We can’t get enough of the natural beauty of the Great Smokies, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Pisgah. Maggie Valley and the surrounding area is a great place to call home, a second home. Mystic Mountain provides us and our guests with a special time to relax, explore, and connect with the natural world.

To make the time spent in between exploring as comfortable as possible Mark and I like to make regular updates to this wonderful mountain getaway. 2011 was a time for numerous updates. The year began with kitchen updates.

Then in the fall we brought an updated sofa into the living room. We find it a great place to sit back, relax, and reflect on our day. A comfy sofa makes a fire in the fireplace just a bit more cozy. Book a visit now and get to see the beauty and enjoy the comfort at Mystic Mountain.

The Problem
When the original 28″ drop-in range bit the dust at our vacation rental, we discovered that the standard 30″ range would not fit in the 28″ opening left behind. That necessitated moving the existing cabinets or replacing them. Since in the original install the sink cabinet was not centered on the window and the sink was not centered in the cabinet, it definitely made sense to update the cabinets before replacing the tired almond colored laminate counters and installing a new free standing range.

The Goals
Our goals were threefold: to refresh the kitchen and improve the footprint, to limit the amount of refuse going into the landfill, and to do all this within a limited budget.

The Solution
To the rescue came Jeana Burnette and the wonderful people at Jennings Builders Supply and Hardware. Jeana understood our desire to work within the existing footprint of our charming country kitchen and salvage whatever we could. Saving the upper oak cabinets which were still looking good was an obvious and easy step to take.

With Jeana’s help we decided to install oak lower cabinets for continuity. Then, we chose a painted finish that would work with the existing tile floor. The Medallion Oak Cabinets in the Seagrass finish were the perfect pick. Retrofitting the new cabinets into the existing footprint and on the recently installed tile floor required an expert carpenter. Jennings definitely had the right man for the job.

Jeana came up with an affordable option to link the upper oak stained cabinets with the lower painted oak cabinets. She suggested adding the wooden doorknobs stained to match the lowers on both upper and lowers. The uba tuba granite tied the entire project together.

We improved the footprint by moving the new energy efficient dishwasher from one side of the sink to the other. The change allows for two people to work in the kitchen now. Much more efficient.

We pride ourselves on providing the best place to relax and enjoy the mountains of Maggie Valley and the surrounding area of Haywood County at an affordable price. Check out our new kitchen and everything else that is great about Mystic Mountain Cabin. We’d love to have you visit with us any time at our Maggie Valley cabin rental.

We know that for many of you this may be the first time you have stayed at a vacation rental home; so, at Mystic Mountain we make every effort to put any uncertainties you may have to rest.

Here are just a few ways we show our appreciation for your business:

Mystic Mountain Regular Updates
When you book a stay at Mystic Mountain, we keep in touch. From your initial inquiry to your check in and check out, we make sure we are there for you. We keep you in the know through each step of the process with email notifications of receipt of deposits, payments, and lease agreements. We also provide you with a variety of websites in each email to help you plan your visit.

Mystic Mountain Welcome Package
At Mystic Mountain, we want you to have all the details you need to feel secure in your decision to stay with us sight unseen. Our informative Welcome Package includes:
1. Entry information
2. Directions to Mystic
3. Important emergency contact numbers
4. Facts about the cabin that will help you settle in
5. Travel brochures to help you plan your visit

Mystic Mountain Welcome Bag
We know that many of you are traveling long distances. So, we want to make sure that if you arrive too late to hit the grocery store you have breakfast covered. In the Welcome Bag you will find everything that you need for a continental breakfast – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a muffin mix (you just add water and bake).

Where to get a good meal? The question that each of us faces when on vacation. Mark and I have some favorite local lunch spots that have original menus with meals from scratch.

Whitman’s on Main in Waynesville
Whitman’s on Main, a quaint bakery and deli in an historic building, is always busy at lunch. The eatery is comfortably appointed with tin tile ceilings and brick interior walls. While waiting to place your menu at the counter, you watch the cooks at work in the meticulously clean kitchen. The servers always greet you with a smile with ready answers to any questions you may have. The menu is filled with comfort foods with an original twist. You can always find a tasty special. Fresh salads and sandwiches and delicious soups dominate the menu. We always like to grab a chicken potpie on the way out the door for an easy and delicious dinner. Get reviews .

