More Summer fun in the mountains! Is there anything better in the summer than a day at the Amusement Park? Lets head over to  Lake Winnepesaukah  in Chattanooga, TN. Named for a Native American word meaning "bountiful waters" or "beautiful lake of the highlands," Lake Winnepesaukah is a great place for a day of fun for the whole family. With over eighty-six years of history and excitement, Lake Winnepesaukah is dedicated to providing a family fun atmosphere that’s close to home and at a price the average family can afford. And that's exactly what we experienced when our family spent the day there too. Plenty of rides for the young to old. Paddle boats, games, playground, music, performances, free parking, lots of shade and a mini water park to cool off too. Good food or you can even bri... 06/29/2012

Fun Summer Things to do in the Mountains         Start planning your get-away to the Mountains of western NC, north GA and east TN. There are so many things for the whole family to enjoy so start planning now...     Whether your idea of a good time is whitewater rafting, a round of golf, a hike in the woods, or taking a quilting class, our great town of  Murphy, NC and the surrounding western NC, north GA and east TN mountain areas have just what you're looking for - no matter what gorgeous season we're in.  Start planning your next visit soon!     ATV - OHV fun in the Mountains    Beasley Knob and Davenport Mountain are two of the ATV and OHV trails here in the mountains. Lots of outdoor adventure activities so check out these trails.     Cades Cove    Interestingly, this area called C... 06/28/2012

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Celebrating Log Cabin Day in the Murphy, NC mountains! Log Cabin Day celebrates what was then the "Modern" home in America, and all of the lifestyle that accompanied it. Today on June 25th,  celebrate the day and appreciate the history and significance of log cabins. A great way to do that is visit them at a historical museums today, or sometime this summer head over to the western NC, north GA or east TN mountains!Log Cabin Day brings you back to a quieter, simpler, more rugged era. A couple hundred years ago, life was far more rugged. They built their homes out of logs. These log cabins were solid, long lasting, and served them well. Heat was provided by an open fireplace, where they also cooked their meals. Need air conditioning in the summer? Just open the window (there wasn't any g... 06/24/2012

 Looking for a great way to cool off in the Murphy, NC mountains? First, you'll need to pick one of the great rivers here in the surrounding western NC, north GA and east TN mountains. Next thing is to pick one of the many Rafting Companies along that river and you’re all set. How easy is that? The more the merrier so grab a few friends or meet some new ones as you white water down the cool and refreshing rivers.The perfect way to cool off in the summer mountains! Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team  www.LeeAndCarol.com 06/24/2012

We live in such a beautiful and abundant place! Be thankful and remember all the beauty and blessings we have no matter what state you live in. We are truly fortunate with opportunities and unlimited possibilities. Who knows what each new day has in store for us? The Murphy NC mountains are such a beautiful place to live!  If you're searching for a get-away cabin, land, lake front, or to make that move into your dream home, let us show you what the beautiful western North Carolina, north Georgia and east Tennessee mountains have to offer you too. Lee & Carol Barbour    www.MountainLivingTeam.com 06/23/2012

Thankful Thursday in the Murphy, NC mountains... We are so thankful for being surrounded with the fields, woods and creek beds that offer plenty of varieties of wildflowers here in the Murphy, NC mountains. Many have several names that they go by and there are just as many old-timey folk remedies that go along with them too. But most of all, we enjoy the beauty and diversity they offer and the perfect wildflower bouquets they make in every season.   Summer Wildflower Favorites Catawba Rhododendron: June 1-June 20 Viper's Bugloss: June 1-June 30 Beardtongue: June 1-July 5 Sundrop: June 1-June 21 Goat's Beard: June 7-June 21 American Elder: June 10-July 5 Coreopsis: June 15- August 5 Fragrant Thimbleberry: June 21-July 30 White Rhododendron: June 25- July 14 Sourwood: June 25-July 15 Beeb... 06/21/2012

What to do on the First Day of Summer in Murphy, NC and how to enjoy it. Summer Solstice - longest day of the year starts today, June 20, 2012. Here in Murphy, NC its been feeling a little like summer these last few days, but today is the official start of Summer.So what are some of the great things to do in Murphy, NC this Summer, you ask?How about cooling off in the many lakes and rivers with these wet n’ wild water Outdoor Activities in the Mountains. We’ve got white water rafting, tubing, boating and all kinds of activities to keep you entertained and cool this summer.Now grab those hiking boots, walking stick and camping gear for some of the best trails and scenery that the whole family will enjoy for Hiking & Camping in the Mountains.And on those days that you want to pack up the ... 06/19/2012

What does Nantahala mean?  If you keep seeing words like Nantahala and aren’t sure how to pronounce them or where it came from, you’re not alone. Many of the names you’ll see and hear in the western NC mountains come from the Cherokee.  The Nantahala National Forest was established in 1920 under authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. This act provided authority to acquire lands for national forests to protect watersheds, to provide timber, and to regulate the flow of navigable streams.  The forest took its name from the Cherokee word nondayeli, meaning "noonday sun." The Cherokee word is appropriate because of the number of steep gorges in the forest where the sun only reaches to the valley floor at midday.    Nantahala National Forest is the largest of the four national forests in the state ... 06/18/2012

Happy Fathers Day 2012 Thank you to all the Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles and Father Figuresout there that make such a difference in our lives!  Father's Day in the United States is on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children's lives. Its origins may lie in a memorial service held for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in 1907. 06/17/2012

