On Memorial Day, Michael and Lora Rust celebrated five years in their vacation home in Cherry Log. Michael, 50, is an attorney with Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske. Lora, 46, is a potter who sells her work through Multitudes Gallery in Blue Ridge.

How often can they get there? It's 90 miles from the Rusts' home in Morningside and takes them about 90 minutes to travel. They try to go at least once a month. "During the summer we get there twice a month, and sometimes it's every weekend," says Michael. "We don't get up there as often in the winter."

Photos by CHRISTOPHER OQUENDO / Special (ENLARGE)

Lora and Michael Rust sit amid the peace and quiet of the North Georgia mountains, a quality 'we really appreciate,' says Michael.

(ENLARGE)

Windows bring the outside in at the Rusts' home in Cherry Log. There are three decks: One wraps around the main level.

Finding their spot: "We started with the idea of finding something close enough that we could be there in two hours or less," says Michael. "We had read about Blue Ridge, and we started looking in the area, but didn't see anything we liked or could afford. Finally we ended up buying a lot and building our house." Lora adds, "We didn't want a house in the woods, we wanted a view. We drove up one day and found this 4-acre lot with a view of the Cohutta Wilderness, and it just felt right."

Building their home: Lora says, "It took about 8 months to build our four-bedroom, three-bath home with full finished daylight basement." Michael adds, "There's a living/dining/kitchen space, two fireplaces and a deck off the master bedroom upstairs. We have a wraparound deck on the main level, and a deck off the basement, too."

Spending their time: "We don't do a whole lot up here," says Michael. "Everything's pretty hectic with two teenage daughters, Allie, 16, and Hunter, 13, so it's just a good place to get away. The girls bring their friends and just vegetate. It's a good way to get them up there with us. We finally put in satellite television so I can watch sports, and we have a pool table and a hot tub." Lora adds, "It's a great place to be together and have real time with the children."

Time on the lake: "In the summer we go down to Lake Blue Ridge where we keep a pontoon boat on the lake. Although the area is becoming more populated, since so much of the land is owned by the National Forest Service, it stays peaceful and quiet up there. That's one of the things we really appreciate," says Michael.

CHERRY LOG

Realtor Rachel Callihan of Georgia Mountain and Lake Properties says, "Don and Brenda Regan of Metro Brokers GMAC report that the median price for a residence in Fannin County for the first quarter in 2008 was $180,000, the lowest in three years. Local closing attorney Terry Lee Wilson says that though there are more lookers right now, getting to the actual closing table has been more challenging, as lender requirements are in flux. All-cash buyers definitely have the upper hand. Buyers are seeing the best pricing in years for Fannin County."

The Rust family cabin is located on Granny Callihan Mountain, named after Nancy Rebeccah, a nurse in the 1800s who used to walk every day over the mountain to take food and medicine to neighbors in Sugar Creek. The level trails she traveled are still enjoyed today by riders on horseback and the neighbors who frequent the trails. With an elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, those on the mountain have phenomenal views of Tennessee, North Carolina and the Cohuttas.

Recent sales in the area:

377 Memory Lane; three-bedroom, three-bath, 1.5 acres, mountain views; closed in April, $279,000

1583 Cashes Valley Lane; two-bedroom, two-bath cabin on 1.34 wooded acres; closed in September 2007, $190,000

Lot 270, High Cashes Valley Road; three-bedroom, three-bath cabin on a pond, 1.9 acres; closed in August 2007 for $285,000

For more information, vacation@ajchomefinder.com with the details of your home and include some family snapshots that really show it off.

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