Coweta Fayette Real Estate & Newnan Homes for sale blog by Richard Weisser of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

O’ take me to my mountains
Where crystal rivers flow
And tumble past electric leaves
That emit October’s glow.

Sweet smells of Fall’s disrobing
Awaiting Winter’s blasts
'Tis nature's hued full glory
That merely weeks will last.
               (R Weisser 2011)

The fall leaf season is my favorite time of year. There is something exquisitely exciting about the finite nature of the season.

One cannot put off leaf-gazing as every day more and more tie-dyed tree feathers are dislodged by the first wafts of Winter’s onset and flitter to the earth.

So there is a sense of urgency that compels one to savor every second of the season until it is extinguished.

A photograph cannot capture the aromas of fallen leaves or the sounds of the wind rustling in the tree-tops. But we continually try in vain to successfully capture the splendor of the season.

Enjoy it while it lasts. It will soon be gone!

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com

There’s a place that beckons us and seizes our thoughts. And try as we might to ignore it, it calls to us during our hectic lives and interrupts our busy schedule.

It’s the stuff of daydreams and idleness, yet we cannot push the thoughts aside.

It is human nature to seek the shelter of comfort and refreshment, especially when the pressures of everyday life push us to the brink of exhaustion.

My “special place” is next to a cold rushing mountain stream in the midst of the forest.

The combination of the sounds of tumbling water, the chirping of the frogs and the birds, the wafting scent of the riverine dampness on the rocks and mosses, and the sight of dancing light bouncing on the ripples offer the cool refreshment that reinvigorates the spirit and frees the mind from all other distractions.

To me, sitting beside a mountain stream and taking it all in is Nirvana.

And just thinking about it isn’t all that bad either!

The calendar indicates that it is March, and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that means one thing:

Wildflowers!

Nature is a wondrous thing. The wildflowers of Spring have but a short time to complete their cycle of blooming and seed setting before the surrounding forest leafs out and blocks the life-giving rays of the sun from the understory of secondary growth.

These are not the delicate blooms of Summer, but rather a hardier lot that can withstand late frosts and even cold snow!

You can expect to see Fleabane, Spring Beauty, Dwarf Crested Iris and Trillium of every variety. If you are lucky you might spy a Showy Orchis or Dutchman’s Britches.

My favorite spots for Spring wildflowers are along Chasteen Creek in Smokemont, Deep Creek near Bryson City, and the Cove Hardwood Forest next to the Chimneys Picnic Area.

The park is less crowded in Spring, and it’s a great time to see some of the smaller flora up close and personal.

I highly recommend it to nature lovers everywhere!

Many Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitors spend at least part of their vacation in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Gatlinburg is an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, lodging and entertainment establishments.

The city enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the national park as it provides accommodations and meals for millions of tourists every year. This reduces the environmental impact on the park itself.

Since most businesses in town remain open until 11:00 P.M. there is a noticeable chill in the October air as the annual pilgrimage of leaf-lookers make their last walk up the neon-lit strip and head for their hotel rooms or rental cabins.

After over seventy years of welcoming part-time mountaineers, Gatlinburg has become a fall rite of passage for many visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

From crevice seeps an ice cold drip
That trickles swift to rivulet
Then tumbles crashing down its track
O’er rock, through sluice, down cataract
To quiet pools in lands below
Old Smokey’s deep and dark shadow.
                          (R. Weisser 2010)

There is nothing quite like sitting beside a rushing stream and listening to the “misic of the mountains.” And since the Great Smoky Mountains National Park averages nearly 85 inches of rain in the higher elevations, it is only a matter of time before the water goes somewhere!

That somewhere is down the mountain, cascading noisily down the steep slopes and collecting into ever bigger and bigger rivers until all waters from the Smokies make their way to the Great Valley of Tennessee, and then on to the Gulf of Mexico.

As one sits in the cool drafts of water chilled breezes, deafened by the song of the water, it is easier to realize that there are some things in the universe that are much greater than ourselves.

And that is a very comforting thought to have.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated on the spine of the Southern Appalachians, and receives an average of eighty-five inches of rain per year in the higher elevations.

This abundance of moisture not only supports an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, but also provides some dramatic vistas for park visitors.

