Monday, December 31, 2007
Skis Please!
Sugar Ski Mountain in Western North Carolina is open! Check their website for ski conditions and hours of operation. The nearby Pinnacle Inn Resort is offering great lodging values for your ski vacation.
Proposed Florida Property Tax Breaks
The constitutional amendment that would provide tax breaks to Florida property owners goes to the voters on January 29. The amendment calls for doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption AND it allows a homesteader to take a 3 percent property tax increase cap with them to another home.
For Florida Halfbacks who are stuck with a home for sale in Florida’s sluggish real estate market and need to sell it to find their home in the mountains, these proposed tax breaks may well jump start Florida home sales. Buyers within Florida will have assurance of property tax breaks and are likely to get the market moving again, allowing Florida Halfback sellers the opportunity they are waiting for in the mountains!
Also keeping Floridian’s interest in the value of the Euro and the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar. Favorable conditions for foreigners may also prompt real estate sales.
For Florida Halfbacks who are stuck with a home for sale in Florida’s sluggish real estate market and need to sell it to find their home in the mountains, these proposed tax breaks may well jump start Florida home sales. Buyers within Florida will have assurance of property tax breaks and are likely to get the market moving again, allowing Florida Halfback sellers the opportunity they are waiting for in the mountains!
Also keeping Floridian’s interest in the value of the Euro and the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar. Favorable conditions for foreigners may also prompt real estate sales.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Real estate is “looking up” in the mountains
The national news paints a gloomy picture of the real estate market. But ask any Floridian looking for their spot in the mountains. Second home buyers know that now is the time to buy! Check out the real estate professionals and listings on www.FloridaHalfbacks.com to find your mountain or lake home.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Fall Color
Fall color typically begins in early October and lasts for as long as six weeks. While the region is currently experiencing summer-like weather, cold fronts are on the way and leaf color changes are in the very early stages. Floridians seeking mountain color changes and cooler temperatures should be making plans now to visit the mountain and lake regions for a showcase of deep colors during the middle to latter part of October. The diversity of plants and trees, along with the changing terrain in the Appalachian Mountains, cause vibrant colors and typically a longer fall season. Visit www.FloridaHalfbacks.com to find your place in the mountains!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Log Home Living
Dreaming of a log or timber home? The Log and Timber Home Show is coming to Tampa, FL on November 16 – 18 at the Tampa Convention Center. You don't have to trek across the country to speak one-on-one with leading log and timber providers because they're all under one roof! And if you’re looking for a leading mountain builder and realtor of log homes, look no further. Cedar Log Homes of Kingsport, Tennessee has been building dream homes for over 30 years! With over 50 stock plans available, you are sure to find the perfect log home.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wine Time
There is no better time to visit a winery than harvest time. September and October are popular grape harvest months. Many of the wineries host special harvest celebrations. Yadkin Valley Wine Tours in the North Carolina Piedmont region has several weekend tour dates through early December.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Preview of Fall Color
Mid-September through October is when the color change in the deciduous trees really begins. If you’re looking for fall color, check out these scenic mountain drives:
· Blue Ridge Parkway
· Cherohala Skyway
· Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway
· Mountain Waters
· Blue Ridge Parkway
· Cherohala Skyway
· Big Walker Mountain Scenic Byway
· Mountain Waters
DIY Network’s Blog Cabin
Blog Cabin is DIY Network’s newest hit series, featuring popular expert hosts who pitch in to bring the Kinzel Springs retreat to life. Watch them build the cabin one blog at a time.
From February until early April, 2007, DIY Network.com invited visitors to vote each day on 13 design areas for a future cabin to be built in the Great Smoky Mountains. Thousands decided on such areas as the floor plan, roof, countertops, even the front door. Don’t miss a minute of the entire Blog Cabin television series, airing Thursdays at 9 pm on DIY.
From February until early April, 2007, DIY Network.com invited visitors to vote each day on 13 design areas for a future cabin to be built in the Great Smoky Mountains. Thousands decided on such areas as the floor plan, roof, countertops, even the front door. Don’t miss a minute of the entire Blog Cabin television series, airing Thursdays at 9 pm on DIY.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Tale of Two Smith Lakes
Floridians love the serenity and carefree lifestyle associated with lake living. Within the FloridaHalfbacks region of mountain and lake destinations, are two very special lakes named Smith, each with it own unique character and abundant vacation and relocation opportunities:
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
is a large artificial lake southeast of Roanoke, Virginia, and southwest of Lynchburg, Virginia. The area lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural south-central Virginia of the Appalachian chain. The lake is 20,600 acres and has over 500 miles of shoreline.
