Peace-in-the-Forest Retreat - Couples, Artists, Forest Lovers Pickens, South Carolina Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 104486

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Location: Pickens, Upcountry, South Carolina, USA (20 miles from Greenville,SC, 10 miles from Table Rock St Pk)

Accommodations:  Cabin, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1.5+ Baths (Sleeps 2-4)

PEAK TIME FOR FALL COLOR - RENT NOW! Peace-in-the-forest retreat offers singles, couples, artists, writers, forest lovers and others a reprieve from the rat race by providing privacy and quiet in a very beautiful and comfortable, custom-built cabin, immersed in hardwood and pine forests of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located near the Blue Ridge Escarpment – that incredibly beautiful transition between the blue ridge mountains of the Appalachians and the SC foothills.

The cabin is located on 100 acres of forested land with many hiking trails that we are fortunate to be stewards of. It is also located within 15-30 min from Table Rock, Keowee, Devils Fork, Ceasars Head, & Jones Gap St. Parks; 30-40 min from Hartwell, Lakes Keowee & Jocassee as well as DuPont STate Forest(NC); less than an hour from whitewater rivers (Chattooga, French Broad & more), & many trout streams & waterfalls. It is 30 min from Greenville, SC; 40 min from Brevard, NC; 40 min from Clemson ; 45 min from Hendersonville, NC & 1 hour & 15 min from Asheville, NC.

THE CABIN - [images avail.upon request] We built the cabin in 2004 from pine trees that we cut and sawed here on the property; its surrounded by 100s of acres of privately owned forest land with scattered homes. This provides a rare kind of quiet, broken by the sounds of animals, the wind and rain. The dark night skies also allow for great star gazing.

The exterior of the cabin is made of white pine board and batten while the interior consists of white pine paneling and sheet rock, yellow pine floors, and tall cathedral ceilings throughout. Original oil paintings, quilted wall hangings, stain glass and other art impart a pleasant aesthetic quality to the cabin.

LOCATION, LOCATION... - The list of “Activities” below – with the exception of hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing - are not actually onsite but within easy driving distance. For example, there are many fine golf courses, fishing and boating opportunities within 10 - 45 min. While nearby Pickens and Easley offer some restaurants and cultural/entertainment opportunities, Greenville clearly offers the widest and finest selection of these.

The beautiful downtown district has many fine restaurants, the Peace Center (plays, ballet, music), museums, galleries and shopping. One of the recent additions is the restoration of the Reedy River Falls area in West End, the centerpiece of which is a curved suspension bridge (walking only), truly an architectural wonder, which overlooks the falls, downtown area and park.

Other local cultural attractions include the Pickens County Museum of Art and History, located 10 min away in Pickens. The museum also operates the restored Hagood Mill site, one of the few active grist mills in the region. Every third Saturday and selected other dates, there is music and more at the Hagood Mill, celebrating the early history of the area in terms of music, storytelling, blacksmithing, quilting and more.

DAVID'S FEATURE FAVORITE SWEET SPOT – I highly recommend kayaking, canoeing or swimming on Lake Joccasee - one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast. I will rent canoes and kayaks depending when available. This deep, clear lake is literally perched at the edge of the mountains – and is thus fed by clear mountain streams, whose waterfalls, in some cases, actually fall directly into the lake.

The surrounding mountain landscape with rich forested slopes and coves, coupled with the wide, deep waters provide a uniquely beautiful scene. Only one small area of this large lake has been developed - a small amount of private land and a small amount that is part of Devils Fork State Park but the rest is undeveloped forest belonging to Duke Power or the State.

ECOLOGISTS DELIGHT - We are located in the Upper Foothills Physiographic Province where we have a blend of Piedmont and Mountain species. This area is the southern tip of the range for white pine, Eastern Hemlock, rosebay rhododendron and other woody and herbaceous species. Much of the land is classified as ranging from oak-hickory forest to various pine-hardwood mixes (white, Virginia and Shortleaf pines) to cove hardwood-hemlock forests.

Historically, this was Cherokee land – points and other artifacts can still be found today. It was settled mostly in the late 1700s and 1800s by white settlers. Scattered homesites can still be found from this period. Cotton and corn was planted on much of the land in the area as late as the 1920s and 1930s but most was abandoned at that time. These cultivated and terraced lands, once abandoned, eventually reverted to forest and are now dominated by 70-80 year old Virginia pines and mixed hardwoods.

Evidence of old terraces and erosion gullies are still evident in the forest. Other parts of our property were never plowed historically. Rather, these somewhat more steep lands were periodically harvested for timber and other wood products; heavily grazed by cattle (woodland grazing) and burned periodically. These disturbances were mild compared to cultivation impacts. The result is a much more productive and ecologically healthy forest.

These forests are dominated by chestnut oak, white and red oaks, hickories, maples, interspersed with yellow poplar, shortleaf pine and large white pine. Deciduous magnolias, Silverbells, basswood, beech, sourwood, dogwoods and other species are also also prevalent. Common on some sites are ‘laurel slicks’ – thick patches of mountain laurel that appear as shiny, green, ‘slicks’ from a distance.

