Ready for a peaceful getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains? The Shady Lane Cottage is just 15-min from Damascus & 30-min from Mountain City & Abingdon. This charming cottage sits on 56 lush acres of pasture, spring/stream water, forest and wildlife. Inside is a two-level open format & well-appointed dwelling, with 1/2 bath and simple kitchen, wood stove, cozy sitting area. A queen-sized bed is downstairs, a full size air mattress is upstairs. Don't miss our refreshing outdoor shower/tub as well! The space *HIGHLIGHTS* WIFI is available near the main house. We have an outdoor dwelling which is private if you need to use the internet, attend or host a meeting, or do some work. Just contact us to confirm! Most guests do have good cell service at the cabin so a hot spot should work fine if that is your preference. There is a half bathroom inside the house and the shower/tub are outside. The entire cabin is on well water (which is delicious to drink), and our guests really love the outdoor shower experience which does have hot water. But, if you would prefer an indoor shower, we can accommodate you in the main house. Just let Stephen know and we will make arrangements - no problem. Finally, we have an additional single mattress that we can provide upon request. LOCATION -15 minutes from Damascus, VA (aka “Trail Town USA”) with access to the Creeper Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Iron Mountain Trail and more; also less than 30-minutes from South Holston Lake and under an hour to Watauga Lake -Cabin perched on a knoll with a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains -Cabin 200 yards from main house, with entrance and outdoor area facing away from house for privacy -Access to the pastures and meadows of the property, including creek access at “The Oasis” (see pic) -Guidebook with nearby recommendations provided DOWNSTAIRS -Queen-sized bed -Sitting area with wood stove, couch and comfy chair -Bookcase with a great selection of reading to choose from -Space heater for cool days & fans for warmer days are provided -Kitchen with small fridge, 2 burner stovetop, toaster, hot water heater, coffee maker (Keurig), plates/bowls and utensils, cooking implements and sink (coffee and tea is provided) -1/2 bath with linens -Foyer with couch and bench for easy relaxing and reading (lamps too!) -Staircase that leads to upstairs (see pic) UPSTAIRS -Full sized air mattress -Single mattress also available upon request -Open format great for yoga, kids play and more -Small sitting area by the staircase OUTSIDE -Outdoor furniture for dining and/or observing nature and taking in the sunset -Outdoor shower/tub (very private!) - the shower/tub water is heated and we provide bath products as well. We have a non-slip outdoor rug, but you might also want to bring sandals or flip-flops. Bathtub is mostly decorative, but feel free to use! The lingering stains are unavoidable due to it being outdoors, but the tub is clean and usable. PET FRIENDLY -Extra cleaning & sanitation provided -Food/water bowls -Squeaky toy -Waste bags for cleanup IDEAL FOR COUPLES/SMALL FAMILIES -Very natural setting though well-appointed cottage -Very restful/relaxing -Best for families up to 5 (up to 2 adults/3 kids can sleep comfortably upstairs. Full size air mattress is in place and we can add a single mattress too if needed) -Be aware that the staircase is narrow and you must carefully ascend/descend (weight limit 300lbs) ENTERTAINMENT -Many local books -Games -Card games -If you plan to go to La Cucina in Mtn City (world class Italian restaurant), we suggest reserving well ahead of your visit as it does get booked! GUEST ACCESS Guests have access to the entire cabin in additional to the private work dwelling near the main house (you must reserve in advance; please contact us to do so) OTHER THINGS TO NOTE -Our space is located in a natural setting near a forest. Though we treat the exterior to keep out pests including insects and mice, this is a reality of nature. Our space may not be a fit for those who are extremely phobic of these and other wildlife. -The cottage does not have AC (air-conditioning). The warmest months here are July & August, and we do have fans available if you need them. That said, during the warmer months of the year, it's in the 60s at night, so never very hot. Daytime highs in July & August can reach into the 80s, and these are typically the warmest days. In winter time there is a woodstove for warmth plus a space heater. The woodstove is so cozy! -Be aware that the 2nd floor is accessed via a wooden staircase with a weight limit of 300lbs. Also, there are handles on the sides to support you while ascending/descending. To go down the ladder, you will need to go backwards. Please be aware of this when booking and considering your needs for using the staircase, especially at night. -Absolutely no parties. -Parking is alongside the long driveway entering the property. The main spot is close to the cabin, with additional spaces moving down the hill from this main one. We have marked this spot with a green parking sign and there is a new wooden staircase leading from the parking space to the yard in front of the entrance. If you plan to arrive with more than one vehicle, please let us know so we can direct you. We advise folks to try their best to arrive in the daylight, as it does get very dark here at night (which we think is a huge plus as you can fully see the Milky Way on a clear night!). We are happy to leave some cabin lights on for you if you do arrive after sundown, just let us know! -Please ensure all guests are accounted for within your reservation. We DO NOT allow anyone that is not accounted for onto the property, even if they do not plan to stay the night. Unannounced guests will result in a $100 per guest, per night, charge to your account AND you will need to vacate immediately. -The cabin is on well water. It is very safe & delicious to drink! -This cabin is on a septic system; it cannot handle food scraps, wipes, nor toiletries. There is a basket in the kitchen sink drain to stop food from going down; empty this basket into the trash as needed and at the end of your stay. Toilets can only handle septic-safe toilet paper. Do not flush hygiene products, wipes, nor excessive tissue, EVEN ONES MARKED AS FLUSHABLE, as this will cause a blockage and render all plumbing unusable. - ***All trash must be BAGGED and TIED in kitchen-sized 13 gallon bags (provided), then left behind inside the cabin (we cannot have trash outside due to bears). If you need to empty the trash during your stay, just let us know and we will retrieve. The trash company does not have a dump truck; they pick up each bag individually. Please be mindful of this. Dog poop bags must be enclosed in trash bags as well*** -Pets require a $10 additional cleaning fee; there is a $50 fee for bringing an unannounced pet. Ensure all pet waste is picked up. We have seen bobcats and bears, so please be mindful of your pets! -The cabin has a Take One, Leave One library; feel free to bring a book you’re finished reading and trade out for one of ours. Of course, this means there may be all sorts of books on our shelves, which may not represent the opinions or values of your host. If you see something you find offensive or inappropriate, please tuck it away and let us know. -If you are sensitive to political signs, flags (US, Confederate, or otherwise), this may not be the right listing for you. Although we do not post affiliations, some surrounding homes do. -Because this is a rural area, we recommend turning off any lights that are not directly in use, as bugs are very prevalent and attracted to light, especially at night. **If you are sensitive to insects (indoor and outdoor), this listing may not be the right fit.** Guest access You will have access to the entire cabin