Find Fabulous Fall Colors in National Parks

(ARA) - Every year, millions of Americans look forward to autumn and the opportunity to take in the beautiful fall foliage. As deciduous trees across the country begin to shed their leaves, “leaf peeping,” as it is known, becomes a pastime of many travelers.

The national parks offer a serene setting and unmatched views to enjoy this majestic transformation. Our parks preserve hundreds of tree species, which, into November, vibrantly paint the mountains and hillsides and fields with fresh shades of red, orange, yellow and purple.

“Visitors come from miles away each year to experience fall foliage in our national parks. It is truly a spectacular time of year,” says Mark Wenzler, director of Clean Air and Climate Programs for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Here are a few national park sites beloved for their brilliant fall foliage:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina) usually experiences a fall foliage season that lasts several weeks. Park trees change colors at various times, depending mostly on elevation. At mid and lower-level elevations, the color display typically reaches peak between mid-October and early November. The park attracts leaf peepers, who want a glimpse of the nearly 100 native tree species, most of which are deciduous. Some of the more vibrant trees include hickories, sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum and red maple.

The fall foliage display at Great Smoky Mountains remains one of the best in the country. For more information about fall foliage at Great Smoky Mountains, please visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is known for its extensive cave system -- the longest in the world. However, visitors have ample opportunity to explore other features of this national park, as well. Mammoth Cave preserves the forested Kentucky hills, which offer numerous trails for hikers to explore and observe the vibrant fall foliage. Oak, tulip poplar and sassafras are among the trees that scatter park forests and attract leaf peepers annually.

For an updated webcam shot of fall foliage at the park, please visit http://nature.nps.gov/air.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Try the Blue Ridge Parkway For Fall Color Viewing

Soon the leaves will turn gold and red, and the hillsides in Western North Carolina will burst into color. Autumn brings scenic spendor, but in mountain country, it's nothing less than spectaular. The color change starts in the higher elevations, spreading to mid-mountain, and finally to the valleys, and that makes viewing time a lasting one.

Some of the best panoramas are seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs for 251 miles through the heart of Western North Carolina's mountains at elevations up to 6,000 feet or more. According to the U.S. National Park Service, this roadway is the most visited unit of America's National Park System and offers numerous pull-over spots for motorists to admire the majestic scenery. The best viewing is mid-October.

Grandfather Mountain offers views with easy access that are unmatched in peak season. The sweeping curves of the Blue Ridge Parkway's Linn Cove Viaduct set against the reds, yellows and oranges of the hillside are particularly photogenic.

In the town of Sylva, on Fisher Creek Road, Pinnacle Park provides visitors a brilliant fall kaleidoscope. Or park near the top of Whiteside Mountain, close to the town of Cahsiers, to admire the autumn views and sheer cliffs, or walk the two-mile hiking trail there. And in the waterfall country west of Hendersonville, lovely views of cascading waters alongside vivid foliage are abundant. Along Lake Lure's 21 miles of tree-line shores, the fall panorama can be seen from miles arond.

Halfbacks In Western North Carolina

Finding a native Floridian is quite challenging. Most of us are from somewhere north of here, and on hot summer days we often wish we could go back to someplace cooler and less humid. But we don't want to go all the way back, just far enough to find the cool change of season and slower pace that we miss - just halfway back. Thus the term, "halfbacks." One of the most popular halfback spots for may Floridians is the serene and majestic mountains of western North Carolina. The cool mountain breezes and spectacular scenery, coupled with the casual mountain lifestyle, draws vacationers and second home buyers.

Homebuyers See East Tennessee Smoky Mountains as a Smart Buy

Of course, we all know how magnificent the Smoky Mountains are. From the intense, rich hues of Autumn to the bluish, smoky tint of the vast panoramas, it is an exquisite area to live and visit. That alone is probably good enough reason why so many people are relocating to East Tennessee, just for the sheer beauty and serenity of mountain living.

It is the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the peace and quiet, and extraordinary views from your new mountain home, and just a short drive away you will discover the cultural and business hub of one of America's truly great cities, Knoxville, home to the University of Tennessee (Go Vols) and a rich history dating back to the American Revolution.

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park of East Tennessee, opened in 1933 and ranks today as the most visited national park in the United States, with over 9 million visitors per year.You may think, that all of the above is good enough reason to relocate to East Tennessee. The developers of a new mountain community, The Ridges at Tellico Lake, have recently seen interest in the area grow due to the economics of the area as well. East Tennessee is proving to be an affordable alternative for many people, whether they are looking to relocate permanently, or purchase a vacation home.

