Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Ride

I was recently struck by a cycling bug. I lived in the flat lands of every part of this country and now that I live in the mountains is when I decide to cycle. I LOVE IT! The funny thing is that I like the climb as much as the descent. I'm not gonna lie and tell you that it looks pretty but in the end pretty is relative.

I rode on the Parkway with some friends this wkend and it was October pretty up there. Golden yellow, burnt orange and reds the color of my lipstick. Riding through falling colored leaves, clear blue skies and cool fall air should be reserved for angels only.

When showing land in these mountains I always get asked if I ever get tired of the scenery or if I ever take it for granted. My answer is always the same: I've never lost the AWE and it's highly unlikely that you will lose it yourself! Breathless from a climb, everyone I ride with always manage to tell me how lucky they are to live here. Even the folks that were born here will manage to say it as well.

Yesterday a friend called and wanted me to come and visit. There is NO WAY that I would leave the mountains in the middle of these glorious days. So I told them that when the last leaf falls that I would head to Asheville airport. Fall is, hands down, the time of the year that makes me wish for longer days.

Go hiking...or something!
See you on the mountain!
Jackie

Land for sale
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WNC real estate
Asheville
Waynesille
Sylva

Who ever invented high heels...

HEART in Waynesville, our local theater, is absolutely fantastic. I went on a date with my mom last night to see "Cabaret" and they put on a heck of show! The acting was top notch, the costumes perfect and the stage rocked. I don't want to say much in case you've not been. After every play and every time I stand up to applaud I feel proud to live here and proud to be in the presence of such passionate people.
The real show was the high heel shoes I was wearing. My feet were rejecting the heels like the body rejects a new organ. It was hysterical! I almost looked like a guy in heels...you've seen them on Halloween haven't you? I pulled it off but it wasn't pretty. Next time I'll have to wear flats or maybe really long pants with my boots underneath.
See you on the mountain!
Jackie
Asheville
Waynesville
Sylva
land for sale
lots for sale

Downtown After 5...Asheville

At the corner of O'Henry and Battery Park Ave I enjoyed the last Downtown After 5 that Asheville offered in 07. There were folks in purple and cowboy hats, baseball caps, folks with big hair, no hair, rasta hair and the variety is what makes Asheville so special. It was awesome! I couldn't count the red cups but I could smell the the good food, see friends find each other, hear the the guitars on the stage, feel the cool air and find myself in the moment of an early fall day in crazy Asheville. I opted out of the festival food and walked to Chorizo's to meet some friends...OMG. Mojitos seem to follow me around since we were introduced a few months ago and Chorizo's makes a mean one. I can still taste their ceviche and their guacamole...YUMMY! If you've not been...give it a try. You wont be dissapointed. Until next year Downtown After 5!
See you on the mountain...
Jackie
Asheville
Waynesville
Sylva
land for sale
lots for sale

Baby Blue Skies WNC

If you were lucky enough to be outdoors today you would agree that today was a convertible day. I felt like driving a pumpkin colored convertible Corvette (which I don't own) up to the Parkway. I wanted to go on a hike and find some grass and lay on it. I wanted to stare up at the baby blue sky and wait for my eyes to turn its color. I wanted to smell the green in the air and feel the cool on my skin. Waiting for October reminds me of when I used to wait for Santa. It was all I could do but sit still long enough for his arrival. Enjoy every bit of it and if you own a pumpkin colored Corvette...can I borrow it?
Jackie
Asheville
Waynesville
Sylva
land for sale
lots for sale

Western North Carolina 40.5 acres for sale

There are days like today that I really feel that what I do is not work. I hike properties every day! I guess to some people that would be grueling but to me it's like an endless day off...except for the paperwork! I had to take pictures of this 40.5 acre tract in Candler that I just listed. If you were to meet Bill, the owner, you too would have enjoyed an easy afternoon on his land. What a great disposition and kind mountain heart. The kind of guy who's hand shake is his notary. He has lived in Candler, near Asheville, all his life and you can feel the roots in his stories. I hiked for the pictures but he drove me in his old Ford truck all over that mountain. He drove so slow it felt like I walked it. He drove it like he was walking his living room. The Ford got to the sweet spot and I got out with my topo map and wondered which was true...there is a HUGE rolling pasture dead center of the tract that you just wouldn't believe. Of course the vistas are endless and you can't help but count mountain ranges...Bill tells me you can see the Biltmore house from there. I've not seen the view on a clear day but I believe him. What a great place for a group of friends or family to buy and split and then sprinkle a few log cabins on the property. It has almost too many house sites to choose from. Call me and ask me about Bill's 40...I'd love to take you there.
Jackie
Almost October
WNC
Asheville
Waynesville
Sylva
land for sale

