Handbuilt Cabin: Ecofriendly Mountaintop Stay

* beautiful 20 minute drive to downtown Chattanooga *
Waking up inside Goldfinch feels like starting your day in a fairytale. Sunlight illuminates the bottles on the walls, changing in tone throughout the day. Tall ceilings, comforting textiles, and small touches draw your attention to each nook and cranny. Be ready to be transported to a different world!
This cordwood cottage was lovingly constructed by the owners one log/bottle at a time.
The space
Goldfinch is 1/4 of the "Songbird Neighborhood" at the newly-created Talking Water Nature Retreat. Talking Water is a family-run business located on an 82-acre strip of land, a mile of which runs along Suck Creek. Our family has worked tirelessly since April 2022 to repair damage done to the land and make it better than it ever was. The most recent part of this (after stabilizing the land and building cabins) has been expansion of our hiking trails along the property.
Our primary intent is to host large groups (up to 26 guests) for family reunions, friend trips, business retreats, religious/club gatherings, etc. We have created this space for people to come together while also maintaining their privacy.
There are 4 cabins, Chickadee, Whippoorwill, Goldfinch, and Blackbird. Each include their own sleeping (for 6-7), bathing (indoor full bathrooms plus outdoor showers), cooking (full kitchens plus outdoor campsite grills), lounging (patios, porches, and decks), and indulgences (such as electric fireplaces, tv, wifi). Outdoor showers are available for use from last frost to first frost each year.
At the center of the neighborhood is the Songbird Pavilion. The pavilion features an outdoor kitchen with an electric griddle, sink, and cabinets. There is a firepit, chairs, benches, and tables. Also, nearby are the slide, tetherball, and hiking trail. The guest laundry and games/extra toiletries are available a short distance away in the garage.
Cabins may be rented individually or as a collective (one listing for 4 cabins - Goldfinch remains under construction at this time).
Guest access
Rental of Goldfinch cabin includes the cabin itself and the outdoor space directly adjacent. This includes a patio as well as detached awning with a picnic table and hanging chairs. The patio includes two rocker chairs, the fire pit, and the outdoor shower. The permanant camp-style grill is between the patio and awning.
Also available to the guest are the community pavilion and the guest laundry room inside the garage.
Goldfinch comes with 2 parking spaces beside the cabin. Please message us to arrange for additional parking.
Other things to note
Sleeping arrangements:
(1) King bed in the bedroom. An arched door separates the room from the common space, but there is no door in the doorway
(2) Full size sleeper sofas
(1) Twin sleeper chair (this folds out to a twin bed)
Eno hooks for (2) hammocks. These are so fun to sleep in! We provide the hammocks and strapping.
Parking:
Goldfinch comes with 2 parking spaces beside the cabin. Please message us to arrange for additional parking.
PETS:
- Pets are allowed at the discretion of the hosts.
- Pet fee applies. We have a 50% "honesty discount" for guests who inform us of their pets and pay their fee prior to their stay. Full $100 fee will apply for pets host have not been informed of and for fees not paid prior to arrival.
- Guests are responsible for any damage and pets should be crated when not with the guests (hosts can provide crates if needed).
- Guests are to retain control over the pets at all times and clean up all feces.