While searching for the perfect cabin for us, I had decided that the Banner Elk area was the setting that I most enjoyed. Close to shopping and dining, but not over done or over-priced like so many nice mountain communities. The realtor showed many a cabin and there was cabin that I had truly liked, but just did not fill the desire that I had created in my mind’s eye.
There was a local “For Sale by Owner” opportunity, but I did not take it seriously because the owner had two cabins and wanted to sell them together. I had settled on one cabin and wanted to buy outright and not take on a mortgage. The gentleman agreed to meet in Sugar Grove at the post office and lead us to his cabins for sale. The first thing that struck me was how the drive up the back side of Valle Mountain was so beautiful. This is starting out on a nice tone, I thought to myself.
We pulled up the driveway and in front of the Treehouse Cabin. Nice setting, clean property, pretty cabin and then I opened the door. The symphony of falling water that welcomed me this early spring day was so overwhelming to me. My immediate thought was I must own this property and I had not even looked inside one of the cabins.
The cabins were in excellent condition and, although in need of a redecorating, provided a strong foundation on which to build. After touring Treehouse, we walked to the waterfall, along the stream, and down to the pond. The topography and natural rolling of the property was food for the soul.
On to the Bearclaw Cabin, where I was shocked to find that it had its own source of natural charm. The separate, gorgeous stream that can be seen from Bearclaw’s back deck provided its own surround sound. You can hear the stream from Bearclaw’s deck 365 days of the year. It is a healthy, vibrant courier of natural mountain water. Little did I know at the time that particular stream would be the source of our favorite family picnic spot, swimming for the kids, as well as fishing.