The Cabins In The Woods

Sunrise at Newfound Gap this morning. The Bull Elk were bugling in the valley while young bucks rattled antlers.

Surreal sunrise through the mist at Fontana dam.

The hummingbirds were flying up to the windows this morning to complain about the ants that had gotten into the feeders. All right already...... Eileen made up a new batch and I cleaned out the feeders. They are now refilled. Quit yelling at us!

5:30 AM from Fontana Dam. Hikers gotta hike, and sometimes they need rides. Happy to oblige.

6AM at Clingmans Dome. Start of another fabulous day in Western, NC.

[06/10/20]   No pictures-too dark, but what a cool night yesterday. Went to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to watch the synchronized fireflies. Every year-late May to mid June you can catch the show. Many folks get impatient, and bug out too early when the performers are flashing randomly. After an hour or so they each begin to flash rapidly 4 times randomly. That's when you know the show is about to begin..... Soon, one will start to flash, and all around him flash at the same time. It continues and more join in as it gets darker. Somewhere in there-if you watch closely you'll see the elusive Blue Ghost fireflies. They don't flash, but their blueish glow is constant as they paint lines across the dark. Don't miss it!

Fontana Village Resort & Marina

News from Fontana Village Resort. Their opening date due to resort management surrendering their lease is not determined. But, we are open (Thankfully). C'mon in.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158317285946912&id=26851506911

To all Fontana Village Resort & Marina guest, friends and family,
We want to let you all know that the recent Owners of Fontana Village Resort have decided to surrender their lease back to TVA as of June 1, 2020.
This was a difficult decision for them to make, but due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of a big part of the 2020 season they have decided not to continue the lease on the property.
TVA is actively looking at the future for Fontana Village Resort & Marina, but they do not have a planned opening date.
There are a lot of details to work out between both businesses before any announcement can be made.
The very limited staff continues to contact immediate reservations and we ask that you are patient with us as we work through this transition.

The Marina will continue to operate this summer 7 days per week 8am to 6pm.

Home | NativeAzaleaFestival

https://www.nativeazaleafestival.com/#

nativeazaleafestival.com We can't wait to welcome you back again for our full  festival including live music, street festival, and guided hikes! 

Mark "The Flying Pig" just came through on his thru. He did the NOC to Stecoah Gap in 3.5 hours (after doing 12 that morning) Then Stecoah Gap to Fontana in 3 hours. He stayed, resupplied, and was gone in a flash. Here he is at the gap with his glass flying pig (an homage to his Mom). Dude can move.

[05/16/20]   The gate is open on the road to the Fontana Dam Visitors center. Parking is again available there.

[05/06/20]   Hip, Hip Hooray! We are finally able to accept bookings starting Saturday May 9th! After over a month and a half, we will be looking forward to visitors once again at The Cabins in the Woods. Start looking for availability starting tomorrow online. The Smokies are opening Friday (limited) and we will be advising visitors to follow guidelines recommended by the FED and our local county government, but the beauty of late spring awaits. Come and get it.

We are all waiting with baited breath on whether the governor will lift the stay at home order and if our county will allow us to reopen on May 9th along with Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The road checkpoints have opened and motorcycle/sport car traffic is picking up. The creek is running strong. Our current view off the deck. Just another perfect day!

Water water everywhere

This gem just off the road between Fontana and Deals Gap yesterday.

[04/19/20]   By 7AM tomorrow, all checkpoints and roadblocks leading into our county (Graham, NC) will be removed. Still waiting to hear when they will allow accommodations to reopen. Current guidelines for people visiting Graham County is bring all necessary supplies/groceries and self quarantine for 14 days (or if staying for less than 14 days, for the duration). We will advise as soon as we receive guidance.

Hello everyone. We are sequestered up in the mountains weathering the storm(s) both viral and weather related. Some much needed rain today. We are still closed of course, praying for an end to all the suffering, and a return to normalcy-whatever that will become. Sharing a few pictures of doggo/human wellness hikes recently. Duke and Gracie in their element. Where's Lucy? Tearing around too fast to get a pic. We wish everyone had the access we do to open spaces with no people to avoid,. Soon friends.......soon. Keep the Faith!