61 degrees

Did you feel the temperature this morning? 61 degrees! Lovin it...off to a 40 acre hike this morning in Candler (near Asheville) it should be a great Western North Carolina Morning.
Jackie
Asheville, Waynesville, Sylva
WNC
Land for sale

Fall Tease

Today was a good day! I started the day with a 10 mile bike ride in Crabtree. I got invited by some really cool friends who can ride way more but hung in there with me anyway. Then I got out there and walked some lots with Edith. We cruised Newfound, Crabtree and Ironduff in Haywood County. I smile every time the wind caresses the trees in September because it's the big fall tease. There are always the front runner leaves and there were plenty of those today. What a glorious day with the baby blue skies, the cool temperatures the easy breeze...what an incredible place to live and play. Today a friend mentioned a bike ride at Biltmore House maybe soon...I really liked the sound of it! Get outdoors when you can. You'll just can't help but love it.
See you on the mountain!
Jacqueline
Asheville, Waynesville, Sylva
land for sale
lots for sale
tracts for sale

Last Day Of Summer

For as much as I enjoy a day at the lake, a hike in the woods and an evening with friends on the deck...this hot season is welcome to go! Yesterday I sat on my friend's porch (Bethel) and watched the night come in. We both talked about the new cool mornings and evenings like old lovers we heard were coming into town. Simply delicious! Now, anyone that knows me knows that heat and I are not the best of friends. Living in the Smokies is not about living with heat so "welcome" my true friend. I miss the cool like I miss certain people that have gone from my life. I love that early morning chill that can almost give me goosebumps. I like that my skin will feel the warmth of my cotton sweater and my boots will soon play with all those colorful leaves that are just around the bend. Lots and lots of folks in Sylva, Asheville and Waynesville enjoying the weather as well. Welcome to Western North Carolina guys...the one place in the world that tugs at everyone's heart strings.
See you on the mountain!
Jackie
Asheville
Waynesville
Sylva
Land for Sale

Sunday Hike

If you are into happy endings don't hike Graveyard Fields (Parkway). If you like strong endings that leave you breathless, your heart pounding and your mind blank then for sure hike Graveyard Fields. The end is on the verge of brutal for the beginner in you.

Sunday I took off w/out friends, phone or dog. Just me, my boots and my water. Got on the Parkway by 9am. I had some new tunes and simply drowned myself in the music and the curves.

This was no leisure hike 4me. I had some things to work out so I pounded the trail with all the speed I had. The best part is that I could only hear my boots and my breath. So I hiked as hard and as fast as I could to Upper Falls.

I'd been there about 10 years ago and honestly it reminded me of the receding glaciers. Like someone once said it's not a waterfall but a "runny nose". But that is where I wanted to be so I found a monster rock in the middle of the "runny nose" and sat in the quiet of that place. Never enough quiet time but any of it is good enough. Then my boots got restless and decided to take off again.

I knew the last bit was going to be brutal but I still made myself almost run uphill. My heart was pounding but I wanted to get up there w/out one stop. I did it and boy it wasn't pretty but certainly it was rewarding. I felt the 40's in me but in a really good way.

I love these Great Smoky Mountains. They give me more than I give them.

See you on the trail!
Jackie

Lots in Maggie Valley

You know what I like to do? I like to count mountain ranges. The higher I am on the mountain the better. I was at Appalachian Village in Maggie Valley and looking north and east I could count over eight mountain ranges. I had money on the fact that I could see Crabtree Bald. Lot 27-1 is stunning and impressive. It is 1.5 acres with a cleared out house site and a really well built driveway. The work was so perfect that I asked for the grader's name and phone number. Lot 28 and 27-2 are more tucked in which Tom and Gary really liked. Still offering some wow views but hugged with impressive trees. The prices are most affordable especially $59,900, $69,900, $79,900....lots in Haywood County are above the $100,000 mark on the average. So to see lots under 100 is great. See you out there. Call me I'll come count ridges with you.
Jackie
Waynesville
Maggie Valley
Asheville
WNC