Smith Mountain Lake has become a popular recreational area. Fishing is very popular, especially for striped bass. The lake has hosted professional fishing tournaments. Boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and riding personal watercraft are also common activities. Smith Mountain Lake State Park opened in 1983 and provided a beach and a section for swimming. Golf at one of the several nearby courses is a popular landside activity.
The lake was featured prominently in the 1991 movie comedy “What About Bob? “, directed by Frank Oz and starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss and Julie Hagerty.
Smith Lake, Alabama
Like a diamond that is deep, clear and blue, Lewis Smith Lake is one of Alabama’s treasures. Located in Walker, Winston and Cullman counties, this 21,200-acre lake is different than most other Alabama reservoirs with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays, and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. The water often appears emerald green, and a bass that strikes a lure 10 feet down can be seen as it hits. If you typically fish a shallow body of water, then your first trip onto Smith Lake can be intimidating. Watching your depth finder jump to 200 plus feet can leave you feeling lost. However, like most lakes, the majority of bass, bream and crappie fishing is done by casting to the numerous large rocks and fallen trees along the shoreline. With 500 plus miles of shoreline, it isn’t that difficult to find fish. An hour north of Birmingham or south of Huntsville and just off I-65, the lake is easy to find.
Find your perfect mountain or lake cabin, best golf courses, intimate bed and breakfast inns, or a tranquil campground at lake’s edge. Find more information about real estate and accommodations at the two Smith Lakes by visiting www.FloridaHalfbacks.com.
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
is a large artificial lake southeast of Roanoke, Virginia, and southwest of Lynchburg, Virginia. The area lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural south-central Virginia of the Appalachian chain. The lake is 20,600 acres and has over 500 miles of shoreline.
Smith Mountain Lake has become a popular recreational area. Fishing is very popular, especially for striped bass. The lake has hosted professional fishing tournaments. Boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and riding personal watercraft are also common activities. Smith Mountain Lake State Park opened in 1983 and provided a beach and a section for swimming. Golf at one of the several nearby courses is a popular landside activity.
The lake was featured prominently in the 1991 movie comedy “What About Bob? “, directed by Frank Oz and starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss and Julie Hagerty.
Smith Lake, Alabama
Like a diamond that is deep, clear and blue, Lewis Smith Lake is one of Alabama’s treasures. Located in Walker, Winston and Cullman counties, this 21,200-acre lake is different than most other Alabama reservoirs with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays, and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. The water often appears emerald green, and a bass that strikes a lure 10 feet down can be seen as it hits. If you typically fish a shallow body of water, then your first trip onto Smith Lake can be intimidating. Watching your depth finder jump to 200 plus feet can leave you feeling lost. However, like most lakes, the majority of bass, bream and crappie fishing is done by casting to the numerous large rocks and fallen trees along the shoreline. With 500 plus miles of shoreline, it isn’t that difficult to find fish. An hour north of Birmingham or south of Huntsville and just off I-65, the lake is easy to find.
Find your perfect mountain or lake cabin, best golf courses, intimate bed and breakfast inns, or a tranquil campground at lake’s edge. Find more information about real estate and accommodations at the two Smith Lakes by visiting www.FloridaHalfbacks.com.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Florida Halfbacks.com Expands!
Seems that Floridians looking for that perfect spot in the mountains is more prevalent than we first thought! The mountains of the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia are a true haven for Floridians. But what about Alabama's lakes and mountains? Or mountain cabins in West Virginia? Did we mention middle Tennessee's rolling hills and welcoming spirit? Or the Piedmont of North Carolina and its temperate climate? What about the Appalachia of Kentucky?
You asked...and we heard you. The staff at FloridaHalfbacks.com has just unveiled its newest regions for Floridians. Check out our interactive home page map and find your perfect mountain or lake cabin, best golf courses, intimate bed and breakfast inns, or a tranquil campground at river's side.
