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Views in every direction. Private, yet not remote. Minutes to lovely Marshall; less than 30 miles to Asheville NC.
Perfectly situated and thoughtfully designed Robert Griffin custom home and guest house, plus historic home at the property's entry allowing for income/caretaker's residence.
Logging roads offer hiking and riding opportunities with additional trails easily accessed off property. New fencing surrounds entire property.
"Seller Says"
Marshall is a delightful mountain town that sits on the banks of the French Broad River between two high bluffs, historic buildings sharing the narrow space with the railroad. There is only one main street and two traffic lights. The remodeling of the former high school on the island into artists studios recently has sparked an inflow of artists, galleries and restaurants. An active County Arts Council sponsors regional and national musicians in concert. Several venues in town offer weekly concerts of mountain music. It's a quiet town with lots to do.
There are many interesting small restaurants located in communities scattered in the mountains around us. We have three favorite restaurants in the Marshall area. Good home cooking is available at The French Broad Deli...you'll never go away hungry. Looking for a good sandwich or wrap?...something to carry on a hike or to sit in the park on the island?...we stop at Zuma's Coffee House on Main Street. And best of all, across the street from Zuma's is the newest dining experience in town, Pork and Pie, where a chef from Louisiana is treating us to the most wonderful flavors imaginable.
We have the best of both worlds...privacy without losing conveniences. Ten minutes up the road there is a major grocery, several pharmacies, filling stations, an excellent large new library, all three levels of schools (elementary, middle and high), an excellent health center and doctor's offices, a community college campus, and a number of locally run smaller stores and restaurants. The county offices are also there for all of that business and services. Fifteen minutes further are Walmart, Lowe's, and all of the shops and services of the Weaverville area. Ten minutes further is Asheville...with all the rest, and more!
The Asheville area is our resource for many important things. Hospitals...The Mission Hospital system, along with the doctors it has attracted, is one of the most respected medical and surgical hospitals in the country. Education...There are several excellent major colleges, universities and community colleges. Climate...It just doesn't get any better. We have seasons, but they are mild. We have the cool summers of the mountains and the relatively mild winters of the mid-south. Beauty...The surrounding mountains are a feast for the eyes. National Forest land...The proximity of parkland is a wonderful resource for hiking, biking, picnics, horse riding, rafting...everything outdoors.
Another important aspect of this mountain community that has given us great pleasure is the relaxed lifestyle. It is very noticeable that the people who settle here quite often become more patient and courteous. No joke. They seem to lose the competitive pushiness that is so irritating in large metropolitan areas. We quickly noticed our blood pressures drop...we feel so more healthy and content.
Another great asset to this area is the Blue Ridge Parkway. From several nearby access points, we can drive the Parkway for lovely ridge-line views, hikes and picnics. One of our favorite New Year's Day trips is to the top of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the eastern US. Also enjoyable, and close-by, is the Appalachian Trail for short or long hikes.
My favorite sport is horseback riding. One of the reasons we chose this farm was that it is perfect for horses. Fencing surrounds the 95 acres. There is a great barn for shelter and hay storage, and a shed that includes a feed room/tack room/tractor shed. There are several miles of trails and logging roads on the farm itself, and access to trail networks on the mountain across from the farm via gravel mountain roads.As an artist, I am active in several of the local Arts Councils and Arts Societies. The main house on the farm includes a studio/craft space where I do much of my work.
Our farm occupies an entire cove that starts at a vigorous creek and stretches to the top of Little Mountain. Other farms in the Paw Paw Creek Valley grow crops, raise cattle, produce hay, and are owned by wonderful neighbors. They are warm, friendly, honest people who offer help and friendship, but value their own privacy and that of others. Flocks of wild turkeys can often be seen roaming the woods and fields...followed by their strings of baby chicks in the summer months. Small numbers of deer raise their fawns here. Bob-white quail can be heard all summer.
We have developed the utilities on the farm to be quite self-sufficient.Water is supplied to both houses from "captured" mountain springs. This wonderful pure water is gravity-fed to the houses from higher reservoirs.Efficient heating in the main house is by radiant floor heat, augmented by architect-designed passive solar. The radiant boiler is also the hot water supply to two of the kitchens and two of the bathrooms. Blossman Propane monitors the tanks, and gives yearly price guarantees. The propane is also the energy source for the back-up whole-house generator in the main house. Electricity is supplied by our local cooperative, French Broad Electric Coop. Lines are well maintained and seldom down. This local company is down-home friendly and responsive.We have great phone service that is now all-digital with US Cellular. Our Internet needs are well met with high-speed service by Wild-Blue.
