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

Take a summer break at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

A cool stream in Take a summer break at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!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?

Summer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Five miles is a long way on a steep and rocky trail! Always be prepared while you are enjoying the outdoors.

 

Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkI 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!

Abrams Falls in Cades Cove Great Smoky Mountains

Photos: Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Some personal thoughts as the 2009 fall season is drawing to a close. It’s a great time of year!

Fall color in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe 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!

Fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular waterfall hike!

Abrams Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe 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.

The Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlan 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!

Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The most often asked non-real estate related question that I get asked every year. Can you guess what it is?

Autumn leaves in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFlutter 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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Why is it spelled "Smoky" instead of :Smokey?"

The Great Smoky Mountains National park is Shaconage or the place of blue smokeThere 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!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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

 

 

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Fall Foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Another not so wordless weekday!

Fall filiage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 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!

Brillian autumn leaves in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Autumn in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fall foliage photos in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 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 Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

This battle weary blogger needs a break, so here are some nice Great Smoky Mountain photos for the day!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard WeisserIt 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!

The Chimneys Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oconaluftee River in the Great Smoky MountainsNewfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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.

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Roaring Fork by Richard WeisserThe 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!

Place of a Thousand Drips by Richard WeisserA 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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Black Bear activity has intensified in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's a great time to see bears ... if you play it safe!

Black Bear in the Great Smoky Mountains have increased in populationThe 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.

Black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard WeisserAnd 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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Sometimes thinking outside the box can create a marketing legend. The Rock City Barns.

See Rock City Barn painted along Highway 411Marketing 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.

See Rock City BirdhouseAnd 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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The Great Smoky Mountains, the "Place of Blue Smoke!" Another not so wordless weekday!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard WeisserThe 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

Gatlinburg Sunrise by Richard Weisser

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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The John Oliver Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park -Club Chaos Eye Candy

John Oliver CabinThe John Oliver Cabin is a pioneer log cabin located in Cades Cove, which now lies within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Unlike the national parks in the west, which were platted out from government lands, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was once thousands of parcels of land, owned by many title holders.

In order to establish the park, many parcels were purchased, and some had to be condemned. A lucky few, including some Cades Cove residents, were awarded lifetime leases and were able to remain in their homes until the day they died.

And so, the families that built these strong cabins and used the fertile cove for farming and sustenance, eventually yielded their properties for the public good, And today, over eleven million visitors come to the Great Smoky Mountains every year, and most of them make their way to Cades Cove to have a look at how life used to be in the mountains!

I'll bet John Oliver never would have believed that his cabin would be visited 190 years after it was constructed! It has served as both a landmark for visitors, and as a monument to those hardy souls that eked out a living on the early frontier!

Learn More about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at SmokyPhotosBlog.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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

The Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Club Chaos Eye Candy

The Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkTo climb o'er root and rock aloft
Through rhododendron tunnel shafts
Creation's ancient crevice seeps
Along the way to Chimney's peaks.
                              ( R Weisser )

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited National Park in the system. It lies within a day's drive of half of the population of the United States.

The park is designated as an international biosphere preserve and contains a wide variety of flora and fauna specimens.

Rock outcropping on the Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkOf all of the mountain peaks in the park, none are more easily recognized that the Chimney Tops. The Chimneys owes their name to chimney like stone outcropping at the top of the mountain. From these rocks, you get a spectacular 360 degree view of the Tennessee side of the National Park.

The Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most popular in the park. The 4 mile round trip hike takes you on a 1500' climb to the 4730' summit. Although steep in a few places, and occasionally slippery in spots, the average family in decent shape can do the hike in about 3 hours.

Even if you're not up for a hike to the top, there are plenty of excellent vantage points for photographing the famous peaks. Be sure to use the pull-outs and always watch for traffic as this is a very congested are in the park.

To get there, take US 441 ( The Newfound Gap Road) south from the Sugarlands Visitor's Center. When you pass the Chimneys Picnic area on the right, continue south until you go through the tunnel. As soon as you get through the tunnel, the trail head is on your right.

The Chimney tops are truly a Smokies' landmark. Be sure to include a hike to the summit the next time you visit Gatlinburg Tennessee!

Photos, from top: The Chimeys in Autumn, Rock outcropping on the peak, foliage along the Chimney Tops Trail, looking from the tall Chimney to the lower one, the Chimneys in the morning!

The Chimney Tops Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Looking from one Chimney to the next in the Great Smoky Mountains.!The Chimney Tops in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Learn More about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at SmokyPhotosBlog.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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Spring is just Autumn is reverse, and very often there are unique photographic opportunities that are overlooked!

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotosWhen we think of spring and photography, we usually think about all of the wonderful and colorful blooms that burst forth in our neighborhood. It is truly beautiful and I take as many photos of flowers in spring as I can.

But some years back, I also noticed that trees had a unique quality during the leafing process. As they initially set their seeds, they assume autumn-like hues for a very short period of time.

They can appear red, orange and yellow with a translucent quality that is very conducive to photography. The film photograph in this article, which appears at first glance to be taken in October, was actually taken in April 2000!

So while you're out getting your spring flower photographs, why not take a second look at the trees?

After all, they only change colors TWICE a year!

Photo: Deer browsing in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park 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 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!

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Another not so wordless weekday ... the unparalleled beauty of mountain streams!

Smoky Mountain Stream by Richard WeisserThere is something extraordinary about an Eastern Mountain Stream. The swift waters tumble and careen over rounded boulders that have been smoothed after eons of erosion.

