Nature

by

“Green”, “Sustainable” Definition

I found this great definition on Audubon International’s Website and was pleasantly surprised to find that their definition emphasizes Community as well as natural preservation.

“Central to achieving our environmental mission is the concept of sustainability.  That is: using resources in a manner that meets our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  To do so, we must foster thriving human communities rooted in ecological integrity, economic strength, and social and cultural integration.”

“Total sustainability cannot happen overnight, of course, but must depend on many small steps, collaborative and individual efforts, and political and social will.  The principles offer guidance for taking those steps and beginning a journey toward a more sustainable future.”

Our Mission at the Village on Sewanee Creek is to become a Self-Sustaining Community.

by

Green, Sustainable Development Incentives

The other day my wife and I were discussing the importance of sustainable, green conservation and construction in the Village.  We have already dedicated about 500 acres or 2/3 of the development to a nature preserve, but we agreed that we need to do more.

Here’s the plan:
1.  We have organized an advisory board of green experts to help us better define and drive green development.
2.  The first item on the board’s agenda will be to enhance the Village Covenants with construction standards for energy conservation, etc.
3.  We will rebate 10% of the lot purchase price up to $10,000 for installation of approved sustainable systems including solar water heating, solar energy, wind energy and rain water collection.  Installation must be completed within 12 months of closing.

by

Progress Update

Dear Friends,

We’ve been making steady progress here at the Village, completing amenities and opening a new phase, 1B.  The entry sign is almost complete.  This week we will be adding the kiln-fired tile face with Sewanee Creek Logo nestled between cut stone columns like those found at the University in Sewanee.  It will be a thoughtful reflection of the quality that is being carefully crafted into every aspect of the Village resulting in unsurpassed quality of life.

All the lots on the new phase have 5+ acres with Bluff Views.  Two lots in particular are stunning with waterfalls and unique Indian Rock Houses.

I need to correct an error on our brochure.  Of the 750 acres in the Village development, there will not be 300 acres in the common nature preserve in the canyon.  It is actually 500 acres.  That is fully 2/3 of the land dedicated to a natural preserve.  With both sides of the deep Sewanee Creek Canyon under Village control, the stunning views will never change and the wildlife there will have permanent sanctuary.

We enjoyed movies on the big screen at the amphitheater over the 4th of July and were treated to a meteor shower that upstaged the fireworks in the bright, clear starlit sky.  We all thought it a good omen for things to come.  The private community website has been functioning for some months now.  Members can call me to schedule a movie at the amphitheater that will show up on the Village private website calendar.  We look forward to a time when our residents regularly enjoy each other’s company at the amphitheater for all kinds of entertainment.  Call or email me if you would like access to the community website, which is now open to prospective buyers and friends of the Village.  There are many photos and conversations there that candidly chronicle our progress.

My own house in the Village is nearing completion.  Several others are looking to begin construction soon.

I live on site and would be delighted to give you a personal tour.  When you come, be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes so you can enjoy some of nature*s wonders on trails below the bluff’s edge.

Give me a call to set up a visit.  Even in the heat wave the whole country has been experiencing, temperatures are cooler on the mountain and the mountain breeze makes it a great place to be.

All the best, Grant

by

I believe in Love through Community.

This morning, at sunrise, I gazed out across the deep, fog shrouded canyon from the brow of the Cumberland Plateau that has become my home.  Nature has a way of restoring moments of profound peace and a sense of well-being.  My soul is satisfied for the moment, like drinking deeply from a cold mountain spring on a hot, humid afternoon.

But even here, in God’s great playground, my soul hungers for more and I thirst again.  I believe He wants more for and from my life.  I believe these moments of peaceful solitude have meaning only when embedded in a greater social context where love and service are actively cultivated and expressed.  And that is what must set the Village apart from other places of natural beauty and refuge.  Prolonged isolation without the association and love of good people, even in a natural paradise is little better than a prison.  That is why the first amenity I built here is a natural amphitheater that will draw people together spontaneously, whether to share a movie on the big screen, or a play or concert, where neighbors can be either spectators or players.  It is why the covenants require broad, covered porches on every house.  It is why I chose to locate within reach of the University of the South, a great institution of higher learning that focuses on the liberal arts and enriches cultural life across this mountain.

This morning, I happened upon an essay by one of my personal heroes, Albert Einstein (part of NPR’s -This I Believe- series).  Einstein was not only a great physicist; he was a profound philosopher and, most importantly, a wonderful human being.

