This is part of a series introducing student writers from Tri County Community College While on top of Buck Bald, 360 degrees of a beautiful landscape, that seems to never end, surrounds you. It feels like you can reach up and touch the clouds while you are staring off the edge of the Earth. It is thrilling and spiritual at the same time. Buck Bald is a natural mountain that has a great location with trails to hike and history to back it all up. It is also located on an amazing ride. Buck Bald is located in the authentic Cherohala Skyway on Highway Sixty Eight. Right outside of Monroe County, Tennessee there is a marker on the side of the highway pointing out the entrance to Buck Bald. It is not very far from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway. It is a famo... 12/02/2011

 This is part of a series introducing student writers from Tri County Community College     "A man could not be in two places at the same time unless he were a bird" stated by Sir Boyle Roche who was a member of parliament, from Tralee, during the eighteen hundreds. In McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee mankind has the chance to become a bird and be in two places at once. These twin cities unite in a historical and entertaining blue dotted-line.       This dotted-line represents the bond that formed in the twin cities. The streets become one on Toccoa Avenue, Georgia and Ocoee Street, Tennessee. Under an antique iron bridge built in 1911, Toccoa River, Georgia becomes Ocoee River, Tennessee. Standing on this bridge while over the dotted-line brings forth a sense of history, ... 12/02/2011

Each day we are introducing you to a student from Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh’s English 111 Class at Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC - They call themselves the TCCC Scribes. Today meet Danielle Bryer   Hey! Hey! Hey! My name is Danielle Bryer, but I prefer Dani. I was born on February 29th, 1992. I will finally be five in 2011! Woot! Woot! My educational career is focused on my desire to become a nurse.  As a part of English 111, we write about places that tug at our heart. I have chosen to write about Buck Bald and the Twin Cities of Tennessee and Georgia. Buck Bald is special to me because it is a place that I go when I want to get away from the world. Being in two places at once is on my Bucket List. This is achieved at McCayesville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Than... 12/02/2011

  We recently told you about a project that we participated in together with the students in Catherine Rayburn-Trobaugh’s English 111 Writing Class at Tri-County Community College - Things To Do In Murphy NC.   The TCCC Scribes, as they have named themselves, have worked hard and the project is finally complete.  Over the next few days we will introduce you to the “scribes” and share their individual contributions to the project.   They have written from their hearts about things they love about this area.  We urge you not only to read what they have written, but also to share comments with them.  You can be sure they will be following this series.  You never know when a word of encouragement from you may be just the spark that is needed to ignite a passion inside an individual. We will... 12/02/2011

An annual tradition antipated by young and old, the Murphy Christmas Parade in Murphy NC will be held tomorrow, December 3rd starting at 2pm. Beginning at the Valley Village Shopping Center (across from KFC) on Hill Street, it will proceed through Downtown Murphy.     This year Coldwell Banker High Country Realty will be participating in the Murphy Christmas Parade and would like to invite you to join us!  The Golden Retriever is Coldwell Banker’s mascot and if you or someone you know owns a Golden Retriever we are inviting you to join us to walk in the parade.  Load up your Goldie and meet us at Murphy Elementary School at 12:45 where we will join in the parade as it passes by!   A lead dog will be selected from the participants and his/her human will win a $100 prize.     While we wa... 12/02/2011

Still not got the Christmas gift list filled yet? Didn’t get everything on your list on Black Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Cyber Monday? This weekend is the perfect time  to visit the John C. Campbell Folk School for their Annual Fireside Sale.   The Folk School Fireside Sale is held every year in the Craft Shop, Keith House and Davidson Hall. Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 4th, 2011 and plan on coming by and enjoying the live music and a warm crackling fire as you shop throughout all the rooms filled with artful treasures. Handmade items such as jewelry, weaving, forged iron, quilts, photography and more.   The Craft Shop will also be offering 15% off during the Fireside Sale. The 15% off sale will last until December 24! We'll see you at the Folk School this Sunday, December ... 12/02/2011

