Meet Bill & Sarah Walsh | Mountain Cabin Rentals – Bed & Breakfast Owner & Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bill & Sarah Walsh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bill & Sarah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Bill retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2020 after nearly 30 years of military service, which included, marrying Sarah, 4 kids, and 12 moves. They initially retired in St. Petersburg, Florida where Bill started a position as the Marine Superintendent at the Florida Institute of Oceanography. This was at the onset of COVID so it was challenging to operate vessels and conduct science with the virus running rampant.  During this time, Sarah’s aunt and her grandmother passed away. Both were in the Blue Ridge, Georgia area, a place Bill and Sarah loved to visit. During their frequent visits, it became clear, Florida and Bill’s job were not the right fit for their family. They initially decided to move to the mountains, and buy a small “retirement” cabin, but the market was overpriced and expensive. Sarah and Bill also realized  they were both somewhat young and still had a family to raise. This is when they came upon Misty Mountain Inn & Cottages, which has 6 cabins, a 5 bedroom bed & breakfast and a hiker hostel. Bill and Sarah purchased Misty Mountain Inn with the intent of managing it as a family affair (kids included) learning all aspects of the business.

So if you would have asked us if we saw ourselves doing a B&B, we’d tell you absolutely no. But we would not change a thing. Running a small business has given us a chance to spend more time with our family while imparting upon them the values of hard work and running a business. It has been the most rewarding part of our lives thus far.

Aside from Misty Mountain, Bill has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2013, Bill partnered with his friend and fellow Coastie to develop and patent a mobile app called ICO (In Case Of Emergency). The app “Makes the call for help, when you can’t”. They are finishing up the last phase of development and executing their marketing plan. Joe, his partner, is also pursuing another product called Lifecool. Lifecool is a marine cooler with a life raft built in. Bill has earned equity in this project and continues to help get this innovative idea to market.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Bill – I began my career in Jan 1991. Prior to enlisting I was attending college at Georgia Southern University. I was not the best student as many new found distractions took me away from my studies. I soon came to the realization that I was wasting my time and my parents’  money. I told my parents how I felt, but only after I had visited each military recruiter. I mentioned to my father that the Navy offered me a sizeable signing bonus to became a Navy Seal. Based on my dad’s own time in the Navy, which was mostly at sea, he steered me towards the Coast Guard. Other than my dad’s interaction with them as the owner of a Boat U.S. franchise, I was unsure what the Coast Guard did, but in the end I signed up for a 4 year contract. I made it through boot camp and subsequently reported to my first unit, which was on a ship named the Cutter Northland. I remember asking the sentry how to find the ship, to which he replied, “look for the numbers 904”. As I approached the pier with my sea bag on my back, there were four 270’ ships, but just one with 904 painted largely on the bow. I was unaware the Coast Guard had ships this size! As the most junior person on the ship, I cleaned toilets, chipped rust and painted, and I washed a lot of dishes. I also learned about weapons, how to drive small boats, fight fires at sea, maritime law enforcement, and most importantly how to work and lead people. In 2000, these traits and my strong work ethic paid off as I was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. In late 2000, I was commissioned as a Ensign and retired 20 years later as a Commander. My career afforded us many opportunities, including allowing Sarah to be a stay at home mother and focus on home schooling our 4 kids. She runs a tight ship and I am blessed to have her.

Misty Mountain has been guided by the strong work ethic we have as a family and it has allowed us to join our skills together and live out our dream! We take immense pride in pleasing our guests, and providing a unique and beautiful location to rest and renew.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Blairsville has so much to offer and is a great jump off point for any mountain adventure! Much of my focus would be on the outdoors as there are hiking opportunities for each and every level – from the Appalachian Trail to lesser traveled trails like the Arkaquah Trail.

Day 1 AM: You can’t leave Georgia without visiting Brasstown Bald. The hike follows a paved trail through a mossy forest filled with rhododendron and high-elevation plants. At the top, panoramic 360-degree views unfold with beautiful scenes of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains bathed in golden light. On a clear day you can see several states and the city of Atlanta’s skyline.

Day 1 AM: Pickers Barn. There’s something for everyone here! You can spend several hours looking through the plethora of collections (Antiques, clothing, you name it!) and wares for sale. If you can’t find something here to love (and possibly cherish), you’re not doing it right.

Day 1 Lunch: 7M Farms is a family owned and operated farm. In addition to farming they also have a restaurant which serves some fantastic food, which is what brings us here! They have a wide array of food, from great burgers to seafood. This small town business is a great place to eat and stock up on farm fresh food. And the owners are great people too!

Day 1 PM: Alexander’s Country Store: This is a local & tourist favorite. What began in 1953 as a small general store has now evolved into a shopping experience with casual yet trendy clothing and shoes, furniture, appliances, guns, and ammunition. Definitely worth a visit! And they have great sales after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Day 1 PM: Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap. Not only is this a great place to see or hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail, it is also home to one of the areas most famous hiker stores. Many a hiker have come thru here as they either started or ended their AT hike. A tree just outside the store is covered in shoes from hikers who after coming off of Blood Mountain have called it quits! Great place to buy AT gear and even better people to speak with about hiking and the area in general. I’d grab a T-shirt that states ” I hiked the entire width of the AT!”. Its their best seller.

Day 1 Sunset: Bell Mountain, otherwise known as the “Non-Hike”. This rock formation is beautiful even though visitors have adorned the outcroppings with graffiti. At 3,400 ft above sea level there are 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Chatuge. Spectacular sunsets!!

Day 1 Dinner: I love burgers and my favorite hole in the wall (also name of great breakfast place!!!) is Chill N Fill. This mom and pop diner type restaurant serves up the best burger at a very decent price.

Day 1 After dark: Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co, is the largest distillery in North Georgia. It’s owned by country musician Tommy Townsend, who uses family recipes passed down by his grandfather Jack McClure, a notorious bootlegger in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They offer tastings of their potent moonshine, vodka, and Georgia whiskey. On the weekends there is no shortage of music and fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Bill spent the majority of his life (nearly 30 years) as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard where many mentors shaped and formed him. His work ethic, attention to detail and compassion were all cultivated through the experiences he was exposed to throughout his career. When Bill joined the Coast Guard he was young, somewhat immature and lacked both formal leadership and management skills. Without the care of those in charge I would have never boldly stepped out in business.

Website: bill@mistymountainga.com

Instagram: mistymtninn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/misty-mountain-inn-cottages

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mistymountaincabins

Other: Trip Advisor – https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34775-d75330-Reviews-Misty_Mountain_Inn_B_B_and_Cottages-Blairsville_Georgia.html?m=19905 ICO Mobile App – https://icoemergency.com/ Lifecool – http://www.keepmylifecool.com/