I lifted several quotes from this interview.
He said, “Man’s ethical behavior should be effectively grounded on compassion, nurture and social bonds.
The individual feels more than ever dependent on society, but he feels this dependence not in the positive sense,  cradled, connected as part of an organic whole. He sees it as a threat to his natural rights and even his economic existence. His position in society, then, is such that that which drives his ego is encouraged and developed, and that which would drive him toward other men (a weak impulse to begin with) is left to atrophy.
. . . the education of the individual aspires to revive an ideal that is geared towards the service of our fellow man, and that needs to take the place of the glorification of power and outer success.”

I couldn’t have said it any better.  But I wish to create a place where our connection to society becomes Einstein’s “positive sense, cradled, connected, part of an organic whole”.

Upon enjoying my thousandth sunrise in the village, I believe that the truly renewable source of energy that will keep me alive to the natural beauty that is here will be greater than the view, greater than the majestic ancient hemlock trees that I love, greater than the thundering waterfalls that cascade to Sewanee Creek below.  It will be the shared love of good neighbors that will keep me from the dull ennui of spirit that comes of boredom even with nature’s grandeur.

You can enjoy Einstein’s entire essay at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9881828

by

The Bluff Lots are Ready

Today, I am announcing the pre-sale of seven additional lots in a new phase (1B) at the Village.

Each of these bluff lots is truly spectacular.  Deep woods, old growth trees, bluff views.  Two of them feature waterfalls and one-of-a-kind Indian Rock houses.  They range in size from 5 to 8.5 acres.  All have direct access to the 500-acre wild, private preserve in Sewanee Creek Canyon.

Several of you have said you were waiting for the bluff property to come on the market.  Well, it is here.

A recent acquisition of land adjacent to Browns Hollow Road makes it possible to reconfigure the plat and immediately offer these large beautiful estate lots.  The new phase 1B lots are located at the western end of the development.

You can view an overlay of the village in 3 dimensions on actual satellite photos using Google Earth.  You will be able to see any lot from space or from a low angle deep in the canyon, explore the bluff line or zoom in on the amphitheater.  Email me for the Village GoogleEarth Map and if you need help installing the Google Earth viewer.  I will be happy to walk you through the installation.

PS:  Any of you who do not yet have and would like access to my private website, filled with additional photos, downloadable files and interactive discussions may request a password by email.  The private site is for people who are seriously interested in learning more and participating with the Villagers who are actively shaping our community.  You will find there the most recent pdf file plat (too huge to email).  You will also find a virtual community of people who are interested in living in harmony with people and nature and a self-sufficient lifestyle.

by

Life in the Village

After a recent visit, my friend, Kerry Clay, wrote down his vision of life in the Village on Sewanee Creek.  I think he did a nice job of capturing it, so I’d like to share it with you.

“It’s Saturday morning and what are we going to do today?

We could watch the beautiful sunrise across the mountains from our back porch.
We could take the trail down the gorge to see how much water is flowing from Swallow Tail Falls.
Let’s take the east trail today that goes under Miller Falls. We might just go all the way down to the caves.
There’s a deer and look at those wild turkeys. They will always be here because of over 500 acres of nature preserve that all of us share in common.
Let’s wade the creek and look for natural treasures.
We could go down to the caves on our ATVs; we have an easement to hundreds of acres of 4-wheeler trails nearby.
Oh, these trees are magnificent, tall oaks, hickory, hemlock, maple and walnut. The ferns, mountain laurel, redbud and dogwoods, the hoot of an owl or cry of a hawk.

The big game is tonight and we have the amphitheater reserved. We’ll have steaks and ribs, burgers and dogs, on the bluff under the stars. Watching the game in high definition on the huge amphitheater screen will be better than being at the stadium.
I am amazed with our fiber optic communications systems for phone, computer and TV.

Last night we all rented a DVD and watched a great movie.
With the canyon view as a backdrop, the fire ring aglow, stars and full mountain moon. What a beautiful night it was.

We love the feeling of community here, sharing our big covered porch with close friends, our neighbors.  Drop by anytime for a visit. Let’s try that new cake recipe with coffee and fresh strawberries from the village garden ……mmmmmmmm it’s better out here.

There’s just something very special about our Village Called ‘Sewanee Creek'”.

by

Nature’s Power to Restore

A little over a year ago I left corporate life and soon thereafter purchased this large tract of pristine land on the Cumberland Plateau and moved to the mountains to develop the Village.

In the process I lost about 25 pounds and believe I gained back about 25 years of life.  When faced with challenges and discouragement a short hike in the woods or sitting quietly by a waterfall in contemplation of God’s creations restores my soul.