You asked...and we heard you. The staff at FloridaHalfbacks.com has just unveiled its newest regions for Floridians. Check out our interactive home page map and find your perfect mountain or lake cabin, best golf courses, intimate bed and breakfast inns, or a tranquil campground at river's side.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Gatlinburg featured in "101 Best Outdoor Towns"
Gatlinburg, TN is well known for its amenities and attractions, but it received an extra plug when it was included in the travel book "101 Best Outdoor Towns: Unspoiled Places to Live, Visit and Play."
Released this month by Countryman Press and written by Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville, "101 Best Outdoor Towns" provides information about possible vacation spots for those who like outdoor activities but appreciate the amenities offered indoors.
"This is the first type of book of this genre that we've done," said Tuff during a phone interview from her Vermont home. She and Melville have written many articles about outdoor towns for magazines and used that as the basis for "101 Best Outdoor Towns.""A lot of research came from stories we've done for magazines and an innate knowledge for hot spots and adventure for outdoor travel," Tuff said. For this book, she said they wanted to look beyond the obvious and locations that have become too expensive for the average tourist."We wanted to find small outdoor-oriented towns that were still affordable and had access to national parks and state parks, but also had great coffee shops and pubs and art scenes," she said.
Released this month by Countryman Press and written by Sarah Tuff and Greg Melville, "101 Best Outdoor Towns" provides information about possible vacation spots for those who like outdoor activities but appreciate the amenities offered indoors.
"This is the first type of book of this genre that we've done," said Tuff during a phone interview from her Vermont home. She and Melville have written many articles about outdoor towns for magazines and used that as the basis for "101 Best Outdoor Towns.""A lot of research came from stories we've done for magazines and an innate knowledge for hot spots and adventure for outdoor travel," Tuff said. For this book, she said they wanted to look beyond the obvious and locations that have become too expensive for the average tourist."We wanted to find small outdoor-oriented towns that were still affordable and had access to national parks and state parks, but also had great coffee shops and pubs and art scenes," she said.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Florida Residents Enjoy Life Halfway Back
It comes as no surprise that people from the north move to Florida every year in droves. For decades the migration to Florida was as obvious as the ripe colors of the oranges on the Florida trees. Now, as hundreds of thousands of Floridians start to miss the comforts of the north, a new movement is rising, one that has Florida residents becoming Halfbacks.
A Florida Halfback is a nickname given to Floridians that originally migrated to Florida from the north, but now prefer to live halfway back, in the scenic mountain and lake areas of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The official website for those aspiring to be part of the Halfback movement is FloridaHalfbacks.com.
FloridaHalfbacks.com offers visitors a comprehensive guide to spending time in these beautiful mountain and lake regions with just a few clicks of a button. The website provides detailed information on real estate agents, cabin rentals, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, developments, campgrounds, attractions, and more for those considering a temporary or perpetual stay in the mountain and lake regions.
Advertisers sweeten the pot for those visiting FloridaHalfbacks.com by offering incentives geared towards Florida residents to spend time in the mountain and lake regions of the Southeast. The website is easy to navigate, offering visitor’s subject related pages on all of the Halfback regions. One can visit the website for twenty minutes and have an abundance of information that will facilitate their ability to enjoy the area.
Several factors fueling the Florida Halfback trend include cooler milder weather, less traffic, lower real estate prices, and significantly lower property tax and insurance for home owners. All of the above factors have made becoming a Florida Halfback an enticing option.
With the growth of interest in the mountain and lakes regions, it is no surprise that FloridaHalfbacks.com is growing rapidly as well. The just-launched website is already seeing an increase in daily traffic. Combine the traffic increase with a user friendly online forum community, and it is safe to assume this site will be a major resource for those looking to relocate to this special region of the country in the near future.
For more information on the website or about Florida Halfbacks visit www.FloridaHalfbacks.com
A Florida Halfback is a nickname given to Floridians that originally migrated to Florida from the north, but now prefer to live halfway back, in the scenic mountain and lake areas of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The official website for those aspiring to be part of the Halfback movement is FloridaHalfbacks.com.
FloridaHalfbacks.com offers visitors a comprehensive guide to spending time in these beautiful mountain and lake regions with just a few clicks of a button. The website provides detailed information on real estate agents, cabin rentals, hotels, bed and breakfast inns, developments, campgrounds, attractions, and more for those considering a temporary or perpetual stay in the mountain and lake regions.
Advertisers sweeten the pot for those visiting FloridaHalfbacks.com by offering incentives geared towards Florida residents to spend time in the mountain and lake regions of the Southeast. The website is easy to navigate, offering visitor’s subject related pages on all of the Halfback regions. One can visit the website for twenty minutes and have an abundance of information that will facilitate their ability to enjoy the area.
