A mountain cabin with glowing energy

“About three times a year we’d go up to the north Georgia mountains and rent a cabin. Late one afternoon, we were in the hot tub of a rental cabin and it started snowing. That’s when we decided it would be nice to have a cabin of our own,” said Lisa Duncan of Marietta.

Her husband Chris is partner in Mercer, a health and benefits brokerage, and Lisa’s business is WillowBridge Integrative Health Coach. They were ready for a place to unwind.

The couple spent a year looking for something comparable to that rental cabin. After looking around, they realized a house that size would have to be put on a rental program to be affordable. That’s when they decided a smaller home would suit their needs. A patient real estate agent, Linda Clements of Harry Norman, Realtors, helped them make the transition in their search and on their first trip to see smaller homes, they found their cabin.

“It was love at first sight,” said Duncan.

Positive glowing energy: “When we arrived, the sun was shining on the gate with wonderful warm glow, and the whole place has a positive energy that we attribute to the previous owner,” said Duncan. “The house was in our price range, was extremely well-maintained and came fully furnished. The incredible view from the three decks was the final selling point.”

Close to home: The Duncans, including sons Jake and Matthew and their Australian Shepherd, Oreo, make the trip from Marietta in about an hour and 20 minutes. “It’s a great place for the boys to take their friends, and we try to get up there at least every other weekend,” said Duncan. “Even if we can’t be up there Friday through Sunday, we go up just for an overnight stay.” They purchased the cabin last May, and have been using it even more often than they thought they would.

Perfect for friends and family: “We love sharing it with our friends and our family. I’ve had girls’ weekends there; we have co-workers who are welcome to use it even if we’re not there. One of the real positive things is being able to share it,” said Duncan.

A place to relax: “We’ve been working on little projects, but mostly we just enjoy the peace and quiet. We sit on the deck and watch the sunrise and the sunset. The view is wonderful, and sometimes we just sit out there and listen to the birds,” she said. Plans for the future include hiking and kayaking, but for now, just relaxing is the satisfaction enough.

The cabin sleeps six: The cabin’s main level features a family room with stone fireplace and vaulted ceiling, a master bedroom and bath and the eat-in kitchen. Downstairs there’s a landing that’s been turned into a reading nook, and the stairs lead to another full size bedroom with bath and the laundry room. Even that bedroom has a view of the mountains and a stone fireplace. One deck is screened and is now home for a hot tub, another deck is covered and holds the grill, and there’s a little deck off the upstairs bedroom with a view of the woods. Swings hang from the ceilings of all the porches.

Getting there

From downtown Atlanta: Take I-75 north to Exit 268 (I-575/Ga. 5 north). It’s approximately 70 miles to Blue Ridge from this point.

Community information

Winter is a good time to buy in the north Georgia mountains says Rachel Callihan of Harry Norman, Realtors, in Blue Ridge. Fewer shoppers mean sellers may be more motivated to make a deal.

“And once you come up here, you’re likely to catch what I call the ‘Blue Ridge Bug’. You step into this world and you forget about the hardships of life at home,” says Callihan. Shopping and dining are always popular in the area; the Blue Ridge Community Theater will be performing "Caught in the Net" February 11 through March 6. Cold weather doesn’t stop folks from enjoying the outdoors. Many still go horseback riding and hiking so they can enjoy the winter scenery.

Winter is also a great time to go fishing in the mountains. Linda Clements, realtor with Harry Norman, Realtors, is a certified fishing guide as well as a Realtor. “Now is the best time to catch a trophy brown trout,” she says. “Winter is spawning time for brown trout and Southern brook trout and that makes them more frisky. Just be sure to dress warmly.”

Information:

www.HarryNormanBlueRidge.com

www.blueridgemountains.com

www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com

For sale

$185,000: 15 Morning View Drive, Blue Ridge. Three bedroom, two bath ranch in Blue Ridge Village retirement homes community. All-one level living, less than 2 minutes from medical facilities, grocery store, dining and shopping. Monthly yard maintenance, club house with activities, fitness center included in amenities.

$199,000: 165 Oak Ridge, Blue Ridge. Two-bedroom two-bath new construction log-faced cabin in Chestnut Hills subdivision. Over two acre lot with year-round views, full finished basement, wrap around porches on two level.s