Ascendere

From the Italian: to ascend, achieve by rising. And you will – on the exhilarating climb to this mountain-top log cabin, and every time you look out from 3,974 feet up across the valley below or to other distant mountains. No matter how restful your stay, you’ll find yourself greeting the sunrise – then watching the afternoon shadows caress the distant treetops, ideally with a favorite wine or cocktail.

The spacious master suite offers king-size comfort with its own balcony and a heated jet whirlpool tub. The Great Room surrounds a beautiful stone chimney with lots of spaces for dining, gaming, chatting and – yes – HDTV or DVD viewing. You can ignore the world, but the WIFI is powerful.  The kitchen is fully equipped and overlooks the Great Room so you can cook and visit too, or grill beside the deck (careful not to burn the steaks – the view is very distracting). Both guest rooms have queen beds and share their own bathroom. Very comfy for 6 persons if you dare to share.

You might not every leave, BUT it’s 35 minutes or so to the heart of Maggie Valley, Cataloochee Ski Area (known to be one of the first ski resorts in the US to open each season), Tube World (snow tubing), horseback riding and golfing. In 20 minutes, you can on Main Street in charming Waynesville or at Ingles and Publix grocery stores, Walmart.

You’re just 40 minutes from getting on the historic Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Pisgah National Forest, and several golf courses. Just west of Cherokee is Bryson City, home of the Great Smoky Mountain Railway and “Polar Express” during the Christmas Holiday.

Asheville is an easy drive, with the Biltmore Estate & Winery (America’s largest and most visited privately-owned home), Sierra Nevada Brewery and fabulous dining choices. For your outdoorsy side, Transylvania County is amazing waterfalls.  Or check out white water rafting, gem mining or zip-lining. To the west in Tennessee, you can enjoy Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.

The approach to this vacation rental is a paved and curvy road, and a short stretch of gravel to the driveway.  It’s all plowed but if you delight in the late fall or early spring, you’ll appreciate all-wheel drive for the freedom to come and go when you please.

Small dogs 20 pounds and under are welcome with a $150 (plus tax) pet fee.  We ask our guests to have their dog’s nails trimmed before their reservation to limit issues with the floors.  We also ask that you not leave the dogs in the house alone while out sightseeing and enjoying the beautiful mountain area unless the dogs are properly crated.