Easy Mornings

Welcome to Easy Mornings Cabin, a quiet 2-bedroom + loft retreat in the Little Bavaria community of Vilas, 4 miles from Valle Crucis and under 7 from downtown Boone. Soak in the hot tub tucked into the trees, rock on the covered porch above a lawn that rolls down to a small stream, and end the night by the stone fireplace. Sleeps 6, central heat and A/C, fire pit, gas grill, a remodeled kitchen, washer/dryer, a community fishing pond and room for up to 2 well-behaved dogs. Self check-in.

Welcome to Easy Mornings Cabin. The name says it all. This is a home built for slowing down together - big enough to be comfortable, small enough to feel cozy, and quiet in the way only a mountain cove can be. Mornings start in a rocking chair on the covered front porch with coffee in hand, looking out over a sloping green lawn that runs down to a small stream at the edge of the woods. Deer often wander across the lawn in the early morning and at dusk. Evenings end with the glass-front fire glowing against a wall of dry-stacked stone.

Inside, honey-toned pine is everywhere you look: vaulted tongue-and-groove ceilings, freshly refinished plank floors, and knotty pine wainscoting against crisp white walls. Sage, cream and red buffalo-check bring it all together, with a few bears and lanterns thrown in for good measure.

The Great Room - Open-plan under a vaulted pine ceiling. A tall stone fireplace with a raised hearth anchors the room, with a power-reclining sofa and leather recliners pulled up close to the fire. There's a TV here and a basket of throws for chilly nights.

The Kitchen - Remodeled in 2023 with sage-green shaker cabinets, a white stacked-stone backsplash, under-cabinet lighting and a stainless farmhouse sink under a window onto the trees. You'll find a full-size fridge, glass-top range and oven, dishwasher, microwave, Keurig, kettle, blender, and the pots, pans, dishes and wine glasses you need to cook real meals.

Dining - A plank farmhouse table with Windsor chairs sits under a vintage chandelier, framed by a three-panel window full of green leaves (or gold ones, in October).

Main Bedroom - A King bed with a scrolled iron frame, white bedding, a ceiling fan, a tall pine dresser, closet space and a wall-mounted TV.

Upstairs Bedroom - Up the open pine staircase, a queen bed with a leather nailhead headboard tucked under a sloped pine ceiling, with a ceiling fan, a pine plank accent wall and a rocking chair by the window.

The Loft - Two twin beds in red buffalo-check quilts under a steep pine ceiling. It's an open loft with a half-wall that overlooks the great room - kids love it, and it's perfect for a couple of extra guests.

Bathrooms - Two full baths: one with a tub/shower combo and one with a walk-in shower. Both have terracotta tile floors and wood vanities, and I provide all the towels and starter toiletries.

Mudroom & Laundry - The back entry has a bench, coat hooks and a closet with a full-size washer and dryer, so muddy boots and wet ski gear have a home.

The Back Deck & Hot Tub - Out the back door, a two-level deck (rebuilt in 2022) with Adirondack chairs and a propane gas grill steps down to the hot tub (new in 2023), wrapped in rhododendron and tall tulip poplars. It feels like soaking in the middle of the woods, and on a clear night the stars put on a show.

The Lawn, Fire Pit & Stream - Down on the lawn, a steel fire ring with four Adirondack chairs sits right at the edge of the trees, and a little red bench faces the stream. It's the kind of spot where nobody checks their phone.

Bring the Dog - Up to 2 mature, well-mannered dogs are welcome. The quiet gravel roads of the neighborhood are made for slow walks, and the lawn gives them room to stretch their legs.

Fishing & Trail Rides - The community pond is about 0.1 mile down the road and open to guests for catch-and-release fishing, and Dutch Creek Trails horseback riding is just over 10 mile away.

Getting Comfortable - Central heat and air conditioning (new HVAC in 2022), a propane fireplace, ceiling fans in both bedrooms, WiFi, TVs in the great room and the main bedroom, and gravel parking for up to 3 cars.

Good to Know - The upstairs bedroom and the loft are reached by an open-tread staircase, and the loft has a half-wall railing, so keep a close eye on little ones. There are also exterior stairs between the deck levels down to the hot tub.