My new house in the NC mountains (almost)

[DemoTex]

We are so close to closing that the image I link to will soon come down. This house is much smaller than it looks (2200 sq ft log cabin). It is 8"-log with double insulated roof. We will add passive solar as we can afford it.

The Dallas house goes back on the market in a few weeks at a much reduced price. My wife is sick of Dallas, finally. I've been sick of Dallas for the seven years we have been here.

The NC mountain house cost half what the Dallas house did, and the taxes and insurance - even given its remote location way up on Round Mountain - are 1/14th of my Dallas taxes and insurance.

I will be in the Nantahayla National Forest and 4000 yards from the Gorges State Park in NC. A community green park with a small trout lake and picnic area is within 1/4 mile of the house. DU meeting grounds? You bet!

[whathappened]

1. looks like

ya got a eye for the fun things in life , and that is one great looking home , best wishes to you and get that four wheel drive ready to go , you will have some fun there and alot of good old fasion private living

[Mel]

2. Welcome to NC

btw I live near the capitol of NC.
That's a sweet looking house what a nice peaceful area your going to be living in!
Alright! a DU meeting I can make! I'm in!

[Cheswick2.0]

3. lovely

What a lovely home. I am happy for you, it is almost exactly my dream house.

[gkdmaths]

4. SO FREAKIN JEALOUS!!!

OMG!

Seriously, you are living my dream! but tell me, is there room for a large, subsitance garden? What you are about to close on is what I am working so hard in college to have.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

definately go for passive solar, and when you can afford it go for PV and a battery system with an grid-tie for PUD reimbursement and a nice, big greenhouse for your winter tomatoes and basil. A couple of nice hiking trails and perhaps a blind for birding.

Oh, sorry. Those were my dreams. But, I'm happy to share them with you.

Congrats! I'm excited for you!

[DemoTex]

10. The garden and fruit trees are in place!

The veg garden is totally fenced from the deer. There is a muscadine grape arbor and a number of fruit trees. Wild blueberries.

We will put in a greenhouse within the year. I have had greenhouses for years. We will sell the overage to the other people on the mountain.

The hiking trails were a big selling point of the property. It ties in with the Foothill Trail system, a number of old Indian trails, old logging roads and old logging rail-beds. All are protected and limited to hiking, horseback, and bicycles. The state property to the west is extensive. It is - de facto - Bu$h-proof. Thank God!

Tech wise, I will have passive solar immediatly. At least enough to run a battery bank to support my world-wide ham radio habit. That is in the short-term engineering plan.

I'm thinking of naming this haven "Hippie Hollow." But my wife will probably want to name it for the dogs. Canis Casa? Sirius Heights? Who knows....

[gkdmaths]

13. Oh, man, you're set!

Wow! Just before I read your post my partner and I were looking on the MLS system for acreage to buy.

*crosses fingers*

sometimes, all I can think about is tomatoes in November from my own hothouse, but what I really want to do is be a vintner with a CSA farm for veggies.

Way to go. :thumbsup:

[newyawker99]

25. Congrats gkdmaths!! 400 posts

:toast:

[DemoTex]

5. Kayakers: close to headwaters of French Broad River

I was offered a job as a river guide on the French Broad last week. I said "let me learn the river first, and I'll be back to you." I might do a little of that, however, I'm going pretty much full-time as a writer. Break a leg, eh?

[LearnedHand]

12. ...and you're really close to NOC...

...otherwise known as Nantahala (no "-ya," btw) Outdoor Center, one of the best whitewater centers in the U.S. You'll love it.

[mwdem]

29. I was just in Asheville last week....

I'm originally from the Piedmont area, was visiting relatives, and took the trip to Asheville & the Biltmore House tour, finally! The French Broad River runs through the Biltmore property. I really love those mountains, and my SO is an avid kayaker and flyfisher. We're kinda high & dry here in Kansas right now. but we're looking to retire back in N.C. to be near the mountains and the ocean. Love the house!

[LincolnMcGrath]

6. DemoTex to change?

DemoNc?
DemoLina?
DemoNanta?

Really cool place!

[DemoTex]

11. No, I'll stay DemoTex

For a while at least!

[supernova]

7. Welcom (almost) to NC DemoTex!

:hi:

Nice place there. It would be great to have a state-wide DU get together in the future.

[Iluvleiberman]

8. Just don't cry me a river if your house burns down

That's exactly how rich Repukes behave when a forest fire burns down their vacation home.