The Patio Bistro, Waynesville
The Patio Bistro in downtown Waynesville, another favorite, is best enjoyed during the warmer months. The charming European style patio accented with distinctive clay and iron sun images provide a perfect place to enjoy a healthy wrap sandwich. Another restaurant where the original menu provides a variety of soups, salads, wraps and even a quiche of the day – all from scratch. Ordering at the counter, you can choose to accompany your sandwich with one of many fresh salads on display in the deli case. You can find Patio Bistro, opened seven days a week, at 26 Church Street.

Country Vittles in Maggie Valley
The unassuming strip restaurant at 3589 Socco Road is a favorite with the locals. Hailing from Durham, NC with an aunt and grandmother who prided themselves on their fresh biscuits and fresh vegetables made with country meat, I feel particularly qualified to comment on the vegetable plate served here. It is excellent. Mark always orders the chef’s salad loaded up with everything that makes a chef’s salad special. Since we always go for those two menu items, I leave it to you to explore these items or many of the other fresh luncheon items on the menu. Country Vittles has seasonal hours and is only open for breakfast and lunch so check before going.

The Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
If you are looking for a memorable lunch spot, the Pisgah Inn should definitely be on the list. This elegant 1950s restaurant is situated on the highest overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have never ordered an item on the menu that didn’t meet with our approval. From fresh trout to delicious salads, foods are served by a well trained staff in a unique environment. The Pisgah Inn opens in late March and closes at the end of leaf season. It is sure to please everyone in your group.

TIPS
Before you rent:
1. Review photos carefully.
2. Review guests comments.
3. Establish an internet relationship with the owner.
4. Pick up the phone and talk to the owner.
5. Pay over the internet through a secure credit card processing company.

Renting a vacation home from a private owner does not have to be a leap of faith. We take a number of steps at Mystic Mountain Cabin to eliminate the doubts.

On a Local, State, National, and International Level
1. Membership in the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce shows that we are serious about our business and the community in which we operate.
2. Listing on several prominent websites including VRBO and the HomeAway networks requires a substantial financial commitment, an indication that we are a stable owner.
3. A personal website provides an additional resource for information about Mystic Mountain Cabin and the owners.
4. Registered with the state of North Carolina as a vacation rental property owner, we are listed with the Haywood County Tourism Agency.
5. Linked to a credit card processing company, we are able to accept credit cards – an indication of our stability.

On a Personal Level
1. We encourage our guests to provide feedback. Check out previous guests comments at Mystic Mountain Cabin .
2. We answer your initial inquiry in a timely manner, usually within hours, another indicator of reliability.
3. We keep an up-to-date calendar so that you can easily determine availability.
4. I maintain an internet connection with future guests by providing travel information, calendars of events, and updates on activities in and around Maggie Valley.
5. We also have a toll free number so you can request additional information free of charge.

If you look for many of these indicators, you will not be asking yourself as vacation time approaches, “Is this vacation rental for real?” You’ll know that “yes, it is.” What do you look for when choosing a vacation rental? What would you find reassuring as an online renter?

TIPS
1. Don’t hesitate to ask if the owner will offer a discount.
2. Make an offer so the owner doesn’t have to guess how low you want him/her to go. Ask for a free night.
3. Be reasonable. Consider negotiating cleaning fees or a 10% discount off the daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Vacation owners love their homes and have considered their costs and competing properties to arrive at a fair rate.
4. Be tactful. Consider that vacation rental owners have all the costs that you have to keep the house operational including utilities, taxes, and insurances. In addition to these costs, advertising averages as much as $100 a month. Many owners are also carrying a mortgage.

When my family and I made the choice to stay at our first vacation rental home, we had some real concerns about what to expect. The price was incredibly reasonable. It seemed too good to be true. But, we decided to take the digital leap and send our deposit and payment to an internet someone. During the 11 hour ride to the cabin, we just kept our fingers crossed that the place would be habitable. Then, we pulled up to the front door. It was more than too good to be true. It was perfect. We were hooked. Vacation rental properties became the only way to travel for us. A great list of properties can be found at VRBO or Homeaway.

There are some real advantages to staying at a vacation home rented out by the owner.

1. You purchase access to an entire home usually at a nightly rate that is less than most hotels or motels.
2. Most owners do not charge extra for additional guests.
3. In some situations, pets are welcomed.
4. With multiple bedrooms plus a full living room everyone’s privacy and sleeping habits can be accommodated.
5. Unlike in a hotel, you have complete privacy from other vacationers.
6. With a full kitchen, you have the option of eating meals in for convenience, dietary needs, or cost efficiency.

I would encourage you to take the internet leap if you haven’t already. If you have, what do you like best about renting through the vacation owner system?