Last updated on 03/29/2010
Searching for a place to stay when my husband and I are ready for a getaway is a tedious task. We are both hopeless romantics, and we each have our own (wonderful) way of dreaming up impossibly romantic weekends, and then driving ourselves a little crazy trying to find a place that meets our expectations. I scrutinize the listings on vrbo.com, playing detective, putting together a floorplan based on the clues I find in the photographs, and trying to determine how a place might feel. This can take days, sometimes weeks.
When my we went to the mountains of NC in 2008 I knew exactly what I was looking for. I wanted lots of windows so that we could enjoy the mountain views. I wanted a hot tub with no roof overhead so that we could count the stars. I wanted a comfy place to cook and eat local food, and I wanted privacy, to enjoy all of the above.
For that particular trip, I found Treetop Mountain Vista, “Asheville’s Coziest Cabin.” It has become one of our favorite places on earth. When we visit, we we venture away from the cabin during the day, for a hike on the parkway, a swim under waterfalls, a nap after a picnic lunch, or to pick blueberries. But we’re always happy to return to ‘our cabin’….the place where I found the courage to paint, and to write again. The place where my husband and I reconnect with each other, and with the source of our creation.
We sleep with the windows open…the crickets and frogs sing us to sleep. We awake in the morning to leaves rustling in the breeze, and birds singing outside the window. We lose count of hours in the hot tub as we watch shooting stars, and find ourselves in awe when we, once again, realize that the stars aren’t spinning, we are! We sit on the simple deck, bathed in candle-light, enjoying each morsel of food we’ve prepared together.
There are times when I set myself up for disappointment by creating expectations that I’m not willing to work for. Maybe I even expect someone else to do the work, search the listings for me…I wind up frustrated. Then there are times when I know exactly what I want, and am willing to take the time to find it. Every now and then, when the stars are aligned and blessings abound, I discover something even better than I’d imagined.
(PS….even before Frank knew I was working on this post, he was chatting online with Nancy, the owner, about this coming weekend. We’re having a last-minute getaway, and there’ll be snow in the treetops! Can’t wait!)
More information about Treetop Mountain Vista can be found at:
Nancy’s Blog: http://treetopmountainvista.com/pages/cabininfo.html
Jane, It warms my heart to know that my labor of love is so appreciated! Thank You for this! Nancy
It’s my pleasure. Writing this post brought back so many wonderful memories. Thank you, Nancy, for your many, many gifts! Can’t wait to see the snowy mountains from the hot tub!
One more thing…where were all those gorgeous sunflowers? My first year in NC, over by Sylva I had a huge field for planting a garden. I got llama dung from a friend’s stable to use for fertilizer and planted a few sunflower seeds I had gotten free, loads of tomatoe plants, corn, lettuce, well all kinds of good stuff. Those sunflowers grew to be the biggest I have ever seen in my life. I love sunflowers! And I had so many juicy tomatoes I had to give baskets of them away every day. Gardening is so rewarding!
This place sounds so wonderful! I’m sure I would love it too! I just need my own “Frank” to share it with.
Have a wonderful weekend with your loves!
@Nancy
The sunflowers are at the Biltmore Estate….as far as you can see, with the mountains in the background. It was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. I’m planning an organic garden this summer….guess I’ll need to find some llama dung! Thanks for sharing!
@Susie
It is a wonderful place, indeed. You’re surrounded by people who love you. Soak up the goodness they offer, and keep following your path to wholeness.