miles
Highlands, NC (charming mountain town that offers fine and eclectic dining and shopping, a small brewery, many hikes and waterfalls in the surrounding area): 11 miles
Clayton, GA (multiple great restaurants, shops, salt of the earth community with some interwoven Bohemian character): 15 miles
Franklin, NC (friendly community with numerous excellent restaurants, 2 cool breweries, and a greenway and park along the river): 22 miles
We love this area, this place...it is a special place, and we hope that you find at as special as we do!
