I began MY first adventure in the North Georgia Mountains in 2000 when I bought a little cabin conveniently located off the grid. This quaint little cabin sat right on the Conasauga Creek, headwaters of the Jacks River, surrounded by the Cohutta wilderness.
Every Friday, as I headed out of Atlanta toward the mountains passing through Jasper-Ellijay- Blue Ridge then up toward Dali Gap, I could feel the weight of city life, work, and all the nonsense that goes along with it being lifted. It was in the last mile as I forged through the Jacks River into the wilderness, wading up creeks, seeing blue herons swoop down that I felt the absolute quiet that I thought could only be found in these mountains, in this forest...some call it Peace.
For several years that was my life; spending weekdays in the big city in a loft just 2 blocks from the Westin Hotel in downtown Atlanta and weekends in the wilderness.
Then as it always does the winds shifted and my life was about to once again change as I decided that downtown Atlanta living no longer served the lifestyle I dreamt of.
In 2004 I moved to a loft above a coffee shop that had just opened in downtown Blue Ridge. I still owned the cabin in the wilderness but now my life was settling into full-time mountain living. As I embraced this slower pace I met others, like myself, who had also escaped the city for a healthier and more adventurous life. I found myself hiking and kayaking more and yes...I still had to work a bit too.
It was during this time that I met Rick and once again the winds shifted. We began to explore the area looking for a place we could be together in the mountains and a create a lifestyle for us. we wanted a place we could be creative, where Rick could do his photography and I could fulfill any little whim that came along. And thus is was in 2007 we found a 1930's farmhouse for sale. It was here that we created what is known today as The Martyn House, home of Glamping. It has been 7 awesome years since we created our unique retreat. Guests have come and gone and
many have returned time and again.
Then as 2012 came along just as we were closing for the season there was another wind shift that kicked up just enough dust for us to not see things as clearly as we might have needed to.
We bought a 1940's building in historic downtown Ellijay and for the next year and a half we spent most of our "spare" time completely renovating the building. We creatively designed the building, which included a unique coffee shop (with the intention to help connect our community), 2 in-town living loft spaces, a retail space and a studio. As I mentioned there was a considerable a dust storm with this last endeavor.
This evolved into a 3-year project to build out and be in operation for a year getting the kinks worked out all the while maintaining our Farm and Glamping.
Now it is fall 2015, the dust has settled and we clearly see that we need to make some tough choices. We have loved every endeavor we have ever created. Our Glamping continues to be an incredible experience for our guests and us. The media continues to embrace what we have done continually featuring us. The coffee shop has been such a great way to meet and connect our community. We realize however that we can no longer run two businesses and do them both justice and honor our own time together.
As I look back at this journey, I need to mention that today, the cabin in the wilderness is owned by a young man that bought it during the build out of the coffee shop. We needed an infusion of funds and he came along just in time with his dream, which was to work with the endangered hemlocks and the cabin was perfect for base camp. SOLD!!! Life is like that, when the time is right, there is always someone there that the dream gets passed to thus fulfilling their dream as well!
The farm is a unique property which has an incredible foundation and following. We have a strong customer base of glampers. It now needs someone to take The Martyn House to the next level. This could include further exploring one of the ever growing industries ' woodland vintage chic' wedding destination venues, or creating strategic partners for retreats and more events like our Farm to Table Dinners.
The property is built out and ready for growth.
We need someone who is looking for a change in their lifestyle, someone who's dream is to live in the mountains, someone that loves people and nature and someone looking to get those creative juices flowing.
WANTED: the PERFECT buyer for our farm.
FOR SALE
Circa 1930's Farmhouse w/ 17.46 acres
2 Studios (each with a kitchen and indoor bathroom,
one has a fire pit and outdoor bathroom with shower and claw foot tub)
Pond w/ Outdoor Living Room w/ a fire pit
Pizza Oven Patio
4 Luxury Sleeping Tents
1 Entertainment Deck w/ a fire pit
Chicken Coop w/ chickens
Workshop or Garage w/ attached Greenhouse
Established Bed and Breakfast Business called Glamping
If you or anyone you know is seriously interested in our farm please contact us at [email protected]
What ARE we going to do??
?
We are going to quit wearing so many hats!!!!
We hav
e decided to live in one of our downtown lofts and continue building the coffee shop
We are thinking about a vacation
or two or three.
Rick will do more with his photography.
I will finally write that book I have had been thinking about for so many years.
We are going to take more naps, hikes and kayak trips.
We are going to lighten our load and see what this next chapter brings!
