Who: Terry and Loretta Pashby. Terry owns Luster Kleen, a Norcross carpet dry cleaning company

Where: Walnut Mountain, Ellijay

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

Light streams through the windows off the dining room and kitchen, where wood tones warm the space.

Christopher Oquendo/Special (ENLARGE)

Terry and Loretta Pashby bought a five-bedroom, three-bath home in the gated community of Walnut Mountain near Ellijay. They usually make it to their retreat a few times a month, more in the fall | View more photos of this home

When purchased: December 2005

Why they wanted a mountain home: They sold their two-bedroom houseboat on Lake Lanier about three years ago, but missed having somewhere to go on the weekend. "We just loved the mountains anyway," Loretta said. "We live at the top of the mountain. It's very peaceful. We wake up every morning and there's just deer in the front yard."

What they like about their home: The two decks and screened-in porch. Everything they need is on the main floor – three bedrooms, two baths, the great room with an all-rock fireplace, kitchen and dining room. Downstairs, they have another two bedrooms, a bathroom and a great room with a fireplace, which is good for guests.

How far from home: 90 minutes from Peachtree Corners.

How often they're there: At least twice a month, and sometimes every weekend in the fall.

Favorite memory: One day last winter, they took off to Walnut Mountain on a Friday afternoon after learning that snow was forecast. It snowed all day Saturday, and they woke up Sunday to 2 inches of snow.

"So we went out and played in the snow. It was the only snow we saw all year. It was ideal," Loretta said. "It was gone at 4 o'clock when we had to leave to go back home."

WALNUT MOUNTAIN RECENT SALES

The gated Ellijay community was first developed in the early '70s. It has approximately 370 homes on about 1,100 acres, according to the Walnut Mountain Property Owners Association. The development boasts four lakes, a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, nature trails and a campground. Homes and cabins range from $159,900-$799,900, and lots range from $8,500 to $405,000, said Scott Nichols, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker High Country Realty. Famous owners there include former President Jimmy Carter.

RECENT SALES

$165,500, 801 Skyview, July 2. Three-bedroom, two-bath home built in 1994 with features including a hot tub and pool table, and a stacked-stone fireplace.

RECENT LISTINGS

$159,900. Two-bedroom, one-bath 1980 home with a loft at 5 Hefner Trace, featuring an eat-in kitchen and new bathroom fixtures.

$799,900. Five-bedroom, 41/2-bath 2005 home at 221 Laurel Glen Drive, situated on 8.13 acres, with a slate floor entryway, honed granite kitchen countertops, Bosch appliances, a craft/hobby room and large porte cochere.

GETTING THERE

From downtown Atlanta, take I-75 north to I-575 north. Travel through Jasper, where the roadway will turn into Ga. 515. As you come into Ellijay, you will see a Wal-Mart on the right. At the next light, turn left. When you see a whole bunch of billboards, turn right onto Ga. 52 east. Travel 1.5 miles, and turn left onto Turniptown Road. Travel 3 miles and you will run into Walnut Mountain. A welcome station will be on the right.

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