Elk in Maggie Valley and Other Ramblings

Paul took this shot of Elk crossing Soco Road in Maggie Valley.  It seems since elk were reintroduced into the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, elk sightings in the valley have become common place.  When you visit the valley, please keep an eye out for these critters.  Besides not wanting to hurt a poor elk, they can weight almost 1000 pounds and do considerable damage to a vehicle.

The Cataloochee area of the park is still the best place to consistently view the elk.  The best times of day is the early morning, and late evening before sunset.  To get to the Cataloochee Valley, take Highway 276 North (the Jonathan Creek Road) almost to the end.  When you see the I40 bridge up ahead, make a left onto Cove Creek Road.  The pavement will end and Cove Creek Road will turn to a curving gravel mountain road.  Stay on the gravel road for about 3 miles and you will come to a paved road.  Make a left and follow this paved road down the mountain into the valley.  Continue on until you see open fields.  The open fields are the best place to see the elk.  If you continue past the end of the pavement, there are more open fields, an old church, school, home and barn in the upper fields.  There are also several hiking trails and great places for a picnic.

Home sales in the county remain strong, although inventories are getting thin.  When a nice home in the 100 to 300 thousand price range comes on the market, it can be under contract very quickly.  Lyndia Massey in our office listed a home in Clyde last Sunday.  It was under contract the next day.  Paul listed two homes in the Jonathan Creek area and both were under contract within 10 days.  If you are a buyer and find a home you like, make an offer quickly.

Come on up to the mountains, we’ll be waiting for you.