Some of the financial incentives the area offers is; NO state income tax, NO luxury tax, LOW insurance rates on property and autos, NO auto registration tax, LOW property tax and LOW cost of local services.

This all added up seems to be many attractive reasons for new homebuyers to come to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. In a relatively slow economy and housing market, homebuyers are finding the area a safe investment opportunity.For more information regarding purchasing a new mountain home and homesites in the Smoky Mountains, visit http://www.theridgesattellicolake.com/ or call 239-253-2332.

Buying Land Today, Still a Great Investment

Buying Land Today, Still a Great Investment
Bucking the Trend and Purchasing Large Homesites

With the real estate market slowdown and the stock market as volatile as ever, many experts’ advise is to invest in land. With a land purchase, your real estate investment is obviously smaller than investing in a home/land package, plus your purchase provides more flexibility.
The real estate market will change, it always does. It will go from the buyer’s market it is today to a seller’s market, so the equity in your land purchase, by just holding on to it, will build into a nice profit.
The developers of The Ridges at Tellico Lake, a gated community in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains are offering an interesting investment opportunity. Purchase your homesite today, with no money down, three years interest only and you don’t have to build until 2013. The advantage to not having to build for 5 years is that within that period of course the market will change, and you can resell your property whenever you wish within that period of time. Of course, if you fall in love with this Smoky Mountain getaway you have the option of building a gorgeous new home. It’s a win- win program.
These are not small ¼ acre homesites. They range in size up to 3 acres and can feature incredible 50 mile mountain vistas.
Not only will the value of the land go up due to the turn in the market, but with other homesites sales and luxury homes being built in the community your investment can grow significantly.
Land investment historically has a low risk factor and a high yield on return.
For more information regarding purchasing a homesite at The Ridges at Tellico Lake visit http://theridgesattellicolake.comor call 239-253-2332.

How Are Log Homes Built Today?

If your vision of a log home is the usual depiction of Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home, or the label illustration on a famous pancake syrup bottle, then wait until you see what today's log home builders are up to. With technological advances in craftsmanship and building materials, and meeting the needs and demands of the marketplace, log homes today look nothing like their great ancestors. The log home industry has grown rapidly as consumers discover their advantages and flexibility, plus every creature comfort they desire can be incorporated into a magnificent luxury log home.

In addition log homes are among the most energy efficient housing styles on the market. A log home is more than 30% more efficient than any other form of home construction, according to a U.S Government agency report. Today's log homes are airtight and weather resistant, and with the log's ability to absorb and slowly release heat, the weather does not enter the home, keeping it comfortable and using less energy to maintain temperature control than wood frame homes.

The new log home is not necessarily just a log home anymore. There are many ways today's builders are constructing their log homes. Many builders are calling them "Hybrids".

A new gated community in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, The Ridges at Tellico Lake will be an exclusive log and timber home community. The homes are hybrids, a combination of materials that allow for much more design flexibilty and beauty for the homeowner. Utilizing customized timber frame trusses with milled log walls, and stone for architectural accents these homes can range in size up to 5,000 square feet of luxury living space. After the buyer selects his Smoky Mountain homesite, they will select their builder, which will be approved by the design board, The home will be customized to meet every need of the homebuyer, just as they would if it were of wood frame construction.

For more information about The Ridges at Tellico Lake visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com
or call 239-253-2332.

Florida Halfbacks Heading to the Great Smoky Mountains

In years passed, a "halfback"meant something much different than it does today. During pro football's golden era of the fifties and sixties, we had our share of halfback heroes, Frank Gifford, Paul Hornung, Lenny Moore and Gale Sayers. They glorified the position with spectacular, galloping runs across the gridiron with a combination of speed and grace.

Now that the word "halfback", along with "flanker" and other now nostalgic phrases from a bygone era are no longer part of the football lexicon, halfback has taken on a new meaning. Today, halfback describes a new real estate trend. A Florida halfback is someone who years ago relocated to Florida to escape the cold harsh winters of Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and many other of our wintry northern states. Now, for various reasons, they have made the decision to leave Florida, but are not willing to go all the back and experience freezing temperatures again, but go halfway back, to the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, where the winters are mild and the opportunities abundant. This is why they are called "Florida Halfbacks".

