Mountainview House - Luxurious Privacy Above the Clouds

About Pam Murphy

I'm a person who values privacy, quiet, contemplation and nature. My friends are for life. Having sold a small retail food business, I now own a small garden design/installation business which is the thing I have always wanted to do. As a state certified master gardener, I also volunteer my time in many ways and in many communities. I split my living year between Atlanta, GA and MountainView House, where I hope to live full time one day. I enjoy most outdoor activities, but especially, hiking and bird watching. I'm an avid reader of history, natural science and literary novels and journals. I'm learning to use my telescope more effectively. I was once addicted to Breaking Bad and The Wire (probably still am) and I really enjoy well written serious dramatic as well as seriously funny TV and movies. I'm a native of Chicago and return often to the suburbs there to visit my mom (she's 98 :) who lives independently in the home my dad built in Northbrook, IL. I hope to stay active and independent all my life and I believe that the key to that is to always enjoy and have fun at what you do even if you could make more money doing something else.

Pam Murphy purchased this House in 1998

Why Pam Murphy chose Topton

I bought this beautiful place after spending a July 4 weekend in the Snowbird Mountains and seeing only 1 other person on the lake there. I began searching a bit farther south in The Nantahala range of the Smokies, where there were/are even less people, although after 18 years, there are a few more folks who have caught on to this magic place. After two years of searching, this home came on the market and my realtor called me to come up and see it, even though it was for sale at a price higher than I had budgeted. One look out the western windows and I knew, THIS IS IT. I made an offer that day and have never looked back for the past 20 years. For me, it's not even the house, it's the place, itself, where I always feel closest to nature and her living things. The scene is always changing and always beautiful and haunting. There is always peace to be found here.

What makes this House unique

My home is situated on two (mostly vertical :) acres at the top of a mountain. Most of my very few neighbors are seasonal, but I live here on and off, year 'round. It is the incredible quiet and peace that I find here and yet I am only 140 miles from my home in Atlanta. I feel that The Nantahala is another country entirely, so close to Nature as it is and rugged enough that not that many people live here. I also enjoy the face that the road leading to my home is like a private driveway, really, and when the trees are in leaf, you would never know my home was there. When the trees are bare, my home is more exposed, but the mountain views are so much more dramatic! The spring and late fall are wonderful times to visit for this very reason but not many people take advantage of this fact and so I happily return for longer visits, especially in November, when it is still fairly warm and in the spring during bird migration. This is definitely a spot for serious birders or for anyone who enjoys the color and song of migrating birds. Also, bald eagles have returned to the lake - a wonderful indicator of a healthy environment. Travelers should know that this is not a rental property per se, but a private property that is sometimes rented. Therefore, my guests will find quality furnishings and art and probably things that I should not display because of their portability. I believe in trust and the honor system, though, and have found through the years that most people are honest and trustworthy which gives me great hope. I have been disappointed only 3 times in 18 years and I consider that a good record. Guests need only behave as they would in their own homes to have a good experience for themselves and for me.