Jekyll2021-09-10T20:26:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/feed.xmlMountain Breeze River CabinAudrey and JonSummer 20202020-09-13T00:00:00+00:002020-09-13T00:00:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/blog/summer2020<p><strong>As COVID drags on, we are putting plans to open the cabin for rental on hold.</strong> That said, we wanted to memorialize updates to the cabin we’ve been pursuing, many of which have also been suggested by all of you who are familiar with the property and have reached out about rental possibilities over the last year.</p>
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<p><strong>Improved river access!</strong> – We’ve refurbished the old stairs and added stairs all the way from the yard down to the firepit with solar lights all the way down; and stairs from the river bank into the river itself! As part of this project, we’ve also installed additional french drains across the property to hopefully reduce the swampiness of some of the ground closer to the river. We’ve also added a storage box down by the river and are working on better options for river-side enjoyment. We also have rive tubes for floating around on.
<img src="/assets/images/stairs.jpg" alt="Stairs" /></p>
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<p><strong>Increasing wildlife</strong> – We’ve added bird feeders, houses, and a deer feeder this summer to invite more wildlife to spend time on the property. At the same time, we’re using safe methods (“tick tubes”) to control and reduce the local tick population.</p>
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<p><strong>Rinse-off shower</strong> – We’re adding a solar-warmed outdoor rinse-off shower to help clean up before going into the cabin.
<img src="/assets/images/outdoor-shower.jpg" alt="Outdoor Shower" /></p>
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<p><strong>Cleaned up gravel driveway and paths</strong> – We’re re-graveling the driveway and key pathways around the property to improve access.</p>
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<p><strong>New trees and more berries!</strong> We’ve planted blackberry and blueberry bushes around the property edge, and added evergreen trees along the road and between the cabin and the neighboring properties to add additional privacy.</p>
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<p><strong>Furniture upgrades</strong> – We’ve replaced all the couches, with a king-sized pullout couch downstairs, and additional shelving as well as a more modern table and chairs upstairs.</p>
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<p><strong>Hot Tub improvements</strong> – the hot tub cover now opens towards the road side of the cabin, giving both more privacy in the winter when there’s less greenery, but more importantly to give a full view of the mountains!</p>
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<!--more-->Audrey and JonAs COVID drags on, we are putting plans to open the cabin for rental on hold. That said, we wanted to memorialize updates to the cabin we’ve been pursuing, many of which have also been suggested by all of you who are familiar with the property and have reached out about rental possibilities over the last year. Improved river access! – We’ve refurbished the old stairs and added stairs all the way from the yard down to the firepit with solar lights all the way down; and stairs from the river bank into the river itself! As part of this project, we’ve also installed additional french drains across the property to hopefully reduce the swampiness of some of the ground closer to the river. We’ve also added a storage box down by the river and are working on better options for river-side enjoyment. We also have rive tubes for floating around on. Increasing wildlife – We’ve added bird feeders, houses, and a deer feeder this summer to invite more wildlife to spend time on the property. At the same time, we’re using safe methods (“tick tubes”) to control and reduce the local tick population. Rinse-off shower – We’re adding a solar-warmed outdoor rinse-off shower to help clean up before going into the cabin. Cleaned up gravel driveway and paths – We’re re-graveling the driveway and key pathways around the property to improve access. New trees and more berries! We’ve planted blackberry and blueberry bushes around the property edge, and added evergreen trees along the road and between the cabin and the neighboring properties to add additional privacy. Furniture upgrades – We’ve replaced all the couches, with a king-sized pullout couch downstairs, and additional shelving as well as a more modern table and chairs upstairs. Hot Tub improvements – the hot tub cover now opens towards the road side of the cabin, giving both more privacy in the winter when there’s less greenery, but more importantly to give a full view of the mountains!Spring 20202020-04-12T00:00:00+00:002020-04-12T00:00:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/blog/spring2020<p>First off, obviously the coronavirus is throwing timelines out the window, so we don’t know at this point when we will be re-opening the cabin for visitors, but we will post updates here!</p>
<p>In terms of upgrades we’ve added a privacy wall and barn door to make a real bedroom out of the downstairs area, planted some new trees, and done a ton of research and planning around furniture upgrades to the couches and dining set - which will hopefully come through in the summer with some delays.</p>
<p>Stay safe!