The developers of The Ridges at Tellico Lake, a new gated community in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains believe that over half of their residents will be "Halfbacks" from Florida. Why are they leaving Florida and heading halfway back? There are many reasons. Some choose to live seasonally in the mountain areas, avoiding the summer heat in Florida. The summers are much more comfortable in these mountain regions, so many are choosing the mountain lifestyle as a summer retreat. The majority of the halfbacks however are searching for a long term alternative to the Florida lifestyle they sought in years past. So why the move for these Florida Halfbacks?

A slower real estate market, high property tax and insurance rates are a key reason. The summer heat of course and concern over hurricanes is another factor. Many are getting more home for the money. Many areas in Florida have seen property values increase at a phenomenal rate over the past 20 years, pushing prices up and value down. Plus, one of the most significant reasons many people came down to Florida originally was to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With Florida's rapid growth in population and industry, halfbacks are finding in the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains the quiet lifestlye they once enjoyed in Florida. There are new employment opportunities in many of these mountain areas and many opportunities to invest in gorgeous mountain properties with exquisite mountain views.

New mountain communities, like The Ridges at Tellico Lake are offering homesties up to 3 acres in size, which is also attractive to the halfback who feels the need for more space, as Florida continues to grow and large homesites are becoming a thing of the past.

For more information about The Ridges at Tellico Lake, please visit www.theridgesattellicolake.com or call 239-253-2332.

Bed and Breakfast - A Vacation Rental Alternative

Do you love the ambiance of a vacation rental cabin in the mountains, but aren't that crazy about cooking and cleaning? Consider a Bed and Breakfast Inn. Many innkeepers allow you to rent the whole place for your large family, special event, or family reunion.

The Windover Inn in Waynesville, NC offers luxurious accommodations and a delicious breakfast, beautiful wraparound porch and gardens, and personalized services to help you pull it all together. With eight spacious and private rooms, it might just be the right alternative for you.

High Point, NC Experiencing Real Estate Growth

You may be either trying to sell a house, trying to buy a house, or know someone who is. I know some of you don't live in High Point nor do some of you even live in North Carolina but I believe this information will still be of use to you.

Let me assure you that North Carolina and, particularly, High Point is in great shape. We do not have the same conditions to which the national media is referring when it comes to foreclosures etc. Please reassure your friends and family that High Point, North Carolina, among many other places, is a fantastic place to buy a home right now.

Recent headlines about local conditions have been wonderful.
- this area attracted 3,100 new jobs in ’07
- the Thomasville-Lexington area was selected as the nation’s #1 micropolitan area for attracting corporate projects.
- the High Point metro area was named #1 in the nation for it’s size category for attracting new industries.
- High Point is the most competitive city, in the most competitive region, in the most competitive state. For more economic development news, please go to: www.highpointedc.com/news.cfm .


North Carolina has ranked 5th among the highest population growth and only 25th among foreclosure rates. What does this mean? People think NC is a worthy place to stay and we can afford to stay. Furthermore, you will note that 2-3 of the states that ranked above us in population growth are also in the top ten in foreclosures.

Thanks for your time and I hope this information is reassuring to you.

Lisa Duke
www.DukeBrothers.com
336-885-4256
336-442-7372
336-885-5731

Enjoy an afternoon with Smith Mountain Lake, Virigina.

On Saturday February 23rd from 3:00 until 6:00 PM at the Himmarshee Bar and Grill in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, take the opportunity to learn more about vacations and retirement living on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Affordable living, golf, tennis, waterfront dining... and so much more! For reservations to our cocktail party, please email jayw@marinerslanding.com or call 804.278.9672.

Log and Timber Home Show

Dreaming of a log or timber home? The Log & Timber Home Show is coming to Orlando, FL! The Orange County Convention Center is the site for this premier marketplace for those seeking log or timber home packages, finishing materials, furniture, lighting and financing. 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! This three-day event offers you the chance to meet with up to 150 exhibitors from March 7 – 9, 2008.

Florida Migration

For the second year in a row in 2007, Atlas Van Lines moved more people out of Florida than into the state, reflecting what Floridians are seeing everyday – friends and neighbors moving away. Where are they going? Apparently many Floridian’s agree with North Carolina’s tagline, “A Better Place.” Analysts say the migration to the Carolinas and other adjoining states such as Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee has to do with a lower cost of living and other expenses including property taxes, insurance, and impact fees. Learn more.