Growing up in Enumclaw, WA on the other side of the Mountain, (the Sunrise side) I was always attracted to the Paradise area. After all, it stayed open all year and we can only access Sunrise in the summer months. Owning a cabin in Ashford became a bit of a dream during the first few years of my marriage. When we were finally able to spring for one I realized, as an at home Mom, that I'd better find a way to pay for it! So, the cabin business was born. I clean and maintain the cabins as a full time job now and I enjoy it thoroughly. My commute passes by herds of grazing Elk & amazing Mountain views. When I clean a cabin it is gleaming and ready for guests to enjoy, which gives a great sense of accomplishment... particularly for someone who lives with 4 kids, and a great deal of chaos! Each of our cabins has been remodeled by our family. The kids pitch in to help, and even my 82 year old Dad loves to be a part of the projects.

There are 3 different types of cabin trips for me. Family nights, where we roast smore's around the campfire and play board games in the after dark hours. Couples nights where we go for long walks and spend time in the hot tub and sauna. And girls nights where we do all of the above with a glass of wine and plenty of talking.

The property borders on Dept of Natural Resources land that stretches on for miles. You can walk right from the back yard all the way down to the Nisqually River.

There are several great restaurants in the area, so we often dine out if we aren't in the mood for cooking.

In the winter we take the kids to the park for sledding at Paradise, where you can rent sleds for the day. The older kids enjoy cross country skiing and snow shoeing as well. You can rent equipment in Ashford at Whittaker's Mountaineering.

For those who enjoy the mountains Knotty Cottage is a great base to come home to after a day of adventure.