oh my gosh

First the basics: All the listings on the web site were good & accurate. The place was clean, the owner provided very good customer service and was very interested in our happiness. We would definitely recommend this spot, and use it again! Note the owners comments about 4 wheel drive for the driveway - about 100 yds if you try to walk it - pack light!

What we did: Both the Virigina Creeper bike trail and hiking trail next to the New River are great. But hanging out at the cabin was the best!

Our thoughts: Many rental properties are "generic" and feel about as personal as a hotel. This place is the opposite - you walk in and you feel like you're walking into your favorite grandparents cabin - but new!!! Also: super views, quiet (except for our noisy gang!), dark nights (no lights from other buildings) and peaceful (see above...!) Highly recommended, and we hope to return.

Stayed at the cabin November 09.... wonderful. While I understand there are many things to do close by, we found no need to leave the property. Lots of land/trails to explore, flat screen tv's, dvd player, i-pod dock etc.

Fully equipped kitchen and a great gas grill on the elevated deck overlooking the valley for family cookouts. Unlike many rentals, an added bonus is not having to bring linens and towels... everything was provided.

Cabin is huge and in great shape... would recommend to any group up to 12 or so.

We have been coming to this area for 15+ years and this is by far the nicest (and largest) cabin we have stayed in. The cabin is charmingly rustic, but upscale and full of amenities. This cabin can easily accommodate 10. The collection of antiques decorating both the indoor and outdoor areas is quite impressive and the kitchen is well stocked for cooking. Everything was spotless when we arrived and the owner stayed in contact with us frequently before and after our stay. Jeff's customer service was the best we've experienced our of all of our cabin rentals! The listing is accurate but really does not do this property justice.

The Virginia Creeper Trail is beautiful and a must see (even in the 40 degree rain) as is Grayson Highlands (even in 29 degree snow flurries!). For the Creeper Trail we rented from Creeper Trail Bike Rental. They are right on Hwy 58 in Whitetop which is great as this location saves you the 17 mile drive from Whitetop to Damascus, just to be brought back up to Whitetop. Their service was excellent but I recommend reserving your bikes in advance as they fill up quickly during peak weekends. We didn't do this for this trip due to weather but check out New River Campground for canoe/kayak rentals and a relaxing trip down the New River. We ate out only once; lunch at the Log House Restaurant which is on the way to the Creeper Trail and Grayson Highlands. Lunch was great - the folks working there and the other patrons were so friendly! We sat next to the fireplace and felt like we were leaving friends when it was time to go.

If you are coming to this area and have a vehicle that can negotiate the driveway I would highly recommend staying at this property. We are already looking forward to our next stay!!

This is a truly wonderful place to stay. I just read again the listing and looked at the pictures and it is all very accurate. Anyone who has taken a photo of a sunset knows, it's not the same as being there. Pictures just can't capture it. Having your own secluded spot on a mountain side with views in two directions is exceptional. We built camp fires, roasted marshmallows and hot dogs, explored the acreage, and played in the stream. The cabin was very nice and well decorated with entertaining and interesting items. We thoroughly enjoyed the views, fresh air, and the crisp weather of early October.

Do check Grayson Park and hike the twin pinnacle trail at a minimum. It is an easy 1.5 mile hike for the whole family. It affords 360 degree views on top of the rock pinnacles. The Children had a blast climbing on the rocks all along the trail and being on top the the world!

The Virgina Creeper trail is also must. We took WhiteTop down to Damascus - a 17 mile bike ride mainly down hill. The Green Cove station has a nice quaint gift shop and a free trail map. We must have crossed 50 rail road bridges and trestles winding through the mountains mostly along a large stream.

If you want to ride horses give Doug C a call (check the guest book). Really nice guy. Our oldest three (7, 9, 11) and my bride rode with Doug on a 1.5 hour ride in the Mount Rogers National Recreation area that they said was wonderful. Doug and I led my 2, 4 and 6 year old children on a quick "pony" ride around the yard before they headed out on their ride.

We really liked "Ciro's Pizza & Subs" in Independence, VA and "Quincey’s Pizza and Backyard Grill" in Damascus, VA. Good food and family friendly. The pizza was really good in both and the chicken tenders at Quincey's were outstanding.

