Murphy-Bound

 So why would we be Murphy-bound? Here's why.

On a day when the heat was extreme and the noise upstairs was the same, I fell in love with this darling place in Murphy, NC. As many of you know, Bruce and I had been looking to buy a summer place in North Carolina, however, to date nothing seemed right. Not to mention, our sons, whose opinions we hold in high regard, were slightly skeptical of how practical it would be for us. 

Actually I did search a few other locations on VRBO, but once I came across this place, I thought to myself, this is the one. Bruce was all in after I showed him. Our connection with the owners really clicked and between that and having Hank, our brother-in-law in Murphy, not to mention other friends, it did seem just right. SO, when the week ahead seemed empty of obligations, we decided to see it in person before we moved there for 3 1/2 months. What would we need to bring that was not provided. That kind of thing were questions we could only answer in person.

So let's go back to how we got to Murphy, shall we?

In my last post, which if you missed it you can read here, I mentioned that Bruce spotted something new and different to us. Leaving The Rockwell House, but not before I spotted this adorable Easter Phoebe,

we drove back to the river to check it out, parked, and made our way to the overpass which looks like this:

And just would that be? After a little sleuthing, along with observation, we learned that they are Barn Swallow nests and was it ever fun to watch them in action that morning!

See the little heads in the holes? Dozens and dozens of them were flying every which way, darting in and out of the nests. So good.

But the road called, so onward we carried. 

More gorgeous wildflowers along the way.

Smart looking horses, 

and almost no one else on the roads. We were driving on 441 and after spotting Commerce on the map,  recalling our delicious lunch there on our last time passing through, we returned and enjoyed thoroughly enjoyed the authentic and reasonable food again.

I get very excited indeed, when the terrain starts to become a little hilly.

And it only gets more thrilling when more than one mountain comes into view.

The route we chose this time was winding with plenty of ups and downs. Bruce is getting better all of the time driving the mountain roads.

This was a new route for us and I cannot decide whether it is more or less winding, but one thing I do know is that it was beautiful what with all of the Spring green. Because we last saw this type of landscape in the fall, with multi-colored leaves, the trees coming back to life, clothed in their shocking spring green colors was a real treat. What I will also say is that it is a darn good thing that switchbacks do not make either of us car sick!!

Who doesn't love seeing little towns dotting the highway?

Much to my surprise, after checking it out just now, this little town of less than 2,000 souls is growing in population. That is quite a feat as most of them are shrinking. 

Murphy is not too far from the Georgia state line so by late afternoon we arrived at Charlotte's Cottage. Just as great in person as online. Here's where we will be spending most of our indoor time.

I think I love it so much because it is so different than our decor. In that spirit, I decided to make a quilt for the bed. A very, very light one, I might add, as I get so hot while sleeping. Because we have nearly zero red in our home, any of the quilts I already have were going to be a no-go with the red curtains which are repeated in the bedroom. Super easy and quick, it is underway.

Using only my stash I found scotty dogs, cardinals and shorebirds amongst my overflowing baskets of fabric. I'm hoping it will be cute when it is completed, and I should know within the week. Or that is my plan anyway.

The cottage, called Charlotte's after the owners mother who used to live there before she died, is set up on a slight hill which we will be learning to navigate. Living in Florida, it is all flat, flat, and more flat terrain.

My goal is to walk the 2.2 miles into town by the end of our first month. Ambitious for sure, but what the heck? By then we should be far more used to the ups and downs. At the end of the drive it looks like this.

There is both a pond, where Bruce caught a fish on his first cast, and a fire ring. Just lovely. I am so looking forward to watching the season unfold. At the moment there is beautiful Mountain Laurel blooming in the woods adjacent to the house. How long this lasts, I have no idea.

According to our new landlord Laura, this plant is called a Flame Azalea.

We drove into town, checked out the pickleball courts, which were easy to find since we played there last Fall, followed by a trip to Ingles where we bought a few groceries. Once we returned, Laura came over to greet us and share a glass of wine, which she provided, btw. We were so pleased with the bed and the darkening curtains which is something very important to me. Everything was checking out perfectly. 

I will show you what I saw in Murphy itself in the next post, but for now, let's switch our focus to  Mother's Day which happened yesterday. I'd contacted our sons saying gifts were not necessary but cards are highly encouraged. Because MD is celebrated in a different month in the UK, cards are not readily available so we made do, wonderfully I might add, with a wonderful Facetime chat with Matthew before church. I did not open the card from Jonathan and Alissa until after we had a long chat with them on our way home from church but once I did, oh my! Cards are getting to be works of art aren't they? This came in the one from them. So cute and it is now decorating the kitchen table.

Bill dropped off the real thing,

and then we went down the street to David and Michelle's condo where we had pizza and wings, a repeat of a successful celebration last year. It is hard to dissuade this group so there was a cake,

some beautiful purple tulips in need of water,

wine from Bill and Fallon, along with another fantastic card, and a gift card and yet another super greeting card from D & M. 

I've decided that our digital picture frame will accompany us and this lovely shot of our Orlando family will be included.

Bill and Fallon on the left, David and Michelle on the right. Your favorite blogger in the mirror!

During play this morning I was imagining leaving everyone for more than 100 days and I felt a wee bit sad, but then when I began heating up like an oven, all sadness disappeared! While it will still be warm in Murphy, it won't last as long, nor will the sun be SO hot. There's a lot to be said for that!

your friend,

Gail