How did I get here?

From California Farmlands to Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains: Finding My Forever Home

For most of my life, the Central Valley of California was my home. I grew up surrounded by the breathtaking farmlands and the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains—a landscape that etched itself deeply into my heart. After getting married in 2015, my husband and I settled in Visalia, California, often called the Gateway to the Sequoias. Life there was full of beauty and adventure, nestled so close to the majestic giant trees that made the region famous. We ended up having a horrible neighbor move in right next door that pretty much ruined the peace and happiness that we felt in our beloved first home. It left us wanting to move somewhere more remote with no neighbors having the capability of ruining our Happy Place again.

As a realtor, I always kept an eye out for unique properties, and when I discovered a mountain home in Springville, California, it felt like a dream come true. It was our slice of paradise—a peaceful retreat where we could enjoy the serene beauty of nature. We lived right on a gorgeous river with a huge waterfall we could hear from our back deck. We had beautiful views of the high sierras and a wonderful sprawling flower garden the locals liked to refer to as the park as it had paved pathways and benches dotted throughout the landscape.

But life in the mountains came with its challenges. Within our first year, the Sequoia Complex Fire came dangerously close to our home—just 300 feet away. We were evacuated with just a short time to gather any important belongings and to catch as many of our pets as we could take with us. For almost two weeks watching the flames threaten our sanctuary from satellite images was absolutely terrifying. Our home was spared but the landscape would never be the same. In efforts to make fire lines the destruction of trees along trails where I once walked my dogs was heartbreaking. The backburns scarred the mountain views we had loved, and the ever-present fear of fires became a shadow over our lives.

After two more years of uncertainty and seeing the insurance crisis take hold of our area, we realized it was time for a change. We longed for a place where the mountains stayed lush and green, and where the sense of community mirrored the kindness I grew up with in my small-town roots.

Our search led us first looking to Tennessee, but ultimately, and I feel by destiny we found ourselves in Blairsville, Georgia, tucked away in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. This place was a revelation. It was a world I never knew existed back in California—a place of verdant beauty, rolling hills, and a warmth in both people and atmosphere that instantly made me feel at home.

Now, I wake up every day feeling like I’ve found the place I was always meant to be. My mission is to help others discover the same peace and happiness I’ve found here. Whether you're looking for a serene retreat or a fresh start, I want to share the beauty and wonder of life in the Blue Ridge Mountains—a place that has truly captured my heart.

The Stunning View From our Front door In Springville, California