<!--more--></p>Audrey and JonFirst off, obviously the coronavirus is throwing timelines out the window, so we don’t know at this point when we will be re-opening the cabin for visitors, but we will post updates here! In terms of upgrades we’ve added a privacy wall and barn door to make a real bedroom out of the downstairs area, planted some new trees, and done a ton of research and planning around furniture upgrades to the couches and dining set - which will hopefully come through in the summer with some delays. Stay safe!Summer updates from the cabin2019-09-21T00:00:00+00:002019-09-21T00:00:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/blog/updates<p>It’s been a busy summer of upgrades, cleaning and repairs!</p>
<p>First, a few big upgrades – the cabin now has Internet and T-Mobile service that reaches all the way down to the river! Thanks to that, it’s also getting set up with some smart features to help us keep track of what’s happening when we’re not there.</p>
<p>The increasingly beat-up Weber charcoal grill has been upgraded to a Kamado-style grill plus smoker setup. It can take a bit longer to get going, but provides a ton of precise heat control when needed! The gas grill is still there for quick grilling needs, and its barn swallow residents have been kicked out (and cleaned out!). We’re also updating a ton of the lights and light fixtures to provide a lot more light in the cabin.</p>
<p>One upgrade that we know will be super popular is a new high-end mattress for the master bed – plus additional steel slats to keep it from sagging in the middle!</p>
<p>Of course, this all comes with some fun repairs as well – tons of leaks (AC, fridge, even the well), plus fixing the fireplace, and tons of cleaning things out.</p>
<p>In between all of this, we have also been meeting our new neighbors, and spotting a ton of the local wildlife - black bears, frogs and snakes, praying mantises, herons, bald eagles, geese, and nutria.</p>
<p>Upcoming plans are to clear some of the dead trees and box elder maples which have been encroaching on the house, and improving the access down to the river, as well as getting a smart lock for the front door to make access better.</p>
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<img src="/assets/images/fireplace.jpg" alt="View of the cabin" /><figcaption>
The fireplace.
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<!--more-->Audrey and JonIt’s been a busy summer of upgrades, cleaning and repairs! First, a few big upgrades – the cabin now has Internet and T-Mobile service that reaches all the way down to the river! Thanks to that, it’s also getting set up with some smart features to help us keep track of what’s happening when we’re not there. The increasingly beat-up Weber charcoal grill has been upgraded to a Kamado-style grill plus smoker setup. It can take a bit longer to get going, but provides a ton of precise heat control when needed! The gas grill is still there for quick grilling needs, and its barn swallow residents have been kicked out (and cleaned out!). We’re also updating a ton of the lights and light fixtures to provide a lot more light in the cabin. One upgrade that we know will be super popular is a new high-end mattress for the master bed – plus additional steel slats to keep it from sagging in the middle! Of course, this all comes with some fun repairs as well – tons of leaks (AC, fridge, even the well), plus fixing the fireplace, and tons of cleaning things out. In between all of this, we have also been meeting our new neighbors, and spotting a ton of the local wildlife - black bears, frogs and snakes, praying mantises, herons, bald eagles, geese, and nutria. Upcoming plans are to clear some of the dead trees and box elder maples which have been encroaching on the house, and improving the access down to the river, as well as getting a smart lock for the front door to make access better. The fireplace.Some Backstory2019-05-17T00:00:00+00:002019-05-17T00:00:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/blog/backstory<p>During the final walkthrough of the cabin before purchase, Jon decided to take photos of all of our entries into the guestbook over the years (which have included everything from some poorly advised winter weather driving with our ‘91 Honda, kayak-vs-rapids judgment errors, getting engaged, and introducing our newborn to taxidermy), and discovered an entry of our which pre-dated the entry we had been, for almost 10 years, been “counting” from. On one hand, this means our count of just how many times we had come out to this special cabin on the river was forever off, but really this early visit was just one more reason we had begun to call the cabin a home.</p>
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<img src="/assets/images/guestbook-2007-05.jpg" alt="Our first guest book entry (we think)" /><figcaption>
Our first guest book entry (we think)
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<!--more-->Audrey and JonDuring the final walkthrough of the cabin before purchase, Jon decided to take photos of all of our entries into the guestbook over the years (which have included everything from some poorly advised winter weather driving with our ‘91 Honda, kayak-vs-rapids judgment errors, getting engaged, and introducing our newborn to taxidermy), and discovered an entry of our which pre-dated the entry we had been, for almost 10 years, been “counting” from. On one hand, this means our count of just how many times we had come out to this special cabin on the river was forever off, but really this early visit was just one more reason we had begun to call the cabin a home. Our first guest book entry (we think)Big Changes at the little cabin!2019-05-16T00:00:00+00:002019-05-16T00:00:00+00:00https://mountainbreezeriver.com/blog/changes<p>Hi, we’re Audrey and Jon. Cabin “regulars” may recognize us from our many contributions to the Mountain Breeze guest book. If you’re also cabin regulars, you know what a true gem is hiding at the river’s edge. When the previous owners asked if we would be interested in taking over the cabin, we jumped (maybe actually literally) at the opportunity.</p>
<p>If you hope to come back to the cabin, our intention is to re-open it for rental in 2020 after we’ve had a chance to make it our own.</p>
<figure class="">
<img src="/assets/images/cabin-front.jpg" alt="View of the cabin" /><figcaption>
View of the cabin.
</figcaption></figure>
<!--more-->Audrey and JonHi, we’re Audrey and Jon. Cabin “regulars” may recognize us from our many contributions to the Mountain Breeze guest book. If you’re also cabin regulars, you know what a true gem is hiding at the river’s edge. When the previous owners asked if we would be interested in taking over the cabin, we jumped (maybe actually literally) at the opportunity. If you hope to come back to the cabin, our intention is to re-open it for rental in 2020 after we’ve had a chance to make it our own. View of the cabin.