Historical and Secluded get away

Guest: Fuji269 (LaGrange)
Date of Stay: 07/28/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

We have just returned home from our Dennis Mill vacation. The cabin was so welcoming and we were delighted to find several nice surprises like fresh peaches and cheese and crackers. The location was certainly picturesque and the history of this location was exciting for us. We took many walks and many pictures. We had many talks as we traveled back into the 1850's as we stood in front of the old mill and tried to imagine what kind of life those folks had back then. We quietly posed in front of the old tractor, which was still resting peacefully from its years of labor. We enjoyed climbing Ft Mountain and seeing the specular view at the top. We were also happy to see Chief Vann's House not too far from the cabin. Thank you for sharing this wonderful cabin and history with us. We left our blessing on this house, its future visitors, and on you the dear owners of this incredible piece of property.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Adorable cabin with extra details, great weekend retreat for our family

Guest: TNAmber (Mount Juliet)
Date of Stay: 06/18/11 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

This cabin was even more adorable than the pictures on this site. So many cute touches in every room, you can tell the owners really make this cabin feel like a home that you are "borrowing" for the weekend. Definitely secluded in it's own little valley, it was a welcome break from busy life. Our two year old completely appreciated the toy basket both inside and out. He was squealing with delight at all the fun toys to play with. We enjoyed splashing in the creek and walking the area - so many beautiful wildflowers sprouting up. While my son and I were okay playing in the newly rock dammed up area of the creek one morning, the next sunnier day, our family saw several snakes swimming about and sunning themselves on the rocks. Would recommend visitors to be smart/cautious and look before they step. A few of the largest daddy long legs I've ever seen, popped up here and there inside the cabin, but we understand that is what comes with a cabin out in the middle of the woods. :) Sadly, we never found the swimming holes..we weren't sure how much farther they were past the old damn, so we turned around back. The area is so beautiful, we definitely will return some day. Hopefully in the Fall since I can tell the trees would be spectacular!

Owner response:So happy to share the cabin with you. When you got to the dam you were almost there, the swimming hole is just around the curve past the dam. Then just past the swimming hole is a 3 foot tall water fall spanning the width of the creek! Have not seen many snakes around the cabin, I think the key is to make lots of noise (not hare for me) and have a walking stick that you thump as you walk, snakes feel the vibration and usually don't want to see you any more than you want to see them. You will definitely enjoy Dennis Mill Cabin in the Fall, it is truly spectacular! ! !

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Late winter/early spring escape

Guest: Mare (Tampa area)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

Having read the previous reviews, we stopped for groceries BEFORE we arrived, knowing we wouldn't want to leave this cabin for even an hour. When we drove up, the cabin was warmly lit, welcoming us in from the late afternoon chill. The interior is so incredibly beautiful and unique that we exclaimed like children, wandering from room to room and sharing the treasures we found, then we tapered off to a stunned silence as we realized just how very special this cabin is. He played the guitar he'd found tucked into a corner, while I lovingly investigated the old and eclectic books, the crafts and antiques I found in nooks and crannies throughout the cabin. In fact, we made discoveries in that cabin until the moment we left! Perhaps best of all, the cabin is situated in its own historic park, with plenty of its own trails, so we decided to save the hikes in the national forest (a stone's throw away) for our next visit, when we will have more time. We hiked the property and took loads of photos, especially of the mill. He wants to restore the old tractor; I want to sit in the seat at the window and read forever. It turned out to be the perfect weather for a visit, cool at night and warm in the afternoon. The trees are budded out; the crocuses peep out of the soil; colorful moss vies with tender shoots of grass, and all are still covered by autumn's leaves. We ate lunch on the sunny porch, listening to the stream flow by. We watched herons fly overhead in formation and listened to their call. We watched the stars come out (so bright away from the city!) and the moon grow full. We cooked dinner on the ancient stove, lit a candle and shared a bottle of wine. We had quiet talks, time to breathe and to think and to just be. The cabin is, in short, perfect. We highly recommend it to anyone who needs time away from it all, but please leave everything as you found it so that the cabin (and its family) will welcome us back when we return.

