Recent review: “Ginny and Mark’s property is quite literally heaven on Earth. The gardens, the bird song, the pond, fireflies, starlight in the hot tub, the private sunset trail … Can it get any more magical? It all feels like your very own healing retreat. We were so at ease and felt immense peace the 5 nights we spent here. We both were sad to leave. Ginny was so hospitable and kind. There is not one thing we would’ve changed. It was honestly perfect. Do yourself a favor and STAY HERE! The yurt has a full kitchen, a small bathroom with shower, an AC/heat unit and cozy wood-stove, plus a private hot tub under the stars. Perfect for couples, our yurt is nestled in the woods on our 20-acre family home. The yurt looks out over a beautiful landscape of gardens, greenhouse, pond, deck, and forest. From inside the yurt, you can listen to the wind in the treetops and hear the rain play on the roof like a drum. Frogs and crickets lull you to sleep, and if you're lucky, the moon through the dome might wake you up at night. The kitchen is fully equipped for some nice home cooking, with a full-size stove, oven and fridge, and supplied with cooking and baking utensils. It's a place for slow easy menus, (no microwave, k-cups, or automatic ice maker). Come ready to relax and enjoy your meals, whether you choose to eat inside or out on the deck. The hot tub is always at the ready and is a great way to start—or end—any day. Spa towels are provided. The yurt is situated in the center of Floating Leaf Farm. We practice permaculture, sustainably developing our land with gardens, orchards, berries, rain harvesting, bees, mushroom cultivation, a fish pond, and our solar-powered 4-season greenhouse. We love sharing our farm with our guests. The pond is open to swimming or fishing. The pond is 8 feet deep, hosts fish and frogs, and in summer, shows off five different colors of water lilies, often with dozens of blooms open at once. The pond is stocked with bluegill, black crappie, and small mouth bass. A large covered deck overlooks the pond and is a wonderful spot to practice tai chi, yoga, or watch the sunrise. Near the pond is a stone fire circle available for nighttime campfire and marshmallow roast. Wood is provided. Guests are welcome in all the green space around the yurt. You can stroll through the gardens and orchards. We have a trail you can take to the wide open meadow on the top of our hill where you can see a very spectacular view and watch the sunset. You can let us know how much interaction you want. We can be invisible hosts while you enjoy your private serenity. Or we can give you a farm tour and share our adventure with sustainable farming and permaculture. We are happy to give you a tour of the greenhouse and explain how the off-grid system keeps things warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We grow much of our food throughout the year. Our indoor jungle includes several tropical trees: coffee, guava, banana, papaya, chermoya, lime and lemon. We grow everything without the use of pesticides. Wild choice edible mushrooms can often be found throughout much of the year. Wild food and mushroom walks on the property are available. Private tai chi and qi gong lessons are offered. Let us know if you are interested. Fishing equipment, and lessons if needed, are available. Mars Hill is five minutes away and provides all basic services including a large clean grocery store. There are a half dozen local eateries including a pizza place, a coffee shop, and a brewery located in an old movie house. There is a large art gallery with a local ice cream shop in the back! Madison County is home to some of the oldest American music known. The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Music Festival honors that heritage every year at Mars Hill University. The university also hosts SART, the Southern Appalachia Repertory Theatre offering local productions. The Rural History Museum at MHU is open most days and free to the public and has great historical exhibits. Downtown Marshall is 10 minutes to the west of us and is located right on the French Broad River. There you will find Zuma's, our favorite coffee shop and numerous great restaurants and shops. Blannahassett Island, across the river from Marshall, is a peaceful park under shady trees along the river. If you are adventurous, visit Hot Springs, where you can take a soak in the hot tubs and you will find historical buildings and some great history. It's about 30 minutes from here. There is no public transportation in Madison County. Uber does come here. AWD vehicles, though not necessary can be helpful, especially in winter. It is only a 25 minute drive south to Asheville and 20 minute drive north to the ski slopes. Wildlife is abundant here. We have hawks nesting near the creek, and occasional great blue heron by the pond. Raccoons sometimes find our orchard and berries (sigh). Foxes live up on the hill. Turkeys walk through the woods, along with the deer. We have a variety of harmless snakes, though none venomous. While in the woods you may be the target of chiggers, ticks, and mosquitos and there is poison ivy. Be careful when enjoying nature—here or anywhere. Dogs are welcome, though the property is not fenced. We ask that dogs be kept under your control either by command or leash. No aggressive dogs, please. Please let us know with your reservation what dog(s) you are bringing (age and breed). You should be aware that the yurt, as nice as it is, is still basically a tent. Keeping it cozy warm on a cold winter night is not difficult with the efficient wood stove and plenty of firewood, plus there is electric heat backup. But keeping it cool on a sunny hot day is a little more challenging. If you plan a visit during the summer, you should plan to get out and do things during the day and enjoy the yurt in the morning and evening hours. There is AC that works to keep the yurt relatively comfortable. Also, because it is not insulated, you will hear all the sounds of the forest and farm around you. There are crowing roosters and barking dogs in the neighborhood. If you are a light sleeper, you might want to bring earplugs.