About the driveway... If you have a 2WD SUV, a full size truck, or a van, something with a little clearance, it is possible to access the property. The drive is in good shape but it is a bit steep. Our full size Ford extension van fully loaded got up with no trouble. You have to hit it hard and fast and don't slow down until the turn about half way up. Make sure you keep a full tank of gas and you might need to shift passengers to the rear to make sure there was enough weight in the stern over the back wheels. I only mention this because I thought this was a wonderful place to say and would hate to think someone might miss out because they don't have a 4x4.

If you are looking for the PERFECT place to get away and relax, this is the mountain home for you! A simply gorgeous home with amazing views which will be spectacular in a few weeks with the fall foliage. The "cabin" is brand new (even though it was built in 2007) and wonderfully decorated. Plenty of wildlife to watch; we saw deer every day in the front yard. Lots of places to hike and bike (Virginia Creeper Trail is a must) nearby. Jeff (owner) was very accomodating and helpful. The only negative is the driveway; It is a challenge and a four wheel drive vehicle would have been a big help.

This house far exceeds the listing description: it is simply gorgeous, inside and out. As soon as you walk through the front door, you feel welcome and at home.

The cabin is spacious, well designed, tastefully decorated, and well equipped. The bedding in the master bedroom is wonderfully comfortable.

The owner was client oriented and worked with us via email from start to finish, making certain that our vacation was lined up properly.

We think that this region is perhaps the most beautiful in Virginia. The mountain views from the deck are spectacular, and the smokiness of the misty morning views are superb.

The house is close to all major attractions, including Grayson Highlands State Park, White Top Mountain, Mount Rogers, and the Virginia Creeper Trail.

If you are into biking on any level, the Virginia Creeper Trail is a must. We drove into nearby Damascus and rented a bike with a company that drove us and the bikes to the top of White Top Mountain. From there, we biked downhill (largely along the river), and the experience is a sensory explosion! It is no wonder that the Virginia Creeper trail is rated as one of the best trails in the country. The next time that we return, we plan to bike from Damascus into Abingdon and back.

If you are into hiking, you will definitely want to hike to the top of Mount Rogers. The hike up to the summit--the highest point in Virginia at 5729 feet--and back down again is a day that you will never forget. The variety of all that you see and experience on this hike is awesome.

If you are into a more relaxing day, be certain to drive into Abingdon where you can enjoy antiquing. Have lunch at one of the fine resturants you will find there.

Hopefully, you can tell how much we enjoyed the cabin and the area. We will definitely be back--again, and again and again. We can't imagine ever growing tired of this Virginia jewel.

We arrived on sat afternoon in the mouth of wilson and enjoyed the drive over winding country roads and a great independance day celebration in the town of Independance Virginia a short ride from the cabin retreat which was as described . my expectations were exceeded by the Amenities provided by a gracious host / owner of the cabin was easy to find,the drive way is nothing if you have the 4wheel drive as recomended (this is the highlands!) the drive was just a smooth stone drive way up to a beautiful view from every window, take your time relax ,enjoy the wildlife and views,sunsets in the dining room sunrise on the back deck . the gas grill for the chef as well as all modern conveinances and appliances. we visited to enjoy the new river and the local people and a wonderful time, we kayaked all day and enjoyed the cain by night this is an experiance you wont regret Patrick &Tracey B.

We stayed in the cabin June 2009.And what a beautiful cabin it was! The pictures did not even do it justice. We had a wonderful time while we were there. Three sisters and three teen girls.Had a relaxing vacation just spending time enjoying each others company, amid all the extra special amenities that the cabin offered.It was nice that we didn't have to pack a lot of extra stuff.The kitchen had everything you could need and towels and linens were provided.We played games provided, made s'mores at the campfire and cooked out on the grill.
The views from the porch and deck were fabulous.
We enjoyed hiking at Grayson Highlands Park to see the wild ponies and a 2 hour horseback ride through the mountains at Cregger's Stables. Thanks to the family for sharing your home with us!!!
We all want to go back again sometime soon.
Do not attempt the driveway without 4 wheel drive!!!