Reading this morning from Walden by Henry David Thoreau I came across a profound statement.  “I am convinced both by faith and experience that to maintain one’s self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely; as the pursuits of the simpler nations are still the sports of the more artificial.  It is not necessary that a man should earn his living by the sweat of his brow; unless he sweats easier than I do.”

Having moved to the Village, I often sweat as I enjoy working to build something beautiful.  As a “hands-on” developer I do so by choice.  Most days you can find me somewhere on the property enjoying its natural beauty.

The only thing I enjoy as much as the land is showing it off. I hope you will feel free to drop by.  A little advance notice is always appreciated, but I’m never too busy to enjoy a visitor whether for an hour or for the rest of your life.

by

Why you should move to our Village in the Tennessee Mountains

This morning I received a very long inquiry filled with all the right questions.  I thought my answers might be useful to anyone interested in the Village.  Here is my response:

Dear Shirley,

It sounds like you may be exactly the kind of neighbors I would like to live near.  I will try to answer with some of the depth of detail you gave me.

As you probably read on my website, I am just now breaking ground on my own home in the Village.  As soon as it is finished I will be moving my family here permanently from the Louisville Kentucky area.  I have 5 kids with one still at home who is 14.  She will be attending St. Andrews.  It is a GREAT school.  Although we are in a remote, naturally beautiful area, we are blessed with the presence of St. Andrews and the University of the South, both outstanding liberal arts schools.  Even if your kids do not choose to attend one of these, you will enjoy the cultural benefits of great orchestras, plays, lectures, poets and art that this brings to the mountain.

If you like four very moderate seasons, the weather here could not be better.  We are about a thousand feet higher than Chattanooga which lowers the humidity and the temperature about 10 degrees in the summer.  We have frequent breezes, but no hurricanes.

The main thing that distinguishes the Village on Sewanee Creek from other developments on the mountain (and by the way, they are all drop-dead gorgeous) is the sense of community we are building here.  I guess that stems partly from the fact that I have chosen to live here and I love people.  So I am putting in the kinds of amenities that bring people together as friends and I am committed to seeing that they are actively used.  You will find that the people who have lived here for generations are some of the finest people on earth.  Hunting, fishing and outdoor life are the primary modes of recreation.  Your husband would love that.  I am putting about 500 acres in the canyon below the village into a permanent natural preserve so it will always be pristine and beautiful.  There are plenty of churches of every kind.  I am personally very active and serve in my own church.

Land prices in Tennessee are some of the lowest in the nation for comparably beautiful land, but beginning to rise as this area has been discovered, but as the amphitheater and other amenities are completed, the Village will become an even more highly sought after place to live and lot values will increase.  I purchased this 700+ acre tract and began working on it only about 6 months ago.  Of the 15 lots available in phase 1A, six are already sold.  Also, Phase 1A is the most affordable section as the lots are smaller (about 2 acres) and not directly on the bluff, although some have breathtaking views of the canyons.  Future phases will be 5+ acres.

Your daughter is right.  If you come for a visit be prepared to be infected with the urge to move immediately.   I was.

All the best,
Grant Miller

by

Nature Preserve: The Flat Rock on Sewanee Creek

Last Summer I did a couple of short videos and posted them on youtube.  They are a bit bumpy and amateurish, but I think you’ll get the idea.   About 500 of our 750 acres will remain wild, designated as a nature preserve.

This video features a place called flat rock where Johnson’s Creek and Sewanee Creek come together.  The bottom of the creek here almost looks like poured concrete it’s so broad and flat.

Check out the fish and the swimming hole.  Flat Rock is near the cave that’s featured in my photo gallery.

by

Movie: Our 1st Hike down from the Waterfall to Sewanee Creek

This movie, posted on youtube is not a cinematic masterpiece.  My son shot it with his digital still camera and it’s pretty bumpy. But I think it shows the quiet grandeur of nature on the Cumberland Plateau.  Tennessee’s Mountain forests are incredibly beautiful, pristine and peaceful.

by

First Impressions

Today I visited a property located on Brown’s Hollow just beyond beautiful Grundy Lakes State Park on the Cumberland Plateau.

I had been searching the web in earnest for a couple of months for an investment property in Tennessee, preferably near Chattanooga because of the natural beauty of that area. I had found only opportunities in Western Tennessee where the land is flat and less interesting. Suddenly, this 750 acre tract appeared and I made the trek from Louisville, KY to see it the next day.

My first impression was that there is much work to be done to make this an attractive place to live. Portions of the property had been logged. But moving deeper into the pristine forest, I found stunningly beautiful views from steep, craggy bluffs. I felt a pull deep inside that said this is the place.