Several factors fueling the Florida Halfback trend include cooler milder weather, less traffic, lower real estate prices, and significantly lower property tax and insurance for home owners. All of the above factors have made becoming a Florida Halfback an enticing option.
With the growth of interest in the mountain and lakes regions, it is no surprise that FloridaHalfbacks.com is growing rapidly as well. The just-launched website is already seeing an increase in daily traffic. Combine the traffic increase with a user friendly online forum community, and it is safe to assume this site will be a major resource for those looking to relocate to this special region of the country in the near future.
For more information on the website or about Florida Halfbacks visit www.FloridaHalfbacks.com
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Five Family Fun Ideas in Western North Carolina
1. Great Smoky Mountain Railroad - There's no better way to see the Smokies than taking a trip through the heart of the mountains by train. As you wind along river gorges, through tunnels and over old-fashioned bridges, there is no worry about directions or who is driving. For more information call 800-872-4681,
2. Ghost Town in the Sky - Re-opening after a four-year closure, Ghost Town in the Sky has rides, a chairlift, and incline railroad to transport visitors to the mile-high summit and the gunfight reenactments held hourly. The amusement park is bound to be a sure-fire hit for the entire family. Call 828-926-9658 or stop by the Ghost Town welcome center on Soco Road in Maggie Valley.
3. Cherokee - Sitting on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is home to the eastern BAnd of the Cherokee Indians. It is a colorful town that has combined history and cultural traditions. Children will delight in a visit to the Oconoluftee Inidan Village, a performance of Unto These Hills, an outdoor stage performance telling the story of hte cherokee, or just wandering around town. For more information, call 828-497-2315.
4. Deep Creek - Tumbling waters give way to a swimming hole and a bouncy tube ride. If you hike along the trails upstream, you will find three waterfalls. Just inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park two miles north of Bryson City, the Deep Creek recreational area and campground has horseback riding, swimming, tubing, and picnicking. For more infomration: camping 828-488-3184, horseback riding, 828-497-8504, tube rentals 828-488-6055.
5. Sliding Rock - Slip and slide your way down this natural slipper rock into a clean, cool, seven-foot deep swimming hole. A longtime favorite for families, Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Bathrooms and changing rooms are available. Camping is available in nearby Davidson River Campground. For more information, contact the Forest Service at 828-877-3350.
2. Ghost Town in the Sky - Re-opening after a four-year closure, Ghost Town in the Sky has rides, a chairlift, and incline railroad to transport visitors to the mile-high summit and the gunfight reenactments held hourly. The amusement park is bound to be a sure-fire hit for the entire family. Call 828-926-9658 or stop by the Ghost Town welcome center on Soco Road in Maggie Valley.
3. Cherokee - Sitting on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee is home to the eastern BAnd of the Cherokee Indians. It is a colorful town that has combined history and cultural traditions. Children will delight in a visit to the Oconoluftee Inidan Village, a performance of Unto These Hills, an outdoor stage performance telling the story of hte cherokee, or just wandering around town. For more information, call 828-497-2315.
4. Deep Creek - Tumbling waters give way to a swimming hole and a bouncy tube ride. If you hike along the trails upstream, you will find three waterfalls. Just inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park two miles north of Bryson City, the Deep Creek recreational area and campground has horseback riding, swimming, tubing, and picnicking. For more infomration: camping 828-488-3184, horseback riding, 828-497-8504, tube rentals 828-488-6055.
5. Sliding Rock - Slip and slide your way down this natural slipper rock into a clean, cool, seven-foot deep swimming hole. A longtime favorite for families, Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. Bathrooms and changing rooms are available. Camping is available in nearby Davidson River Campground. For more information, contact the Forest Service at 828-877-3350.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
FloridaHalfback.com Launches July 1st
We're excited to announce the launch of the FloridaHalfbacks.com website! We welcome and encourage any comments or feedback you may have about the site. Of course we and others would like most to hear your comments about the mountains and any memorable experiences.
Thanks for your interest in FloridaHalfbacks.com and please remember to be kind and keep your comments friendly and clean. Enjoy!
Thanks for your interest in FloridaHalfbacks.com and please remember to be kind and keep your comments friendly and clean. Enjoy!
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