Linda Carrig

Times are slow ,I realize, around the water cooler, but irregardless, now truly is the time to select that perfect business retreat that you can use for work seminars and possibly rent when not in use to off set the expenses. Big Canoe is the perfect location for just that! Not only do we have multiple properties to choose from , the community is loaded with amenities to entertain and challenge any corporate gatherings. The home located at 8220 Wilderness Pkwy is in the heart of Big Canoe and fills the bill for corporate functions or resort living. The home has 4 bedrooms, each with private bath and deck. The huge open kitchen has been updated with granite counter tops and new appliances. A massive deck with hot tub wraps around the entire rear of the home and overlooks the 6th hole on the Cherokee Golf Course. The property comes with 3 full acres but is surrounded by 8 addditional acres of green space and the golf course. It is only 3 minutes from the newly built Club House and Pro Shop / Golf Courses and 4 minutes from the Fitness Center, indoor/outdoor Pools and 10 Tennis Court, two of which are indoors for year round playing. The home has two conference rooms on the Terrace level with full Bath and private deck. There is a functional wet bar in the areas also and lots and lots of windows...no dull, dark meetings need to take place here! The home is offered for $599,900 but rumor has it that the owner will negotiate a lower price if pressed!

Think about it! All that Big Canoe has to offer and a tax break! Things really are looking up for Corporate America!

Fall is in the air and it is Party Time in North Georgia Mountain's premier resort/home area of Big Canoe, Georgia. Not only is the sun finally shining after weeks of rain and gloom, but the leaves have survived and are still around to display their gorgeous hues! The air is crisp, the views extrodinary and the colors brilliant! Welcome to the world of Big Canoe! I love waking up to such a clalidiscope of colors and look forward to hiking around a Big Canoe lake with woman's best friend! Big Canoe is a community of roughly 2600 families, divided up into about 10 neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has a party or get together for its members. This week is McElroy Mountain's bash at the new Club House of Big Canoe. We will be catching up with old friends and making new, while dining on delightful entrees from our impressive chef. I am so looking forard to this fete, and will probalby have to log a few more miles to repair the damage from the fun! See more pictures at WWW.SimplyScenicHomes.com

I've been on this for a while, but Truth in MLS keeps lifting its ugly head! And I do mean UGLY! These are actual occurrences! Names have not been changed because there are NO innocents! In the public remarks it clearly says (in caps too!)...in-ground pool and gazaboo(sic) a little TLC. See for yourself!

I'm no Bob Vila, but even I know that this is NOT TLC! I really think that we can do better representing our listing by being truthful. Eventually people are going to find out the ugly truth when they arrive on site. This also brings up communication. We MUST talk to the Listing Agents before showing and get the scoop before subjecting our clients to often times unhealthy situations. Previewing is becoming more mandatory in these days of anything goes advertising and deplorable homes on the market. There; I am finished!

The rains and gloom have finally ended; didn't think that I would ever say that again after 2-3 years of drought! But it is magnificent today! This is one of the many reasons that I love living up here in the North Georgia Mountains! I really like the west side on the state, which is where Jasper, Ellijay and Big Canoe are located. The traffic getting here is a small per percentage of what is seen over on the east side of the state, for one reason and that is a big one for me! Going up I-85 or I-985 is so nerve racking and dangerous! The ADP 515 which begins life as I-575 is a walk in the park comparably speaking. Traffic matters, it sets the tone for your mountain experience. Sitting in traffic for an extra hour or two will deter you from making the trip another time. We come to the mountains to de-stress, not get crazy getting here!

The Wild Turkey's are out in force, strutting their stuff! The Cardinals never looked to good, so bright and healthy. Haven't had a bear sighting yet, but on a still evening I think that I hear them calling...either that or it is an owl, I'm never real sure! I love having to deal with these problems!

My husband just completed a course here at Big Canoe to be support to the firefighters in this area. He, with the Broker of All Mountain Realty, even has a Fireman's uniform and let me tell you it is HOT! Actually, both ways!

Often people are not happy that the fire protection is so limited in the more rural area, so this is away to solve some of that concern. There are many people, both men and women, that have volunteered their time and backs to help when disaster strikes in Big Canoe, this is just one of the ways. Rural living brings out the best in people, everyone stops looking to someone else to solve a problem, they pretty much roll up their sleeves and pitch in. The barn raising mentality, I suppose. Mike is to go out, if available, for any fire in Big Canoe and if needed in Pickens and Dawson County. This is like the firefighters that you see on TV that are fighting those terrible California fires! Areas could not possibly staff enough people for any real disasters, so they share and use volunteers to augment.

Last year we had no fires in Big Canoe. Most of our fires come from poorly maintained chimneys and we have seen a real upswing in the use of chimney sweeps! That's such good news! But our community is ready, if needed, with a very handsome bunch of capable, prepared Firefighters!