“Truly magical! ...”

Those were the words of the first guest when she discovered this wondrous retreat, full of surprises for kids and grown-ups, just downhill from the Appalachian Trail. Go for a walk in the woods, go for a bike ride, splash in the creek, or just laze the day away in a fireside rocker with a good book. With two bedrooms, a clever sleeping alcove, and a futon in the Secret Playroom, the cabin sleeps six, seven if you banish snoring Uncle Arslan to the couch.

The space
There's hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, bird-watching, sight-seeing and shopping nearby but maybe you just want to dissolve worries and refresh your spirit. You won't be able to resist the gentle burble of the Stone Creek. And although remote, it's outfitted with all the modern amenities.

Your vacation is more than an investment of money; it's an investment of your times and hopes, and I take your investment very seriously, as the reviews show. With all it's wondrous touches, this place is guaranteed to delight you. You'll feel like you're at the home of an invisible friend who wants you to have the best possible time. The kids won't want to leave the Secret Playroom (more quiet time for you!). Washer, dryer, central air, instant hot-water heater. Wood stove, fire pit, fully equipped kitchen. Though you'll probably spend most of your meals watching the forest scenery from the window table, leaves of the oak dining room table pull out for a full formal meal.

Beware that GPS will lead you astray. The cottage is ¾ of a mile down a winding single-lane dirt road, across a creek from Route 183. The cottage is 2½ miles north of the intersection of Route I-78 and 183, about a mile from the Berks/Schuylkill County border

Cabela's is 12 miles away and Lancaster County 40 miles. The cottage is 163 miles from Washington, 130 from NYC, 92 from Philly. Gettysburg is 80 miles away, Knoebel's Amusement Resort is 30, and Hershey Park is 35. Both the Yeungling Brewery and Rausch Creek are 22 minutes away. Maps, guidebooks, and a custom notebook list the hundreds of other activities, adventures and amusements nearby.

The house was built by local artisans from local stone and wood. The floors are reclaimed oak; the cabinets and mantel reclaimed Doug fir. A local Amishman hand-crafted the front door and window table, and the gorgeous beds were made from local wood by nearby craftsmen. The antique oak table desk and other furniture, no way to know their origins.

What's provided? The cottage has a wood stove in the stone fireplace with firewood and kindling provided; a 43" flatscreen TV with basic cable, Dolby 5.1 sound, blu-ray DVD player, all connected on the local wifi. There are plenty of board games, the type you grew up with, and wondrous libraries for adults and kids.

The fully-equipped kitchen has everything you need: induction stove, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, Bialetti moka pot, with hand-crank bean grinder, crockpot, fridge, dishwasher (hooray!), cooking utensils, pots and pans, flatware, dishes, and glasses. I provide basic staples like ketchup, mustard, mayo, butter, sugar, flours, teas, olive oil, vinegar and spices so you don’t need to worry about the little stuff. And of course I include the ingredients for the must-use spaghetti ice cream press. Note: induction stoves, though super-efficient, only work with ferrous metals (steel, iron), so if you bring your favorite aluminum pot it will not work. However there are tons of high-quality ferrous pots, pans, dutch ovens, etc, etc onsite for you to use.

On the window table is a 3-ring binder of instructions on how to work basic home utilities (TV, cable, wifi, thermostat, trash), along with the 14-page list of local activities, and a map to the AT.

There are 2 main bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed; the sleeping alcove houses a twin, and the Secret Playroom has a full-sized futon that will sleep 2 kids. Big family? The companion "Cozy Appalachian Trail Cottage" is just across the creek. Book the two!

When you come, bring a printed copy of the directions, a flashlight, and food; laptop and cellphone. I provide all the bed and bath linens, household papers, and soaps; firewood and kindling. Do not bring your own firewood as it may house infestations of dangerous insects like the spotted lantern fly and emerald ash borer.

An early guest commented on the taste of the well water. I have since installed a stricter water softener system with carbon filters, so now there is no mineral scent or taste. No need to bring your own water.