It is not uncommon for travelers to become completely enveloped in clouds and haze as they traverse the high passages by automobile or while hiking along many of the many trails in the park.

It’s a place where the sky meets the earth, and where boundaries become obscured and overlap!

And it’s a sight to behold!

The question that I am asked most often about the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park is: When will the Autumn eaves be at their peak color?

There is no easy answer because there are many factors that affect fall leaf color in the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park. Temperature, rainfall, sunlight, elevation and species call all affect not only when the leaves begin to change, but how intense the colors will be and how long they will last.

But what I have learned over the thirty years or so that I have been taking photographs in the park is that you can find fall foliage somewhere within the confines of the park anytime from late September through early November.

Finding these “pockets” of color is somewhat akin to a treasure hunt, but there are “hotspots” that are generally dependable for fall leaf photography.

The Chimneys Trail, The Alum Cave Bluffs Trail, the Rainbow Falls Trail and other trails that have significant elevation changes are good bets, because the range of species is diverse along the way.

The key is to keep looking and to have fun. The Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park is one of the most photographed places in the world, for good reason!

There is something beautiful to experience around every bend in the path!

Autumn is just around the corner and that means many “leaf lovers” will be heading to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the annual display of brilliant Fall foliage.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a unique outdoor experience for visitors of every level of expertise and physical condition.

There is an extensive series of backcountry trails and campsites for those that really want to get back to nature and “rough it” and there are also auto trails where you can see the park up close and personal from the comfort of your car!

If you plan to hike anywhere in the park, be aware not only the length of the trail, but also the amount of elevation change and the terrain. Even a two mile hike can be strenuous if the trail is steep and rocky.

You can get maps and plenty of free advice at any one of the Park’s three visitor’s centers. The Oconaluftee Center is located just outside of Cherokee North Carolina, the Sugarlands Center is near Gatlinburg Tennessee, and the Cades Cove Center is located deep within one of the most popular areas in the Park.

The Visitor’s Centers will also offer relevant information about travel conditions, road closures, and wildlife activity. Chances are, you will encounter at least one black bear during your visit.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of greatest treasures of the Southeastern United States. I highly recommend to anyone for a truly memorable Fall vacation!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited park in the United States, That’s because over 2/3 if the country’s population live within a day’s drive from the park boundaries.

Summer visitors often take advantage of cooler temperatures in the higher elevations. The Balsam Mountain Campground is the highest in the park and at over 5000 feet in elevation provides pleasant sleeping conditions during the hot months.

And of course, one can wade in an icy cold mountain stream that will chatter the teeth and offset the blazing southern sun! Be please be careful while you are in the water, because the rocks can be slippery and water levels can change suddenly.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a favorite destination for many summer vacationers. Why not plan a trip to see for yourself?

I have some good friends that spent a long weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At some point, they decided that it would be nice to experience the park up close and personal with a hike to the very popular Abrams Falls in the Cades Cover area of the park.

It’s two and a half miles from the trailhead to the falls, and of course it’s exactly the same distance back to the parking area. And the trail is considered “moderate,” with some elevation changes, and the typical roots and rocks that you have to step over on mountain trails.

Many people that are unfamiliar with hiking mountain trails do not realize how long it can take to walk a mile, and that a five mile trip can be quite strenuous. Many fail to carry drinking water and blister patches and other hiking necessities.

And once you are two and a half miles from the car, there is no way back other than to retrace your steps and to keep your now exhausted body moving. The last mile is always the longest!

Preparation and proper dress are key to enjoying the park in the more remote areas. Dressing appropriately, having good hiking boots and adequate provisions will make the experience enjoyable instead of painful!

I know that next time, my friends will be better prepared. And I hope that their blisters heal soon!

Photos: Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com.

The flame upon the candlewick
On draughts aflutter pirouette
And waltz and reel to tempo quick
Then lay in wait for Winter’s breath.

                        R Weisser Oct. 2009

As another Autumn foliage season comes to a close, I begin to look back to all of the falls of my past with fond remembrance. It’s always been my favorite season.

Full of color, and football, and the smell of leaves and the tastes of apples and pumpkins! It’s the last hurrah of temperate weather before winter sets it, a time of warm days and cool, crisp evenings. A most pleasant time of year for both dreaming and reflection!