There are so many places in western NC and the surrounding GA and TN mountains around us to enjoy fishing. Favorites are largemouth and smallmouth bass, striper, crappie, catfish and trout. in our pristine lakes, rivers and creeks.On March 31, 2012, seventeen-year-old Tyler Shields of Murphy, NC thought he was fishing for largemouth bass when he headed out with friends to Hiwassee Lake. What he boated instead was a 66-pound striped bass that shattered the state’s freshwater record - and topped by 2 pounds the North Carolina saltwater striper record as well.Besides all the rivers and creeks around these mountain roads, we have eight lakes within about 30-45 minutes or so to choose from for a great day of fishing. In North Carolina we have Apalachia 1,100 acres, Chatuge 7,200 acres, Font... 06/16/2012

Thankful Thursday is the perfect time to observe Flag Day here in the western Murphy, NC mountains. You’ll see flags proudly displayed throughout the year here in our small communities and businesses, but in June and July Old Glory waves freely! Remembering how our great country started and the sacrifices so many have made to keep us all safe and free.Have you ever wondered how Flag Day got started... On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each state. Although it is not certain, this flag may have been made by the Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross, who was an official flag maker for the Pennsylvania Navy.  The number o... 06/14/2012

What to do in downtown Murphy, NC...the Historical MuseumIf you're in downtown Murphy, NC you won't want to miss stopping in the Cherokee County Historical Museum!  You can't miss the Historic Courthouse, and the museum is just a few doors down from it.The museum reflects the life of the Cherokee Indian during the time of the Cherokee Nation before their removal along the "Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma. Our little museum is packed full with Native-American artifacts, Pioneer Implements, Antique Firearms, Period Dress, Early School House Room, Photographs, Quilts and a Log Cherokee Dwelling circa 1800.     Also featured is a wonderful collection of more than 800 dolls, with the oldest doll dating back around 1865. These are just a few of the items you'll find on your trip to the downtown M... 06/13/2012

Another Speechless Sunday in the Murphy, NC Mountains There are some beautiful creeks here in Cherokee and Clay County, NC …and we’ve also got some great rivers and lakes here too. Murphy, NC  offers so much to see and do in the four mild seasons we have here in western NC. Whether you’re just out for a drive, rafting, tubing, boating, fishing or canoeing you never get tired of this scenery. There are six lakes within a 15-20 minute drive in our tri-state area too!  This Mountain Living Lifestyle can leave you speechless Lee & Carol Barbour ~  The Mountain Living Team  www.MurphyMountainLiving.com 06/10/2012

Nate's Country Store in Murphy, NC is now under NEW OWNERSHIP! New proud new owners, Michael and Alicia said “Our clients are the Most Important things on our minds! Our main focus is to offer our local patrons Great Service, customer satisfaction, and create a place to visit and enjoy in comfort. We will be keeping our store fully stocked and our products fresh.”  Michael and Alicia bought a summer home here in Murphy, NC mountains a few years ago through us and recently decided to leave Florida and move here full time and invest in a business to own and run together. You wouldn’t believe the turn around they’ve made in appearance, inventory, services and loyal patrons.If you need to make a quick stop for your daily coffee, cigarettes, soda, candy, chips, beer, and/or wine, they're her... 06/07/2012

Come out and visit the Cedar Valley Farmers Market is located in downtown Murphy, NC on the square. You’ll find a vast selection of fruits, vegetables, local specialties, pottery, jewelry, photography, quilts, wood turning, pottery and all kinds of unique mountain crafts. Stop by the Cedar Valley Farmers Market Saturdays from 10am - 2pm during the months of April thru October.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team ~ www.LeeAndCarol.com 06/05/2012

Speechless Sunday in the Murphy NC mountains and how would you like to have this little home on wheels? While Lee was out showing cabins and land to Clients they drove past this home on the go and stopped and talked to the gentleman building it.  It actually had walnut floors in it, that Lee said were gorgeous, where they’d gotten a piece and had it milled.  Not sure how well the shingle roof would do if you hit the highway with it, but it sure was a cute little get-away. If this is a little too small for your getaways... There are some great Cabins and Land here in the NC, GA and TN mountains to fit just your size and needs!   For more information about Buying, Selling and Living in Murphy NC mountains contact Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team  www.MurphyMountainLiving.co... 06/03/2012

Silent Saturday in the western NC mountains but this old barn might have a lot to say! This is just one of the scenes you'll see while out driving around in Murphy, NC and the surrounding north GA and east TN mountain roads. Don't worry if we're out showing you properties too - we'll always stop for a good photo along the way!   For more information about Buying, Selling and Living in Western NC mountains contact Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team  www.MurphyMountainLiving.com Licensed and Serving the western NC, northeast GA and east TN Mountains 06/02/2012

2nd Annual Art, Music & Garden Festival The Cherokee County Arts Council welcomes everyone to the 2nd Annual Art, Music and Garden Festival! This event will be held on the River Walk Trail starting at the L&N Depot in beautiful downtown Murphy, NC on Saturday, June 2nd from 9am to 4pm. There will be many artists and fine crafters demonstrating and selling their work at booths lining the River Walk Trail. In addition, gardeners and nurseries will be on-hand to offer gardening tips and sell plants just in time for spring planting. There will be plenty of live music and dancing throughout the day and on two different stages, as well as kids’ activities like painting terra-cotta pots to plant their spring flowers!Come celebrate spring and the arts, free of charge! Click here for more inform... 06/01/2012

Tell everyone you know to come and to Bring the family to Art Walk in downtown Murphy, NC on Friday June 1st from 5PM-8PM     art demonstrations,music,food and a great time. Over 20 participating merchants will be open late just for you!   The yellow flags will be flying again at participating shops,galleries and restaurants for Art Walk in historic downtown Murphy THIS Friday,  5-8PM   BE THERE! 05/29/2012