Richard Weisser - Coweta Fayette Real Estate - Newnan homes for sale

I always enjoy taking photos of Newnan Georgia. The town is nearly pristine, with a real movie-set quality that takes you back forty years in time.

As a matter of fact, many movies and television shows have been shot on location here in Newnan. The TV series "October Road" actually showed some of my listings in the background! The latest is movie is Zombieland, starring Woody Harrelson which was filmed here earlier in the year and set for release on October 2, 2009!

Hollywood comes to Newnan for the small town charm and appeal. I photograph it for the same reason!

In part three of this series The Cataloochee Valley! we learned about an out-of-the-way valley that offers big rewards for those that venture there.

This is a series about accessibility in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I have saved the best for last. Just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and by far the most accessible way to get a true park experience is the The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail!

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a one way five mile auto trail through one of the most beautiful environments in the park. It's a terrific way to get inside the bowels of the geology of the park and see for yourself this ancient place carved from the mountain with the power of flowing water.

It is a cool and moist place, with beautiful forests, some overlooks, and incredible stream views. There are also several preserved historic structures along the route, so you'll want to make sure that you take a self-guided tour brochure with you. (available at the entrance to the trail.)

And although the speed limit is 10 m.p.h. you'll probably take several hours to complete the journey, because there is so much to see and experience. Be sure to roll down the windows and enjoy the fragrant perfume of the water drenched ecosystem around you.

You will also hear the crashing of the stream water over the rocks, and you'll quickly understand how the name "Roaring Fork" came into being! The sounds are incredible and calming, and a wonderful respite from town!

As you near the end of the route, you will come to the "Place of a Thousand Drips," which is an 80 foot waterfall which can very from drips in dry weather to a significant waterfall in wet weather. It's a great climax to your Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail experience!

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

There is a real estate company in the Newnan Georgia area that ramps up recruiting efforts every year at the time the Board of Realtors dues are collected.

Since this company is not a member of the board, the affiliated agents are not required to pay the annual fee that is used to fund all of the activities, amenities, and protections offered to Realtors.

There is nothing wrong with not being a member of the board if one chooses not to participate. That's a free choice and everyone is entitled to make there own decision.

What I find somewhat disingenuous is the fact that not participating in the board is presented to prospective agents as a perquisite and not a detriment.

What does that say about an agent that will change companies to save a mere dollar a day? How dedicated are they to the profession, to ethics, or to cooperative networking?

I know that times are tough these days, but the survival of the profession depends on the solidarity of the member boards across the land.

Realtor dues are cost of doing business. Without them, there might not be a business to worry about.

As fall starts to set in, the real estate market in my area of Newnan Georgia seems to be invigorated with new energy!

Whether it's due to the current tax refund that is available, or the terrific prices combined with low interest rates, the pool of buyers that are ready to commit to a purchase has grown exponentially over the last two weeks.

We have always been busy, now we are busy getting deals done. There's a different sense of urgency in the air that is calling bargain hunters to action!

And even though we have a full schedule this week, the new leads are flowing in and we are going to have to work really hard to accommodate everyone!

It's going to be very interesting ... and busy!

In part two of this series The Newfound Gap Overlook! we explored one of the high overlooks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In this chapter, we will visit the beautiful Cataloochee Valley in the Southeast quadrant of the park. And although it takes a little effort to get there, the rewards more than justify the nerve-testing drive along the narrow and windy roads that lead there.

Cataloochee is one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's hidden treasures.

But once you cross the divide and begin to descend into the valley, you leave the modern world behind and go back in time to the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. You will encounter open fields, historic structures and graveyards, and extraordinary wildlife viewing!

You first stop should be at the Cataloochee Overlook. From here you can see the entire valley, and the ridges of the Smoky Mountains in the distance.

As you continue down the road, there are several historic buildings that can be approached by auto. They are the Palmer House, Palmer Chapel, The Caldwell house and barn, and the Beech Grove School. All of these building are accessible with a short and level walk.

Beyond the school is the huge open meadow that is the best spot in the park for elk viewing. The elk herd that was reintroduced into the Smokies in the 1990's congregate here and delight the visitors that come to see them.

Early morning or late evening is the best time for elk viewing. You can easily do this from the comfort of your car or better yet, sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck. There is nothing quite like the sound of a bull elk bugling. It's an amazing thing to hear!

To get there take exit 20 of I-40 (U.S. 276 Cove Creek / Waynesville) and look for Cove Creek Road just south of the interchange. From here, you will take Cove Creek Road for a continuous climb over the divide.

The higher you get, the more narrow the road becomes, until it is a single lane gravel road that winds along a precipice. Drive slowly and carefully here, especially around the blind curves. Continue straight until you enter the park and eventually the road is paved again!