Flip Flop Burgers (https://www.flipflopburgers.com/) is in a large, wooden building with corn hole boards, chairs, and a fire pit outside. It's attached to the Hiawassee Whitewater Company (http://www.hiwasseewhitewater.com/). We walked into the enclosed porch which had been made so by an assembly of about a hundred old window frames, mismatched, stacked on top of and next to each other. We were immediately greeted by the couple who own the businesses, Mechell and Bryan Mayhew. Bryan was stoking the flames in a wood burning fireplace and Mechell told us to make ourselves at home. And that was how I ended up eating a juicy hamburger and fries while pulled up to a fire in my rocking chair, watching the Olympics and listening to country music. In other words, how I found my home. Mechell and Bryan told us about how busy they are in the season, and described the bonfires and live music they have on summer weekends. I can't wait to go back there when it's full of life, but I have to tell you, I was loving this place on a cold winter's day.
After lunch we drove to the Higdon Hotel (1914). I have a fascination with abandoned buildings, and this one was one of the niftiest I've seen. Unfortunately, there was a prominent "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" sign on the front of the house (photo on Instagram), but we did get to take some pictures and note all of the beautiful details of this building. I was overwhelmed imagining all of the stories that building could tell. That's why I adore abandoned buildings. There are so many words there, so many stories.
We stopped by the Watchman's House (1895) on our way back to the historic district (photo on Instagram). This building sits just above the train tracks and now serves as a guest house (yes, I will be staying there). The "Reliance" sign serving the railroad tracks is a great touch.
We drove around the mountain and ended up at a small store with many trucks parked in front. It advertised BBQ and bait, so we went in and were immediately greeted. I think it was obvious that we weren't from around there, and honestly, the people looked surprised to see us. In the back of the store a group of seven or so older men were sitting at tables (meant for the BBQ patrons, I assume) just talking and enjoying. It reminded me of the convenience store down the road from our family farm and the men who used to sit in the back laughing and drinking. They were a constant in my childhood until the store was sold to a gas station chain.
The woman at the register was so welcoming to us that I bought a Moon Pie (not that anyone needs a reason to buy a Moon Pie) before we walked around outside a bit. There was a back deck that I'm sure is full in the season, and a little covered walking bridge that crossed the creek to a well-worn path.
We headed back to Reliance and to our last stop: The Vaughn-Webb House (1888). This is the house in the photograph that inspired my new manuscript (photo on Instagram). It had even more character in person. The blue flower pots had been replaced by dark planters, and there was a beautiful, blue glass ornament on the weather vane that stood up from the front gable. The grayness of the day cast a darkness upon the house, and I realized immediately that the photograph I had purchased had been enhanced in color. The ornate gingerbread around the gable and the detailed decorations around the porch spoke to authentic craftsmanship and pride.
I was looking at the curtained windows, considering the characters that people my novel, when a voice broke my reverie.
"Are you guys following me?"
It was the black and white dog and the woman who had picked him up in her truck.
Her name is Tammy, and she takes care of the Webb holdings. Harold Webb owns the house, the church, the general store, the hotel, and the nearby farm. Tammy takes care of it all.
We also officially met Gray, the dog, who was incredibly friendly and who knew right away that Jennie is a dog person and so loved her almost to the ground. He was named Gray, Tammy told us, because "everybody names their dog 'Blue', so he's named 'Gray'". We chatted with Tammy for a while, learned that Mr. Webb was at home but that he currently had guests, and asked questions about the plants we had seen along our way...plants are Tammy's specialty. She encouraged us to come back in the summer to see all of the plants in bloom, and she promised that she would remember our faces.
Everyone in Reliance was friendly, welcoming, and above all--happy. There is an ease of life there, an appreciation for nature, a friendliness of spirit that made these strangers feel like we were part of this place. And everywhere we went, we found daffodil bulbs in bloom. I think that was Tammy's touch.
As we drove out of Reliance, I felt inspired, more than I expected to be. Reliance is alive for me now, and as I inhaled the clean mountain air, I know I took a bit of its character with me. I am so excited to return to Reliance. And so excited to let this story flow.
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