Cabin Sweet Cabin – the name we soon adopted after arriving – is set off from the downtown area of Black Mountain (a small town comprised of small stores, excellent coffee shops, and small restaurants in turn-of-the century storefronts).  Built in 1814, Lake Eden Cabin (its “real” name) is rustic and oh-so-charming.  It sits in the middle of the Lake Eden acreage – an expanse of wedding and event property that houses several rental houses in a gorgeous, well-manicured setting with several lakes, a turn-of-the century barn (one of the rustic event spaces), and ringed by mountains to offer beautiful views.

We’d planned on spending time in Asheville during our long weekend at the cabin, but found ourselves foiled by the immediate relaxation that the setting demanded.  The cabin itself is fantastically (and recently) restored with modern furnishings.   Our favorite “room”, as we discovered, was the porch – we spent our waking hours reading and chatting on the porch’s rocking chairs – or after dark, beside the large stone outdoor fireplace next to the cabin.  Inside, a large living room centers around a wrought iron stove in the fireplace.  Leading from the living room on the first floor are the full bath and the kitchenette (efficiency fridge, two burners for cooking and a full sink), and stairs rise up to the lofted bedroom above.

The kitchen is fully stocked with cookware, dishes, plates, etc, and soaps and clean towels are provided in the bathroom.  The cabin sleeps up to 4, with 2 in the queen bed in the lofted bedroom and 2 on the full futon in the living room.  (Perfect for one couple or a couple with children – but the lofted bedroom looks directly down onto the futon, so 2 couples needing privacy wouldn’t be recommended.)

The weather was perfect during our stay – the mid-70s were a relief from the heat of Atlanta in mid-July, and the mountain breezes were constant with the sweet smell of very fresh air.  The cabin was stocked well with fire wood, so we opted to cook outside on the stone fireplace through our stay.  A glass of cabernet next to the fire wrapped up our evenings after grilled porterhouse steaks the first night and fajitas the second – true bliss.

At $130 a night – and pet friendly, this little cabin was a steal.  Its magical charm seemed to extend our long weekend into many more nights than we actually stayed – it seemed to stop time and demand a return to simpler times when mornings slipped into afternoons in a rocking chair on a front porch of a rustic cabin.  If laziness doesn’t take hold of you as it did us, you’re in the middle of some of the best hiking in the Asheville area – head to Mount Mitchell for an unforgettable hike and views from the largest peak East of the Mississippi, or off onto the side trails of any of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s more secluded hiking destinations.

(click here for directions)

This cabin is privacy to the extreme and perfect for relaxation in a beautiful setting.  Set off of a gravel road just north of the Bat Cave / Chimney Rock area of North Carolina, it’s also a quick 18 miles to the excellent dining and arts that Asheville offers to the North, and a close drive to Biltmore (which, aside from the wonders of the house, provides great hiking as well as strolls through hundreds of acres of beautifully manicured gardens).

The cabin is well kept  - set into a hillside with a stream running along side, a fire pit and grill offer night time relaxation under the stars.

Inside, a wood burning stove is the centerpiece of a living room equipped with modern furnishings.  The downstairs is completed with a fully equipped kitchen, the first of two bedrooms, and a bathroom with a generously sized stone and tile shower (downright huge for a cabin!).  A ladder ascends from the living area into an upstairs loft that offers a second bedroom as well as a door to a second story private balcony that’s set into the hill.

At 3.5 hours from Atlanta, we made the drive up on Friday after work and enjoyed two nights before regretfully having to leave on Sunday.  Perfect in proximity to great hiking, attractions such as Chimney Rock and Biltmore, or for some solitude in the woods, Roundrock comes fully recommended for a weekend getaway.  A huge bonus in our book – Roundrock is pet friendly.

Our goal – to see the side of the Smoky Mountains that most don’t travel there to see – the excellent hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  It was for that reason that we sought out a cabin far from the Myrtle-Beach-esque stretches of Pigeon Forge and away from the melee of downtown Gatlinburg (if you’ve seen it in Helen, it’s here – how many candy shops and waffle restaurants can one town need?)  Don’t be fooled by the commercialism though – there’s an abundance of natural beauty here in the hills of the Smokies waiting to be enjoyed – and blissfully, it seems that most visitors to the area are stuck on the main streets of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and off of the trails.

Mama Bear Cabin exceeded expectations – three stories of modern log construction with windows and balconies galore, overlooking the expanses of the Smoky Mountains.  With three bedrooms and three bathrooms – along with a full kitchen (stainless steel appliances), stone fireplace, grill,  wet bar, pool table, hot tub (a must-have for every cabin in the Smokies), foosball table, and plenty of room to relax – this cabin offers as much to do at the cabin in case of rain as it does in proximity to excellent trails and outdoor enjoyment.

We met our family here for an extended weekend – with as much room as it affords, the cabin would be much too large for the two of us and one black lab – but perfect for a getaway in the mountains with family or friends.  The floorplan is well-thought;  with bedrooms and baths each on their own level (and a bonus loft in the master on the 3rd floor), there is plenty of room for privacy without feeling that you’re on top of each other.

With views extending into the Great Smokies from all 3 levels of decks, we think you’ll find this the perfect home base for exploring the natural wonders that the Smokies have to offer.  Our stay with our family provided unforgettable memories – we hope it holds the same for you.