Each fall is different with it's own personality, and presents it's own special touches. As for me, I am going to observe, and taste and savor each offering of the season.

And enjoying every moment of it!

The Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the best day hikes for those seeking a mountain waterfall experience.

The hike is a pleasant five mile round-trip excursion that takes you alongside Abrams Creek through a deep hardwood and rhododendron forest. The well used trail offers a moderate amount of climbs over root, rocks and ridges, and can be a bit slippery after a rainfall, but should not be too strenuous for the average walker.

The highlight of the trail is the beautiful Abrams Falls. Although the falls are only twenty feet in height, they carry the highest volume of water of any waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

And the combination of large water volume, a beautiful deep pool below the drop, and relatively easy access make Abrams Falls one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Smokies.

Plan at least four hours for the complete trip as you'll want to stop and take photographs along the way. Those not used to trail hiking may also have to pause for brief rests here and there on some of the longer climbs. And of course, you'll want to linger at the falls to enjoy the sight, sound, and smell of this wonder of nature.

To get there from the Townsend Tennessee park entrance, take a right at "the wye" onto Laurel Creek Road. In seven miles, you will enter Cades Cove. The road becomes one way at this point, and you will have to drive five miles to the far side of the Cades Cove Loop. In times of high park usage, this can take up to an hour.

A short road will take you to the Abrams Falls Trail parking area, which can accommodate many automobiles. The trailhead is on the westernmost side of the lot.

Be sure to carry water and other necessities for the four hour round-trip. Also, be prepared to say "hello" to a lot of fellow park visitors, as the trail is heavily used during peak times.

If you only have time to take one hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Abrams Falls Trail is in the top five. It's a great way to experience what the park has to offer up close and personal!

Flutter and flurry and winter's chill
Toss fire-hued petals aloft until
The caress of earth,  then lay in place
For one last show of nature's grace!

                               R. Weisser 2009 

The one question that comes up the most this time of year is this: "Will it be a good leaf season?"

There are many scientific factors that affect leaf color. The amount of sunlight, recent rainfall, temperature and elevation can all affect leaf color.

But if there is one thing that I have learned over all of the years that I have been taking fall foliage photos is this: There is always good leaf color somewhere!

And like any good treasure hunter, I seek to find the caches of color wherever they may be!

It's a ritual of autumn that I have repeated every year for more than I care to remember.

And it's what I look forward to every year!

There is always a lot of confusion about how to correctly spell the word "smoky." Or is it "Smokey?" You see it spelled both ways so often because it is actually the correct spelling of the word either way!

But if you are referring to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is only one official way to spell the word, and that is with no "E" included. Now you can call them the the Smokey Mountains, as do many of the locals, especially on the North Carolina side.

But the more prevalent Tennessee spelling is "Smoky" and was chosen as the official adjective of the park!

Perhaps it was a cost saving measure. The elimination of all of those "E's" over all those years must have saved a small fortune on signage and printing costs. I mean, that could be millions of "E's" saved over all of the years since the park was dedicated.

And when you think about it, it's not smoke at all. It's mist, or fog, or ozone and other greenhouse gases being emitted from the foliage. But the Cherokee named the range Shaconage which roughly translates to the place of blue smoke.

Or it could be equally translate as the place of blue mist, or blue greenhouse gases. Who knows, but it sure is a beautiful place!

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com, but if you type "smokeyphotos.com it will work just fine!

In mid to late October, the fall foliage colors will peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nearly two million visitors will travel to the Park to experience the most colorful season of the year!

In addition to autumn leaf color, fall is also a great time for wildlife viewing. Visitors are treated to deer, bear and elk in their natural habitats. A lucky few will see wolves, coyotes or bobcats too.

And although the park is crowded, there are still quiet places to get away from all of the hustle and bustle of the myriad of tourists. There are many less traveled trails and nature paths that can bring you face to face with the beauty of creation.

It's my favorite place in the world. It renews my spirit and revitalizes my soul!

Fall foliage photos in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com

It has been an interesting and controversial weekend. I have engaged in mental sparring with a lot of people that are much smarter than me, and it has taken its toll!

My ability to move quickly on my feet has diminished with each passing year. It is a new world, completely different from the one I grew up in so many years ago.

