Sustainable Tourism Operator Highlight: John & Mel North Georgian Mountains
Solitude, comfort and relaxation can be found in this cozy loft nestled in the beauty of the North Georgia Mountains!
The Loft on Dogwood Way
As you know, Eat The Peach Travel is all about finding hidden gems off the beaten path. And let me tell you we found something really special up in the North Georgian Mountains. In our efforts of sustainable tourism, we're big on AirBnB as we find it's an intimate way to discover new places, but also the people. We spent an amazing experience with John and Mel at The Loft on Dogwood Way.
Each morning we were treated to a homegrown menu of their eggs from the chickens in the back yard, fruit and veggies from the garden, and there wasn't any plastic in sight. Hallelujah!
Each night we spent under the stars on the deck overlooking mountain pastures, escaping from some much needed time from the city.
However, the historic downtown Blue Ridge
shopping and dining district is only a few short miles from the cabin where you can explore one of the many hiking trails, on horseback or by rail on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. There's also tubes and kayaks available for rent so you can enjoy a relaxing trip down the nearby Toccoa River. John and Mel will provide dropoff and pickup service for river or hiking excursions at nearby trails.
For those looking for adventure, there is plenty to do here and for those just wanting to relax and recharge, you couldn't have picked a better place.
Getting to Know John & Mel
The Loft on Dogwood Way is owned and operated by John Puett and Mel Tidwell. They were both raised in the south but left home at young ages to find their piece of the world. John and Mel are both retired from government contracting work. Mel was an engineer with Lockheed Martin (after leaving the US Navy) traveling the world working on navy ships and John was an analyst for University of Alabama at Huntsville working for the Army’s unmanned aircraft division after retiring from NASA in 1999.
After marrying in 2017 they moved from Huntsville, AL to their vacation cabin home in Blue Ridge, GA. It didn’t take long for them to settle into retirement and spend time enjoying their passions. Mel’s love of all things food turned into a home garden. John is an artist and spends many hours volunteering for their church. They work together all summer harvesting and preserving the fresh vegetables for the months to come and tending the numerous flower gardens on their property.
As they began their AirBnB journey they discussed what they wanted out of the endeavor. Of course making money was great but it all sprang from Mel’s love of cooking and sharing with others. The guests stayed in our guest room in our home and would enjoy the home cooked breakfast and shared dinners around the table. John says it best. “We wanted to share our beautiful flower gardens and provide a destination for people to escape”. It instantly flourished and they had more requests than space. So John planned and managed a renovation for the space above the garage. The Loft on Dogwood Way was born!
Their focus is on hospitality and it shows. They will provide anything you may need and more. You can request a breakfast in and even a great home cooked meal for a special occasion. They will assist with restaurant recommendations and help discover the attractions and points of interest nearby. So if you’d like to visit a winery, find a local craft beer or visit the local haunted house, this is your destination! You won’t be disappointed. The Loft on Dogwood Way has every appointed amenity you might need with as much privacy as you want. All while also having the peace of mind and security knowing John and Mel are just next door to assist.