Fine Tuning the Plans

We've almost got the plans perfect. A huge "thank you" to our customers and friends for participating in our survey to let us know what they'd like to see included in the build, suggestions for improvement and etc. Here's a recap on the survey comments. The build is still planned for Oct 2020 to April-ish 2021.

- An inside area, warm, for a reading nook was requested. We'll make this happen, probably with a gas fireplace and maybe a t.v., inside the great room/kitchen space.
- Covered parking for motorcycles, and a paved area for bike parking. We can do the covered space, not sure about the paved area.
- Hostel style lodging for drop ins - our insurance doesn't allow for a hostel, but we will try to keep the basement bunkroom (next to the basement bathroom) for motorcyclists travelling thru. However, we are not set up for drop ins!!! So, we still need reservations!
- Better lighting in the basement. The basement bunk room will be coming off Airbnb, and only rented to motorcyclists who want to stay just one night, or used for wedding and event overflow. The existing basement bathroom won't generally be used at all.
- The bath house area remains the same - 2 public sinks, 3 toilet/sink rooms, 3 showers with dressing areas. Included in this # are 1 ADA compliant toilet/sink room, and 1 shower.
- The outdoor kitchen is not a very popular idea, but we'll likely build it anyway for maple syrup processing, jam making, preparing "cook out" meals for guests.
- There'll be a 1/2 bathroom in the tower, or below it a level or 2. Most folks didn't mind going down a flight of stairs to get to it. Shower will be accessed at the basement level bath house. I'm trying to leave space for a gas fireplace in the tower room, as well as a small kitchenette!
- Balconies at tower and guest suite are a definite YES!
- Overwhelmingly, folks are happy to pay us for dinners and full breakfasts.
- Pop up dinner idea was considered to be a good one, so we'll explore that option with area chefs, locations - seeking opportunities and ideas!
- Fridge space was requested. Everyone can use the kitchen in the addition. The morning coffee bar will be located in there, too. And we can serve meals either inside there, or outside in the summer.
- Heat, electricity was requested for the snug camping cabin. We plan to keep this as a solar off grid cabin. It is our most frequently rented space! Those who need heat/electricity can chose one of the other lodging options.

I think that was everything suggested. Again, thank you for participating! We've got our "final" visit with Lineage Architects today, and we're stopping in at PWD Windows & Doors to tour their showroom and make some decisions.

Stay tuned!!! Teresa, Jeff, Xena

Lodge addition - our dream build

Our log cabin on the hill will soon have a gorgeous addition (in 2020/2021) which will firmly cement us into the realm of Innkeepers, and venue hosts. Hospitality has long been the focus here (we ain't called "Loafer's Glory" for nothin!). Ananias Pitsenbarger and family hosted lots of folks, including passersby in the 1800s-early 1900s, as a stopover on the (once) main road to Mt Solon and Harrisonburg VA. After all the Pitsenbargers died, Jeff's Mom and Dad, Bill and Betty, loved the place, built our current log cabin, and entertained friends and family almost 30 years ago. After their passing, Jeff and I have continued to open up the place as a retreat for family and friends, then as an Airbnb lodging destination, and lately as a wedding and event venue (in addition to nightly lodging).

We just simply need more space to host folks, and better support weddings! We have lots of repeat customers, and still make room for family and friends, of course. Oh, and Jeff needs a HUGE garage and workshop for all the motorcycles, neon signs, elk head, and a whopping, gargantuan Dunlop tire cabinet which we got from a good friend (thanks, Andrew!). Plus we'll add a bath house, and laundry center, great room, another guest suite, observation tower with beds, prep kitchen for receptions.

The schematic drawing (above) is part of our initial planning process, and we are so happy to be working with Lineage Architects in Verona, VA. Somehow Pennie Garber has been able to cull through my random and sometimes wacky thoughts for the addition, and craft a logical (but still unique) plan for us. We're still fine tuning plans, and I'll post more about that process as we go along. 

The build will start in Oct 2020 with the guidance and skills of Laurel Hill Construction in Franklin WV. We are thrilled to have Jay and crew building our dream! We hope to be finished by April 2021. 

Stay tuned! We'll post again as we get the plans firmed up. 
​Jeff, Teresa and Xena