Kinzel Springs = Mountain Paradise!
Wow. I’ve just taken a trip to visit Kinzel Springs, where our cabin will be located, and I must say an emphatic, all-caps WOW.
Now, admittedly, I have not clocked a whole lot of time in the mountains. I’m very much a city girl, so this was particularly exciting for me. The lifestyle there seems positively idyllic. I think I’m in love.
Tucked away in the mountains and trees there is a definite sense of peace, calm and seclusion. Time seems to slow down. At the same time, the mountains are so grand that they instantly render all of life’s problems puny and insignificant. The trees have such presence that they feel instantly like dear old friends and the mountain air makes just plain old breathing borderline euphoric. It’s downright therapeutic!
And while the area feels delightfully remote, it’s really not. It’s 5 minutes from the major freeway and the nearby town, Townsend, has all of the amenities (grocery, hardware, pharmacy, restaurants…) that you could possibly need. There’s even an adorable little coffee café with a most-congenial proprietress named Jaimie. She makes a delicious cup of fair-trade, organic coffee that is a favorite among the locals as well as mountain bikers on their Sunday rides.
The setting is magnificent, the local flavor is delicious and I’m thrilled that for the next several months I will be spending a lot of time there building a beautiful mountain home to give away to someone who’ll no doubt have many wonderful experiences there.
I even saw wild turkeys!
Ten four for now,
Amy
Hi Amy,
Sounds heavenly cant wait to see the show in August to see the outcome of this awesome cabin home . Whoever wins this home will have a great opportunity to create wonderful family vacations and memories.Good luck to everyone.
Amy;
This is an exciting opportunity for my family and i. We usally try to spend a couple of weeks a year in the mountains. It’s a great getaway,even to the point as we have discussed trying to purchasing a cabin there. however the cost is somewhat out of a reasonable range for us at this time. so a chance to blog and perhaps win this would be a dream come true.
Just a thought on some of the flooring the greatroom or setting area would look really neat with the synthentic stone tile, to compliment with the fireplace. The entry and porch would also maintain the mountainous appeal with a flagstone overlayment. Just thinking outloud i suppose but it’s great to be able to express my veiws with someone like you. thanks Steve Highbaugh, Bonnieville, Ky
Kinzel Springs sounds calming and peaceful. As this contest began I was intrigued at the surroundings of Kinzel Springs. Offering a breathtaking view, magnificent streams, quaint picnic areas, a catch & release fishing stream & hiking trails. It all sounds very exciting and impressive!
Your depiction was dream like…………
Wow Amy, you really know how to paint a picture with words. Let’s all move there right now! This is really exciting regardless of who ends up with this “dream” cabin we all get to participate. And so, I must comment on the round stair rail choice that is voted on the most. As a woodworker I appreciate a good Join and the traditional looks to be the most reliable. The round leaves rough end grain exposed and is more difficult to dust and maintain. And although the third choice is a lovely work of art I wonder if there might be issues with children and safety?
What do you’all think?
Joy
Hi, Amy I am a local contractor in north GA and have a very lot of ideas for for custom log homes. I/we my crew have done many custom improvements to up scalled log homes. I would love to be a part of this and or help any way i/ or we can .
Thanxs Tommmy
P.S If needed I have many digital pictures That can be sent
Amy, I do love the sounds of rain on a metal roof but resisting wind and the ability of metal to stand the test of time are excellant. I have only seen metal roofs pose a problem in extreme high winds with wind driven rain getting into the home around the ridge. As a storm adjuster, I have seen it survive high wind.
Once upon a time, I was a firefighter and all I can say on metal and fire is that it would require cutting though for venting in a major fire. Of course, any roof must be vented in the same circumstance. I can not imagine metal being any more difficult to cut with a k-12 saw than any other roof.(metal was not really available in my fire fighting days)
In any case, I love the way the cabin is coming together. I imagine on your trip to the site it was very exciting, picturing the cabin in such a beautiful place. A place one can forget time and pressure of the regular world. Keep up the great work!
Amy,
Have y’all considered any solar or geothermal heating for the home? Not only would it be great for the house (and the environment) but it would make for some great TV stuff. Solar might not be appropriate depending on how you sit in the clouds, and geothermal can be tough if drilling is a problem, but they should at least be considered.
What can I say my granddaughter will love the coffee shop what 17 year old would not love the tree and mountain and going for long walk with her grandmother it is a dream we mite let her mother come along.Bennett
Thanks Amy!~ Now I am even more turned on toward the idea of the cabin in Tennesse!!! I will enjoy participating in the ideas for the cabin and watching the progress. But I have to admit now I will be saddened if I don’t win. I just had surgery today and I still am on here voting and responding to blogs! When HGTV had their house last year I tried so hard with daily postcards and daily email entries that I was very let down not to win it. Albeit happy for the other “guy”. My son is always cryin’ lately as we haven’t gone on vac. in two yrs. We live in MI and enjoy driving to our destination- south. We all love stopping at hotels even.. wowwwww can’t imagine “stopping” at a beautiful cabin and mountain area. I am part Indian and I would be visiting the Mountains to check out all the Indian history and shops. OOhhh maybe you could do some decorating with Indian artifacts… how down to earth natural is THAT! Ok, so I hate when people plead their cases and talk about themselves… so I better get some rest and “dream on” now.
Amy,
I’m glad you said “appears to be idyllic”… A bit of history searching would reveal that typical life in the mountains was anything but… It was not easy to carve a living out of that environment.
That said, I sure hope you will be taking advantage of local craftsmen to do most of the work. I’m sure they will appreciate the boost to their economy.
Another significant point that occured as I was blog browsing…. The cabin must (not should, but MUST) fit in with other architecture of the area…. and I hope that will contribute more weight than the votes of dreamy housebounds who never ventured into the Great Smokies before… OK, I’ve probably said enough.