The best part the passing of time, though, is that each year the Great Smoky Mountains revert one year more back to a more pristine state. In the nearly forty years that I have frequented the park, the changes are dramatic.

The trees are bigger, the balds are grown over, and the overall look and feel is more natural and serene.

Have a great day!

Photos courtesy of Smokyphotos

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a popular and pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of busy downtown Gatlinburg. Although it takes just minutes to get there from the heart of town, the visitor is transported to a completely different time and place!

The fifteen mile, one way loop is not well-suited for those on a tight schedule. You will rarely be able to maintain the 10 mph speed limit, and you will be compelled to stop the car many times to get out and experience the ancient stream bed and the verdant forest.

There are some overlooks with good views, but this trail is more about Roaring Fork itself. It is a world of rocks and moisture and moss and shade loving plants. You are likely to spot a deer, or if you are really fortunate and observant, a black bear!

A few brave settlers once built small hardscrabble farms along this watercourse, and a few structures have been preserved here in an effort to depict what life was like in the time before the national park was established.

But the journey here is about the theater of the forest, the fragrance of the firmament, and the music of the cascading stream. It's a sensory explosion that overwhelms even the most citified sojourner and beckons them to stay and enjoy a long draught of primeval essence!

To get there from Gatlinburg, simply take Airport Road and follow straight into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and then follow the signs to the trailhead.

Photos Top: Roaring Fork, Bottom" "The Place of a Thousand Drips" courtesy of SmokyPhotos.com

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!

The black bear is the most popular and sought-after photography subject in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park visitors all want to catch a glimpse of the large mammals, and will cast reason and good sense aside in order to land a "trophy" photo.

But black bears are wild animals. The park is not a zoo, but a habitat. A she-bear with cubs is a wondrous sight, but she will defend her offspring with her life, and will attack if she feels threatened.

In 2009, park officials have indicated that extraordinarily large black bear populations have led to an increased number of incidents with visitors. Some back country campsites and trails have been closed as a result.

The good news is that you'll have an excellent chance of seeing a bear during a visit to the park this year. The bad news is that you may become involved in a bear "incident" if you are not wary. Always keep in mind:

1. Bears are large and powerful animals and can cause serious injury or death.
2. Bears are attracted by improperly stored food or improperly disposed of garbage.
3. Bears with cubs are the most likely to act aggressively.
4. Feeding a bear can be a death sentence for the animal. Bears that become "nuisance" bears often have to be destroyed.
5. Keep a respectful distance from bears. You are a guest in their world.
6. Some people just don't get it. Report violators to park rangers.

And finally, make one of the three park visitor's centers your first stop on your next visit. Get the very latest information about active areas and closures. A little information and a lot of common sense go a long way towards a safe park experience.

And you just might save a bear's life by doing so!

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!

Marketing is a strange and fickle paramour. When approached in a conventional manner, it may or may not respond in the way that is expected. Sometimes exercising a little more effort and creativity than the norm is required.

A case in point is the famous "See Rock City" barns and birdhouses. The marketing program was instituted in the middle of the Great Depression as a way of promoting a tourist attraction on Lookout Mountain Tennessee.

The concept was simple. Rock City would paint a barn for free. Not just any barn, but one that was prominent alongside a well traveled highway. The farmer ended up with a freshly panted barn and Rock City wound up with a durable billboard. The result was a true win-win for both parties.

And a marketing legend was born. The Rock City Barns are considered one of the most ingenious marketing plans ever set into place. And as a result, the attraction remains in operation to this day!

The upshot of all of this is that there is always room for innovation in marketing. And while the tried and true methods may be adequate to maintain market share, it may take a bit more creativity to take a business to the next level.

Who knows, the next great marketing legend is out there somewhere. I wonder what they will come up with next!

Learn more about Rock City.

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!

The Cherokee people called the Great Smoky Mountains "Shaconage," or "place of blue smoke."  It is a place of remarkable natural beauty, incredible views, and sparkling streams.

It is an ancient place, created by the cataclysmic collision of the continents which forced the formation of the tallest mountains on earth. But because these are also among the oldest peaks on the planet, they have been worn down and eroded over millions of years into their present state.

So although they are no longer the tallest or the biggest mountains in the world, they remain among the most beautiful.

Photos courtesy of Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.com

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!