In the spring, nothing is finer than the bountiful white blooms of Mt. Laurel. These forests support a wide array of birds, reptiles and mammals. Some of the common mammals include – deer, turkey, squirrels, fox, skunk, bear, raccoons, bobcat and, the most recent addition, coyotes.

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Air Conditioning
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Linens Provided
  • Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: No sewer hookups but space available.
  • Wood Stove: This little woodstove can heat up the entire cabin if needed. Firewood and kindling is provided. There is also a central heat system.
• Beds
  • Double Bed
  • Convertible Bed: This 2-sleeper futon is located in what I call the 'office' or study - a 10 x 12 room with lots of glass(and window shades) - it has a separate door to the back deck and into the central main room - so privacy is easy. This room, with its comfortable couch/futon and mobile desk and chair make it a flexible space. It can even be set up as a small studio if desired but is certainly a great place to write, use your computer, or just relax etc.
• Entertainment
  • TV (No Cable/Satellite): We get 2-3 local channels; major networks. Reception fair. Hooked to DVD player.
  • DVD
  • CD Player
  • Stereo System
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen: This is a small kitchen but since we love to cook, we have lots of nice amenities. It has a gas range, waffle maker, toaster oven, microwave, french press, automatic coffeemaker, pressure cooker, 3 sizes of cast iron frying pans, good knives and more.
  • Cooking Utensils Provided: wine glasses, plates, cups, bowls, graters, utencils etc.
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
• Outdoor Features
  • Charcoal BBQ Grill
  • Deck/Patio: Our back deck is charming as it is elevated on a forested slope - you feel as if you are literally in the trees but at the same time can see the sky, feel the sun, and breathe the fresh air of this place. It also has an outside fire place (Chimenea) to gather around on cool days or nights.
• View/Location
  • Mountain View: From the cabin, there is no mountain view. Rather, there is a different kind of view - a view into and through the forest, as the cabin sits just above a cove or forested ravine. There are places where you can hike on the 100 acre tract where you can view the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also, 2-3 miles away is Glassy Mountain, A SC Heritage Trust Preserve - this granitic dome or monadnock is special to view but if you go there to hike, you have quite a view of the mountains as well.
• Communications
  • Telephone: This land line is available for limited free long distance (see below), for local calls, and for linking to the web. I suggest that you find a local access number for your internet provider (Greenville, Pickens, Easley, SC) to avoid excessive long distance use (see below). At this isolated location, DSL or cable is not offered by anyone [I could charge more for the isolation but...] Cell phone reception here is fair but sometimes you have to walk on the front or back deck to get better reception.
  • Free Long Distance: I allow up to 5 hours of long distance usage (at 5 cents a minute, thats a $15 dollar value). You are responsible for any amount over that.
• Other Amenities
  • Woodstove with firewood and kindling provided, Central heat/AC, No Smoking (smoking and pets allowed outside). Information will be provided for starting fires and for using the woodstove safely.
• Suitability
  • Pet Friendly: Pets are allowed on the property on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me about your pet(s).
  • Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations): The cabin has a handicapped/wheelchair accessible entrance in the front as well as from the cabin onto the deck, and 3-foot wide doors throughout. The bathrooms, while having a 3 foot wide entrance, do not have the required turnaround room to be classed as handicapp accessible. At this time, the cabin does not have a hand rail beside the comodes. I can answer specific questions about accessibility, so please contact me with questions.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): See description under "Handicapped Accessible"
  • Kid Friendly
  • Smoking Not Allowed: I don't care if you smoke but please don't do it inside the cabin. Outside the cabin, smoke but don't be a litterbutt - that is, don't throw butts on the ground.
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Zoo/Wildlife Park
  • Shopping
  • Restaurants
  • Rafting
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Boating
  • Waterskiing
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling/Diving
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Health/Beauty Spa
  • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
  • Live Theatre
  • Museums
• Other Activities
  • Folk (contra) dancing and more - To experience traditional dance and live music, travel 25 minutes to the historical and popular River Falls Lodge - an old dance hall located in the mountains along the middle fork of the Saluda River. Listen or dance to exhilerating live music that ranges from Appalachian old time to Celtic and New England fiddle tunes. Don't miss it! For more info, see harvestmoonfolk.org

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

Jan 01-Dec 31 .. $75/night .. $95/night on weekends .. $450/week;
3 day weekend special $240;
$50 cleaning fee added to all rentals; 2 night minimum.
Owner will provide payment option details
CANCELLATION POLICY: I prefer to reschedule. Otherwise, from date of booking to
30 days prior to arrival, full refund less $100 cancellation fee. 0-30 days of
arrival, there is no refund unless unit is rebooked, in which case refund will be
made only for days re-booked less the cancellation fee.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

• Credit Cards Accepted:

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