In 1994, I purchased 658 Hopper Road, Shady Valley, TN with the optimistic, vision of creating a small retreat center, (no more than 30 people) serviced by a small contemplative community. I considered the monastic life yet felt called to something more in keeping with the times, couples, families, singles living together, working land and serving the wider community with individual and communal gifts.
The original community vision was for kindred spirits to live simply in shared prayer using a modified Divine Office, Morning Prayer, Noonday and Compline with Evensong on the weekends, shared labors on the land, several weekly meals together, and plenty of personal time for work or study.
Today the vision is to welcome people here who want to live a simple, contemplative life on the land, sitting twice a day in Centering Prayer/Meditation, with chanting and perhaps a time of reflective reading and to enjoy shared meals several times a week, divide the land labors, which are basically maintenance and enter more fully into a life centered in the heart.
The Property: Total land is 10.5 acres in Shady Valley, TN with a 3 BR house, a walk out basement apartment and a converted garage/greenhouse where I reside. The land has 2 year round streams on either side, nestled in woods, several springs, 3.5 acres of cleared pasture, 2 quiet and protected roads for walking, an area ideal for an amphitheater and room to build small retreat houses as well as some residences and still farm the land. There are blueberries, raspberries, apples, and Asian pears growing here. There is also land adjacent to this property that is for sale and a few homes close by that may be available for rent or purchase.
The main house 3 BRs and room to add 2 baths to make 2 BR's with large, private baths and decks for two folks to live upstairs and leave one room for guests. Ideally two people would rent the house. The main living area has an open floor plan, with a long galley kitchen into the dining and living area plus there are two decks, one covered and the other not. There is also a small library and the basement is a walkout with a kitchen and bath, which can be used for meeting space, guest room or workshops. The basement has wet weather water issues that have to be permanently resolved. I think I am close though!
I live in the garage which is across the drive which has an attached greenhouse.
There is vacant house for rent has 2-3 BR and 1 bath with ample yard. It is not 300 feet from the left corner of the property and access is down a peaceful wooded lane. It sits across from the handsome Rock House which has goats, donkeys, and dogs! The other house is comparable and maybe one tenth of a mile from the head of the driveway. I do not know the status. There was talk of selling, repairs have been made and it may well be available. It has a great view even though it is behind another house.
There is also land for sale on Hopper if anyone falls in love and wants to build their own place.
Hopper Road is .9 long and is populated with some lovely homes and some average. There is also a hiker hostel about midway down. The land is .7 from the main road. I walk out and back every morning and hear the goats and cattle, dogs and birds. It is generally quiet and peaceful.
At the present this is privately owned. People who would want to live here would pay rent or rent another home close by.
LOCATION: Shady Valley is located 32 miles from Abingdon VA which is a thriving arts community, home of the Barter Theater, the Wm. King Arts Center and has nice shops, excellent eateries and the best farmers market. Emory & Henry College is about 45 minutes away as is Bristol VA/TN. East Tennessee State U and Appalachian State are each about an hours drive and Shady is only 1:45 from Asheville, the Paris of the South. Internet is fiber, stable and fast enough for me. It is also surrounded by mountains with the Appalachian Trail going along Cross and Holston Mountains and the the Old AT running the ridge of Iron Mountain.
The closest town is Mountain City, TN, 12 miles away and next is Damascus, VA the friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail. One passes through Damascus to get to Abingdon. Authentic Thai food is 20 minutes away and true Italian is 15 minutes. Both are fabulously flavorful places to eat and both do carryout. Mountain City is the overflow from Boone of Floridians and is also close to Watauga Lake.
There are two TVA lakes within 20 and 30 minutes from here. Bring your boats!
Shady Valley is watery and thin. This was Native American land once and I have had many visitors to say this place is sacred. The valley is maybe 5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide and is embraced by Cross Mountain, Holston and Iron Mountains, with the former and current Appalachian Trails on either side. Beaver Dam creek runs through the middle. Maybe 1500 people live here and most are conservative Appalachians. There is a store in town with basic needs like food and most household emergency needs and a small restaurant.
Having said all this, I am also willing to sell and reinvest elsewhere if the opportunity arises.
Email: eeewat@gmail.com and we can set up a time for conversation and in time zoom or other means. Put Community in subject line
My fone #: 540-685-3055 - TEXT FIRST. If you are not in my speed dial, I will not answer. I am on my nephews plan and voice mail is rarely available because he rarely deletes his and it rolls over to me. Grin and go figure.
Thanks for reading and inwardly digesting.
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