Great time to invest in owning Landin the NC, GA and TN Mountains!    If you’re not ready to maintain or remodel a foreclosure home right now, its a great time to invest in owning land in the mountains now. View lots, pasture, unrestricted, large parcels or in a subdivision; you’ll find some great values for investing in your future through land in the western NC, north GA or east TN mountains. Fall and Winter are some of the best times to preview properties here in the mountains. As the leaves have fallen from most of the trees this gives you a greater advantage to seeing the surrounding areas around you and the ridges and lay of the land. Let us help you find a something that fits your budget so you can have your own “peace of the mountains” too.     Lee & Carol ~ The Mountain Living ... 11/30/2011

December is just around the corner and its time to make sure you’ve got your car ready for the winter with your winter weather travel kit. We always restock our pack for the cars in November to make sure we have everything we need and we’re prepared if we get stuck out on the road. Even though it’s never happened – you’re better safe than sorry.     Here is what we have in our car… * A few bottles of water * Some granola bars, cheese crackers, raisins and candy bars * A flashlight with new and spare batteries * A travel size first aid kit - include any essential medications * A blanket - foil-type survival blankets are very small and can be found in the camping department of Wal-Mart * Basic tool kit and Jumper Cables (good to have always) We don’t have this one, but it does sound like ... 11/29/2011

Our New Fall/Winter 2011 Brochure is Here! Coldwell Banker High Country Realty and the Mountain Living Team are pleased to send you this on-line link to our newest property brochure from our four offices serving the north GA, western NC and east TN mountains. Just click on the photo of our brochure below to preview! Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MountainLivingTeam.com Lee 828.361.2040  Carol 828.361.9713 11/28/2011

As we look back on this past year and enjoy this season of blessings we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with abundant goodness. Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team www.MountainLivingTeam.com     11/23/2011

WagonMaster Adventure Ranch Fun Park & Gem Mine will be closed Thanksgiving Day but will be open through Thanksgiving weekend before closing for the season.Don't miss your last chance this season for a fun family day at WagonMaster!  Even in the cool weather, the mini golf, wagon rides, shooting arcades, truck tracks, and even gem mining is lots of fun for kids & adults.  You can use spatulas to keep your hands from getting cold at the gem mine sluice, and we have lots of blankets for the wagon rides.   WagonMaster Adventure Ranch wants to thank all their local friends, part-time Murphy guests, and the new friends they've met this season for all the support, repeat visits, and great reviews.  During this special Thanksgiving season, we praise the Lord for His blessings and bringing our ... 11/22/2011

With Thanksgiving just around the corner it got me thinking about the “traditional” things we do in our family.  For Thanksgiving I always display the Hall Autumn Leaf dishes from my paternal grandparents and it gets displayed on the old kitchen table from their home in Florida. There is also the two decorations that Brandon made of the pilgrim and tiny scarecrow that come out this time of the year. It’d be like not having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving if we didn’t have the Autumn Leaves out. How can some dishes bring back so many memories each year? What traditions do you have? Autumn Leaf was one of the most popular and long-lasting patterns produced by Hall China, manufactured from 1933 until 1976.   11/18/2011

Kristin Lyvers has put together a Friendly Ornament Exchange for people in the United States and Canada.  This sounded really fun and I wanted to share it with you.  You’ll have to hurry though because you have to agree to participate by 8pm EST tonite!!   Go to the Friendly Ornament Exchange facebook page and follow the instructions there. (The link to the event wouldn't work, go to your FB page and search for "friendly ornament exchange" and it will come up, sorry!!) Basically you email your name and address to the organizer and she will match you up with another ‘attendee’. Then everyone purchases (or makes) an ornament that is indicative of the area where they are from and mails it to the person with whom they were matched.  It’s limited to the first 50 people and, when I signed up... 11/16/2011