The rivulets flow cold and clear, rife with fish and salamanders and other aquatic creatures that depend on the continuous flow of sustenance. Plants thrive in the luxuriant and moist environment of the stream bed and animal are attracted to both drinking water and plentiful fodder in stream locales.

Although these photos capture some of the visual beauty of the mountain stream, they are a poor substitute for the actual sight of the splashing, dancing torrents sparkling in dappled sunlight. Nor can they convey the fresh organic perfume of the river valley, or the cacophony of sounds generated by the splashing and crashing of liquid over stone!

And although a photo of water cannot refresh the body, it can certainly rejuvenate the spirit!

Smoky Mountain River by Richard Weisser

Great Smoky Mountain Stream by Richard Weisser

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 Lake West Point Lots.

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Another not so wordless weekday ... Wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park features some of the highest peaks in the Appalachians, as well as a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna. The Park also offers some of the largest stands of virgin forests in the Eastern United States.

And because the park is within a day's drive of 50% of the country's population, it is the most visited national park in the system. Now is the time to plan your Spring Wildflower pilgrimage to the park, with late March and early April being the peak time for seeing the most blooms!

Fleabane Daisy in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser

Wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser

White Trillium in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser

All 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 Lake West Point Lots.

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Marked indelibly on a cookie box? Yes, it's another strange but true fact!

Wildlife Cookie Company Cookie Box with photos by Richard WeisserA few years ago, a teacher named Ken Smith was spending his summer working in the gift shop at Yellowstone National Park. One of the items they sold there were the circus animal cookies that are so popular with children.

Ken thought that it was silly to sell cookies depicting giraffes, lions and tigers at Yellowstone. He thought that the cookies should depict bears, elk, bison and other Yellowstone creatures instead, and have an Yellowstone theme instead of a circus carton.

When he discovered that there were no such products on the market, he started the Wildlife Cookie Company to fill the niche. The first product he released was indeed based on animals in Yellowstone, and the cookies were a success. The company then made the decision to branch out into other National Parks, with a unique product for each area.

So when they decided to do a Great Smoky Mountains cookie box, our lives crossed. Ken contacted me and asked if I would provide the photos for the product container. I was only too happy to comply, and about six months later, the cookies appeared in gift shops and concession stands both in an out of the Park.

So if you are visiting the Smokies, and if you buy a souvenir cookie box, look on the back! If you look at the Clingman's dome observation tower very closely, you can see my wife waving at me! She has been immortalized forever in the sphere of animal cookiedom.

Now, how many people can say that? And the point of all of this? If you have a good idea ... run with it!

For more information visit the Wildlife Cookie Company 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 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

I need a breather. And I want to breathe the best air in the world! And that means the Great Smoky Mountains!

Great Smoky MountainsEvery October I take several trips to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park to photograph the change of the seasons. In the Southeast, the mountains and autumn are intrinsically intertwined. The brilliant leaf color, the cooler temperatures, and the abundance of visible wildlife all contribute to a rejuvenating experience.

And it's not just the sights that draw me either. It's the smell of the new fallen leaves, the autumn blooming flowers and the fragrance of the cascading brooks and rivers. Every breath recharges and renews, and goes deep within the spirit.

And there are fall tastes as well. Anything apple: apple cider, apple fritters and fried apple pies! In the south, we also enjoy a big sack of boiled peanuts while we are on the road. The best are made in a big black kettle over an open fire. The mountains are also associated with huge country breakfasts of ham, eggs, hash browns, grits, biscuits and lots of gravy! Oh and pancakes too, we mustn't forget the pancakes.

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkBut, sad to say, this year might be different. Downturns in the real estate market have made discretionary cash very limited. It is also unnerving to "hit the road" with an uncertain supply of gasoline. In our part of the country, only one in twelve stations have gasoline to sell, and when you get it, it's a long wait at the pump.

And two years of drought have taken their toll. The water level in the streams and rivers is very low, sometimes just a trickle. Also, the drought makes the leaves a little browner and a lot less colorful. Not only is that bad for the vegetation and the ecosystem, is isn't the best scenario for the dedicated photographer.

I will find a way, somehow, to make my annual treks. It's the only way I can revitalize my spirit! I must. I need to breathe!

Photos 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 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 2003-2008.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and Lake West Point Lots.

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

Gatlinburg Tennessee Tourist Information.

GatlinburgWelcome to Gatlinburg Tennessee, the gateway to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg is just over a mile from the Sugarlands Visitors Center and offers all of the creature comforts sought after by area travelers.

Gatlinburg offers accommodations of every kind from simple motel rooms, suites, condos and cabins to deluxe upscale mountainside homes with spectacular views and every conceivable amenity.

Gatlinburg also offers a smorgasbord of food options, from fine dining on locally raised trout to fast food. There is truly something for every taste and preference, and choosing can be one of you toughest decisions of the day!

Gatlinburg offers shops and boutiques galore, and you can spend days here without visiting the same store twice. No trip to the Smoky Mountains is complete without an evening spent shopping in downtown Gatlinburg.

Downtown GatlinburgHere are some helpful links:

Gatlinburg - Official site of Gatlinburg and the Chamber of Commerce, Start you online research here!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park -  NPS Site.

Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community - Local crafts and regional art.

Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Bureau.

SmokyPhotos - Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and surrounding area!

Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor
Era United Realty, Newnan Georgia, Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc.
Serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Meriwether, South Fulton, Pike and Spalding Counties
770-827-6225, 770-683-8400 X364, 770-683-8401 (FAX)
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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, Inc. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2008.

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 Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 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! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225