New To Murphy

Comment

Comment by Beth S. on May 12, 2010 at 10:51am

Great idea! I could apply the concept to both communities where I live. Thank you for the suggestion, Jim & Debbie B., and most of all thank you for sharing my "wavelength." I can see that you are the type who stays on a problem until all the possibilities are examined.

Comment by Jim & Debbie Burch on May 11, 2010 at 10:14pm

I find myself driving alone more and more.... but find driving by oneself boring and more exhausting than in company.
Another thought, if there`s a local college in your town, many used to have a "ride board" where students are looking for rides to & from different parts of the country from time to time. An arrangement like that could even help pay for the gas!

Comment by Beth S. on May 11, 2010 at 8:25pm

Hi, Jim & Debbie Burch:

Yes, you described the best option of all, which is to travel leisurely and enjoy the journey. I do that whenever I go to Murphy with my sisters and my niece and her family, and it is a lot of fun. But, because I do not live in the same state as they, and often we do have different schedules, I find myself driving alone more and more. At these times, I just want to get there ASAP so I drive nonstop except as necessary and when I get to my cabin I almost feel the floor shifting around me. I do not mind the amount of time, but find driving by oneself boring and more exhausting than in company. My sister's neighbor in CT is in her 80s and she has been driving all the way to FL by herself for decades but, just as you said, she would stop. Actually, she only had to drive once a year, closing up her winter home in the fall, back in late spring. Also, she would line up all her friends and relatives along the way and the journey could take a week. Very sensible, I'd say. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

BS

Comment by Jim & Debbie Burch on May 11, 2010 at 3:53pm

Beth, I see now (after RE-reading your post) that you`re coming from the North East. Given the options you`ve already explored, I myself would find a nice half-way point, and make the drive in 2 days, going half way one day, then stop for a room & a meal, and continue on the next day.
As it is for us, we are only 8 hours away, and usually leave VERY early morning, and arrive about lunch time.
But the changes you would be facing going from planes to trains to busses and more, would bring me to the conclusion that the drive would be worth it!
Best of luck in getting a plan that works well for you, both in comfort and cost!

Comment by Beth S. on May 11, 2010 at 2:55pm

JD, your comment now reinforces my resolve to try CCT at next opportunity. Thanks.

Jim&DebbieBurch, I followed through your comments and was told by Greyhound that they do have three trips throughout the day that connects Charlotte and Ashville. I find the departure of one trip is compatible with the arrival of the AMTRAK, but it requires an overnight stay in CLT to be able to bus on to AVL the ff morning, which then makes the train option generally costlier than flying, except during peak season. I come from the Northeast and, therefore, can not use the AutoLine, though I asked Amtrak about it and they said it was only available in Florida, lucky you. I guess I should move to FL if I want to carry my car on train travels. Thank you for your info; they are good leads for me.

Comment by John Dilbeck on May 11, 2010 at 11:18am

Donna, it sounds like you've been busy and enjoying it, too. When you get some time, why don't you take some photos and share them with us here? I'd love to see what you've been doing.

When it comes to fishing in this area, the Howards are experts. My son-in-law, Stacey Howard loves to fish. He went fishing with his dad and a friend from Florida and they caught quite a few nice fish. Last Friday night, we enjoyed a fish fry on their front porch with family and friends enjoying fish right out of the lake, hush puppies, french fries, slaw, pineapple-cherry dump cake, and all the trimmings.

I feel very blessed and very lucky to live in such a beautiful area and be surrounded by such great people.

Comment by Donna Merritt on May 11, 2010 at 10:59am

We have now been in Murphy for almost three months and still loving every minute of life in the mountains. Our cabin did not have landscaping to speak of when we purchased it so we have been very busy. We have planted flowering bushes and shrubs, lots of perennials and annuals, hanging baskets, and a garden including our favorite veggies. There is nothing more rewarding than to watch your plants grow from day to day and begin to produce.

In addition, we have added LED lights to our deck for our evening pleasure. LED lights are very bright but do NOT attract bugs. These additions have made our cabin our own - expressing who we are and our likes. Now we will concentrate on thickening our minimal amount of grassy area. Then, at long last my hubby will look into finding some good fishing spots in the area. Anybody have any suggestions???

What are you all finding to do these days?

Comment by Jim & Debbie Burch on May 10, 2010 at 8:53pm

Charlotte to Asheville.....try Greyhound?
Also, where are you departing from? If you are deep into Florida, the Amtrak "Auto Train" goes from south FLA up into Virginia, perhaps you could take it part of the way, and drive the rest?

Comment by John Dilbeck on May 10, 2010 at 8:11pm

Good evening, Beth.

Cherokee County Transit Service is a service of the Cherokee County government. I've linked to their official web page.

(I also have links to a variety of businesses and government agencies on our Directory page.)

When I was Mom's caretaker, there were times when we needed help with transporting her to the hospital or doctor's office and we called on Cherokee County Transit to help us. They even have vans with a wheelchair lift, and that made it much easier to get her to where she needed to go.

So, I'm a big fan of their service and the friendly people who drive for them.

I have no experience with using their services out of town, though. I don't know anything about transportation services between Charlotte and Asheville.

All the best,

JD

Comment by Beth S. on May 10, 2010 at 6:06pm

Hey, kind hearts and gentle people:

I acquired my cabin in Murphy last summer, but have very scarcely lived in it because my permanent residence at the moment is a 13-hour drive away, plus stops. I love the cabin and the town and really wish I could visit more. I have tried flying to ATL but that could be very expensive, all told, especially around any holiday, during summer, etc. Meanwhile, driving alone is not only tiring, it could get painfully boring. I am continuing to explore new ways to make a second residence pleasant and financially viable, and would sincerely appreciate some suggestions from you. ( I live way out in the northeast.)

I realize the convenience of the ATL airport, with the frequency of flights and the number of airlines available. However, the transport services to and from Murphy is easily $150 for one person, and the best I could get was a small taxi service for $100. Now, the latter is out of business, so my internet and phone research brought me to the Cherokee County Transport, with offices in Murphy, which apparently charges a very reasonable $75 pp for door-to-door service. Only problem is that they only operate during regular office hours, which could be difficult at times as even with meticulous planning there could be unexpected delays at various points of the journey. However, they seem to be very eager to render service to potential passengers and appear quite responsible.

Questions: Has anyone here tried the CCT service, or heard of them? If so, please give me a feedback. AMTRAK service goes only as far as Charlotte, so transport is still needed to get to Asheville where CCT also picks up passengers (on their schedule). Does anyone know of bus service from Charlotte to Asheville?

Any answers to or related to the above would be very welcome. I am happy to have stumbled on this message board and have read a number of interesting comments. What a bunch of great guys and gals! Thanks....

EarthWWWalker

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