Several years ago Bill and I had the pleasure of knowing a lady with a great spirit and personality.  Leslye lived in Murphy and was a part-time real estate agent/part-time massage therapist. When she decided to follow her heart, marry her soul-mate and move to Lander, Wyoming, we were honored to be the ones she called to list her home.   When Leslye’s new husband Joe came to Murphy to finish the packing and meet with us to list, it was obvious why she had chosen this person with whom to spend the rest of her life.  They were like two peas in a pod, totally connected on some unexplainable cosmic level! Joe is a writer and one of his books was Illumination In The Flatwoods. The story details the events that took place when a farmer ran over a nest of wild turkey eggs and, not knowing wh... 11/15/2011

There are only a few signs left here in Murphy, NC mountains of the gorgeous Fall season we’ve had.  It was so beautiful and this years autumn hues were better than a lot of people thought they’d be.  We really had bunches of “leaf lookers” here visiting and taking some road trips to enjoy them too.    The last two days we’ve had rain and more and more of the leaves are filling our lawns with leaves to be raked in piles and burned or bagged away. So take some time to enjoy the last few signs of the season as we get ready to decorate and plan our Thanksgiving dinners and get-togethers. All too soon we’ll be welcoming back in Old Man Winter here in the mountains.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MurphyMountainLiving.com     11/15/2011

As I’m sure by now you all know our oldest daughter, Moriah, is in the Navy.  As a Hospital Corpsman stationed in Dahlgren, Virginia (a little less than an hour south of Washington DC) she was invited this past Saturday to participate in a wonderful program to honor some WWII Veterans.           The honor flight arrived in Washington DC from Wisconsin. There was a band and police escorted buses to take them on a tour of DC.  The Vets had special escorts to make sure they enjoyed their day.  Moriah escorted a Marine Veteran on a tour of Arlington National Cemetary, the WWII Memorial and other points of interest before returning to the airport for their flight home.    All sponsored and paid with anonymous donations.       At one point a civilian approached Moriah and her Veteran and tha... 11/14/2011

Good morning from the amazing Murphy, NC Mountains! Can you imagine being surrounded by these mountains, pastures, lakes, creeks and rivers flowing through western North Carolina? We are blessed to live here and everyday, and every season, is a new adventure filled with beautiful scenery and opportunities to make lasting memories with friends and family.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MurphyMountainLiving.com   11/13/2011

November 11th, is Veterans Day.This is a day set aside that we remember the service of the many men and women that have given to our country. This is a day to thank the brave and honor them for keeping our country free. Please take the time, not only today, but when ever you see a veteran, to thank them and remember the sacrifices they have made for all of us. Everyone is invited to the Veteran's Day program in Murphy, NC at 11am Friday at the Staff Sgt. Bobby C. Franklin Armory.  The History of Veteran’s Day November 11th, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause... 11/11/2011

Winter Pet Tips for Murphy, NC Animal Lovers. Winter weather is on the way to Cherokee County, NC and we’re all bundled up and have the fire burning, but don’t forget your beloved pets need to stay warm and have special needs as the weather changes too here in the mountains.  Pets - especially the young, old and short-haired - need extra shelter, warmth and water during cold weather here in Murphy, NC. It’s best to bring your pets indoors, but if that isn’t possible make sure they have a warm bed and shelter from the chilling winds. Doggie Igloos with a bedding of pine straw are a great choice. Fresh water is a must and an electric heated bowl will ensure their water doesn’t freeze. Everyone needs a nice warm sweater and your pet will not only look very stylish, but stay warm too. Don't... 11/09/2011

  CONGRATULATIONS!!! The Seller said YES!  They’ve signed the contract and your agent has forwarded a copy to you.  Your next step?  Grab a highlighter and your calendar and go through the contract and any related addenda and highlight any dates by which a specific activity must be completed. Some examples would be your due diligence date and your mortgage contingency date.  Some areas may cite the number of days that you have to complete a task instead of a date, highlight these as well.         It’s also important to know when the “clock starts ticking”.  It is the “verbal acknowledgement” that your offer was accepted or perhaps when you (or your agent) received a copy of the signed contract back from the seller or the seller’s agent.   While some dates will tell you which dates start... 11/04/2011