Owner response:Thanks for the wonderful review! ! This is exactly how we hope all our visitors will feel - We, the owners, stayed over Valentine and could not describe it any better. We forget just how wonderful this "little piece of heaven" is. We sleep better in this cabin than we ever do at home - must be the sound of the creek lulling us to sleep. Food never taste better, course being wined and dined by your husband on Valentine may have something to do with that! Please hurry back.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.

Father's Day Weekend Get Away

Guest: Tide Pride (Tallahassee, Fl)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

Pictures cannot possibly do justice to the beautiful, tranquil and unique qualities of this property. My husband and I arrived about 8pm on 6/18 and stayed until late afternoon on 6/20. We made ourselves leave once to go buy groceries . . . we hurried back ASAP. It's that kind of place. The cabin is an incredible combination of lovey antiques and vintage items, I especially loved the early 20th century gas stove and the old screened door that was used for the pantry. This cabin was built by the owner and you can see special care was taken to use recycled wood, hardware and furniture, giving it the feel that it's been around for decades, instead of a few years. The history of this place and the old mill give you the feeling that you're a VIP visitor of a historical site. My husband loved the trout stream/creek and so did I. I spent hours just sitting in the cool water and reading while hubby honed his fly fishing skills. We hiked and explored the mill and caves. There were wild flowers everywhere, just beautiful. We love the screened porch and ate all our meals out there. We took advantage of the porch swing and hot tub too. We built a fire down by the creek, roasted marshmellows, watched the fireflies and listened to the bugs sing. We even saw a wolf cross the creek right down stream from where I was reading, in the middle of the day. Too cool! The cabin was great for a secluded romantic retreat for two but plenty large enough for a family get-together. We are planning a return trip with another couple in August and again in October. Can't wait!! Thanks to the Hixs family, for sharing this VERY special place with us.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

What a lovely spot!

Guest: Atlanta family of four (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 06/08/10 Review Submitted: 06/19/10

This rental is really special. The setting is very secluded, right next to a very nice creek. Sitting on the back porch listening to the creek was good enough for the adults, and the kids really enjoyed playing in it. The house is in good shape and tastefully decorated. The living room has floor to ceiling windows which allowed us to enjoy even the rainy days. The house was well furnished, and came with all the amenities (games, tv, internet) that kept everyone occupied and happy.

Recommended for:

A Little Step Back In Time

Guest: Don & Janet Harris (Clermont, Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/17/10 Review Submitted: 05/21/10

WOW! This Country Cabin Charmer reminded me of "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmothers House'! After we crossed over the creek on a one lane bridge and through the property gate, things just dropped back to an earlier time. The gravel travel trail led along the creek past a cherry type berry tree in beautiful bloom, an old antique tractor frozen in time and the "Dennis Waterwheel Grinding Mill" long closed but still standing. The trail continued on down the hill to a custom country cabin hidden in the trees on a little peninsula close to the creek flowing along three sides of the house and a mesmerizing mini waterfall to watch. From outside the cabin looks like a modern house, but as you enter the front door you are greeted with Granny's kitchen complete with pantry and neat antique memorabilia. The rest of the rooms in the country cabin were also loaded with items to reminiscence about. Every few minutes you could hear the girls saying "Oh look at that" and "I remember those"! Us guys laughed a lot as we slipped on the slick stream stones at least a couple of times and fell in the creek. As for fishing in the creek, I think we spent more time fishing the line out of the tree branches than finding any fish! We relaxed on the porch listening to the creek, we read, we explored, we enjoyed the quiet. All in all, We had a blast! All too soon it was time to throw the travel trip stuff back into the trunk and point the car back toward traffic, construction, congestion and people population. This is an awesome, amazing area especially if you are looking for some hiking, biking, a little trip back in time and just getting away for a stay with natural nature.

Recommended for:

Your Private Park-Best Kept Secret this side of the Mississippi-Truly God's Country

Guest: c-lee (South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/10

We knew it was going to be special because we had had the opportunity to stay down the road at Wildacre! Go across a one lane bridge,down a country road sided by pristine stream and your own private paradise awaits-you've turned to a corner of the world you will not want to leave and can never forget! Adjectives pail to describe the beauty,symphonic rythm of the water,the awesomenest of this magical place! Not only would I recommend this to my friends and relatives,I already have and hope to return again next month!There are nearby activities within 5 to 20 miles but truly you need not ever leave for anything except groceries!!. Thank you Rick and Angie for sharing this spectacular place with us!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.