I'm sure your not like that but you are close to a NF.

[DemoTex]

14. Well, neighbor Iluvleiberman (Travellers Rest, SC) ...

That's why they sell insurance. Ever heard of that down there in TR? It ain't a vacation home either, my friend. It is where they will roll me out of when I am like Ronnie Ray-gunz. I am not a rich repuke buying in your backyard. I am a hard working union member who has eschewed debt and can afford a little cabin in the NC mountains. I accept the hazard of the forest fire. I am a ham radio operator (K9STR), and through my ARES affiliation I will augment the safety of my new neighbors on Round Mountain. Get licensed. Join the net. I will be putting a 2-meter repeater on Sasafrass Mountain, at a considerable cost to me, unless I can get some support from people like you. Sasafrass Mountain is, BTW, the highest point in SC. I will have a great view of it from my front deck. It should connect us, radio wise, with Greenville.

[Gato Moteado]

28. what is it about lieberman that you love?

and why would you rain on demotex's parade with such a meanspirited comment?

[MattNC]

9. you'll love it

NC is such a great state to live in! :)

[DemoTex]

15. Can't wait! Dogs can't wait!

Quick question or two Matt.

1. Does NC have a property tax on motor vehicles? How much?

2. Can NC licence a home-made utility trailer without a title. Say with a bill-of-sale? Without safety inspection?

[foxy]

22. Yes there is a property tax on vehicles

My uncle says he pays $80 per vehicle

how many you got?

[SideshowScott]

16. SWEET! That is a beautiful home my freind..

Im slightly envyous sitting here in my small apt ..but good going freind! its a beaut!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Which room is the guest room?

jes plannin my next southern road trip :D

[trof]

18. Save me a rocking chair on the deck.

And make sure I'm rocking WITH the grain, it's a lot easier that way.
Congrats.

[Crewleader]

19. Congratulations DemoTex

The house and area is absolutely beautiful and you and Mrs. DemoTex will be very happy there. I bet it beats Dallas...very peaceful living and you guys earned it.

My rental next door I bought from the neighbors who moved to NC like you, they love their log cabin home but I hear they want to come back in winter and find a condo on the beach and summers up there...now that's the best of both worlds'.

Let me know when you both come to Florida for the winter...;-)

The best to you both friends! :hi:

[GOPisEvil]

20. Man, that is awesome!!!

Be careful when inviting us. Some of us might not want to leave! :D

[Maeve]

21. Nice! Very, very nice!

Have a wonderful move and good luck unloading the Dallas house. (We got stuck with a house in OKC back in the 80's in a bust cycle--wishing you much better luck than we had! One of those "mail in the keys" and suffer bad credit for 7 years miseries...)

[carolinayellowdog]

23. Congratulations, welcome, when can I visit?

Hey DemoTarheel,

We have a few things in common other than DU-- writing, kayaking, living in a cabin in the NC woods, hating Dallas. Mine's at the NE corner of the Piedmont on a creek that flows into Lake Gaston, but I'd make the long drive for a DU conclave in the Smokies.

May your life there be as glorious as the house is!

CYD

[newyawker99]

26. Congrats carolinayellowdog!! 500 posts

:toast:

[underpants]

24. That place kicks a**

Congrats. Man that looks cool.

[Lars39]

27. ahem.....is there room for a tent in the yard? : )

[MaineDem]

30. Absolutely lovely!

I live in the mountains and the flatlanders can't understand the attraction.

Good luck to you and much happiness in the new abode.

PS. I miss the P2V pic. :-)

[Catherine Vincent]

31. Congratulations!

That is what I call a fine house and neighborhood. Sometimes you just get tired of living in subdivisions where houses look like they are stacked on top of each other. LOL! Not complaining, I am thankful that I do live in a house, though.

[Sequoia]

32. Love that wrap around porch!

When was this house built? I grew up in NC in that area and you are in for a treat! I hate subdivision houses that look like the one next door. Do you have a fireplace too? Guess I'll drop in when I come to visit the family. Better get some moonshine a'brewing. Best wishes. Next to California, NC is the best state and then Alaska.

[KoKo]

33. Welcome to NC and Congrats.....DemoTex! Your house and plans for it sound

really exciting. My hubby would give anything for your house in the Mountains (he grew up in Highlands of NY State). We live in the Piedmont now.

I'm a beach person, myself......but it looks wonderful. Good to hear your good news. Best to you both!