Found an early bloomer

Enjoying the patch of periwinkle we found while hiking a service road. It will look even better when it blooms. Definitely no one within six feet of us! @ Graham County, North Carolina

[03/22/20]   Graham County has been revising their statements hourly. The latest is they will announce road closure information on Monday the 23rd to become effective Friday the 27th. We will update as information becomes available. For now, all lodging must close at Noon on Monday the 23rd. Shuttle services are still available.

NCDHHS

Hello everyone. We are remaining open primarily to service the Appalachian Trail Thruhiker community. People still on trail may need our services to manage the limited ability to shelter and resupply. The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) is closed, however the General Store remains open for now. Our hiker cabin holds only 2 (3 if you’ve been hiking together), and with some cancellations, we may have availability in our vacation cabins as well. So far, most local restaurants remain open, and word is some will provide carry out service if and when they are required to stop dine in services. As of today (March 17th), there are only 40 reported cases of the virus in NC (no deaths) - no cases reported in Graham County.

Since we are here and staying open, we will not cancel any existing reservations for our vacation cabins. You are welcome to make reservations and come visit us, but we urge you to take precautions as recommended by the CDC and local health authorities. All of the booking services we are listed with have implemented their own COVID-19 policies, so for changes and/or information, please contact the service you use to book. We recommend when booking that you purchase travel insurance. We do keep disinfectant wipes and Lysol in each cabin. Naturally, we urge anyone that is experiencing symptoms of flu, or Corona Virus seek medical attention and practice social distancing to help curtail the spread. Here is a link to the NCDHHS so you can stay up to speed with the latest developments.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

ncdhhs.gov

Above the clouds at Stecoah Gap. Our latest visitors MuoN, Renz, Tim, Bluejeans, Proper, Scooby, Boogie, The Hound, and Bubbles. The US and The Netherlands well represented. Hike On!

NOC to Stecoah Gap - Fall and Get Up to Some Trail Magic - The Trek

James stayed with us last night. Here is his blog from the day. It was a beautiful day.
https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/noc-stecoah-ftrail-magic/

thetrek.co NOC-Stecoah Gap-Trail Maintenance-Fall down-get up-Trail magic-gators-hopeful-Cabin in Woods-icy hot-qtips-bruises butt-best day

Timeline Photos

Beautiful snowfall at the cabins yesterday. Warming trend today and tomorrow. It wont last long.

Inka, Jayhawk, Matt, Prince, and Professor. A few of the great folks that stayed with us so far this week. A little chilly. A little snowy.

Greetings everyone. The cabins have been refreshed for the upcoming season and are ready for vacationers and hikers alike. Please let folks know about us and come see us sometime. We'd love to have you. Use one of the links below for more details.
https://evolvevacationrental.com/407141
https://evolvevacationrental.com/407143

The Graham Star

The weather was great for the first Cheoah release of the year and 100s of people were out and having fun.

The hikers are coming! The hikers are coming! 1 lamp in the Old North Church. No Navy here. Jeep, Night Train, Idiot, and Crusoe stayed with us last night and were off at the crack of dawn at Stecoah Gap this morning.

[02/19/20]   Suspecting we will start seeing regular NOBO thruhikers pretty soon. Only 3 have stayed with us so far. Don't forget to reach out when you hit M150 at Stecoah Gap for shuttles, lodging, etc. We're close and can be there in 10 minutes for pickup.

Fontana spillway

Earlier than ever, and thanks to 18.5" of rain already this year, the Thunder from under (Fontana) has been flowing for several days. This video from last evening of the end of the deflector. The plumes are about 35-40' high. Quite a sight

US 441 will close tonight through the Smokies at 6PM for expected high winds per the US Park Service. Low of 19 on top with rain turning to snow. Dangerous wind chills. Hikers, be prepared and if not sheltering, stay away from widowmakers. The ground is soggy from days of rain. Here is Six who is NOBO (our 3rd so far). Sorry I blinded you with my flash

[01/26/20]   Upper Nantahala River yesterday. Saw a couple preparing to kayak and one brave fly fisherman.

Cowboy Bill and Rascal stayed with us last night to thaw out. Now they are continuing their A.T. journey today at Yellow Creek Gap on a cold but sunny day.

[01/15/20]   Finally got around to updating our website. Check it out at www.thecabinsinthewoods.com

ChanellSOBO and her support crew. She's doing everything she can to get this thru hike done. Weather be damned. Flipped to go NOBO for a while. First hiker here in 2020. Good luck!