| Week of August 7-13, 1997 |
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Romantic getaways near Atlanta, Georgia Question: My girlfriend and I love anything outdoors, including mountain biking, hiking, climbing, etc. We are looking for a small, rustic, “real” log cabin with a jacuzzi on the outside deck and a beautiful view. It must be a close drive, within a few hours, of Atlanta, Georgia. My question is: Do you have a list of privately owned cabins that meet this criteria? We have found several, but none with a view. All seem to be located on a lake or in the middle of secluded woods. We would like to be in the mountains overlooking a valley or lake below. I know this is a very specific request, but I’m sure other couples would love to know about some very romantic and scenic cabins. A list of romantic getaways would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and consideration. John Fabre
ϳԹ Adviser: There aren’t many choices in privately owned cabins, but there are zillions of cozy little inns that have guest rooms and private log cabins on secluded stretches of property. The Swag (800-789-7672), just outside of Waynesville, North Carolina, and 30 minutes west of Asheville, stands atop a 5,000-foot mountain with the Great Smoky Mountains in its backyard. On its own 250 acres, the inn has 13 guest bedrooms, as well as three hand-hewn log cabins — one with a hot tub on the back deck and a sweeping mountain panorama. It may be stretching it a bit to call this cabin rustic, but it’s the only one I found with a hot tub on the deck, so bear with me. This double-decker cabin also has two bedrooms, two baths, a wet bar, and a living room with a fireplace. One former guest said of this cabin, “There are certain experiences in life that cannot be duplicated. Staying in this cabin is one of It gets even better. The food at The Swag is out of this world, with trout from a farm down the mountain, hand-picked apples and cranberries, and herbs and vegetables from the garden out the back door. My vote is for The Swag — that is if you are willing to pay $430 per night. Other options: Pisgah View Ranch, off Route 151 south of Asheville, is nestled on 2,000 acres of land, with in-your-face views of Mount Pisgah. On the ranch you can ride horses, hike, play tennis, or go swimming. Off the ranch you can take advantage of rock climbing, biking, and hiking in Pisgah National Forest. The ranch has a few rustic log cabins, some more secluded than others and two with jacuzzi tubs. The only problem is the tubs are inside, not outside. Depending on the cabin, prices range from $55 to $80 per person, per night, including meals at the lodge. Call 704-667-9100 for more details. Even closer to Atlanta — but not a rustic log cabin — is the Dahlonega Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The lodge does, however, have 360-degree mountaintop views and homemade chocolate-chip cookies for the taking. Just minutes from the lodge, you’ll find 14 miles of singletrack on the Bull Mountain Trail, which hooks into a larger network of trails in the |
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